Overview
Get ready with a foundation year and learn the foundational skills and knowledge to complete a full Honours degree. You'll be able to embark on this qualification without meeting the level 3 entry requirements, giving you the opportunity to study at degree level through this four year course.
Study Creative Writing at Canterbury Christ Church University and turn your passion for storytelling into an employable skillset. Whether you want to write novels, poetry, screenplays, or work in media, publishing or marketing, this course will give you the tools to craft your written voice and build a career with words.
What you’ll learn
- Create original work across a range of genres, from fiction to poetry to screenwriting.
- Analyse literature to sharpen your craft and understand how writing works.
- Explore the business side of writing, from publishing to freelance career paths.
- Build a portfolio of creative and professional writing to showcase your versatility.
- Develop your unique voice and writing style with feedback from published authors.
What’s more, you’ll learn in a supportive, creative community where your ideas matter. You’ll explore fiction, poetry, screenwriting, creative non-fiction, and digital storytelling, as well as studying how great writing works.
You’ll also join a lively writing community, with opportunities to gain valuable industry experience, including volunteering to help run our Writing Comes Alive and Live Literature events, or working on our student Creative Writing Magazine, Readable. You can also get involved in the creation of our Graduate Anthology and attend our annual residential Writing Day.
If you’re searching for a creative writing degree, this course gives you both creative freedom and career-focused direction.
100%
of our Creative and Professional Writing students were in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course.
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023Entry requirements
64
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | DDE |
| BTEC | MPP |
| Access | Pass 45 Credits |
| International Baccalaureate | TBC |
More information
Contact us
Module information
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
Modules utilise a combination of teaching strategies, including mini-lectures seminars, group workshops and tutorials. You will read widely and study relevant critical literature. Seminars will include regular in-class writing exercises and informal workshop opportunities.
A 30-credit module is based on 300 total learning hours (over 11 weeks) which is made up of:
- Scheduled Teaching Hours (face-to-face on campus)
- Guided Learning Hours (activity providing a bridge between contact learning and independent learning such as discussion based on an aspect of current topic held via a virtual learning environment)
- Independent Learning Hours (wider research, reading, writing and editing, and assignment preparation).
Plus the chance to meet your tutors for extra help and advice when you need it.
Outside of lectures, seminars, and workshops, you’ll continue learning through independent study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments and workshops.
Tutors will guide you with recommended readings and activities to help you get the most out of each session—both before and after class.
In your final year, the Major Project module is your opportunity to deep dive into a topic that really excites you. You’ll carry out independent research with the support of a dedicated supervisor, who’ll you’ll meet with regularly to shape and refine your work.
A 30-credit module is based on 300 total learning hours (over 11 weeks).
A typical week for a 30-credit module would require:
- 6 hours of scheduled teaching learning - face to face teaching activity (eg. workshops)
- 6 hours of guided learning - (eg. responding directly to writing tasks suggested in workshops and specific reading/watching films etc as suggested by the tutor)
- 15 hours of independent learning - (eg. read other texts, watch other films, learn new pieces of software, draft and edit your writing)
There will also be field trips and events.
The teaching team includes highly qualified academic writers, who publish in both creative and scholarly field, as well as experienced industry professionals.
All tutors have up-to-date expertise in their specialist areas, which is reflected in their teaching.
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
Assessment for the degree is based on a portfolio of coursework that combines both creative and critical work. Many modules include practical assessments, such as putting together a submission pack or developing digital projects. You might create posters, booklets, recorded presentations, or even write the text for a graphic novel.
All assessments are designed to be flexible, allowing you to focus on your interests and grow as an individual writer.
The course also includes regular workshops where you're encouraged to share your work for peer feedback. You'll learn to use comments from tutors and fellow students as an essential part of the revision and editing process.
Your future career
Alongside nurturing your writing and preparing you for potential publication, the course will equip you with transferrable skills suitable for a wide range of careers. You may enter publishing, drama and the arts, journalism, teaching, arts administration, media and marketing, advertising, PR and events organisation. Freelance and portfolio career skills are another major focus.
The course also offers a strong foundation for further academic study.
After graduation I went on to complete an MA in Publishing. I am now an editor for a children's publisher and a bookseller. I also run marketing campaigns for children's books whilst continuing to write in my spare time. My degree at CCCU gave me the confidence and springboard to launch my portfolio career.Judith, alumnaPublisher, and bookseller
Fees
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 have not yet been finalised. These course web pages will be updated with Tuition Fee information once they have been agreed.
- 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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Duration:
4 yearsUCAS code:
W800Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
