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  • Creative Writing (BA)
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • Assessment is 100 per cent coursework. It includes short creative projects, essays, presentations, a writer’s notebook, web publishing, and an extended creative work in a specific genre.

  • Attendance
      • Normally two evenings a week.
      • October–June.
  • Duration
      • Four years part-time.
  • Entry requirements
      • All applicants must supply a short creative writing sample (no more than 1000 words). Subject to this being deemed of a sufficient standard, you will be called to interview to show evidence of your writing experience and commitment to the duration and intensity of study.
      • Over 21: no specific A-level requirement; admission based on writing sample and interview.
      • Under 21: a minimum of two A-levels at grade A–C (or equivalent) in any subjects.
      • Students who have completed modules worth 60 credits or more from the Certificate of Higher Education in Creative Writing may be exempt from some or all of Year 1. For further details, please contact us.
  • Fees and funding
  • Location
      • Central London.
  • Teaching

    • Weekly workshops led by published writers; individual tutorials to provide support for students developing their creative projects; lectures; readings; classroom exercises; peer appraisal; private study; group work; and talks from visiting industry professionals.



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Creative Writing (BA) - 2012/2013 entry

Do you feel you have a story in you but you don't know how to get it out? Do you play out dramas in your head? Are you a secret YouTube filmmaker, part-time rapper or do you just love making up stories for your kids? If you are fascinated by the craft of writing, you can study a range of genres, including fiction, poetry, drama, creative non-fiction, screenwriting, receiving tuition and guidance from practising published writers. You will develop a portfolio of creative work and interact with industry professionals to broaden your understanding of the fields of publishing, performance and broadcasting.  
  • Course structure

    • You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits. Typically, this will take the form of 90 credits per year (three full modules or equivalent).

      Year 1

      Compulsory modules:

      Plus an optional half-module: either Screenwriting; Media Genres; or Literary Theory

      Year 2

      Compulsory modules:

      • Fiction Workshop 1
      • Independent Reading Portfolio: Genres (half-module) 
      • The Life of the Writer (half-module)  

      Plus an option module: either Poetry; Drama; Screenwriting; or English Literature.

      Year 3

      Compulsory modules:

      • Creative Non-Fiction
      • Independent Reading Portfolio: Form (half-module) 
      • The Writing Industry (half-module)  

      Plus an option module: either Fiction; Poetry; Radio Drama; Screenwriting; or English Literature.

      Year 4

      Programmes for this year are still in development. Modules listed are indicative.

      Compulsory modules:

      • Dissertation: Extended Writing Project
      • Independent Reading Portfolio: Critical Reflection (half-module)
      • Performance Project (half-module)  
      • Publishing Project.

      Find out more about this programme in our departmental handbook.

  • Study resources
  • Further study opportunities
  • Careers information

    • Graduates go on to careers in writing, screenwriting, journalism, editing, publishing and teaching.

    • To speak to an independent careers advisor, booking onto one of our Future Focus — Careers Workshops
  • Apply now
    • Application deadlines and interviews
      • We recommend you apply as early as possible.
      • Interviews normally take place April–June and September.
    • Online application
      You can apply online from the link below.
    • Our Application Workshop will give you an overview of what Birkbeck looks for in an undergraduate degree application and includes practical writing exercises to help you write a more effective personal statement