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Creative Writing [with Placement year] at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Anglia Ruskin University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

23Nov
Anglia Ruskin University - Undergraduate Open Day - Chelmsford
Undergraduate
23Nov
ARU Peterborough - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate
23Nov
Anglia Ruskin University - Undergraduate Open Day - Cambridge
Undergraduate

Course summary

Whether you like science fiction or poetry, or want to write for the stage or the screen, our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree will support your development as a professional writer.

  • Explore professional writing techniques and learn to write compelling narratives, whether you want to write poetry, drama, short fiction, or become a copywriter or journalist.
  • Get invaluable feedback on all your written work from professional writers, including our teaching staff and Royal Literary Fund fellows, as well as your fellow students.
  • Become part of a community of professionals with expertise in drama and performance, film, games development, journalism, publishing, and digital media.
  • Attend guest lectures by visiting authors, editors, agents, and other writing industry professionals, as well as events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre, where you can showcase your writing and make new contacts.
  • Prepare for your future career: our Careers in Writing module helps you develop skills wanted by industry and the professional environment, while The Business of Being a Writer will help you understand the path to getting published.
Based in the Cambridge School of Creative Industries, you’ll be surrounded by a network of professionals with expertise in drama and performance, film, games development, journalism, publishing, and digital media. You’ll explore complex types of communication, digital literacy and innovative storytelling, developing your own skills in these areas and graduating ready for a range of careers including teaching, editing, community arts, arts management, journalism, publishing, copywriting, and the related fields of advertising, film, video production and computer game production. You’ll get invaluable feedback on all of your written work from professional writers, including our teaching staff and Royal Literary Fund fellows, as well as your fellow students. This will offer you the unique opportunity to consider a range of responses to your writing, as well as sharpening your own critical skills. In addition you’ll be part of our vibrant ARU writing community, including postgraduates and alumni, who will support you in building your own professional networks and the entrepreneurial skills required for freelancing and portfolio careers. Guest lectures include visiting authors, editors, agents, and other writing-industry professionals, giving you key insights and networking opportunities. You can also attend events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre, including guest talks and live lit jams, where you can showcase your own creative writing and make new contacts in the industry. You can also choose to study abroad for a semester, with funding available to help cover the cost; which is shown to improve employability, and we'll help you to find placements and work experience. You can even opt for a placement year. Careers As a BA (Hons) Creative Writing student you’ll develop many skills besides writing, including literacy, communication, research, creative thinking, self-reliance and teamwork – all of which can help you start a career in many different areas, including film, games development, journalism, publishing, digital media and marketing. Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to continue on to a Masters course, such as our MA Creative Writing or MA Creative Writing and Publishing. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Modules

Year 1 core modules: Introduction to Imaginative Writing; Screenwriting: The Short Film; Multiplatform Storytelling 1; Contemporary Publishing for Writers; Multiplatform Storytelling 2. Year 2 core modules: Ruskin Module; Writing Short Fiction; Careers in Writing: Editing and Copywriting; Writing for the Stage; Writing Creative Non-Fiction. Year 2 optional modules: Film Criticism and Reviewing; Science Fiction; Online Journalism; Performing New Writing; Special Subject in Creative Writing; Podcasting; Anglia Language Programme. Year 3: Work placement. Year 4 core modules: Major Project Writing; Worldbuilding 1 and 2; The Business of Being a Writer: Craft and Professional Practice; Writing Poetry. Year 4 optional modules: Screenwriting: Writing and Selling the Feature Film; Careers with English; Novel Writing: Long-Form Prose; Writing and the Present; Film Journalism; Cultural Politics of Celebrity; Anglia Language Programme. Modules are subject to change and availability.

Assessment method

Many of our assessment methods mirror the process for writers working with editors and others in the publishing industry, with a high level of feedback through workshops and individual attention, in both written and in oral forms. You’ll be encouraged to engage with assessment as part of your learning rather than simply as an evaluation of the successful completion of tasks. Feedback is central to this idea, both in your own critical self-evaluation of your writing and professional progression, and your feedback on the work of fellow students in peer evaluation. Your final assessment in each module will usually consist of a creative piece or pieces, as well as an accompanying critical/reflective commentary, in which you will discuss the context, influences, and processes of your writing. There are no examinations on this course, as we do not believe they do not test the kind of skills you will need for professional practice as a writer.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W801
Institution code:
A60
Campus name:
Cambridge Campus
Campus code:
C

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

2025 entry requirements have been published using the current cycle information however, due to a current review these are subject to change. Please check back here for updates.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://aru.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/creative-writing

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

In the 2025/26 academic year, the placement year fee will be £1,500. https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/support-and-facilities/careers-and-employability/placements https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/tuition-fees https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/preparing-for-study/help-with-finances
Creative Writing [with Placement year] at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS