Creative Writing BA (Hons)

The course has a strong focus on employability and aims to prepare you for a professional writing or publishing career. You may be taught by an enthusiastic team of professional writers whose work has been widely published, broadcast, and staged. They are led by five internationally known writers: award-winning science fiction writer Chris Dows, award-winning poet and literary translator Daniele Pantano, award-winning novelists Sarah Stovell and Guy Mankowski, and award-winning playwright Sue Healy.

Live the Writing Life at the University of Lincoln. If you love to read and write and want to explore the boundaries of your own creativity, Creative Writing at Lincoln can provide you with a new appreciation of literature. You may develop your own distinctive voice as an author and philosophy of composition, as well as explore the theory and practice of building a diverse portfolio of work across forms and styles. As a Creative Writing student at the University of Lincoln, you have the opportunity to work with, and become part of, an international community of writers who will aim to help you develop your skills in genres as diverse as prose fiction, psychological thrillers, scriptwriting, poetry, creative non-fiction, and the graphic novel. Our aim is to help you to develop your writing in innovative and exciting ways, becoming the best writer you can be.

How You Study

The BA (Hons) Creative Writing programme concentrates on the practice and theory of developing a portfolio of work across a diverse array of forms and styles. As well as discovering your own voice, you will have the opportunity to explore a range of techniques and practices which come from a wide range of historical and contemporary literature, both popular and classic, across poetry, prose, and scriptwriting.

Teaching and learning is centred on the writer's workshop, where there is a strong emphasis on participation. You will have the opportunity to learn the habits of a professional writer, including keeping a writer’s journal, research and observation, redrafting and editing and presenting work to a high standard. Self and peer appraisal are important, as are paired and small group work.

Features

Students have the opportunity to learn from active professional authors with interests in fields as diverse as psychological thrillers, creative non-fiction and graphic novels. Their publications include novels, poetry and prize-winning short stories. Teaching is enriched by workshops, readings, and masterclasses with visiting contemporary authors. Former Poet Laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy became a Visiting Artist at the University of Lincoln in 2015 and visited the University to read a selection of her works. Students have also enjoyed masterclasses with TV presenter and author Chris Packham.

Placements

Some courses offer students the opportunity to undertake placements. When students are on an optional placement in the UK or overseas or studying abroad, they will be required to cover their own transport and accommodation and meals costs. Placements can range from a few weeks to a full year if students choose to undertake an optional sandwich year in industry (where available). Students are encouraged to obtain placements in industry independently. Tutors may provide support and advice to students who require it during this process.

Your Future Career

Creative Writing graduates may choose to pursue careers in various literary and creative professions, such as publishing, journalism, advertising, public relations, marketing, the civil service, and communications. Students can choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level or take qualifications in teaching.