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Choosing the Right Degree for Creative Writing

Creating literature and writing in general are amongst the most popular degrees to study for. With the world of publishing opening up to a wider audience, more and more people are considering a career in writing.

If you’re looking to create literature, you might want to consider a few different options before committing to one.

Might you want to become an actor and write plays? Or maybe you’d like to become a journalist and report on current events?

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a career in writing, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into.

The Most Popular Degrees to Study For

Many students considering a career in writing decide on a writing-specific degree because they feel that it’s the most flexible option. With a wide range of topics covered from fiction to non-fiction, you can study for a degree in writing and become highly employable. It’s also a popular choice with students who want to become journalists or dramatists.

If you’re looking for a more traditional route into the world of publishing, on the other hand, you might want to consider studying for an English-specific degree. With roots in the classics, an English degree will teach you the fundamentals of writing in English, as well as providing you with a good grounding in the major works of English literature.

Once you’ve completed your studies, you’ll have the option of applying for job vacancies in publishing, newspapers, magazines, and other areas of creative writing. Remember to keep your CV up to date, and make sure that you’re always searching for the freshest job opportunities.

The Most Suitable Courses For Creative Writing

You might be thinking about pursuing a career in creative writing, but you don’t know where to start? Here are some of the most suitable courses for creative writing:

  • An introductory English course with literature and language
  • An English course with culture and civilisation
  • An English course with creative writing
  • An arts course with a creative writing module
  • A combined English/creative writing degree
  • A combined English/creative writing with international relations

As you can see, there’s a lot to choose between. When it comes to studying for a degree in creative writing, you should consider what would suit you best. If you have an interest in theatre, consider taking an undergraduate course in drama or performance with a view to applying for an MA in Creative Writing or Dramatic Arts. If you’d like to focus on print journalism, you might want to study for an undergraduate degree in English with a minor in journalism. Finally, if you’d like to become a literary agent or publisher, you might want to consider studying for an MA in Publishing with an emphasis on digital marketing.

Salary Potential

It’s important to consider how much you might earn as a writer or dramatist once you graduate. Here are some representative salaries:

  • A freelance journalist, reporting for a popular news website, can expect to earn £16,000-£25,000 per year
  • A dramatist can expect to earn £28,000 per year
  • A successful literary agent can expect to earn £30,000 per year
  • A successful literary editor can expect to earn £32,000 per year
  • An experienced newspaper editor can expect to earn £40,000 per year
  • A feature writer or a columnist for a national newspaper can expect to earn £44,000 per year
  • A radio scriptwriter can expect to earn £50,000 per year
  • A drama teacher can expect to earn £60,000 per year

As you can see, there’s a lot of variety in terms of job titles and the average salary that you’ll earn as a writer or dramatist. Keep in mind that this is just a guide. Much depends on your own experience and the demand for your specific skillset. The above figures do, however, give you an idea of what you might expect to earn as a creative writer in the near future.

Which City Is Fit For Study?

If you’re looking for a place to study, you might want to consider a city that has a vibrant cultural scene. Whether you’re an aspiring playwright or a novelist, getting a taste of the creative scene in a city like London can only be good for your development as a writer. Whether you’re an urban or a country dweller, you can take your pick of English-speaking cities to study in. Here are some of the most liveable cities in the world, as rated by the Globalization and Development Index (GDI):

  • London (2nd)
  • Roma (3rd)
  • Mumbai (7th)
  • Sao Paulo (9th)
  • New York (12th)
  • Tokyo (15th)
  • Hong Kong (16th)

If you’re not familiar, the GDI measures liveability, safety, and affordability across 16 indicators. The higher your score on the GDI, the more you’ll enjoy studying or living in a particular city.

How About A Hostel?

If you’re looking to save money during your studies, you might want to consider a hostel. With a high ratio of students to staff, you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with people from around the world and take part in group activities.

Many British universities have a branch in other countries, and because of this, it’s possible to study for your undergraduate degree internationally. The majority of student unions at British universities will help you to find the correct funding for your chosen course. There are also lots of opportunities for you to get involved in extra-curricular activities, such as writing workshops, dramatizations, and others. These can help to supplement your studies and give you a better understanding of the course materials.

Whether you’re a full-time student or a part-time one, there are lots of opportunities for you to gain experience and further education in the field of creative writing. If this sounds like something that might be interesting to you, be sure to keep abreast of the latest news and developments in the industry so that you can put yourself forward for jobs when they arise.