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Literature and Creative Writing at UEA
Find out more about studying Literature and Creative Writing at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreBA (Hons) Creative Writing and English Literature with a Placement Year
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- _W8QP
- Typical Offer
- AAA including English Literature or specified subject.
- Contextual Offer
- ABB including English Literature or specified subject.
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Other Start Dates
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Course Overview
Why Creative Writing and English Literature with a Placement Year at UEA?
Dream of being a writer? Imagine seeing your name on a book cover, on the West End stage, or in film credits. At UEA, you’ll study at a prestigious university known for producing world-class authors and nurturing new talent.
Why choose UEA?
- Literary excellence: Study in England’s first UNESCO City of Literature and the UK’s longest-established Creative Writing department
- Discover yourself: Develop your unique voice and style, taking inspiration from bold writers
- Creative opportunities: Publish with the student-run EggBox publishing press, perform at UEA New Writing Live, and explore the National Centre for Writing
What is BA Creative Writing and English Literature with a Placement Year?
Launch your writing career at UEA and join the ranks of bestselling authors like Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McEwan and Anne Enright. Nurture your talent in an inspiring writing community with a rich literary heritage.
From day one, you’ll be writing. You’ll explore fiction, non-fiction, poetry, script and screenwriting, discovering new writers and engaging in lively discussions. You’ll share your work in a supportive environment while developing a writing practice beyond the classroom.
Your third year will be spent on a placement, gaining valuable real-world experience before returning to UEA to complete your studies.
At UEA, you’ll have access to world-leading facilities, from the state-of-the-art Media Suite to publishing opportunities at Egg Box. You can also explore the riches of the British Archive for Contemporary Writing and the world-famous Sainsbury Centre. What’s more, you’ll find a home in beautiful, buzzing Norwich, known as the City of Stories.
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Placement Year
This degree offers the exciting opportunity to enhance your employability through a 9–12 month placement in your third year. You’ll gain valuable industry experience, build professional skills, and develop confidence in a real working environment. This experience strengthens your CV and helps you stand out to future employers.
You’ll secure your own placement with support from Career Central and your school. Find out more at placement years in Arts and Humanities.
Careers
Career Pathways
With a degree in Creative Writing and English Literature with a Placement Year, you could launch a career as a:
- Copywriter: Write content that captures your audience’s attention and imagination for advertising, marketing and communications
- Freelance writer: Work as a novelist, journalist, essayist or poet, or build a versatile creative portfolio, writing for businesses and other professional organisations
- Script and screenwriter: Develop scripts and adaptations for stage and screen, working with production companies and directors to bring your creative vision to life
- Writer for games and digital media: Create immersive worlds for interactive storytelling and reach new readerships through digital channels
- Publishing editor: Shape the literary landscape by commissioning or editing new books, or by working with writers as a literary agent
Career Support
You’ll learn from published and practising writers who will share their experience and support your development. You’ll build writing, critical thinking, and communication skills for a wide range of careers. Vocational modules in journalism, publishing, and podcasting will help to prepare you for the creative industries.
You’ll also attend our annual Working with Words employability event, where you’ll network with industry professionals. On top of this, you’ll benefit from our award-winning Career Central, placement and mentorship opportunities, and the UEA Award.
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
You'll graduate from our BA Creative Writing and English Literature with a Placement Year course as a first-rate writer and an advanced critical and creative thinker with an independent mind. You’ll learn how to manage your time, how to work collaboratively, and how to operate as a writer in the world. You’ll be ready to forge your own path working in the arts, or venturing into media, publishing, politics, charities and NGOs, teaching, or the commercial sector. You’ll also be well placed to study for a postgraduate degree, including one of our world-famous Creative Writing MAs. Regardless of the direction you choose, you'll be superbly placed to start writing your own story.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll focus on cultivating your craft as an emerging writer on this BA Creative Writing and English Literature degree. You’ll explore different forms and techniques while developing new writing through guided classroom exercises.
You’ll experiment with genres including crime, science fiction, and digital writing. Critical reflection will help you strengthen your writing and creative skills. You’ll also explore how technologies, from the printing press to AI, have shaped writing and creative practice.
Literature modules build your close reading skills and introduce a wide range of English literature. Reading and writing work together throughout the course, helping you develop your ideas and voice as a writer.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
You’ll begin to focus your creative writing, choosing from prose, poetry, and scriptwriting modules, whether for stage, screen, or audio. You’ll share your writing with your peers and with a published author in our creative writing workshops, receiving feedback and learning how to give constructive criticism. You’ll have the chance to choose a creative non-fiction module which will develop your skills in life writing, and you’ll work in the classroom and through a short placement that’ll give you experience of writing outside the university.
As a literary critic, you'll choose from a broad range of literature modules, gaining a grounding in a variety of literary periods and traditions. You might also experiment with our innovative creative-critical modules, where the reading and writing of literature go hand-in-hand. Over the course of this year, you’ll take a module on Shakespeare or an historical period of English literature from before 1789.
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 60)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
Your placement takes place in your third year, giving you the chance to gain real-world experience and build on your skills. You’ll secure your placement with guidance from UEA’s strong network of employers across the UK and beyond. During your placement, a mentor will support you and regularly review your progress. You’ll also receive ongoing guidance from UEA to ensure your placement year is rewarding and successful.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
You’ll focus intensively on your own creative practice. You’ll take a workshop module, modelled on our world-famous Creative Writing MA, which will further develop your work in prose, poetry, or scriptwriting. You’ll also have the chance to produce a substantial piece of poetry, prose or script with one-to-one support from an expert creative dissertation tutor. Or you might choose to publish your own book and develop skills in performing your own work for an audience. On the literature side, you’ll choose from a dazzling array of specialist modules. Topics currently cover everything from medieval monsters to feminist writing, from the Gothic to contemporary children’s literature.
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 60)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 60)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
Teaching includes lectures, seminars, and workshops led by published writers and literary critics. Lectures introduce key ideas and contexts, while seminars create space for discussion and debate. In writing workshops, you’ll share creative work and learn to give and receive supportive feedback. One-to-one tutorials and independent study support guided reading, writing, research tasks, and collaborative projects.
In year one, most modules combine lectures and seminars. Skills workshops will help you develop essential study and writing skills.
In year two, literature modules blend lectures and seminars, while writing modules focus on collaborative workshops.
You’ll spend your third year on a placement, gaining valuable experience in a real working environment.
In your final year back at UEA, teaching is mainly seminar and workshop based. You may complete a creative writing or literature dissertation with support from a one-to-one supervisor.
Assessment
You’ll be fully assessed through coursework (there are no exams in Creative Writing or Literature). You’ll prepare for your assessments by completing formative tasks, where you try out ideas and receive developmental feedback. On the creative side, you’ll produce creative portfolios or standalone pieces accompanied by critical self-reflection. On the literature side, you’ll express your thinking in a variety of forms, from close readings to personal reflective writing and academic essays.
In year one, your creative writing will be assessed through short creative pieces and portfolios, as wel as reflective tasks. Literature modules will involve close analyses and critical essays, starting with shorter pieces and gradually building towards longer work.
In year two, you’ll explore a wider range of assessment forms. From podcasts to screenplays to refining your essay writing, you’ll become more ambitious and have greater freedom in expressing yourself critically and creatively.
On completion of your placement year, you'll be asked to reflect. You may offer a self-appraisal of what you’ve learnt, demonstrating your broader commercial awareness of your placement’s sector.
In the final year, you’ll be working intensively on expanded creative and critical projects led by your ambitions. This might include a creative or critical dissertation.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.(opens in a new window)
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
AAA including English Literature or one of the subjects listed below.
Contextual offer: ABB including English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD plus A-Level grade A in English Literature or one of the subjects listed below.
Contextual offer: DDM plus A-Level grade A in English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3.
Contextual offer: Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and pass in 15 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Not accepted.
Foundation Year options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BA English Literature with Creative Writing with a Foundation Year (opens in a new window)
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
34 points overall including 6 in HL English, History, Global Politics or Psychology.
Irish Leaving Certificate
6 subjects at H2 including English Literature or one of the following subjects: English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
Scottish Highers
AAAA plus Scottish Advanced Higher at grade B in English Literature, or one of the following subjects: English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBB, including English Literature or one of the following subjects: English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Candidates who are shortlisted will be asked to provide a sample of their creative writing: we ask for around 5-7 pages of work, which can be on any subject and in any genre of the candidate's choice. Most choose to send poetry, prose, or a mixture of the two.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.(opens in a new window)
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
AAA including English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Candidates who are shortlisted will be asked to provide a sample of their creative writing: we ask for around 5-7 pages of work, which can be on any subject and in any genre of the candidate's choice. Most choose to send poetry, prose, or a mixture of the two.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £10,050
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International Students: £24,250
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships(opens in a new window) for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see additional course fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: