A bachelor’s degree is the foundation for almost all careers in the creative industries, and it’s what you need to start your own business. While some bachelors require you to complete a certain number of years of study, others don’t, so it’s essential that you find out what format yours fits into.
4-Year Bachelors Are Common
In most cases, you will need to complete 4 years of undergraduate study to qualify for a bachelor’s degree in creative writing. This is because the majority of bachelor’s in creative writing are designed to give you the skills necessary to become a successful writer. If you are interested in pursuing a career in fiction, you will have to complete at least a year of creative writing classes before stepping into a degree program. This way, you will have the basic building blocks of storytelling covered before starting your studies.
Bachelors Don’t Necessarily Require 4 Years
A bachelor’s degree in creative writing isn’t necessarily 4 years of study, so you don’t have to commit to that much time if you don’t want to. In many cases, you can complete your Bachelors in as little as 2 years. If you are still in school and interested in getting your Bachelors in creative writing as soon as possible, you can apply for on-campus jobs or study part-time while working to complete your degree in less than 4 years.
Even if you don’t have a specific writing degree, you can still get a job in the creative industries. You will just need to have a strong portfolio and have the ability to write compelling descriptions. While a degree may not directly translate into a specific job or even a particular industry, it will put you ahead of the competition.
What Will You Study?
The type of creative writing you will study depends on which university you attend and the level you apply to. The general structure of a Bachelors in creative writing is:
- Literary Studies – This is the theoretical side of the course. You will study different literary movements and theories on writing, and you may be required to take a literature course in order to keep up.
- Creative Writing – You will write short stories, poems, or plays. Creative writing is all about coming up with fictional narratives, so this is what you will be doing most of the time.
- Production – This is where you will learn the ins and outs of putting a creative writing project into practice. You will learn about film and theatre production as well as working with actors and designers to bring your work to life.
- Research – Most universities expect you to do a certain amount of research while you are in school. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you necessarily have to do loads of reading. Think of the information you need for your assignment, and then do a bit of research to back up your claim. You can use libraries for free, and there is no need to purchase research material.
- Seminars – These are occasional lectures or seminars held by professionals in the creative industries. You can participate in these classes and learn from experts in a particular field.
- Coursework – This is what you will learn in a traditional lecture class. This could be anything from English literature to film studies. Think of this as your final year of school before you graduate. It’s the final chance to take your pick of classes and tryout new subjects.
- Extra-curricular Activities – These are activities other than classes that you can get involved in while you are in school. This could include anything from sports to theater to journalism. Find out what is available for you to get involved in while you are in school.
A bachelor’s degree in creative writing is a great foundation for a writing career. Not only does it give you the theoretical knowledge you need to start your own company or write for publications, it also gives you the practical experience needed to succeed in the field. If you are still in school, don’t forget to apply for on-campus jobs or look into studying part-time while working to complete your degree in as little as 2 years. The sooner you start your career, the more options you will have. The sooner you start your career, the more options you will have.