Skip page header and navigation

Creative Writing (Full-time) (BA Hons)

Lampeter
3 Years Full-time
96 - 112 UCAS Points

Our Creative Writing programme is informed by the National Association of Writers in Education (NAWE) definition of the subject. It is designed to nurture creative writers and to facilitate the creation of new works in a supportive but critical community. You will develop your practice with modules that heighten creative and critical awareness of the elements and techniques of effective writing.

We introduce poetry, prose and drama in year one and broaden the focus in the second and third years to nurture the writing of voice, form and place.

There are dedicated modules that develop practice in poetry and fiction, and, while the critical, self-reflective and editorial aspects of practice are emphasised throughout, there is also a module devoted to the relationship between research and writing. You will draw on these skills to research and produce an extended independent project (equivalent to a dissertation).

These core skills – writing, research and editing – are supplemented by modules that introduce you to the worlds of publication and performance, enabling you to develop an understanding of the career prospects for writers in the creative industries and the application of writing skills in administrative and entrepreneurial contexts.

Course details

Start date:
Study modes:
  • Full-time
  • Blended (On-campus)
Language:
  • English
Institution code:
T80
UCAS code:
W801
Course length:
3 Years Full-time
Entry requirements:
96 - 112 UCAS Points

Tuition Fees 2023/24 and 24/25
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year

Why choose this course?

01
Academically and creatively challenging we aim to nurture your creative talent across a range of different forms - including short stories, screenplays, poetry, drama and novels.
02
We give you the opportunity to develop an understanding of the world of publishers focusing on your research and editing skills and exploring key aspects of publication.
03
You will attend small-group classes with a focus on discussion and learning activities to encourage the self-development and critical reflection accepted as key to the development of personal and professional capacities.

What you will learn

Alongside the form and genre options, you will take modules in research and archiving, following which you will create a major piece of work which may lead to publication. Throughout your three years you will have regular contact with, and support from, a range of different writers.

Workshop sessions will be held within which you will be encouraged to discuss your work with your community of fellow writers. Your tutor will support you in preparing your work for publication and advise on places to approach. Alongside one-to-one tuition, you will also take modules on different aspects of the writing industry, including sessions on reviewing, editing and writing to brief.

There is a strong sense of community among students and staff, and the ratio of staff to students is such that students can access their lecturers when needed. The small classes are always friendly and never intimidating, allowing staff to know their students on a first-name basis.

Year A and B 

Compulsory

Myths and Mythology: How Stories Shape the World
Exploring the Humanities
Historicising Texts

(20 credits)

Introduction to the Craft of Writing

(20 credits)

The Study of Literature: Text and Theory

(20 credits)

Year A and B 

Optional 

Popular Fiction

(20 credits)

Year A

Compulsory

Green to the very door: Ecocriticism and Romanticism

(20 credits)

Speculative Fiction: Sci-fi, fantasy, magic realism and other imagined worlds

(20 credits)

The Art of the Pitch: Writing as a Career

(20 credits)

Writing for TV, Film and Radio

(20 credits)

Year A and B

Optional

Error and Sweet Violence: Shakespeare and Renaissance Comedy and Tragedy

(20 credits)

Make it New: Aspects of 20th and 21st Century Writing

(20 credits)

Special Collections Research: The Roderic Bowen Library and Archives

(20 credits)

The Book, the Body, and the World: Renaissance Humanism, Medicine, and Exploration

(20 credits)

Writing for Theatre

(20 credits)

Year A 

Compulsory

Independent Project

(40 credits)

The Art of the Pitch: Writing as a Career

(20 credits)

Writing for TV, Film and Radio

(20 credits)

Year A and B

Optional 

Error and Sweet Violence: Shakespeare and Renaissance Comedy and Tragedy

(20 credits)

Green to the very door: Ecocriticism and Romanticism

(20 credits)

Make it New: Aspects of 20th and 21st Century Writing

(20 credits)

Special Collections Research: The Roderic Bowen Library and Archives

(20 credits)

Speculative Fiction: Sci-fi, fantasy, magic realism and other imagined worlds

(20 credits)

The Book, the Body, and the World: Renaissance Humanism, Medicine, and Exploration

(20 credits)

Writing for Theatre

(20 credits)

Year B

Compulsory

Independent Project

(40 credits)

Course Disclaimer

  • We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals. 

    For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.

testimonial

Staff

Our People

You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for assessments and feedback (NSS 2023) meaning the comments you get back from your work will help you learn. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students us as Top 10 in the UK for Lecturers and Teaching Quality. Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses. 

Accommodation

students sitting in Carmarthen student halls

Lampeter Accommodation

Our Lampeter accommodation is based on our Lampeter Campus, meaning you are never far from what is happening on campus. We have a variety of different options open to our students which will suit all budgets. 

Further information

  • Grades are important; however, our offers are not solely based on academic results. We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to their chosen subject area and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.

    To assess student suitability for their chosen course we normally arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your qualifications.

  • The programme is assessed in a variety of ways and will include several of the following types of assessment: essays of 1,000 to 4,000 words in length, document analyses, book reviews, short reports and reflective journals, timed tests, take-home exams, field journals, posters, group and individual presentations, dissertations of 10,000 words, wikis, commentaries and film evaluations.

  • The Faculty has estimated on the assumption that students buy new copies of the books. Students may also choose to spend money on printing drafts of work.

    Students may spend up to £300 per year on books and additional related materials.

    Students are expected to submit two hard copies of their final project, the estimated cost for binding these is £20.

    Optional Field trip:
    Faculty works to ensure that there are a range of fieldwork and field trip options available both locally and internationally. Thus students can opt to take either more expensive or less expensive placements. The Faculty subsidises these but the cost each year is dependent on airfare, location, and currency exchange rates. Below are the upper end of expected costs based on where students have currently done placements.

    Fieldwork (depending on where student decides to do fieldwork): c. £500 - £1,500
    Individual trips: c. £5 - £50

  • You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.

  • Career and employment opportunities are very broad and include:

    • Administrative and managerial jobs 
    • Community Work
    • Freelance work such as copywriting, editing 
    • Independent and commissioned creative writing
    • Marketing and fundraising
    • Publishing
    • Teaching
    • Writing for film, television and media