For years, the common A-Level has been pretty much the same. You’d learn some English, maybe Spanish, maybe French or German. And maybe you’d dip your toe into a bit of Creative Writing. But that was pretty much it. If you wanted to be a creative writer, you studied English Literature or Creative Writing at degree level. Or, if you were lucky, you found a university that offered both. But increasingly, schools and universities are realising the importance of a Creative Writing degree. Why? Because with the world shifting to a digital sphere, being able to express yourself digitally through text and art is becoming necessary! As a result, schools are providing classes in Creative Writing, and employers are recognising its importance. Is class Creative Writing right for you? We explore the elements you need to know about, along with the different routes you can take to get your degree.
The Elements Of Class Creative Writing
When you’re studying Creative Writing, you’re going to be introduced to a completely new way of thinking. You’re not going to be expected to become a professional writer immediately. Instead, you’re going to be taught how to think creatively, and how to approach a piece of text in a unique way. Being able to do this takes a while to learn, so you’re not going to be expected to produce perfect work straight away. That’s okay, because the perfect work doesn’t exist. What does exist is the ability to continue to develop as a writer, and that’s what’s motivating you.
The way you write will change. You’ll write longer and create more elaborate structures. You’ll be asked to consider the use of different genres and styles, and how to integrate all of this into a single piece of writing. If you want to become a professional writer, this might not be the route you want to take. But if you want to continue developing as a writer, learn how to think creatively and how to express yourself, this is the route you need to take. It just might be the most important degree you’ll ever get.
What else do you need to know about studying Creative Writing?
First, find out what qualifications you need to have before you can apply to study. In the UK, you need to have gained a grade A in A-Level English or Computer Science. In the rest of the world, you need to have gained a grade B in Maths or Further Maths, or an equivalent qualification. You can find out more on the Pearson website.
Second, when you’re applying for college, make sure that they offer the course you need to study. You can contact the admissions department of the university you plan to apply to, and find out what courses they offer. Many universities now offer a combination of A-Levels and university degrees. Be sure to find out what these are, so that you can plan your studies accordingly. In addition, look into the entry requirements for the courses that interest you. This way, you’ll know what you’re getting into.
The Different Roles In Creative Writing
At the risk of stating the obvious, Creative Writing is a broad degree. It could be described as an English degree with a creative twist. There are many different roles you can take on after gaining your degree. You could end up being a journalist, an editor, a critic, a fiction writer, or a poet. And just because you have a degree in Creative Writing doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to just one career. Far from it. With the right training, you can take on a variety of different roles, and make the most of your degree.
What should you do after university?
A-Level results are available soon! If you’re lucky enough to have gained a place at university, you’ll soon be able to start planning your routes to employment. But what should you do after your A-Levels? One option is to look for work in a related field. For example, if you’re interested in journalism, you could look for a job in a related field, such as editing or proofreading. Or, if you’re interested in teaching, you could look for a school career. In the case of Creative Writing, a variety of different options exist. If you want to continue writing, you could consider applying for further study. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could try your hand at copywriting or editing. But whatever you do, make sure that you keep writing. Building a portfolio is an important part of any career, and it’ll be much easier to get a job if you’ve already got some. So, don’t forget about your hobby!
The Importance Of A Degree In Creative Writing
Have you ever considered the importance of a degree? A lot of time and money is generally invested into a university degree. And what’s the payoff? Well, if you want to become a lawyer, you have to complete the entire bar exam, even if you’ve only studied English Literature at A-Level. That’s because gaining legal qualifications is a rigorous process that takes several years to complete. If you want to become a doctor, you usually need an undergraduate degree in medicine. Even if you successfully complete all of your medical studies, you’ll still need to do residency, and complete your medical exam, all of which require you to have a formal education in medicine. The same is generally true of other professional careers as well.
These days, gaining a university degree is seen as something of a necessary step in your career journey. If you want to get on in life, you have to do it. Most jobs now require formal education, even if it’s only for an office job. So, even if you’re happy being a stay-at-home parent, getting a degree might still be something you need to do to improve your situation. And for many jobs, including creative writing, the qualification does more than just help you get on. It opens up more opportunities, and gives you a leg up in the competition.
Is class Creative Writing right for you? Or are you interested in pursuing another degree? We’d love to hear from you! Comment below, or feel free to connect with us via social media.