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Creative Writing

Every Creative Writing course we can place students on, with what each department asks for and what it costs.

145
courses
90
universities
£12,500 - £44,214
a year
5.5
IELTS from
55
cities
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What this subject is

We list 2 Creative Writing courses at 40 UK universities across 28 cities. They run at postgraduate and undergraduate level.

Teaching in Creative Writing lets you specialise in a period, an author or a region in the later stages.

September is the main intake. A number of departments also run a January start, which is worth knowing if your English result or your documents will not be ready in time for the summer.

What you will study

  • Close reading
  • Critical and literary theory
  • Academic writing
  • Translation practice
  • Linguistics foundations
  • Cultural and historical context
  • A period or author specialism
  • A dissertation

What departments ask for

The lowest English requirement across the departments we hold on this subject is IELTS 6.5. Component scores count as well as the overall: a department asking for 6.5 overall normally sets a minimum in each of the four papers, and writing is the one applicants most often miss.

Postgraduate entry is judged on your bachelor degree and its classification. Most departments ask for the equivalent of a UK 2:1, which is broadly a 3.00 out of 4.00 or 70 out of 100 on a Turkish transcript. A 2:2 is accepted at a number of departments, more readily where you have relevant work behind you.

Undergraduate entry is judged on your school leaving certificate and grades. Where a qualification is not a direct match for A levels, departments either ask for a foundation year first or accept it at a higher grade.

Alongside the transcript you will need a personal statement, one or two references and a passport copy. Statements that name a specific module, a piece of work or a problem you want to study read very differently from statements that would fit any course.

Where it leads

  • Translator
  • Editor
  • Communications officer
  • Teacher route
  • Cultural sector
  • Doctoral study

Questions we get asked

Can I apply before I have an IELTS result?

Yes, and most applicants do. Departments read the file and issue a conditional offer, then wait for the English result. Leave time between meeting the condition and the intake date, because the CAS and the visa both sit after it.

How many universities should I apply to?

Four or five. One or two above your current profile, two that match it, one you are confident of. We hold 40 departments on this subject, which is enough to build that spread without repeating yourself.

How long does a decision take?

Two to six weeks for a postgraduate application once the file is complete. Undergraduate applications go through UCAS and follow its calendar, so the timing is fixed rather than set department by department.

Is there a January intake?

On a number of postgraduate courses, yes. It is less common at undergraduate level. If your documents or your English result will not be ready for September, a January start is usually better than rushing the application.

Can I work while I study?

A student visa allows twenty hours a week during term time and full time in the holidays for degree level study. The exact permission is printed on your visa, so read it rather than assume.

What does your service cost?

Nothing. Universities pay us when a student enrols, so the counselling, the application and the visa support are free to you.

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