)
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 Year Abroad
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- W8QA
- Typical Offer
- AAA
- Contextual Offer
- ABB
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
Chat to us on Unibuddy
Any questions? Chat online with current students, staff and experts. This is your chance to ask anything about UEA, university life, Norwich and more.
Other Start Dates
Scroll For More
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Do you dream of being a writer? Fantasise about seeing your name on a book cover, up in lights in the West End, or on the credits of a film? Wonder how to get into the creative industries? At UEA, you’ll find a Creative Writing degree to nurture your talent and set you on the path to achieving your dreams.
On our Creative Writing and English Literature with a Year Abroad degree, you’ll be writing from day one. In workshops, you’ll explore fiction, poetry and scriptwriting. You’ll discover new writers, have thrilling discussions about the way texts are made and share your own work to a supportive audience of your peers. Outside the workshop, we’ll help you develop a writing practice that will hone your craft and maximise your potential.
Half your time will be spent on Creative Writing and half on English Literature, observing first-hand the vital interplay between creativity and criticism. You’ll experiment with genres, from crime to fantasy to nature writing. You’ll play with forms, subjects and approaches, from podcasting, to creative collaboration, to the Gothic and the fiction of the apocalypse. You’ll also have the exciting opportunity to spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions across the globe.
You’ll be based in the UK’s longest-established and most prestigious Creative Writing department. You’ll have access to world-leading facilities, from the state-of-the-art Media Suite to the publishing opportunities of Egg Box, from the riches of the British Archive for Contemporary Writing to the world-famous Sainsbury Centre. What’s more, you’ll find a home in the beautiful city of Norwich, a UNESCO City of Literature and host to the National Centre for Writing.
All the while, you’ll be acquiring vital professional skills and encountering people working in a host of creative and cultural industries. Upon graduation, you’ll be a world-class communicator with a range of career paths open to you, from publishing to journalism, from advertising to game design and, of course, being a published author.
:focus(2218x870:2219x871))
Year Abroad
On this four-year course, you’ll spend your third year studying at one of UEA's many partner institutions across the globe, which offers teaching in your subject and in English. Destinations range from Japan to Hong Kong, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and Canada and the USA.
Studying abroad can broaden your academic and social horizons, giving you opportunities to develop your confidence and communication skills, while bringing a unique element to your CV to help you stand out to prospective employers. Availability at our partner institutions varies so we recommend you bring an open mind about your destination preference. You'll also need to meet certain academic requirements (scoring an aggregate of 55% in your first- and second-year assessments). If for this, or for any other reason, you were to decide not to spend your third year abroad, you can transfer to the three-year degree at any time.
For further details, visit the study abroad section of our website.
Study and Modules
Careers
Career Pathways
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Publishing
- Scriptwriter
- Communication and PR
- Writing for games and digital media
- Marketing
- Freelance Writer
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
You'll be a first-rate writer and an advanced critical and creative thinker with an independent mind. You’ll know how to manage your time, how to work collaboratively, and how to operate as a writer in the world of work. With the support of our award-winning Careers Service throughout your degree, you’ll have honed your CV and sought out internships. You’ll have attended Working with Words, an annual event in which you get to meet UEA alumni working in the creative industries. You might have got involved with the UEA Publishing Project, or its student arm, Egg Box, or undertaken independent research in UEA’s British Archive of Contemporary Writing. In an increasingly text-based world, these skills and experiences are highly valued by employers.
You could go on to work as a prose fiction or non-fiction writer, a poet or a scriptwriter, or go into many careers in arts, 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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 45 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
- 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.
- 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.
International Baccalaureate
34 points overall including 6 in HL English, History, Global Politics or Psychology.
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
- 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):
-
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies 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:
-
- 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.
)
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
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 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: