BA (Hons) Creative Writing full time

Creative writing graduates demonstrate a range of subject-specific skills such as how to plan, research and develop ideas in writing, and the principles of writing for different audiences. Transferable skills include effective written and oral communication, creative thinking and creativity, planning and researching, presentation and proofreading, and effective social and digital media use.

Skills and experience gained outside of the curriculum are also fundamental, helping to showcase your interests and passion for writing. Many students write for and/or edit university newspapers or magazines, enter competitions or join a student writing group or society. Evidencing such activities will improve your chances of securing that graduate role, and help establish your reputation as a writer.

What Can I Do With This Qualification?
There is a demand for good writers in every sector, and skills in this area will enable you to access many opportunities. In media, you could consider journalism, editing, researching or publishing. Copywriters also prepare advertising copy for use by publications or broadcast media to promote the sale of goods and services.

Business opportunities exist for writers in finance, professional services, administration, government, education and retail. Creative writers can write fiction or non-fiction, historical biographies or children's stories, poetry, lyrics or plays.

Technical writers develop scientific or technical materials, such as medical reports, equipment manuals, catalogues, operating and maintenance instructions, or project proposals. There are also opportunities to become self-employed and write on a freelance basis.

Some of our graduates have become professional authors. Our graduates have also moved into careers in script editing, arts administration, venue management, film and theatre, drama production, publishing, teaching, digital media content, local government and advertising.

Your Level 3 subjects must include English Language; for instance, A-level English Language.

You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including English Language.

We’re happy to consider your application if you do not have the standard qualifications, but have a strong portfolio of creative written work and/or relevant previous experience that demonstrates your capacity to succeed in this degree.

You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.

The University of Bolton is linked via creative partnerships with Bolton’s own Octagon Theatre and Carcanet, a leading and prize-winning poetry publisher based in Manchester. The university is currently fostering links with South Yorkshire’s leading literary development organisation, The Poetry Business.

Writers and lecturers who teach on the course have established links with a variety of media and organisations, including The Guardian, The Poetry Society, NAWE, The British Council and Arts Council England.

All our lecturers are professional writers and researchers who’ve produced and continue to publish poetry, prose, plays and papers with national and international periodicals and imprints.
Experimentation is encouraged and you’ll be introduced to many different types of writing, from creative to critical, to help you develop your voice and gain awareness of the enormous variety of careers that creative writing skills support.
We offer a friendly and supportive intellectual community. You’ll be encouraged to get to know your peers from other subjects such as English, Theatre and Media, Writing and Production, with whom you’ll be participating in a variety of external creative events and/or collaborative projects.
There’ll be guest lectures from professionals from all aspects of the writing industry: producers, scriptwriters, poets, novelists, agents, publishers, promoters, and directors. Names you may recognise such as Sally Wainwright, Patrick Ness and Jenn Ashworth have given presentations in recent years.
‘Live Literature’ is our well-established, vibrant series of readings from published poets, fiction writers and playwrights, held in conjunction with Bolton Library and Museum Services.
We’ll work to help you develop a range of skills alongside your writing that are highly valued by employers, such as creative thinking, problem-solving, communication, team working, time management, research and critical analysis, IT, cultural awareness and lifelong learning.