BA Hons English Language and Creative Writing
You might want to study English Language and Creative Writing because as a writer, it is important for you to have a deep and explicit understanding of the linguistic resources which you exploit, and of the relationship between linguistic choices and their meanings and effects.
The English Language courses involve an in-depth study of the English Language in all its different dimensions of variation. The Creative Writing courses encourage and develop imaginative and original writing of fiction, poetry, or plays through practice and discussion in regular tutor-led workshops. The highest priority is given to the cultivation of a strong feeling for words, including different tones, weights, nuances, and registers. You are encouraged to stretch your boundaries and to extend yourself in terms of writing techniques. The two sets of courses therefore reinforce and complement each other.
What will I study?
In Part I you will take the following:
- Part I English Language
- Part I Creative Writing
- A third Part I subject of your choice
In Part II you take eight units in total, four in each year.
The following courses are compulsory:
You then take a further 75 to 105 credits in English Language, chosen from the Department's part II courses or, if you opt to take only 75 credits of your optional courses in English Language, you can take up to 30 credits in Creative Writing made up from the following 15-credit modules:
| CREW204 | Short Fiction (second year) | These two modules must be taken together |
| CREW205 | Poetry, Genre and Practice (second year) | |
| CREW304 | Longer Fiction (final year) | This module must be taken with either CREW305 or CREW306 |
| CREW305 | Creative Non-Fiction (final year) | Choose ONE of these modules to pair with CREW304 |
| CREW306 | Writing and Reading Poetry |
What qualifications will I need?
We normally expect successful applicants to have AAA/AAB at A2 level, or equivalent, including English Language, or English Language and Literature, or a foreign or classical language. We normally expect three subjects at A2 Level. However, the third A-Level may be substituted by the average of two AS grades, one of which should have been taken in year 13. We expect students to show experience of creative writing.
You may also be required to submit a portfolio of your writings.
How is my work assessed?
As in all courses, there are examinations at the end of the first year before proceeding to the second and final years. In the second and final years, you will normally take an examination for each course at the end of the year in which you study it. Coursework typically involves an essay (2000-2500 words) each term for each course, but it often comes in other forms. The weighting of coursework varies with departments: in the Department of Linguistics and English Language the final mark is usually based on 40% coursework and 60% examination. All CREW modules are assessed by 100% coursework.