By the end of your degree, you could see your novel or collection of poetry in-line to be published, launching your creative career. You’ll explore poetry, fiction and experimental writing, developing a unique portfolio through seminars, workshops and creative experiences.
of students on Creative Writing courses are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduating
for student satisfaction in Creative Writing
University of the Year finalist
Recognised for our graduate success, we’re shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2025.
Overview
Studying Creative Writing gives you the chance to develop your skills as a writer while exploring a wide range of forms and genres, helping you discover your unique authorial voice. You’ll examine how creative writing reflects, challenges, and shapes society, analysing the techniques used by diverse authors and applying them to your own work.
Most of your learning will take place in small-group seminars, offering plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow students through close-reading activities and writing workshops. From your first week, you’ll begin building your network and continue to do so throughout your degree.
You will have the opportunity to participate in local and regional literature festivals, attend book discussions and open mic nights, and engage with Worcester’s vibrant literary community. You may also represent the University at national events such as UniSlam and take part in Verve Poetry Festival and Ledbury Poetry Festival. These experiences will support your creative development and help you build professional networks across the country.
In your final year, you can choose to undertake a creative writing project, allowing you to take your interests further with a form and genre of your choice. Our students have received recognition for the quality of their writing, with Creative Writing projects eligible for the Black Pear Press Prize for Fiction and the V. Press Prize for Poetry, which lead to publication.
Work experience
As you progress through the course, you’ll refine your skills as both a writer and a researcher. At Worcester, you’ll have numerous opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in a professional context and explore your future career options.
In Year Two, you can choose an optional work experience placement module, giving you the chance to undertake a short voluntary placement with a local organisation. Previous placements have included schools, marketing agencies, arts and heritage organisations, and The Hive Library.
Students have gained valuable experience through guest speaker events, volunteering, internships, and collaborative projects, including supporting and attending the Ledbury Poetry Festival and Verve Poetry Festival.
Creative Writing at Worcester
Course content
Each year, you’ll study a combination of mandatory and optional modules. Our diverse curriculum allows you to explore a wide range of forms and genres, such as spoken word, contemporary poetry, hypermedia and historical fiction, before choosing your dissertation specialism in Year Three. You’ll learn from professional creative writers who are also experts in their academic fields.
We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant. Optional modules will run if enough students choose to study them. It is not guaranteed that all modules will be offered every year.
Creative Writing is offered as part of a joint honours degree, so the below modules offer an overview of the Creative Writing-focused modules we offer. These will be combined with the modules offered by your second subject.
Careers
Our course has been created with your employability in mind, equipping you with the skills and confidence to be successful in a wide range of careers. You'll have the chance to gain real-world experience through our optional work project module. We also encourage students to broaden their horizons by studying abroad for a semester. Creative Writing graduates have skills in writing, editing, research and communication, which are highly valued across many industries.
You’ll also benefit from guest lectures and masterclasses delivered by published authors, editors and industry professionals, gaining insider knowledge and practical advice to guide your career. These experiences are complemented by opportunities to engage with Worcester’s vibrant literary community. Open mic nights, book discussions and literature festivals allow you to showcase your work, meet other writers and immerse yourself in creativity.
Our Careers and Employability Service offers tailored support to help you take confident steps toward your chosen career. From CV workshops and interview preparation to job search advice, you’ll have access to expert guidance throughout your studies.
A degree in Creative Writing could be your first step toward a career as in:
- Copywriting
- Publsihing
- Editing
- Advertising
- Journalism
- Arts administration
- Charitable and voluntary sectors
- Civil Service
- Human Resources
Opportunities to progress
Many of our graduates choose to continue their studies with a postgraduate qualification. Popular options include:
Student success
Here’s just a glimpse of how a Creative Writing degree can launch your writing career and open doors to exciting opportunities.
Trudie Holland
Trudie is a previous winner of both Creative Writing prizes and has gone on to have her first novel Best Before published with Black Pear Press as well.
Creative Writing Prize Winners 2024
Cherine El-Bash won the 2024 V.Press Prize for Poetry with her collection, The furthest island.
Caitlin Hassan won the 2024 Black Pear Press Prize for Fiction with her novella, Loose Pieces of Air.
Trudie Holland
Trudie is a previous winner of both Creative Writing prizes and has gone on to have her first novel Best Before published with Black Pear Press as well.
Creative Writing Prize Winners 2024
Cherine El-Bash won the 2024 V.Press Prize for Poetry with her collection, The furthest island.
Caitlin Hassan won the 2024 Black Pear Press Prize for Fiction with her novella, Loose Pieces of Air.
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is a mix of interactive seminars, lectures, one-to-one tutorials and workshops. Our modules are designed to help you develop as a writer while offering opportunities for work experience, performance, and collaborative projects.
Teaching and assessment contents
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, individual tuition and blended learning.
You will be exposed to new ideas, concepts and examples of creative writing through lectures. You will have the opportunity to discuss this new content and explore ideas further through guided seminars. Practical writing exercises will be embedded to ensure that you have the opportunity to contextualise and apply what you have learnt. Interactive workshops provide a space for you to share your work and receive peer and tutor feedback. This is often conducted in smaller groups to ensure everyone has a chance to participate. Interactive workshops may also involve practical field trips to inform and gather inspiration for your writing. Individual tuition will enable you to develop a strong relationship with your tutors and create a space for focused individual development. All learning is supported through the use of online learning platforms where you can access previous lectures, seminar material and further relevant resources in your own time.
You will be assigned a personal academic tutor who will support you during your studies. You are expected to meet with your personal academic tutors at least four times in the first year, and three times in subsequent years, though your personal academic tutor will be available to support you to develop and should you encounter difficulties at any time during your studies. During the course of your studies you will have the opportunity to engage in work-based learning and project placements where you will be able to develop your professional networks and gain valuable experience for the employment market.
Meet the team
You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. Members of the team have won numerous awards for their teaching including the Deputy Vice Chancellor Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019).
Our lecturers have creative outputs and publications in a wide range of creative fields and have a large network of professional connections in writing and associated industries such as publishing, editing, and advertising.
Dr Ruth Stacey
Dr Ruth Stacey is an expert in poetry, historical fiction, fantasy fiction, and memoir. Her research is focused on the use of symbolist poetics to write imagined memoir of historical subjects.
An award-winning poet, with a background in copywriting and illustration, her teaching covers a wide range of subjects including genre fiction, creative nonfiction, contemporary poetry, professional practice, and writing for children.
Dr Jack McGowan
Jack’s research focuses on contemporary poetry and poetics, and he specializes in the development of performance poetry in the UK since the mid-20th century, and the oral roots of poetry.
Jack is a performance poet with 10 years of experience on the UK spoken word scene and he writes for both performance and page publication.
Dr Ruth Stacey
Dr Ruth Stacey is an expert in poetry, historical fiction, fantasy fiction, and memoir. Her research is focused on the use of symbolist poetics to write imagined memoir of historical subjects.
An award-winning poet, with a background in copywriting and illustration, her teaching covers a wide range of subjects including genre fiction, creative nonfiction, contemporary poetry, professional practice, and writing for children.
Dr Jack McGowan
Jack’s research focuses on contemporary poetry and poetics, and he specializes in the development of performance poetry in the UK since the mid-20th century, and the oral roots of poetry.
Jack is a performance poet with 10 years of experience on the UK spoken word scene and he writes for both performance and page publication.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 104
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | BCC |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DMM |
| T-level | M |
We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
In 2026/27 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £9,790 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International students
In 2026/27 the standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £17,200 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
Creative Writing student Sophie Hartland shares her poem “The Squirrel”
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applying through UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.
Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.
Courses available
Our Creative course is available as a joint honours, meaning you can combine it with another subject of your course.
Our combinations include:
Creative Writing and English Language BA (Hons) – WQ83
Creative Writing and English Literature BA (Hons) - WQ82
Creative Writing and History BA (Hons) - WV81
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Admissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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