Creative Writing Courses in UK

There is a whole universe of creative writing outside of corporate writing and hard journalism. Whether you’re a first-time writer, a non-fiction writer wishing to branch out or a casual creative writer hoping to become a published author, refining your creative writing talents is essential to your success. Great skills in creative writing can ensure great success in your writing career, especially in countries like the UK, where the demand for creative writers is rapidly growing. In this blog, we will discuss some of the best creative writing courses in the UK so keep reading!

Why Study in the UK?

• Universities in the United Kingdom are amongst the best in the world. British universities, which are routinely featured in worldwide rankings, conduct some of the world’s most highly respected research. 
• You will be able to flourish in a very multicultural environment while studying and living in the UK, with great potential of pursuing rewarding professions following graduation.
• The education system in UK universities is all about inclusion, class discussions and creative activities, teaching in the United Kingdom is aimed to stimulate fresh idea production, individual investigation, and group interaction. 
• Studying creative writing courses in the UK is a great choice as the country is home to some of the best literary works and classical writers like the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Geroge Orwell, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare!   

What is Creative Writing?

Before we get into the best universities and creative writing courses in the UK, you must understand what is creative writing? Creative writing is a type of writing in which imagination, creativity, and originality are used to tell a story through strong written pictures with an emotional impact, such as in poetry, short story writing, novel writing, and other forms of writing. Different types of writing often leave the reader with facts and information rather than emotional curiosity; however creative writing employs senses and emotions to build a vivid vision in the reader’s mind.

Elements of Creative Writing

To improve your creative writing skills and explore new creative writing topics, you must first comprehend the elements that make a novel outstanding. Here are the components that make up creative writing and why they’re all equally crucial.

Character Development

To write creatively, you’ll need characters. So, while choosing the second person point of view can be a unique way to write a book, you must first develop the character to deliver the story. Character development is the process of discovering who a character is and how they change throughout the course of a novel. Your readers should be able to fully comprehend your major characters and their trajectories.

Unique Plot

The fact that creative writing usually includes a storyline of some sort – and a unique one – is what sets it apart from other genres of writing. Remakes are considered creative writing as well, though most creative writers develop their own plots based on their own unique ideas. There is no story if there isn’t a plot. And if you don’t have a story, you’re just writing facts on paper.

Visual Description

You don’t typically read paragraphs of details describing the surrounding locations of where the events took place in a newspaper. Visual descriptions are often designated for use in creative writing. You’ll need them to assist the reader grasp what the characters’ surroundings are like and form attachments.

Underlying Theme

Almost every narrative contains an underlying theme or message, even if the author didn’t intend for it to be there. However, in order for creative writing to be complete, it must have a subject or meaning. That’s one of the things that makes this type of work so appealing. You can also teach lessons by telling a narrative.

Imaginative Language

The way you choose to craft the vision in your imagination is part of what makes creative writing well so creative. To construct a vivid image in the reader’s mind, creative writing uses myths, tales, metaphors, similes, figures of speech, and other parallels.

Eligibility for Creative Writing Courses in UK

While some of the colleges might have different requirements for admission in the UK, most of the colleges ask for the following requirement(s).

• The International Baccalaureate typically requires a minimum of 37 points.
• A-level requirements are typical as follows: English Literature, or English Language and Literature, is included in the AAA.
• Typical IELTS requirements: 7.0 overall, with a minimum writing score of 7.0 and reading, speaking and listening score of no less than 6.5.
• Admission to a university Post-graduation requirements: A second-class student. Bachelor’s degree with honours.

Best Universities for Creative Writing Courses in UK

Below we have listed some of the best Universities and their creative writing courses in UK:

University	QS World Rankings 2022
University of Oxford	2
University of Cambridge	=3
University College London	=8
University of Warwick	61
Durham University	=82
University of Birmingham	90
University of St Andrews	91
Brunel University London	=351
University of Kent	=383

The University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is also on the list when discussing some of the best creative writing courses in UK. Here, the course focuses on cross-cultural and cross-genre issues, highlighting the requirements and challenges of today’s writer who creates work in the context of worldwide writers and the critical community. Over the course of two years, the MSt offers a clustered learning structure consisting of five residences, two guided retreats, and one research placement.

Course Name:  MSt in Creative Writing
Fees: £11,466 (Approx. INR 10 Lacs)

The University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge offers a Master of Studies (MSt) in Creative Writing is for those who want to improve their creative writing talents in both fiction and non-fiction pieces of literature. The MSt is taught in short, intensive study blocks over the course of two years. It was created with full-time and part-time employees, as well as overseas students, in mind.

Course Name: Master of Studies in Creative Writing
Fees: £13,098 (Approx. INR 11.5 Lacs)

The University of St. Andrews

The University of St. Andrews comes first when we discuss some of the best creative writing courses in UK. In either poetry or prose, the MLitt in Creative Writing produces original work while giving analytical and creative study. The MLitt program focuses on the development of individual style and the pursuit of literary greatness through practice-based, technically, and creatively driven instruction from outstanding contemporary authors.

Course Name: Postgraduate, leading to a Master of Letters (MLitt)
Fees: £20,370 (Approx. INR 18 Lacs)

University College, London

This course offered by University College London will introduce students to some of the most fascinating and challenging works produced in English by writers from all over the world between 1900 and today, as well as key artistic achievements in film, music, and popular culture. It gives context to these works by relating them to historical, social, philosophical, and technological developments of the time.

Course Name: MA English
Fees: £25,800 (Approx. INR 22 Lacs)

Durham University

Durham University‘s MA in Creative Writing is an interesting new program. This is a challenging academic program that will help you gain practical experience composing poetry and prose fiction. In order to develop their own ideas, you will receive structured support through writing workshops and one-on-one lessons.

Course Name: MA in Creative Writing
Fees: £20,750 (Approx. INR 18 Lacs)

The University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham offers an intensive course in creative writing with focus workshop time and opportunities to provide and receive feedback from your peers. The program will allow you to develop your own work, voice, and ideas. Professional skills training will also be provided to prepare you for your interactions with the writing industry, including insights from industry professionals such as editors and publishers.

Course Name:  MA in Creative Writing
Fees: £20,160 (Approx. INR 18 Lacs)

Brunel University, London

This BA in Creative Writing at Brunel University is designed to encourage high levels of creativity, initiative, and originality in the conception, production, interpretation, and analysis of creative writing, as well as the opportunity to work on multidisciplinary projects. Some of the most accomplished and innovative writers working today will teach students the key genres of creative writing.

Course Name:  BA (Creative Writing)
Fees: £16, 335 (Approx. INR 14.5 Lacs)

The University of Kent

The University of Kent is also a great option. The school’s most practice-based research is concentrated on the Centre for Creative Writing. Staff put on a thriving series of events and conduct a research session for postgraduate students and staff to discuss fiction writing. Established authors are invited to read and discuss their work on a regular basis.

Course Name:  MA (Creative Writing)
Fees: £16, 800 (Approx. INR 15 Lacs)

The University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is the last on our list of universities offering creative writing courses in UK. This degree’s main goal is to help you become a better reader and writer, but it’s also useful if you want to work as an author – or in the creative sectors, such as media, advertising, publishing, or teaching. Major literary agents take an active interest in Warwick and make presentations there every year.

Course Name: MA (Writing)
Fees: £11, 170 (Approx. INR 10 Lacs)

Career Prospectus

The determination, hard effort, and perseverance of creative writers determine their success. Professionalism, high-quality literary work, and continual progress in your writing talents can all help you get to the top in your sector. Career options include:

Advertising copywriter	Creative director
Book Translator	Magazine journalist
Digital copywriter	Legacy Writer
Content Developer	Editorial assistant
Web content manager	Newspaper journalist
Lexicographer	Food Critic

Application Process

Applications to universities in the UK for creative writing courses are submitted via the UCAS portal. Here’s the step-wise application process:

1. Visit the UCAS portal
2. Check the course curriculum and the eligibility requirements
3. Click on the application form of the respective university
4. First, you need to create an account using your mobile number or email address
5. You will receive an email or SMS on your registered contact number with login details and verification
6. Use the login details provided and enter your personal details ( name, gender, date of birth)
7. Enter your academic qualification and upload the required documents
8. Select the course and pay the application fee
9. The application fee is different for every university and can be paid through a debit/credit card or internet banking
10. Submit your application form, you can also track your application form through your account
11. Students that have been selected will be required to attend a virtual interview by some universities

Documents Required 

• Official academic transcripts
• Scanned copy of passport
• CV/ Resume
• Letter of Recommendation
• English language proficiency test scores
• Statement of Purpose
• Two Reference Letters

FAQs

In this blog, we learned the basics of Creative Writing and some of the best creative writing courses in the UK. Confused about the right course to pursue and the best-fit university in the United Kingdom? Then, allow our innovative AI Course Finder to help you solve your problem. Connect with Leverage Edu experts and they can provide you with a free consultation to address all of your questions. So make an appointment for a free consultation today!