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English Literature with Creative Writing BA(Hons)

2023-24 (also available for 2024-25)

Places available in clearing. Find out more.
Places available in clearing. Find out more.

Start date

18 September 2023

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years inc. placement year
5 years part-time

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. You could get involved in the award-winning Huddersfield Literature Festival: past students have gained experience in festival planning, programming, curating and stewarding.
  2. You'll learn creative writing from tutors all of whom are published authors of critically acclaimed books, with expertise in short fiction, non-fiction, poetry, novels, and script writing.
  3. You can opt to gain real-world experience by undertaking an exciting work placement. Recent placements include publishing houses, TV, magazines and museums.

If you love books and enjoy exploring new ideas, then English Literature with Creative Writing is for you. During this course, you’ll get to read (and discuss) some of the greatest works ever written, while discovering your own voice and developing your own talent as a writer. You'll learn applied skills as well as academic knowledge, giving you the opportunity to become an employable graduate.

Studying English Literature doesn't just give you the chance to read and enjoy some of the world's best writing, it also helps you grow into an independent thinker and effective communicator. On this course, you'll learn to navigate digital resources and how to pitch your ideas using the latest media, acquiring the kind of practical, transferable skills needed in the working world – like critical thinking, researching, creative problem-solving and communicating and arguing persuasively. As you sharpen your ideas and fine-tune your writing, you'll be preparing yourself for a whole range of exciting careers.

  • We offer a wide range of module options to choose from, diverse forms of coursework assessment (but no exams), and excellent employment prospects.
  • We get you out of the classroom on a range of exciting fieldtrips such as The Bronte Parsonage, The British Library and Shakespeare's Globe in London.
  • Every year students also have the chance to get involved in events at the Huddersfield Literature Festival.
  • Opportunities to establish yourself as a professional writer through our Grist Creative Writing Project.

By reading and studying the work that interests you, you can be inspired to take your own creative writing further. Your creative writing tutors are all published authors of critically acclaimed books, with expertise in short fiction, non-fiction, poetry, novels, and script writing. They're passionate about their subject, and will focus on giving you the opportunity to explore your talents.

Course detail

Core module:

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking enables us to go beyond the surface of information, using analytical skills to dissect, question, and evaluate ideas with a detective's curiosity and a scientist's precision. The module will hone your intellectual skills in reasoning and close analysis, improve your ability to present arguments effectively, and equip you to plan and conduct an independent research project. This module will also provide support for planning your personal and career development.

Introduction to Creative Writing

This module aims to develop creative thinking alongside Creative Writing skills. It also aims to clarify the principles of good writing and to enable you to reflect upon and improve your own abilities. It will also cover a variety of related academic skills in organisation of research, revising drafts and preparation of the final copy.

Introduction to English Literature

This module introduces you to a diverse range of literary texts, representing the principal genres on which the Western literary tradition is built. It also explores how these genres have been adapted, modified, and reformed in response to historical and cultural change. It helps you situate this knowledge in relation to overarching questions about the key concepts, skills and terms used throughout the study of literature at university level.

Contemporary Writing

This module will introduce you to the field of contemporary literature. You will read and study contemporary texts from a range of genres. You will also engage with the wider cultural ecology of the contemporary literary field, considering publishing and prize cultures, literary festivals, and the role of the contemporary author.

Entry requirements

To find out if you’re eligible to start this course in September 2023 and get more information on how to apply, please see our Clearing pages or call our Clearing Helpline on 0333 987 900001484 472777.

If you’re interested in studying this course in September 2024, please view the 2024-25 course information.

In addition to the academic entry requirements, you will also need:

​As part of the application process, you may be asked to attend an interview or be required to undertake a written task.

Placements


The course offers a compulsory 5 week work placement in Year 2. If you’re studying full-time, this course also offers an optional one-year (48 weeks) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

Recent graduates have taken placements at Pen and Sword Books, Kirklees TV, Numberworks & Words, The Oracle Magazine & Events, Bradford Museums & Galleries, Chol Theatre, Babel-The Language Magazine, Reabrook Ltd, HOOT, John Deere Ltd and a range of primary and secondary schools.

I did my work placement with Grist Publishing, the University of Huddersfield in house publishing company – it taught me how to work in a team and what to expect when working alongside authors, and instructing clients, as well as more about how the publishing industry operates.

None

Blythe Beresford, English Literature with Creative Writing BA(Hons) completed placement at Grist Publishing

Hear from Our Students

Your Career


As an English Literature graduate, you are valued for the advanced skills you have developed in critical thinking, researching, independent study, communicating and arguing persuasively. Depending on your specialism, your career choices are as varied and exciting as your degree course.

Our graduates have gone on to work in teaching, PR, social media, script writing and law. Others have opted for PGCE study and have become teachers, or continued their studies at Master's level.

*Percentage of our undergraduate students from this course go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

75% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Research excellence

Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through research our staff remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, which means you develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant to industry.

86.9% of our research is ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent and our combined total of publications places us 4th in the country for research outputs (REF 2014). Our work in English specifically is recognised by the University having been listed in the 2018 QS World University Rankings by subject for 'English Language and Literature'.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

Equal opportunities

The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

Data protection

The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

Students’ Union membership

Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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