Creative Writing

About the course

The course is focused on supporting your development as a writer. As with other courses at the University of Bolton, the Creative Writing degree reflects the practice of professionals in the field, and you are encouraged to learn from the way that professional writers work and building up an understanding of your own creative process at the same time. Our tutors draw on their experience as professional writers to help you to turn your abilities and ambitions into achievements.

What you will learn

You will learn how to combine your imagination with practical and technical skill. Beginning with fiction, scriptwriting and poetry, you will learn the conventions and techniques that contemporary writers use. The teaching staff will support you in pushing yourself to fulfill your creative potential. Our aim is to encourage your growth as a writer.

What you will study

Level 1

A general introduction to the conventions and techniques of creative writing, as well as an introductory look at the contexts within which writers work. All students take introductory modules in Writing Drama; Writing Poetry and Writing Fiction.

Level 2

Guided study, developing the techniques already studied by looking more closely at the particulars of writing.

Level 3

Supported independent study, encouraging students to take what they have learned and to be creative. Aimed at simulating the methods of professional writers, all students will undertake a major creative project.

Find out more about the modules you will study by visiting our 'module descriptions' web page - you can find the link in the Related links section at the top of this page.

Special features

• Our programme leads the way in incorporating work-related learning into a Creative Writing degree. All students take The Writing Industry module and meet writers and other industry professionals, while undertaking work-related projects and placements involving areas such as publishing, production and literary festival organisation.

• The Writer at Work module taken in the final year offers the opportunity of a professional placement. Our students have undertaken work experience in theatres, television and film companies, publishers, schools, community writing groups and many more.

• Visiting writers: our programme of readings by novelists, poets and drama professionals is among the best in the country. Recent guests include Ali Smith, Jackie Kay, Melvin Burgess, Simon Armitage, Sophie Hannah, David Herd, Richard Price, Debbie Horsfield, Nicola Shindler, Tina Pepler, and David Thacker.

• The Creative Writing Degree Show is an annual celebration of our students' creativity. It takes place over two nights at the Octagon Theatre where our final year students have the opportunity of reading their work to an invited audience, including industry professionals.

• The university has a professional partnership with the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, one of the country's leading regional theatres, bringing many benefits including work placements, and free or low-price theatre tickets. The Octagon Theatre Prize is awarded annually for achievement in writing drama, and includes a workshop with professional actors and director followed by a public performance of the winning play.

The following combined honours options are available in creative writing:

• BA (Hons) Animation & Illustration and Creative Writing

• BA (Hons) Business Management and Creative Writing

• BA (Hons) Creative Writing and Education Studies

• BA (Hons) Creative Writing and English

• BA (Hons) Creative Writing and Film & Media Studies

• BA (Hons) Fine Arts and Creative Writing

• BA (Hons) Creative Writing Modern & Contemporary History

• BA (Hons) Photography and Creative Writing

• BA/BSc (Hons) Creative Writing and Psychology

Objectives

Careers and professional development

The main aims of this course are to develop your writing and your awareness of the context of publication and production. Experience like this is vital for all writers and, while we do not pretend all our graduates will go on to glittering publishing careers, the professional contextualization offered will make you aware of the ways most writers make their living, including the wide variety of writing-related occupations. The combination of creativity, self-motivation and discipline is particularly useful. You will develop skills in research, communication and writing which will give you the confidence to meet the demands made of you in the professional world.

Careers in teaching, the creative industries or the further study of writing are common destinations for our graduates.

Mode of attendance: Full-time