Please note there are no vacancies on this course for September 2024
Page last updated 23 September 2024
Study fiction, non-fiction, script and corporate copywriting, and shape your degree in line with your creative ambitions.
Studying creative and professional writing equips you with the expertise and experience to make a living as a professional writer.
It's been estimated that one in 11 jobs in the UK is in the creative industries - a sector that's outpacing the rest of the UK economy in its growth rate. The UK publishing industry in particular is experiencing record success, while platforms like Netflix and podcasts are capturing new audiences and creating new opportunities for writers.
BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing develops your creative abilities and forms your identity as a writer. It also prepares you for the world of work by helping you acquire highly transferable skills and giving you access to a wealth of learning opportunities.
To succeed as a writer, you need many strings to your bow. That's why we offer tuition in corporate copywriting across all three years, alongside fiction, non-fiction and scriptwriting. You'll hone a broad range of writing skills, and be equipped to take on paid writing work in different areas when you graduate.
You'll also become adept at conducting research, and work on live briefs from Bristol-based employers that recruit skilled writers.
What's more, you can gain professional experience writing for UWE Bristol student media, including Hub Radio, Hub Voice student magazine and Cellar Door magazine.
Showcase your work to talent scouts and potential employers at the final year Degree Show.
Thanks to our connections, you have the chance to work with publishers and agents, as well as the Bristol Cultural Development Partnership, Watershed, Poetry Can, Spike Island, the Arnolfini and Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives.
We also enjoy links with commercial partners including Babcock International, Stratton Craig, John Wainwright & Company Ltd, The Writing Hut Ltd and Anthem Publishing.
Situated at the heart of Bristol's thriving creative sector, this course prepares you for a job in writing, the arts, publishing, creative media, marketing, advertising and communications.
You could become a novelist or screenwriter, work as a freelance copywriter or journalist, or go into an area such as corporate communications and PR.
Your writing skills will be sought after in other fields too, with good communication being important in just about every business.
"UWE Bristol has clearly one of the most forward-thinking creative writing courses in the country, with an eye on employability [and] also on the demands that are made of the 21st century writer if they are to thrive in the commercial climate." Matt Thorne, External Examiner
Hear from one of our students, Rebecca, on how she felt supported to build her confidence as a writer.
You'll register onto BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing. As you progress through the course you'll have the opportunity to specialise in a specific subject.
Depending on your module choices, you could graduate with one of the following awards:
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
You'll study:
You'll study:
Plus, four 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: Professional Development on Placement.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
You'll study four of the following modules:*
*If you complete the four year (sandwich) course, you'll study three of these modules
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
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'll inform you.
Learn through workshops, seminars, lectures and one-to-one tutorials. Independent study is a key part of the course and you'll be taught and assessed by leading academics and professional writers.
Hone your writing skills by exploring and engaging with a range of forms and audiences.
Build a compelling set of professional skills, with access to practice-led teaching, live briefs, placements and freelance work with our external partners.
Learn to promote yourself, navigate the publishing, marketing and design sectors, and explore varied opportunities for your writing.
Research is built into all the modules. You'll develop your own research skills, and work with academics and partners helping to shape new thinking in the field.
You'll be supported to set up your own social and creative enterprises, such as journals and writing groups. An Academic Personal Tutor will provide individual support throughout.
Gaining broad experience across different types of writing in year one, you'll then have the option to shape your degree along one of four pathways, based on your module choices:
This pathway is for students who want to develop a broad set of skills throughout their degree. You'll study a mix of fiction, non-fiction, scriptwriting and copywriting modules across all three years.
This pathway is tailored for students with an interest in the commercial application of their writing. We'll help you develop skills and expertise to approach competitive environments with confidence, so that your copy cuts through.
Understand how the publishing industry works today. You'll consider changes such as the rise in self-publishing and audio books. Plus you'll explore how writers can influence wider social, economic and cultural conversations.
Explore scriptwriting for performance on stage, screen and radio, as well as scripts for digital media and gaming. You'll learn about the different professional requirements in each medium, understand how to be part of a writing team and keep up to the minute with the latest trends.
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 | 21% | 79% | 0% |
| 3 | 21% | 79% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year.
Workshops, seminars, lectures, project work and tutoring account for an average of 12 hours of contact time each week.
You'll be expected to spend at least 12 hours in studying independently study outside of class.
You'll be assessed through your creative and reflective writing and process work, independent projects, examinations and oral presentations. You'll graduate with a portfolio of work to show prospective employers.
Learn more about assessments.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17% | 83% | 0% |
| 2 | 0% | 90% | 10% |
| 3 | 0% | 77% | 23% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year.
Work experience is valuable if you're entering the creative industries. It hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought-after graduate.
If you choose the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two. Your placement will be at least 26 weeks long and relevant to your course.
Our award-winning careers and employability service will guide and support you to find the right placement for you.
You'll study at Frenchay Campus, which houses a library with a large collection of books, DVDs, journals and other resources. Be inspired by films, books, plays and texts in quiet study areas, group spaces or viewing rooms.
Develop skills in blogging, editing and desktop publishing using industry standard software including Wordpress and Adobe InDesign. Access lecture slides, core readings and assignment guidance on UWE Bristol's Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Take a virtual tour of the English, History and Writing facilities and see what's on offer here for you.
Undertake an extended creative writing project in your final year, to explore ideas that inspire you, strengthen your individual style and build your confidence as a writer. Feedback from tutors will help you develop, and assess, your writing from a professional standpoint.
Learn vital entrepreneurial and project management skills for a freelance career in the creative and cultural industries. Access volunteering opportunities and internships with local cultural organisations.
Bristol is a major creative hub for the arts and our staff have strong relationships with local organisations and events organisers. We'll encourage you to showcase your entrepreneurship and creativity by developing your own writing portfolio, and collaborating with students in subjects like graphic design and marketing.
Develop your news sense, working with UWE Bristol student media, including the Hub Radio and Hub Voice student magazine, Cellar Door magazine, published by our students, gives you the opportunity to showcase your creative writing. You can also bring creative screenplays to life in collaboration with our Filmmaking and Drama and Acting students in the School of Arts.
Supplement your studies with trips to cultural events and visits from highly experienced industry professionals. We'll also encourage you to set up your own social and creative enterprises, such as blogs, zines and writing groups.
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.
Prepare for an exciting future in the cultural and creative industries. Tailoring what and how you study, you can shape the course towards your chosen career path.
You'll graduate with an impressive blend of subject and trade-specific writing expertise, and a range of highly transferable skills. You could establish a career in a number of professions including the arts, creative media and marketing.
You'll also be equipped for a career in publishing, editing, digital content creation, festival and cultural event management, and teaching.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and help you to find 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.
This refers to 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're an international student and don't meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you're 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