Creative Writing

Why study Creative Writing at ARU?

• 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.

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.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

You will need to dedicate time outside of your course to develop your employability, through placements, internships or volunteering or through our partner scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). You can evidence this experience on your CV and talk about it in interviews to give you that all important edge.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.