BA English and Creative Writing

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The BA English and Creative Writing at the University of Exeter combines the study of literature with the opportunity to develop your own creative writing skills through workshops, practical writing exercises, and critical exploration. This course is ideal for students who enjoy storytelling, poetry, fiction, and literary analysis, helping you build the creative, communication, and analytical skills needed for careers in publishing, media, education, and the wider creative industries.

Curriculum structure

Year 1

Your first year introduces you to the key skills needed for studying English and developing your creative writing practice. You will explore modules such as Beginnings: English Literature before 1800, Academic English, Write after Reading, Digital Cultures: Narrative, Creativity, Industry, and Imagine This: Prompts for Creative Writing, allowing you to develop confidence in literary analysis, storytelling, digital creativity, and writing techniques.

Year 2

In your second year, you will deepen your understanding of literature while developing your own creative style through specialist writing modules. You can study areas such as Writing for Stage, Screen and Across Media, Creative Writing: Building a Story, Creative Writing: Making a Poem, Adaptations: Text, Image, Culture, alongside literature modules including Desire and Power: English Literature 1570-1640, Romanticism, and Modernism and Modernity: Literature 1900-1960, helping you explore different genres, literary movements, and forms of creative expression.

Year 3 (Optional Study Abroad or Employment Experience)

If you choose the four-year pathway, your third year can be spent studying abroad at one of Exeter’s international partner universities or gaining professional experience through an Employment Experience placement. These options allow you to develop a global perspective, experience new creative environments, and gain valuable workplace skills before completing your final year.

Final Year

In your final year, you will focus on advanced creative and independent work through modules such as Dissertation, Creative Writing Dissertation, or Dissertation by Collaborative Project. You can further specialise through modules including Writing the Short Film, Writing for Children and Young Adults, Fiction Matters, Queering British Screens, Life and Death in Early Modern Literature, and Heroes and Exiles: English Poetry of the Age of Beowulf, allowing you to refine your writing style and research interests.

Focus areas

Creative writing, English literature, fiction, poetry, storytelling, scriptwriting, screenwriting, literary criticism, digital cultures, publishing, creative industries, adaptation studies, contemporary literature, research skills, critical analysis.

Learning outcomes

Develop advanced creative writing abilities, strengthen literary research and analytical skills, and gain the confidence to create original written work across different genres and formats. You will learn how to communicate ideas effectively, analyse texts critically, collaborate creatively, and apply your skills across publishing, media, education, and other professional fields.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The BA English and Creative Writing programme develops valuable skills in writing, communication, creativity, research, collaboration, and problem-solving that are highly relevant to creative and professional industries. Although the programme does not have a specific professional accreditation, it provides strong preparation for careers in publishing, journalism, media, communications, education, and creative sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Exeter supports student career development by integrating employability skills into its degree programmes and providing opportunities to gain practical experience. Students benefit from career guidance, professional development activities, and opportunities such as employment experience pathways that help prepare them for a wide range of future careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA English and Creative Writing programme at the University of Exeter combines academic study with practical creative experiences that help you develop as a writer, researcher, and communicator. Through writing workshops, independent projects, literary research, and access to specialist resources, you will learn how to create original work, explore different forms of storytelling, and understand how literature connects with today’s creative industries. You will also benefit from Exeter’s strong literary environment, including specialist archives, digital research facilities, and opportunities to engage with authors, actors, and creative professionals.

You will gain practical experience through a range of creative, research, and digital learning opportunities:

Develop your writing skills through creative workshops and guidance from experienced academics, including published writers who support students in exploring fiction, poetry, prose, drama, life-writing, and screenwriting.
Work with unique literary collections through the University of Exeter’s Special Collections, which include archives, manuscripts, and materials from renowned writers such as Charles Causley, Agatha Christie, Ted Hughes, William Golding, and Daphne du Maurier.
Use the Digital Humanities Lab, a specialist facility that supports digital research and creative projects through training, equipment, and expertise in areas such as digitisation, digital exhibitions, and text-based research.
Access specialist digital resources, including photography equipment, audio-visual tools, 3D digitisation facilities, a video wall, and a Makerspace with 3D printing equipment for creative and research activities.
Explore the connection between literature and visual culture through the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, which provides access to a major collection focused on film history, popular culture, and visual storytelling.
Take part in collaborative writing projects, workshops, seminars, and presentations that help you build communication, teamwork, and creative feedback skills.
Gain workplace experience through optional Employment Experience opportunities, allowing you to apply your writing and communication skills in a professional environment.
Attend events featuring authors, actors, filmmakers, and other creative professionals, helping you gain insights into the wider literary and cultural industries.
Learn from research-active academics with expertise in creative writing, publishing, digital humanities, and English literature.
Access extensive library resources, archives, and research collections to support coursework, independent projects, and dissertation research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A BA English and Creative Writing from the University of Exeter prepares graduates with valuable skills in creative writing, communication, research, critical thinking, and analysis that are highly valued across many industries. By combining literary study with practical writing experience, the programme helps graduates move into careers in publishing, journalism, media, education, marketing, arts management, and creative industries, with roles such as Copywriter, Journalist, Actor, Assistant Brand Manager, Radio Producer, and Policy Adviser.

The programme supports your career development by helping you build a strong professional profile and apply your creative skills in real-world settings:

Receive dedicated employability support through Exeter’s Career Zone, including career guidance, CV and application support, interview preparation, employer events, skills workshops, and resources to help you explore different career pathways.
Gain professional experience through the optional Employment Experience pathway, where you can complete a workplace placement and apply your writing, research, and communication skills in a professional environment.
Develop highly valued skills in creative thinking, written and verbal communication, research, teamwork, problem-solving, independent working, and presenting ideas effectively.
Benefit from strong graduate outcomes, with 85% of English graduates in or due to start employment or further study 15 months after graduation according to HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey data.
Explore opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including publishing, education, media, marketing, arts, business, and public services. Exeter graduates have progressed into roles such as Actor, Assistant Brand Manager, Assistant Director, Copywriter, Data Analyst, Journalist, Policy Adviser, Product Manager, Radio Producer, and Youth Worker.
Build professional connections through Exeter’s global alumni network and links with employers, with graduates progressing into organisations such as Oxford University Press, Rolls-Royce, European Parliament, Warp Films, Oxfam, and Estée Lauder.
Gain long-term value from a degree that develops adaptable creative and communication skills, preparing you for careers that require strong writing ability, cultural understanding, research expertise, and innovative thinking.
Take part in additional opportunities such as guest lectures, seminars with writers and creative professionals, student societies, media activities, and creative projects that enhance your experience beyond the classroom.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BA English and Creative Writing, you can continue your studies through postgraduate programmes that allow you to specialise in areas such as literature, creative writing, publishing, journalism, education, and cultural studies. Possible progression routes include MA English Literary Studies, MA Creative Writing, MA Cultural Heritage Management, MA Magazine Journalism, PGCE English Primary, and other postgraduate qualifications that help you develop advanced expertise for careers in research, teaching, publishing, and creative industries.