BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Duration

3 years / 4 years with placement year

Institution code

L28

UCAS Code

3 years W800 / 4 years W801

A photograph of a person  presenting to a group of students in a classroom with laptops and notes on the table and a projection screen behind them.
A photograph of a person  presenting to a group of students in a classroom with laptops and notes on the table and a projection screen behind them.
A photograph of a person reading a book at a table surrounded by papers and a laptop while another person is pointing to something in the background.
A photograph of a person reading a book at a table surrounded by papers and a laptop while another person is pointing to something in the background.

Student in the studio

A photograph of a person gesturing while speaking in a classroom with two students in the background.
A photograph of a person gesturing while speaking in a classroom with two students in the background.
A photograph of two people engaged in a lively conversation at a table surrounded by others in the background in a well-lit room.
A photograph of two people engaged in a lively conversation at a table surrounded by others in the background in a well-lit room.

Student and Course Leader in the studio

A group of people in a bright, modern meeting room with a projector screen and bunting. They are seated at tables engaging in a discussion.
A group of people in a bright, modern meeting room with a projector screen and bunting. They are seated at tables engaging in a discussion.
A photograph of three people reviewing a wall with written pages and colourful sticky notes stuck to it.
A photograph of three people reviewing a wall with written pages and colourful sticky notes stuck to it.

Students in the studio

A photograph of people in a classroom with one person pinning papers on a wall while others watch.
A photograph of people in a classroom with one person pinning papers on a wall while others watch.

Students in the studio

A photograph of two people standing in a library aisle smiling and reading a book together.
A photograph of two people standing in a library aisle smiling and reading a book together.

Students in the Library

A photograph of a person with curly hair sitting and speaking while gesturing with their hands. Bookshelves are visible in the background.
A photograph of a person with curly hair sitting and speaking while gesturing with their hands. Bookshelves are visible in the background.
A photograph of people examining pages with writing  and colourful sticky notes on a wall. Some people are positioning pens as if they are going to write on the wall.
A photograph of people examining pages with writing  and colourful sticky notes on a wall. Some people are positioning pens as if they are going to write on the wall.

Students in the studio

A photograph of a person with curly hair speaking in a classroom setting while others in the background focus on their tasks.
A photograph of a person with curly hair speaking in a classroom setting while others in the background focus on their tasks.
A close-up photograph of people attaching colourful sticky notes to a wall. Someone in the background is positioning a pen to start writing.
A close-up photograph of people attaching colourful sticky notes to a wall. Someone in the background is positioning a pen to start writing.

Students in the studio

The Course

Explore and define your creative skills as a member of our dedicated, diverse writing community within a vibrant arts environment. You will join a committed creative community, supported by our enthusiastic team of lecturers to develop your own voice and awareness of who you are as a writer.

The course is creatively stimulating, experimental and industry focussed, It delivers contemporary approaches, creative provocations and critical thinking across prose, poetry, script and beyond, allowing you to develop a striking portfolio of creative and critical writing. Situated within the North’s only dedicated arts university, our students explore the collaborative nature of writing, working with peers on cross-course collaborations. Projects have included creating narrative games with our game design students, producing pamphlets with graphic designers, and writing scripts for students on the Acting for Screen course.

Our students fully engage with the lively arts and literary scenes in Leeds and beyond, where we run open mic nights, present work at literary festivals and spoken word nights, and support each other to share their work. You will also have the opportunity to engage with creative institutions and organisations across Leeds, West Yorkshire and further afield.

You will consider career paths and how to professionalise your creative practice, working with and gaining feedback from industry professionals. You will submit work to awards and competitions, supported by your peers and tutors, and make connections across the creative industries and literary world.

Follow us..

Follow BA (Hons) and MA Creative Writing on...

Industry Project Partners

Some of the businesses we have partnered or collaborated with recently.

Visit Leeds logo
Light Night Leeds logo
Northern Life Media logo

The Structure

You will explore the possibilities of creative writing, across form and genre. You will write abundantly, to better understand how and why you write. There will be opportunities to explore collaborative writing and what it means to be a writer working in an arts setting. Tutorials, lectures, seminars, and cross-disciplinary project work also feature in year one.

Course Facilities

BA (Hons) Creative Writing students are based in purpose-built classrooms in our modern university building.

Computer suites house networks of Apple Mac computers featuring regularly updated, industry-standard software for a wide range of creative applications that support all our courses, with equipment consistent with that used in the creative workplace. A purpose-built specialist library is open to all students and includes a range of carefully curated specialist resources. Digital Collections enable an enhanced learning experience and information literacy whilst our special collections include artists’ books, photobooks and illustrated books as well as the University archive. Self service facilities are available throughout, supported by a dedicated and experienced team of library staff.

A photograph of a large classroom with white rectangular tables and green and black chairs.

BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Virtual Tour

Video showcase

Study Abroad

Studying abroad can help Leeds Arts University students gain valuable experience, broaden their horizons, develop international networks and experience their practice from a different perspective. Leeds Arts University has a global network of international partner universities in 15 different countries. Students can apply for a semester abroad in their second year of study.

Accolades

  • Published in The Guardian Saturday supplement

  • Winner of the Northern Broadsides and Arvon Foundation ‘Winter Tales’ short story competition

  • Student won a commission from Light Night and the British Library. The performance of their poem was filmed professionally and promoted on social media

  • Regular event as part of Leeds Literature Festival, open to all students to perform

  • Student secured a six-month publishing mentorship with Penguin Random House

  • Students involved in the Bone Down Literary Affinity Group, a group aiming to reclaim public spaces for performance

Career Opportunities

Good writers are welcome everywhere; the arts sector requires a broad set of skills. Talented new voices with cultural awareness and critical thinking skills are also welcome in science, industry, commerce, education, research centres, journalism, publishing, editing, online content creation, PR and marketing. You will benefit from the University’s already well-developed industry, commercial and creative links, and its strong careers advisory provision. Graduates may also continue to postgraduate study, including onto our MA Creative Writing.

Academic Staff

A photograph of Sean Gregory against a grey background

1

/2

Dr Sean Gregory

BA (Hons) Creative Writing and MA Creative Writing - Course Leader
A photograph of Grace Holliday against a black background

2

/2

Grace Holliday

BA (Hons) Creative Writing - Senior Lecturer

*Please note that our courses are subject to an annual review process in order to maintain their quality and enhance the student experience. As a result, Course Specifications may be amended for the coming year.

Order a prospectus

If you like
BA (Hons) Creative Writing
why not try...

Join our mailing list