Writing and English Literature
Develop as a creative and professional writer while exploring the writing that has shaped, and been shaped by, different societies.
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.
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English Literature graduate Clive Thompson talks about how the course helped him change his life and become a teacher. Read more about Clive.
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Join a course that scored 100% for Teaching on my course, Academic support, and Freedom of students to express ideas, opinions and beliefs in the National Student Survey 2024
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Get invaluable feedback from professional writers, including our teaching staff and Royal Literary Fund Fellows
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Learn about history, politics, religion, psychology and history of art, enriching your writing
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Become part of a community of creative professionals with wide-ranging expertise
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Attend guest lectures from visiting authors, editors, agents, and more
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Prepare for your future career with modules that demystify the publishing world
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Course options
Key facts
- Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing
- Introduction to Imaginative Writing
- Screenwriting: The Short Film
- Contemporary Publishing for Writers
- Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment
- Into ARU
- Writing Short Fiction
- Writing for the Stage
- Nineteenth Century Literature and the Environment
- Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Writing Creative Non-Fiction *
- Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations *
- Online Journalism *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
- Writing Poetry
- Writing and the Present
- Major Project Writing *
- Major Project English Literature *
- Elizabeth Gaskell and the Brontës *
- Renaissance Magic *
- Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama *
- Careers with English *
- Romantic Ideals *
- New Media Discourse *
- Literature and Exile: Displacement, Identity, Self *
- Film Journalism *
- Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
- Worldbuilding 1 and 2 *
- The Business of Being a Writer: Craft and Professional Practice *
- Novel Writing: Long-Form Prose *
- Screenwriting: Writing and Selling the Feature Film *
- Foundation in Humanities, English, Media, Social Sciences and Education
- Work Placement - Cambridge School of Creative Industries
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Colette PaulAssociate Professor
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Dr Cassie GormanAssociate Professor
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Dr Tory YoungAssociate Professor
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Professor Sarah Annes BrownProfessor
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Professor Jeannette BaxterProfessor
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Dr Jon StoneLecturer
Student experience
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ARU graduate Sam Millar published his poetry collection Retail Park through Querencia Press. Read more about his inspirations and how our course helped him develop his work in Sam's ARU Spotlight interview.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dr Jon Stone considers how poetry is changing in the digital age in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Prof Eugene Giddens discusses one famous line and two things you may not realise in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Dr Tory Young discusses the use of second-person in Ali Smith's short story 'May' in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Facilities
Join our student community and benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources. You can also access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
Our Royal Literary Fund Fellows can give you advice and guidance on with all your writing, whether it’s academic or creative.
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.
ARU Spotlight: Kiera Hewitt
English Literature graduate Kiera now works as Customer Service Advisor for Cambridge University Press and Assessment on their Cambridge English exams.
Meet Kiera
Interactive fiction
Dr Jon Stone considers the medium of interactive fiction: what it is, how to write it, and its potential future.
Learn more about interactive fictionEntry Requirements
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Fees and Paying for University
Apply for Writing and English Literature
UK students
Call our Clearing line
01245 686868
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