BA (Hons) Creative and Professional Writing with Foundation Year
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
This four-year program combines a foundation year with a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing. Students develop their creative skills and professional writing expertise, preparing them for careers in the literary world and related industries. The program emphasizes hands-on practice, industry connections, and a strong foundation in academic and communication skills. Graduates are equipped for a wide range of careers in writing, including creative writing, journalism, marketing, and publishing.
Program Outline
Creative and Professional Writing with Foundation Year - Canterbury Christ Church University
Degree Overview:
This four-year program combines a foundation year and a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing. The foundation year helps students build the necessary study and academic self-confidence to succeed at university. This year includes developing reading and writing skills, critical analysis, and academic research methods, preparing students for the demands of the following three years. The Creative Writing component focuses on honing creative skills and professional writing expertise, preparing students for careers in the literary world and related industries. Students will develop their abilities in writing fiction, poetry, and drama, while exploring various genres like experimental, environmental writing, and interactive formats for games.
Outline:
The program follows a modular structure, including core and optional modules. The foundation year provides a strong base by focusing on:
- Communication & Academic Skills: equips students with essential academic reading, writing, and critical analysis techniques.
- The Big Questions: This module delves into critical thinking, exploring important philosophical, political, and ethical questions.
- Introduction to the Humanities: Introduces students to the vast scope and diverse disciplines within the humanities, including literature, film studies, and history.
- The Digital Researcher: Focuses on acquiring digital research skills, including utilizing online databases, evaluating sources, and referencing techniques. The following three years are dedicated to building expertise in Creative and Professional Writing:
Year One:
- Creative and Professional Writing: Introduces students to various key aspects of creative and professional writing practices.
- The Writer’s Voice and Identity: Helps students explore their own writing style and build an authentic voice.
- Reading Close: Develops in-depth textual analysis and critical interpretation skills through close readings of literary works.
Year Two & Three
Students will choose a selection from a diverse array of optional modules, such as:
- Literature of Place: Explores the relationship between writing, landscape, environment, and identity.
- The Future of Publishing: Provides insights into the contemporary publishing landscape, including digital and self-publishing avenues.
- Creative Entrepreneurship: Helps students develop skills in running their own creative business or working freelance in the industry.
- Fiction Workshop & Poetry Workshop: Provides intensive hands-on practice for refining writing skills in specific genres.
- Marketing and Publicity for Writers: Equips students with essential marketing and self-promotion skills.
- Dissertation: An independent research project culminating student academic writing development and critical analysis skills in a chosen area of interest.
ASSESSMENT:
The program utilizes continuous assessment through coursework and individual module assignments. Assessment formats may include:
- Creative Writing Portfolios
- Critical essays and analyses
- Research projects
- Self-reflective pieces
- Group presentations
- Dissertation (Year Three) Students receive regular feedback throughout the course on assignments, enabling improvement based on tutor and peer input.
Teaching:
The course employs various teaching methods:
- Lectures: Introduce key concepts and knowledge.
- Seminars: Provide interactive discussion and exchange of ideas among students and tutors.
- Practical Workshops: Offer hands-on experience and skill-building in writing and digital storytelling techniques.
- Independent study: Facilitating individual research, reading, writing, and project development. The teaching team comprises highly qualified academics with published creative and academic works, alongside experienced industry professionals.
Careers:
This degree program equips graduates for a diverse range of careers in the writing industry and beyond. Possible career paths include:
- Creative Writer: publishing novels, short stories, poetry
- Script Writer: for film, television, or game narratives
- Journalist/Features writer/Editor: working in various print and digital media
- Marketing or Advertising copywriting
- Publishing professional: agent, editor, publisher
- Public relations or communications roles
- Teaching: in various educational settings
- Freelancing and independent writing projects: micro-publishing, content creation The course offers strong preparation and skills development for success in chosen career paths.
Other:
- All courses align with the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015-2022.
- The program features regular workshops with guest writers and industry professionals, providing valuable networking opportunities.
- Collaborations exist with literary festivals and arts organizations, offering work placements.
UK
- Full-time - Foundation Year 0: £9,250
- Full-time - years 1-3: £9,250
Overseas
- Full-time - Foundation Year 0: £15,500
- The tuition fees of £9,250 / £15,500 relate to 2024/25 only.
Home (UK) Fees:
- The fees above are for the 2024/25 academic year but may be subject to change following any announcements by the UK Government (approved by Parliament) regarding maximum Undergraduate tuition fee caps for 2024/25.
- In addition, the University reserves the right to increase all full-time and part-time Undergraduate tuition fees mid-course, in line with any further inflationary increase in the Government tuition fee cap which is approved by Parliament.
