Introduction
Develop as a creative and professional writer while exploring the writing that has shaped, and been shaped by, different societies by studying our BA (Hons) Writing and English Literature degree in Cambridge.
ARU Spotlight Podcast - Sam Millar
Hear graduate Sam talk about his poetry collection Retail Park, published by Querencia Press, as well as his inspirations and how our course helped him develop his work.
Listen to Sam's interview
Study at an award-winning university
We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Why study Writing and English Literature at ARU?
- Join a course that ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025, and scored 100% for “The Teaching on my course”, “Academic Support” and “Freedom of students to express ideas, opinions and beliefs”, 96% for “Learning Opportunities” and “Assessment and Feedback”, and 93% for “Communication of mental well-being support” in the National Student Survey 2024.
- 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.
- Learn about many other subjects, including history, politics, religion, psychology and history of art, all of which will enrich your writing.
- 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.
Explore professional writing techniques and learn to write compelling narratives, whether you want to write poetry, drama, short fiction, news, features, or something else.
You’ll also find out how English literature is shaped by its historical and cultural context, and how, in turn, it influences individual readers and the whole of society.
Course options
Key facts
Entry Requirements
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Fees and Paying for University
Student experience
Dr Cassie Gorman
Cassie’s research revolves around science in long 17th century literature - she literally wrote the book on The Atom in Seventeenth-Century Poetry.
Read Cassie's Spotlight interview
HMS Belfast - Brian Butler monologue
Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Brian Butler was a local Sightsetter in one of Belfast’s main gun turrets.
HMS Belfast - Captain Frederick Parham monologue
Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Captain Parham was remembered by Belfast’s sailors as a very gentle and humane leader.
HMS Belfast - Bob Shrimpton monologue
Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Bob Shrimpton was part of HMS Belfast’s ASDIC (sonar) equipment team.
HMS Belfast - Charles Simpson monologue
Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Charles Simpson was one of Belfast’s five Engineering Lieutenants.
Jade Slaughter
Jade Slaughter studied both her BA English Literature and Creative Writing MA at ARU, and is now Creative Content Manager for Scouts, the UK’s largest co-educational youth movement.
Read about Jade's ARU experience
Dr Cassie Gorman
Hear Course Leader Cassie talk about her project to unearth manuscripts by 17th-century women writers, and how studying English Literature helped her gain confidence to voice new ideas.
Listen to Cassie’s Spotlight podcast
Sam Millar
Sam graduated from our Writing and English Literature BA (Hons) in 2019, and recently published his first poetry collection, 'Retail Park'.
Discover Sam's inspirations and how our course helped him develop his writing
Dr Jon Stone
Writing Lecturer Jon talks about poetry in the digital age and the importance of communities for creative writing.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Jon Stone
Toby Venables
Screenwriting Lecturer Toby talks about his creative work, including BAFTA-winning Netflix horror film ‘His House’.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Toby Venables
Facilities and showcase
Outstanding student support
Join our student community and:
- benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
- learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
- make the most of studying in the picturesque city of Cambridge, with its wealth of connections and opportunities.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us. You can also explore the work of our graduating students in our digital graduate showcase.
Lecturers
John Gardner
Dean of the Doctoral School
Careers
Our BA (Hons) Writing and English Literature students go on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including journalism, teaching, writing, television, radio, the music industry, gallery work and arts administration.
The literacy, creativity, problem-solving, research, analysis and communication skills our Writing and English Literature students gain are highly valued by employers. You’ll also learn to work well independently and as part of a team.
You could also learn more, develop a specialism or start an exciting career in research with our Masters degrees in English Literature or Creative Writing. 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.
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about Cambridge Watch: Our CambridgeWant to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Foundation year available
This course offers a foundation year – an extra year of study to help you prepare for university, and build your knowledge and skills.
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