Creative Writing and History BA (Hons)

If you are interested in enhancing, broadening, and developing your voice and, if you want to explore, discover and immerse yourself in the words and historical eras that have shaped our world through the medium of literature and media platforms and culture, then a degree in Creative Writing and History at Aberystwyth University is for you. Our cross-disciplinary degree will introduce you to an ever-expanding industry, providing you with a promising and advantageous start after graduation. Learn the craft of writing poetry, fiction, non-fiction, screenplays and more. You will also develop the critical and analytical skills necessary for a career in a broad array of creative industries. Under the expert guidance of a team of award-winning writers you will discover hidden talents and find out what sort of writer you are. On completion of this degree you will have not only a portfolio of exceptional creative material but also the skills and attributes to flourish in any workplace that demands dexterity with the creative aspect and written word.

Overview

Why study Creative Writing and History at Aberystwyth University?

The Creative Writing component of this course enables you to discover our comprehensive programme which includes prose, poetry, scriptwriting for stage and screen, journalism, writing for new media. There is an opportunity for you at Aberystwyth University to flourish and develop your creative writing skills.

The History component of this course will provide you with an existing opportunity to explore many eras of History which includes Medieval and Early Modern History, Politics and Modern History, History and Welsh History. We also have a vast range of exciting modules which includes Europe and the World (1000-2000), Medieval and Early Modern Britain and Europe (1000-1800), History as Myth-Making: the ‘myth of the Blitz’, Image Wars in South East Asia: Studying 20th Century Propaganda to name a few.

A highlight for students on this course is the writing retreat which is organised during the third year. The writing treat enables you to hone in on your writing skills and talents, develop your abilities further and grow as a creative writer with your peers. This is a residential retreat and previous years have visited the well-known Gregynog Hall, roughly an hour and half outside of Aberystwyth.

The University main teaching campus also known as Penglais Campus is our learning and socialising hub. This course is taught across two departments which include the Department of English and Creative Writing and the Department of History and Welsh History, both of which are located on Penglais campus. Discover the two departments in our Virtual Tour.

Next door the Penglais Campus is the National Library of Wales which is a copyright library that houses every book that has been published in the United Kingdom. A vital resource to this degree.

Employability

What career prospects are there for me?

Many of our graduates are successful writers in the fields of:

• Fiction
• Non-fiction
• Poetry
• Screen-writing
• Radio
• Theatre

Some of our graduates have discovered other successful career options:

• Publishing
• Editing
• Journalism
• Marketing and Communications
• Teaching.