Creative Writing BA(Hons)

Join an inspiring creative community with unique writing spaces. You’ll get the chance to experiment with all forms of writing, explore audiences in the virtual and real world, work on live publishing projects, and learn what this means for your own work.

Student in suit standing and reading at podium with microphones

Key details

Course Duration	3 years
Attendance	Full-time
UCAS code	W890
Location	Falmouth Campus
Contact	01326 254350

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Introduction

You'll learn how to draft, edit and pitch your work by exploring a range of genres, forms and audiences. On top of developing your ability to generate ideas, pitch them and collaborate on projects, you'll have the chance to specialise in areas like poetry, non-fiction, scriptwriting, fiction and writing for digital games. And by working on industry-engaged projects, a final portfolio and an online profile, you’ll develop industry-level confidence and technical skills.

What our students do

Article

Publishing Partnerships

4 June 2018

The slowly setting sun, fire twinkling in the half-light of dusk and the stunning backdrop of...

Article

The Truesdale Show

23 May 2018

Think Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. On a WW2 minesweeper. Sailing around the Philippines.

...

Article

English & Writing Team Launch First Book

12 September 2017

The School of Writing & Journalism has just launched its first book at the South West...

Article

Student Shortlisted in National Publishing Competition

17 February 2017

Creative Writing student Benjamin G. Wilson has been shortlisted for WriteNow - a new initiative...

Two students on stage at a poetry slam, blue fairy lights on the ceiling

Group of students standing for portrait to welcome writer in residence, Lionel Shriver.

Book cover of a close up dandelion clock and title Infinite Sky.

Portrait of previous writer in residence, Matt Haig.

Grayscale image of bare lower leg with writing on and ankle tied to chair.

Portrait of Simon Armitage, Visiting Professor of Writing, pen in his mouth.

Portrait of Don Paterson OBE, English & Writing guest speaker stood next to tree.

Book cover featuring little boy in red mask and cape hero outfit for The Fantasy Kid by senior lecturer, Rupert Loydell.

The word paradise illuminated in lights at Port Eliot Festival.

Students sat on various armchairs having a discussion in the turquoise coloured writers room on Falmouth campus.

Female student in red dress talking into microphone on stage

Course details

What you'll learn

You’ll develop the skills to get a job in the modern writing industry, like gaining feedback from peer reviews, building collaboration skills in group projects, and preparing work for submission and performance. We’ll help you understand the demands of the publishing and content industries by introducing you to modern, professional writing practice. And we’ll push you to make your own choices and build writing skills in areas like fiction and non-fiction, screenwriting, poetry, and digital games.

Year one

This year builds your essential skills and knowledge of modern writing. You'll be immersed in the culture - writing, reading, coming up with ideas and learning more about audiences and professional writing.
Modules
The Craft of Writing
Writing Toolkit
Reading as a Writer
Audience & Context
Introduction to Publishing
Writing as a Reader

Year two

You’ll experiment with everything from screenwriting to fiction, while developing your ability to come up with ideas, pitch, and collaborate on set and negotiated projects. Fulfilling set briefs, you’ll research, plan, work in teams with assigned roles, and think about how the audience or reader fits into your work.
Modules
Writing Project I
Writing Project II
Optional modules
Screenwriting Workshop
Poetry Workshop
Games & Digital Writing Workshop
Popular Fiction & Non-Fiction
Go Wild: Literature & Environment
Creative Non-Fiction Workshop
Fiction Workshop
Script Workshop: Radio & Theatre
Scandal & Censorship
Literary Tourism

Year three

You’ll collaborate with other students on live briefs, or with industry professionals on a work placement, learning first-hand how writers and writing fit into creative projects. And by building your creative portfolio, you’ll develop an extended piece of work or collection in a certain genre.
Modules
Collaborative Project
Creative Writing Portfolio
Transitions: Writer in the Marketplace
Optional modules
Lifestyle Writing Workshop
Travel, Place & Environment Writing Workshop
Children & Young Adult Writing Workshop
Global Voices
Reading the Digital

The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

How you'll learn

You’ll work on live briefs set by creative industry partners, and learn from lectures and workshops with our guest speakers and Writers in Residence.

On top of your regular lectures, seminars, workshops and self-directed learning, you’ll get plenty of time with our staff and the chance for frequent one-to-one tutorials. You’ll also get the opportunity to contribute to WiTH, our student writing journal.

How you'll spend your time

Year	Timetabled teaching and learning activity	Guided independent study	Placements
1	18%	82%	0%
2	24%	76%	0%
3	10%	84%	6%

How you'll be assessed

Year	Written exams	Practical exams	Coursework
1	0%	0%	100%
2	0%	8%	92%
3	0%	5%	95%

Assessment methods

Coursework and e-learning exercises
Live creative industry briefs
Final-year creative writing portfolio

Staff

You'll be taught by published writers and academics from fields like screenwriting, radio, theatre, contemporary poetry, digital texts, writing for games, writing and environment, fiction and non-fiction, publishing and print culture, and children's and young adult writing.

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.

Staff profile

Dr Kym Martindale

Senior Lecturer, English & Writing

I joined Falmouth University in 2003, from Bath Spa University, having previously taught there,...

Staff profile

Dr Danielle Barrios-O'Neill

Undergraduate Course Coordinator, English & Creative Writing

I'm a Lecturer in English and Publishing at ...

Staff profile

Anna Kiernan

Senior Lecturer, Writing

Anna is a writer and editor who divides her time between academic life and consultancy work for...

Staff profile

David Devanny

Lecturer in English, Writing & Publishing

Overview
David is a lecturer and PhD candidate at Falmouth University. He is a poet...

Staff profile

Dr Luke Thompson

Lecturer

I am a writer, publisher and editor who has recently joined Falmouth, my fields being poetry,...

Staff profile

Dr Ruth Heholt

Senior Lecturer

Ruth Heholt is senior lecturer in BA(Hons) English. She has published on ghosts and the Gothic...

Staff profile

John Finnegan

Module Leader, MA Writing for Script & Screen

John has worked in the film and media sector for over ten years. He started...

Staff profile

Rupert Loydell

Senior Lecturer, English & Writing

Rupert Loydell was born in London, where he attended Latymer Upper School. After taking an Art...

Facilities

Digital labs, lecture theatres and seminar rooms.
Libraries housing 140,000 books, 17,000 DVD and video titles, and exhaustive electronic and journal resources.

Take a virtual tour

How to apply

Entry requirements

104 - 120 UCAS points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications like A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

We’ll also consider you based on your individual merit and potential. So get in touch if:

You’re predicted points below our requirements
You’re thinking about transferring from another institution
You have other qualifications or professional experience

Language requirements

GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.

We also accept qualifications equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

If you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).

Apply via UCAS

Enter these codes at UCAS Apply and Track

University code F33
Course code W890

Deadlines

UK/EU applications: 15 January
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.

International fee payers can apply after the deadline. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.

Next steps

Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive a Falmouth Applicant Portal login, where you’ll find more details about these requirements.

What we're looking for

We want someone who:

Is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the subject.
Can talk about why they want to study creative writing.
Has writing skills.
Shows an emerging understanding of literature’s role in the past and present.
Has a passion for and interest in writing as part of the creative industries.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees 2019-20

£9,250 - full-time UK/EU

£15,000 - full-time international

Typical course costs

£70 - Recurring annual costs
£50 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration

If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Funding

For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page

Open Days and Campus Tours

See how we turn real industry experience into real careers.

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Creative Writing BA(Hons)

Key details

Introduction

What our students do

Publishing Partnerships

The Truesdale Show

English & Writing Team Launch First Book

Student Shortlisted in National Publishing Competition

Course details

What you'll learn

Modules

Modules

Optional modules

Modules

Optional modules

How you'll learn

How you'll spend your time

How you'll be assessed

Assessment methods

Staff

Dr Kym Martindale

Dr Danielle Barrios-O'Neill

Anna Kiernan

David Devanny

Dr Luke Thompson

Dr Ruth Heholt

John Finnegan

Rupert Loydell

Facilities

How to apply

Entry requirements

Language requirements

Apply via UCAS

Deadlines

Next steps

What we're looking for

We want someone who:

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees 2019-20

Typical course costs

Funding

Open Days and Campus Tours