Please note there are no vacancies on this course for September 2024
Page last updated 23 September 2024
On this course, you will pursue creative and professional writing alongside a rigorous academic curriculum in English literature. There is a dedicated writing module every year and a placement module in year three.
A degree in English literature with writing is characterised by its emphasis on different forms of writing, from creative and literary to professional writing.
Studying this subject is also excellent preparation for careers in the cultural industries, one of Britain's most exciting, diverse and internationally recognised fields.
You will build a portfolio of work to evidence your skills and enhance your opportunities for employment.
BA(Hons) English Literature with Writing will hone your writing skills, both creative and professional, as you study a varied selection of literature, from the Renaissance to the 21st century.
You'll take dedicated writing modules, where you'll build your writing expertise in areas such as advertising, marketing and PR, health and society, speechwriting, journalism, and writing for social and online media.
The literary part of the course will hone your critical and theoretical abilities, as you analyse and critique different texts.
Hear from guest speakers from industry, who'll share their experiences and help you consider different career paths.
Build a portfolio of work in different genres, registers, modes and formats, which you can use as evidence of your skills to future employers.
Gain valuable experience on the placement module, to further develop your skills and get first-hand insight into the workplace.
The course consistently ranks highly in the National Student Survey (NSS), thanks to the quality of the teaching and our inspiring staff, who are experts in their field, and will support you throughout your studies.
Focusing on the avenues that most interest you, through your modules and assessments, you'll graduate confident to pursue your chosen career.
Leave the course with a wealth of experience in writing for traditional and digital platforms.
Your expertise in the written word will be needed in every sector, along with your skills in research, problem-solving, team-work, critical thinking, independence and self-motivation.
The door will be open to exciting careers in the cultural industries, the media or the arts, working in marketing, editing, publishing or teaching.
The academic rigour of the course also prepares you well for further study at postgraduate level.
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Throughout your degree you will engage in a range of writing techniques, from composing poems to creating journal entries and from writing critical reviews to creative fiction and non-fiction. This writing practice will go hand in hand with a deep study of literary culture from the Renaissance to the present day.
You will study:
You will study:
Plus, six optional modules from:
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two.
You'll complete a placement learning module.
See the placements and fees sections for more information.
You will study:
Plus, two optional modules from (one if you've completed a study year abroad or placement year):
Please also note this structure is for the full-time course delivery only. For part-time delivery, the same modules will be studied. However, the structure will differ.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.
You'll be taught through lectures, small-group seminars, tutorials, and a placement prior to your final year, where you can put the work you've done on the course into practice.
The bespoke writing modules in all three years take the form of interactive workshops where reading, discussion and writing are built into the format.
The variety of assessments from essays and presentations, to posters and book jackets will strengthen your communication, presentation, creative expression, analytical and critical skills.
You will be trained in the use of Adobe InDesign software, Photoshop and online platforms, giving a strong base for a career in publishing, marketing, advertising or the media.
Develop as a trainee professional, with practice-led teaching, access to leading facilities and opportunities to work with experienced professionals.
Craft your skills as a researcher, working with academics and partners helping to shape new thinking in the field.
Develop enterprise skills, to take your talents in interesting directions and open the door to different careers.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 2 | 22% | 78% | 0% |
| 3 | 21% | 76% | 3% |
*calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Participate in all things related to your degree by joining the English Literature Society and attending their events, or become a Peer Assisted Learning Leader or Student Ambassador.
Pursue your interest in writing by submitting work to our student newspapers and other media.
Bristol is an exciting cultural hub and you can also gain experience with our vibrant partners in Bristol, such as the BBC, Watershed, the Arnolfini and local literary festivals.
Full-time students study both year-long and semester modules, for a total of 12 hours of contact time a week.
The course offers varied assessments for different modules, depending on the choices you make about the kind of writing you want to develop.
For example, you can write essays, produce posters and book jackets, understand what it takes to write a book review, and collaborate with other students in group presentations.
The assessments in the bespoke writing modules are designed to enhance and showcase your writing skills and include, for example, blogs, copywriting and self-reflective pieces on your placement.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28% | 66% | 6% |
| 2 | 20% | 65% | 15% |
| 3 | 6% | 79% | 15% |
*calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
On completion of the English Independent Project module, you'll be awarded the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 3 Award in Management by the City and Guilds of London Institute.
The course includes a placement module in year three, where you'll work for at least 36 hours with a relevant employer, such as a publisher or magazine.
You can also choose to take an optional placement year between years two and three. This will last at least 26 weeks and will be relevant to your subject area.
Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.
You'll get help to find your placement and support throughout from staff within the School and our award-winning careers service.
You'll study at Frenchay Campus, which houses a library with a large collection of resources, including extensive collections of primary material. You'll also have access to a wide variety of digital archives.
Learn to use Adobe InDesign software and online platforms, which will give you career-based skills for publishing, marketing, advertising and the media.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a Virtual Tour of the English, History and Writing facilities and see what's on offer here for you.
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Graduates in English Literature with Writing are highly employable, thanks to their practical skills and broad knowledge base.
Tailoring what and how you study, you can shape the course towards your chosen career path.
Building professional, research and enterprise skills into the modules you study, you'll be encouraged to apply them at every opportunity, most notably in the third-year placement module.
Former students have gone on to work as marketing executives, content managers for publishers, HR recruitment consultants, and teachers in primary, secondary and further education. Many choose to continue their studies with postgraduate degrees in English and related subjects.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and help find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the four year course and then transfer to the three year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the country Information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644