BA (Hons) Creative Writing
Why choose this course?
You'll have excellent opportunities - a project with international publisher ROMAN Books enables students to have their work developed for commercial sale.
- Our staff are experts in their fields. In the most recent research assessment exercise that was commissioned by the Government, our staff publications were peer reviewed by outside experts and were judged to be 'outstanding' and of 'international excellence'.
- You'll have lots of chances to get your work noticed in the industry. Edward Hogan won the Desmond Elliot prize for his novel Blackmoor and received £10,000 in prize money. He was also short listed for the international Dylan Thomas Prize and was one of only six writers short listed from across the world.
Fact file
UCAS code: W800
Start date: September
Course length: full time: three years, part time: four-six years.
Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus
This course is available to international students
About this course
This degree offers you the opportunity to learn from award winning internationally respected novelists, short story writers, poets, songwriters and performers, scriptwriters, editors, publishers, and new media writers.
You'll be taught in small supportive groups, utilising key examples from the greatest writers to inform your work. Through supervised workshops, seminars and tutorials, you'll develop your skills, creativity and confidence. This course will give you a thorough grounding in the art, craft and processes of writing. You'll study key themes in contemporary writing - representation, narratives and responsibility - which will deepen your knowledge of writing, both critically and creatively.
You'll also study key themes in contemporary writing - representation, narratives and responsibility - which support the academic side of the degree, deepening your knowledge of writing, both critically and creatively.
Many of the skills you'll develop on this course - writing, editing, group work and presentations - are essential in today's job market, since employers always need people who can write and communicate well.
There are several in-house publications at Derby, where you can get involved and learn more about the processes of writing, editing and marketing your work. Many of our students have also won prizes for their creative writing and have had their work published or produced on BBC TV, radio or on stage.
What you will cover
Stage one
You'll study all of these modules:
- Creative Practice: Introduction
- Creative Practice: Life Writing, Prose and Poetry
- Writer's Toolbox: Introduction
- Writer's Toolbox: Reading for Writers
- Writing for Audiences: Storytelling
- Focus on: Representation
Stage two
You'll study these four modules:
- Creative Practice: Writing Processes
- Creative Practice: Product and Placement
- Writer's Toolbox: Research and Investigation
- Focus on Narration
And you'll choose at least one of these modules:
You'll also have the possibility to choose one of these modules:
- American Television in the 1950s and 1960s (American Studies)
- Black Atlantic Literature (English)
- Art of Crime (English)
- British Cinema Since the 1960s (FTV)
- Work-based Learning in the Cultural and Creative Industries
Stage three
You'll study this module:
And you'll choose at least one of these modules:
- Independent Study in Creative Writing
- Focus on Responsibility
- Genre Fiction
- Writer's Toolbox: The Written World
- Advanced Scriptwriting
You'll also have the possibility to choose from this list modules:
- Advanced Scriptwriting
- Writing for Digital Media
- Magic Box - Film and Psyche
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.
You will need at least a C in English at A Level (or equivalent qualifications).
We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.
We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.
We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.
Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.
The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.
How to apply
UK/EU students
- Full time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
- Part time students should apply directly to the University.
International students
- If you want to start in September, you usually need to apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Information for international applicants
Fees and finance
Fees for 2013/14
This is a classroom based course.
UK/EU students
- Full time: £7,700 (each year)
We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the year.
*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.
