BA (Hons) ENGLISH LITERATURE WITH CREATIVE WRITING
BA (HONS) ENGLISH LITERATURE WITH CREATIVE WRITING
What will you say? Can you pin your ideas with words, create a world in which a reader can lose herself, discover another perspective—and emerge changed?
Immerse yourself in the written word and a thriving community of writers, as you hone your writing craft. Learn from practising, accomplished writers who will guide you in developing your voice. Sharpen your ability to sculpt language, move, and surprise the reader, build worlds, articulate the inexpressible. As you do so, plunge into literature in English from around the world, past and present, finding out how writers have expanded literary possibilities and rewritten conventions to make art of their lived experience and imaginary worlds. Become a more discerning and attentive reader and writer.
Turn the page – all yours – what will you write?
Our BA English Literature with Creative Writing is ranked 6th for Creative Writing by 'The Complete University Guide 2023'.
About
‘Good readers make good writers’ is the ethos of this course. You develop your craft as a writer under the supervision of our world-renowned novelists, poets and playwrights while benefitting from our first-class literature teaching. Your creative and literary training enhance one another. You’re able to draw on the wealth of literature you’ve been reading to inspire your writing, and your understanding of how literature works is deepened by writing it yourself.
The teaching of creative writing in the UK began at UEA more than fifty years ago, and we are still widely seen as the home of creative writing in this country. You will be studying at a university rich in famous creative writing alumni, including Booker Prize winner Ian McEwan and Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro. Whatever kind of writing you love the most, you’ll develop it over the course of your degree by working closely with our many practising writers in seminars and workshops. In your study of English literature, you’ll have the chance to discover a wealth of writers from the ancient classical past right up to poets and novelists writing now. You’ll explore diverse literary traditions from across the globe, and you’ll tackle a heady mix of genres, which currently range from the gothic to children’s literature, crime writing to Latin American fiction, early modern women’s writing to biography.
Whichever modules you choose to study, you’ll be taught by our world-leading writers and critics. UEA’s School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing is famous for innovation in teaching and for cutting-edge research – that’s why in the most recent Times Higher Education Analysis (REF2021), UEA was ranked 19th in the UK for the quality of its research in English Language and Literature.
Norwich is an extraordinary place in which to be a writer. It’s England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, awarded in recognition of the city’s vivid literary heritage and vibrant contemporary writing scene, and home to the National Centre for Writing. You’ll immerse yourself in this community, and you might find yourself sharing your work with a packed audience of students and professional writers at our UEA Live: New Writing series, or attending literary festival events with internationally renowned literary figures.
We say that UEA is the place where literature lives – when you join the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, you’ll join a unique and supportive community of critics, writers, and drama practitioners, who bring literature to life every day. You can find out more the activities in our School by following us on Instagram.
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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.Placement Year and Study Abroad
You have the option to apply to study abroad for one semester of your second year. Study abroad is a wonderfully enriching life experience – you’ll develop confidence and adaptability, and will have the chance to deepen your understanding of writing while learning about another culture. At UEA, you’ll be surrounded by the many students we welcome from around the world to study with us.
For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.
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After the Course
You could go on to work as a novelist or scriptwriter, or go into many careers in arts, media, publishing, politics, charities and NGOs, teaching or the commercial sector. You will be a first-rate writer, equipped with skills of critical reading, independence, time management, team work, and more; in an increasingly text-based world these skills are highly valued by employers. You’ll also be well placed to study for a postgraduate degree, including one of our world-famous Creative Writing MAs.
Our Careers Service is here to support you in launching your career by advising with CV writing, internships, and much more. Every year we run an event, Working with Words, where you’ll have the chance to meet and hear from successful UEA alumni from across the creative industries.
UEA also has its own in-house publishing project, Egg Box, along with many other exciting initiatives that give you opportunities to turn your love of writing into a foundation for your future career.
Career destinations
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
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Freelance writer
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Publishing
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Journalist
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Media
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Marketing
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Teaching
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Assessment for Year 1
Assessment
Throughout your degree, all modules in English Literature and Creative Writing have no exams – we believe that the best way to express your thoughts about literature and to show off your creative development is through carefully crafted pieces of written coursework. On the creative side, you'll start by writing your own prose and poetry, developing fundamental skills in drafting, keeping a writer's notebook, and submitting to deadlines, before embarking on more experimental exercises, which invite you to take greater risks in your writing. In your studies of literature, you'll develop renewed enthusiasm for writing academic essays, and express your thinking in a diverse variety of forms, like reviews or personal reflective writing.
Feedback
You'll receive feedback on your writing (creative and critical) from your tutors (e.g. in one-to-one tutorials) and your peers. Feedback on assessed work will be returned within 20 working days (after it has been carefully marked and moderated). As your first year does not count toward your overall degree result, it's the perfect moment to experiment and take risks.
Assessment for Year 2
Assessment
You'll continue to submit written coursework for all your creative writing and literature modules. Your creative writing will flourish as you produce more substantial pieces of prose (e.g. a 1250-word short story or longer 2000-word narrative), portfolios of poetry, or scripts for stage or screen (c.20-30 minutes in length), and write reflective pieces to understand better your own creative processes. You'll take your critical essay writing to new heights in projects of around 2500 words, and you might experiment with creative criticism, for instance by writing a short story to show off what you've learnt about that form. You may take one module from another discipline this year, which might lead you to take an exam, but in practice the vast majority of our students are assessed by 100% written coursework.
Feedback
You'll continue to have the support and feedback of all your tutors, and your creative work will be deepened by your immersion in the workshop environment, where you receive feedback from your peers and learn to give feedback on their work, an enormously valuable skill in many careers.
Assessment for Year 3
Assessment
You'll continue to be assessed by 100% written coursework. Your participation in another workshop will allow you to complete even more ambitious portfolios of writing (e.g. 3000 words of prose or 12-15 pages of poetry), and a creative dissertation will become the culmination of your achievements as a writer. You'll perfect the craft of critical essay writing in equally substantial projects (3500-5000 words), and if you wish you might continue to experiment with the forms in which you express your critical ideas, writing Shakespearean sonnets or experimenting with the new boundary-defying genre of ‘auto-fiction’.
Feedback
All the feedback you've received enables you to graduate with highly developed skills in writing and argument across a host of forms and for an array of audiences, and with an ability to give sensitive but incisive critique of others' work. These are all transferable skills hugely valued by employers.
Assessment for Year 1
Assessment
Throughout your degree, all modules in English Literature and Creative Writing have no exams – we believe that the best way to express your thoughts about literature and to show off your creative development is through carefully crafted pieces of written coursework. On the creative side, you'll start by writing your own prose and poetry, developing fundamental skills in drafting, keeping a writer's notebook, and submitting to deadlines, before embarking on more experimental exercises, which invite you to take greater risks in your writing. In your studies of literature, you'll develop renewed enthusiasm for writing academic essays, and express your thinking in a diverse variety of forms, like reviews or personal reflective writing.
Feedback
You'll receive feedback on your writing (creative and critical) from your tutors (e.g. in one-to-one tutorials) and your peers. Feedback on assessed work will be returned within 20 working days (after it has been carefully marked and moderated). As your first year does not count toward your overall degree result, it's the perfect moment to experiment and take risks.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.In Year 2 students must study at least 20 and not more than 40 credits in LDCC modules. Pre-1789 Requirement: In year 2 and 3 combined, students must study at least 40 credits in writing before 1789. It is recommended that at least 20 of these are taken in year 2.Students should consult with the Study Abroad Coordinator before choosing Semester Abroad modules.
Assessment for Year 2
Assessment
You'll continue to submit written coursework for all your creative writing and literature modules. Your creative writing will flourish as you produce more substantial pieces of prose (e.g. a 1250-word short story or longer 2000-word narrative), portfolios of poetry, or scripts for stage or screen (c.20-30 minutes in length), and write reflective pieces to understand better your own creative processes. You'll take your critical essay writing to new heights in projects of around 2500 words, and you might experiment with creative criticism, for instance by writing a short story to show off what you've learnt about that form. You may take one module from another discipline this year, which might lead you to take an exam, but in practice the vast majority of our students are assessed by 100% written coursework.
Feedback
You'll continue to have the support and feedback of all your tutors, and your creative work will be deepened by your immersion in the workshop environment, where you receive feedback from your peers and learn to give feedback on their work, an enormously valuable skill in many careers.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.In Year 3 students must study at least 30 credits and not more than 60 credits in LDCC modules. Pre-1789 Requirement: In years 2 and 3 combined, students must study at least 40 credits in writing before 1789. Students should select no more than one dissertation per academic year.
Assessment for Year 3
Assessment
You'll continue to be assessed by 100% written coursework. Your participation in another workshop will allow you to complete even more ambitious portfolios of writing (e.g. 3000 words of prose or 12-15 pages of poetry), and a creative dissertation will become the culmination of your achievements as a writer. You'll perfect the craft of critical essay writing in equally substantial projects (3500-5000 words), and if you wish you might continue to experiment with the forms in which you express your critical ideas, writing Shakespearean sonnets or experimenting with the new boundary-defying genre of ‘auto-fiction’.
Feedback
All the feedback you've received enables you to graduate with highly developed skills in writing and argument across a host of forms and for an array of audiences, and with an ability to give sensitive but incisive critique of others' work. These are all transferable skills hugely valued by employers.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.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, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer, if you achieve an A in the EPQ.T Levels
Not acceptedBTEC
DDD alongside 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, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law. Excludes BTEC Public Services, BTEC Uniformed Services and BTEC Business AdministrationScottish highers
AAAA plus Scottish Advanced Higher at grade B 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, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or LawScottish highers advanced
BBB 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, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or LawIrish leaving certificate
6 subjects at H2 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, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or LawAccess course
Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway accepted. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 45 credits at Level 3European Baccalaureate
82% including 8.5 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, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or LawInternational Baccalaureate
34 including HL 6 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, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or LawGCSE offer
You are required to have GCSE Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4Additional entry requirements
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.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
If you do not have an A-Level or equivalent qualification in one of the subjects listed above, once you have submitted your UCAS form we may then contact you to ask you to submit a short analysis of a passage of a literary text in support of your application.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your 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.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA 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:
International Foundation in Business, Economics, Society and Culture (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
International Foundation in Humanities and Law (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
Special Entry Requirements
Candidates who are shortlisted will be asked to provide a sample of their creative writing: we ask for around 5 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.
Students for whom english is a 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: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
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IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry
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.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.Gap year
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.Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year. We’re 19th for research quality!
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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
View our information about Additional Course Fees.
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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:
We’re 19th for research quality!
UEA Live
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Ask a Student
What's included in your fees
We’re 19th for research quality!
UEA Live
Social Media
Ask a Student
What's included in your fees
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