Overview
A foundation year helps you develop the study skills and self-confidence needed for higher education when you don’t reach the entry requirements for your subject.
If you love words and want to work with them, this is the course for you. Perhaps you want to be a published novelist, a screenwriter or a micro-publisher, or work in marketing, PR or journalism? Many of our alumni are doing just those things.
During the course you’ll dive into creative forms such as fiction, writing for stage and screen and game narratives. You’ll learn how to publicise yourself and your work, develop new and transferrable skills such as self-publishing, submitting to agents and writing for commercial markets, and gain confidence as you explore the wide range of job options open to professionally trained writers.
Our tutors are published authors with recent industry experience, and they will teach you the essential skills for good writing: control of language, precision, imagination and a deep understanding of the context in which you write.
You'll learn how to write literary and genre fiction, poetry and drama, and try your hand at experimental and environmental writing and writing for games. You'll also learn about marketing techniques and have the chance to meet a wide range of professionals through our industry network, including literary agents, publishers, writers and local business owners.
You’ll join a lively and energetic writing community and have opportunities to gain professional experience by volunteering to help run our Writing Comes Alive and Live Literature events or working on our student Creative Writing Magazine, Readable.
You can also submit your best work and help design and publish our Graduate Anthology or become a member of our Writing Circle, designed to support student wellbeing throughout your degree, and accompany your peers on our annual residential Writing Retreat.
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. This is why we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Our 2026 course will reflect this new approach. The 2026 course page will be made live shortly.
100%
of our Creative and Professional Writing students were in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course.
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023An inclusive approach
At CCCU, we appreciate that you bring your own unique combination of achievements, experiences, and aspirations. We believe in recognising your full potential – not just your qualifications.
Each application is considered on its overall merits, including relevant work, voluntary, or professional experience. We are committed to fair, supportive, and inclusive decision-making.
If you have your results, you can apply now. You can also call us on 01227 926000 to discuss your options or register for a priority callback, and we’ll get in touch.
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Book a priority callbackModule information
Modules for years 1-3 for this course are changing from September 2026, however, your foundation year 0 is unaffected. Due to these changes, you will study the foundation year 0 modules listed on this page, then from year 1 onwards you will then study the modules listed on the updated course page.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical workshops and will typically have between 9 and 12 contact hours per week, as well as the opportunity to meet with module tutors and personal academic tutors for tailored advice outside scheduled seminar time.
Seminars in smaller groups will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures.
All courses are informed by the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015-2022.
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions, you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments, workshops and seminars.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
For the Independent Study module in Year 3, you will undertake independent research working under the supervision of a member of the course team, who you'll meet with regularly.
Your overall workload typically consists of between 9 and 12 contact hours each week. In addition, you will undertake 15 hours of independent learning and assessment activity and there will also be field trips.
For each 20-credit module, your study time is about 10 hours a week.
The teaching team includes highly qualified writer academics (who publish across both creative and academic fields) and industry professionals.
All tutors have up to date expertise in specific areas and this is reflected in their teaching.
You should note members of the teaching team might change from year-to-year to accommodate people’s professional and creative practice outside the University.
Work closely with our tightly knit team of industry professionals and published writers to develop your knowledge and sharpen your craft. Take a significant step towards achieving your writing ambitions and dreams.Danny RhodesCourse Director
How you’ll be assessed
The degree is assessed by means of a portfolio of coursework, divided between creative and critical work. Many of the papers also feature practical assessments, such as editing tasks or marketing plans.
The course includes regular workshops in which students are encouraged to submit their work for peer review, and learn to use feedback from tutors and other students as a vital tool in the process of revision and editing. Coursework might typically include critical assignments or self-reflective pieces combined with a creative portfolio based on a range of work written and developed through the semester.
There will be a one to one feedback tutorial for each module, enabling students to identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop their skills in consultation with tutors.
The course is 100% assessed by coursework and there are no exams.
You will receive feedback on all assessments undertaken by coursework, and feedback on examinations is available on request from module leaders. In addition to written feedback supplied for all assessments undertaken by coursework, you may also take advantage of the opportunity to discuss your work with your module tutor. We will normally provide you with feedback within 15 working days of submission for coursework assignments.
Your future career
The course will furnish you with a range of skills that will give you the best chance of achieving your creative writing dreams alongside preparing you for employment in a variety of fields such as features writing, editing, traditional and self-publishing, advertising, marketing and writing for video games.
Our Creative and Professional Writing degree also opens up opportunities to work in a range of administrative or managerial settings, as well as in public sector roles such as teaching. For entrepreneurial students, we teach essential skills for working freelance, building a portfolio career or running a small business such as a micro-press or working as a writer in the community.
This course also provides a great foundation for further study towards a professional qualification, for example in journalism, business, librarianship or marketing.
The course tutors are passionate about their writing and this is infectious! They are supportive in a way that allows you to find your own voice, and offer you endless encouragement in developing it. As writers themselves they also bring industry experience to your learning, which helps prepare you for life after uni - something that comes far too quickly!TraceyCurrent Student
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time - Foundation Year 0 | £5,760 | £15,500 |
| Full-time - years 1-3 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
The tuition fees relate to 202526 only. Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
Home (UK) tuition fees for Foundation Years at Canterbury Christ Church University will be set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for foundation years in classroom-based subjects or non-classroom-based subjects, as set by the UK Government.
Home (UK) tuition fees for subsequent years 1-3 are currently set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for standard undergraduate degrees set by the UK Government.
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 onwards, our undergraduate home tuition fees for subsequent years of study are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
We have a wide network of industry professionals (writers, publishers, agents etc.) who provide workshops and talks as part of our modules. We also work closely with a number of literary festivals and arts organisations to offer work experience opportunities.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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