BA (Hons) Creative Writing at University of Essex

Programme overview

The BA Creative Writing is a creative and industry-focused degree for developing a writer's voice and craft across fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, performance writing and digital storytelling. Study combines workshops, expert guidance and independent projects, building both practical and critical skills.

Department: School of Language, Literature, and Media | Duration: 3 years | Intake: October 2027 | Study mode: full-time; year abroad option, placement year option | Location: Colchester, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 includes The Writer's Toolkit, Writing and Making Audio Drama, Poetry: A Very Short Introduction and Origins and Transformations in Literature and Drama. Later modules include Writing the Short Story, Creative Non-Fiction, Understanding and Writing Science Fiction, Climate Emergency: Narrating the Environment and Writing the Wild, and an Independent Creative Writing Project.

Career pathways

Graduates pursue careers in writing and publishing (author, editor, literary agent), media and communications (copywriting, journalism, content creation), the creative industries (scriptwriting, arts management), education and community work, or postgraduate study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

UK applicants: 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels. IB: 29 points in the IB Diploma or 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects. Essex accepts A-levels, AAQs, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, T-levels and most other qualifications that hold UCAS tariff points; acceptability of some non-A-level qualifications such as BTECs may depend on the subject studied and units taken. Contextual offer (UK-resident applicants from underrepresented groups): 96 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels. International applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or a specified score in an equivalent accepted test; a pre-sessional English pathway is available for those who do not meet the IELTS requirement. Applications are made through UCAS (Essex institution code E70).

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,050 a year. Home/UK tuition fee per year; fees increase for each academic year of study. Placement year: 20% of the standard tuition fee for that year; full year abroad: 15%. Source

International applicants: GBP 22,575 a year. International tuition fee per year; fees increase for each academic year of study. Placement year: 20% of the standard tuition fee for that year; full year abroad: 15%. Source

Intake: October 2027

Duration: 3 years

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities