It’s no secret that the United Kingdom is home to some incredible writers. The world’s most famous living author is definitely a product of the British education system, having attended both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. If you’ve got a few months to spare, you could spend some time in the UK studying English literature and taking part in English-taught writing courses.
However, not all literature courses in the UK are created equal. While both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge offer incredible courses, not all of them are worth the investment of time and money. Luckily, we’ve got your back with this detailed guide on what British creative writing classes are like and whether you’d like to study there.
The Good
So, what exactly does a British creative writing course entail? In general, you’ll study a range of modern and classical literature, as well as take part in group projects and individual assignments. You may be asked to pen short stories, novellas, or plays, among other things. Your teachers may also put you in touch with famous writers, famous historical figures, and even scientists. All of this could open up a whole new world of literature to you.
The courses generally run for three to four months, though this can vary. Like most other university courses, you’ll start off studying on a part-time basis, before committing to a full-time course. This gives you the flexibility to juggle your studies with your career or other leisure activities. If you’re lucky enough to secure a place on a course, you’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad for a month in a foreign country. This could really introduce you to a new way of thinking and open up your mind to new possibilities.
The Bad
While the general structure of a British creative writing course is pretty standard, this doesn’t mean that it all has to be fun and games. You’ll inevitably have to face some pretty brutal coursework, as well as exams. To give you some peace of mind, we’ve compiled a list of the absolute worst things you’ll have to deal with on a creative writing course in the UK.
First up, group work. We’re not just talking about group projects for class either, you’ll have to put in endless hours working in teams on individual assignments. Even when you’re not working, you’ll likely be required to go back and forth between different groups to discuss progress and give each other feedback. This can really kill your free time, as it’s very common for assignments to pile up, leaving you little chance to even look at your own work. One or two assignments can be fun, but if you’re doing this regularly, it could get pretty tiresome.
Next, exams. The nature of the exam system in the UK is incredibly laborious and time-consuming. For our American readers, let’s just say that you’ll have to prepare for a lot of tests. In most cases, you’ll be given a long list of questions to be answered within a limited amount of time. As you’d expect, this can really take its toll on your wellbeing, as it’s very common for students to lose a good number of hours (and sometimes even days) in the cramming and studying for these exams. This is why most students don’t do too much at university besides studying and probably attending some classes.
The Ugly
While we’re on the subject of the exams, let’s not forget about the grade inflation that’s taken place in England over the last few years. According to a new report from the Office for Students, nearly one in three A-level students are unable to obtain a first class degree. The report found that more than 11% of A-level students achieved a 2:1 or better, which is the new first class degree equivalent. For reference, in 2016 around 14% of A-level students obtained a 2:1 or better. This means that students are doing better than ever before, but the grading system is still pretty messed up. Why? Well, as we’ve established above, studying for these exams is incredibly tiresome and takes up a lot of your free time. It would be great to have more options for courses, especially since it’s not like you’re going to get a better job if you don’t have a degree. It also highlights a major issue that needs to be addressed if this trend is going to stop: more funding for universities and colleges.
Last but not least, the cost of living. As a recent graduate, you’ll no doubt be looking for work or attending classes part-time. Depending on where you are in the UK, you might not be able to afford rent or even living expenses. Luckily, there are plenty of jobs available and there are a number of grants and scholarships available too. This might give you a fighting chance at least. On a more negative note, if you’re attending university at all, you’ll likely be hit with a huge tuition fees bill. However, with the government’s new initiative to make studying more affordable, this might not be the case in the future. Hopefully, things will level out and you’ll be able to attend a decent university in the UK without having to mortgage your house.
Overall Conclusion
For American students, British creative writing courses aren’t exactly an option that leaps to mind. In most cases, the thought of moving to the UK to study is usually followed by thoughts of securing the perfect SAT scores and getting into the right law or medical school. Creative writing is often seen as a poor cousin to literature, philosophy, and politics, which are more traditional choices for American students. In reality, though, many universities across the UK offer some fantastic English literature courses, which don’t hurt either. If you do land on one of these courses, it could open up a whole new world of literature, as well as give you the perfect opportunity to travel abroad and experience a new culture.