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What Schools Offer a BA in Creative Writing?

A Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing is a general arts degree that can be useful for a variety of careers. Earning this degree allows students to explore a variety of creative writing-related disciplines which may include Literature, Creative Writing, or Fiction. The majority of universities that offer this degree have a general arts focus which enables them to encourage and inspire students to explore new areas of interest. Some may specialise in particular sub-disciplines such as English Literature or Creative Writing, while others may offer a more generic approach. 

What do you need to study for this degree?

  • English Language
  • Literature
  • General Studies
  • Art
  • Technology
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Economics
  • Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Statistics

These are the basic requirements for this degree; however, you may choose to study a range of optional subjects such as

  • Music
  • Dance
  • Film
  • Television
  • Visual Arts
  • Journalism
  • Creative Writing
  • Performance Arts
  • History of Art

Once you have the basics in order, all you need is the motivation to start applying. The majority of students who achieved high results in the UK CVs Ranking in 2018/19 were motivated by a desire to write. The University and College Union (UCU) states that 89% of graduates are either content or very satisfied with their decision to study a creative writing-related degree, with 88% finding employment in the field. In addition, creative writing is now offered as a standalone degree by many universities, enabling students to specialise in this area while also studying for their General Arts degree.

Creative Writing-Related Careers

With a creative writing degree, you can explore a variety of careers that relate to writing. You may decide to pursue a career in magazine publishing, news agency journalism, or even screenwriting. You may also decide that you wish to go into education and teach literature or composition to younger generations.

The most popular creative writing-related degrees are those that relate to literature and publishing. Some of the most in-demand roles for literary graduates include:

Editor

If you have a love for books and a desire to help shape creative writing, then an editorial role may be for you. As an editor, you will be responsible for reviewing and recommending creative works for publication. You will also be required to carry out some degree of copy-editing on submitted works. This is a great option if you want to combine your love of literature with a professional career.

Journalist

If you have a passion for journalism and a desire to work with words then a career in journalism may be the right choice for you. As a journalist, you will be responsible for researching stories for magazines, newspapers, or online media. You will often be required to follow-up on stories with further reporting or investigation, or write-up’s for magazines or newspapers. This is a great choice if you wish to combine your love of words with a career in journalism.

Author

If you have a talent for creative writing and a passion for words then an author’s role may be the right choice for you. As an author, you will be responsible for coming up with the story ideas, and you will write all of the material, from the original idea through to the finished product. For best results, you should go for a job in a writing agency or in-house editorial department, where you will get the opportunity to showcase your skills to prospective employers. You will also be responsible for helping to craft the marketing material for the books that you publish.

Additionally, if you have a particular interest in specific periods of literature, you may want to consider studying for a Masters in English Literature or a related subject. This will give you the opportunity to explore this area in greater depth while still maintaining your career options open to you.

Scriptwriter

If you have a love for storytelling and a passion for words then a career in screenwriting may be the right choice for you. As a screenwriter, you will be responsible for coming up with story ideas, and you will write all of the material, from the original idea through to the finished product. This is a great choice if you wish to combine your love of words with a creative career, and you can even go on to specialise further in this area.

As well as writing the material yourself, you will also be required to write, direct, and act in short films. These can range from humorous ones about everyday life to more serious and dramatic ones that explore social issues. You may also be required to attend workshops and seminars to learn new techniques and get inspiration from professional screenwriters.

Standalone Creative Writing Degrees

Many universities no longer require a General Arts degree to study for a BA in Creative Writing. A number of these degrees are now available to students who do not intend on seeking employment in relation to creative writing. These degrees give you the opportunity to specialise in this area while also meeting the basic demands of your General Arts degree.

Fiction Writing

If you are driven by the desire to explore and experiment with new ideas then a degree in fiction may be the right choice for you. As a fiction writer, you will be responsible for creating fictional stories that can vary in tone from comedic to dramatic. Within the field of fiction, you can even go on to specialise in particular sub-disciplines such as crime, romance, or science fiction. If you have a natural talent for storytelling and enjoy coming up with new ideas then this may be the right choice for you.

Non-Fiction Writing

If you have a passion for words but do not have a desire to write fictional stories then a career in non-fiction may be the right choice for you. As a non-fiction writer, you will be responsible for researching topics and then expressing these topics in clear and concise prose. You will often be required to carry out some degree of copy-editing on your submitted work. This is a great choice if you want to combine your love of words with a career in non-fiction.

Literary Publishing

If you have a love for books and a desire to help shape creative writing, then a career in literary publishing may be the right choice for you. As a literary publisher, you will be responsible for reviewing and recommending creative works for publication. You will also be required to carry out some degree of copy-editing on submitted works.

Media Management

If you are driven by a desire to make a difference in society then a career in media management may be the right choice for you. As a media manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the content of digital and social media platforms such as websites, blogs, and social media channels. You will often be required to use your skills to create compelling content that encourages users to share and engage with the materials that you create. This is a great choice if you want to combine your interest in digital marketing and communications with a career in media management.

What opportunities does a degree in Creative Writing open up for you?

A Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing is a general arts degree that can be useful for a variety of careers. Earning this degree allows students to explore a variety of creative writing-related disciplines which may include Literature, Creative Writing, or Fiction. The majority of universities that offer this degree have a general arts focus which enables them to encourage and inspire students to explore new areas of interest. Some might specialise in particular sub-disciplines such as English Literature or Creative Writing, while others may offer a more generic approach.

Once you have the basics in order, all you need is the motivation to start applying. The majority of students who achieved high results in the UK CVs Ranking in 2018/19 were motivated by a desire to write. The University and College Union (UCU) states that 89% of graduates are either content or very satisfied with their decision to study a creative writing-related degree, with 88% finding employment in the field. In addition, creative writing is now offered as a standalone degree by many universities, enabling students to specialise in this area while also studying for their General Arts degree.