BA (Hons) English Literature with Creative Writing

We keep class sizes small so you won’t get lost in the crowd. You will be assigned a personal tutor to support you every step of the way, and our academic and student support teams will ensure you have the tools to success in your studies. We value the quality of your learning experience.

Teaching methods

Teaching on the BA (Hons) English with Creative Writing degree is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and small-group workshop sessions that encourage active participation, critical engagement and creative experimentation. The course is designed to provide students with a supportive and intellectually stimulating learning environment in which they can develop confidence as both critical readers and creative practitioners.

Lectures introduce key literary texts, historical contexts, theoretical perspectives and contemporary debates, providing students with the foundational knowledge required for advanced study. These sessions support the development of critical understanding by exploring a wide range of literary, cultural and creative materials across different genres, periods and global contexts. Lectures are complemented by seminars in which students engage in close reading, discussion and collaborative analysis of texts and ideas. Seminar teaching encourages students to articulate their interpretations, respond to differing perspectives and develop independent critical arguments.

Creative writing workshops form a central part of the programme and provide opportunities for students to experiment with a range of forms, including fiction, poetry, scriptwriting and creative non-fiction. Workshops are typically delivered in small groups to encourage discussion, peer review and constructive feedback. Through these sessions, students develop their writing techniques, editorial awareness and reflective practice while learning how to refine and redraft their work for different audiences and purposes.

Small-group teaching supports a more personalised learning experience and enables students to participate actively in discussion-based and practice-led activities. Tutorials provide additional opportunities for individual academic guidance, allowing students to discuss their progress, receive formative feedback and reflect on their creative and critical development. Tutorials also support students in developing independent research skills, managing projects and preparing for assessments.

The programme makes use of blended and digitally enhanced learning approaches where appropriate, encouraging students to engage with contemporary forms of storytelling, adaptation and communication. Independent study is an important aspect of the course, enabling students to undertake wider reading, research, creative practice and project development outside of taught sessions.

Together, these teaching methods foster a collaborative and inclusive learning community that supports intellectual curiosity, creativity and academic achievement while preparing students for employment, postgraduate study and participation in the wider cultural and creative industries.

Assessment Methods

Assessment on the BA (Hons) English with Creative Writing programme is designed to support both critical and creative development through a varied range of coursework and practice-based tasks. Students are assessed through essays, presentations, group projects, creative portfolios and independent research assignments that encourage the application of theoretical knowledge alongside creative experimentation.

Critical essays enable students to develop skills in close reading, analysis, interpretation and academic argument, while research projects encourage independent inquiry and engagement with literary, cultural and theoretical contexts. Presentations and group work support the development of communication, collaboration and professional skills, allowing students to share ideas, respond to feedback and engage confidently with different audiences.

Creative assessments provide opportunities for students to produce original work across a range of forms and genres, including fiction, poetry, screenplays and creative non-fiction. These assessments encourage students to experiment with narrative, voice, structure and style while reflecting on the relationship between creative practice and critical understanding. Creative portfolios often include reflective commentary, enabling students to evaluate their own development as writers and practitioners. Students may also choose whether to complete a traditional research dissertation or a longer piece of Creative Writing.

Together, these assessment methods promote intellectual independence, creative confidence and transferable graduate skills relevant to employment, professional practice and postgraduate study.