Why I chose to study Journalism & Creative Writing at Falmouth

This article was written by Journalism & Creative Writing BA(Hons) student Marla.

My name is Marla and I'm a second year Journalism & Creative Writing BA(Hons) student at Falmouth University. In this article, I'll discuss why I decided to study this course and what made me choose Falmouth.

Sixth form rushed past in a blur, and before I knew it, I was filling out my UCAS application with no clear idea of what I wanted to study. I had always loved writing but I hadn’t realised it was something I could pursue at university. That changed when I did some research and found that Falmouth University was one of a select number of university's that offered a degree in Creative Writing alongside English or Journalism.

But, located in Cornwall, I had reservations about moving over 200 miles from my home in the West Midlands, so I set my sights on universities much closer to home. However, after deciding to do my online interview for Falmouth anyway, and successfully getting an offer, I decided to come to an Open Day to give it a chance and see the campus.

After arriving in Falmouth, I knew that there was no way I’d be able to go anywhere else. I instantly fell in love with the creative energy and friendliness of the place. I thought the Falmouth Campus was absolutely beautiful, deep in the heart of a sub-tropical garden and located only a ten-minute walk away from the beach. Falmouth town seemed to have a creative, fun vibe and felt just busy enough for me, as someone from a tiny village, but nowhere near the overwhelming chaos of a big city.

From day one, we’ve been working on real news stories, pitching meaningful projects and creating industry-standard content.

The more I looked into the Journalism & Creative Writing BA(Hons) course, the more it felt like the perfect fit for me. The course blends creativity with practical skills, preparing me for life as a journalist and the theory of how to do it well. The flexibility of the course also allowed me to shape my studies around areas I’m passionate about. Being able to study Creative Writing alongside Journalism meant I could diversify my education and keep my career options open. This was particularly appealing as someone who wasn’t quite sure about what they wanted to study and didn’t have a clear career plan at 18. Little did I know that journalism would end up capturing my heart even more than creative writing!

Now, halfway through my degree, I know that I couldn’t have made a better choice. What sets this course apart is its hands-on approach. From day one, we’ve been working on real news stories, pitching meaningful projects and creating industry-standard content. Already, I’ve pitched and written articles for regional news outlets, had paid work as a freelance journalist, created a multimedia portfolio that I’m using to apply for internships and placement opportunities, and have made valuable connections in the journalism industry – all before graduating. The Journalism & Creative Writing degree is also very future-focused. We work across all media, from video to audio, rather than just practicing traditional written journalism. We regularly engage with current debates in our industry, including my recent project exploring how AI is changing journalism.

Another aspect I love about studying at Falmouth is the small class sizes. They allow you to really get to know your lecturers, who all have professional experience in the journalism or writing industries, and get personalised feedback and guidance. This support has been really helpful now that I’m beginning my career as a freelance journalist.