Creative Writing - BA (Hons)

What Makes This Course So Special?

Our course is praised by students and external examiners for the excellent support and feedback that are given. Students have described the teaching as 'outstanding'. We are proud to number important contemporary writers such as Simon Armitage, Gillian Clarke and Les Murray among our guest speakers, and to offer a day-to-day experience that students say is 'well-planned and productive' as well as being 'fun' and 'inspiring'.

Course Intro

On this course you study the craft of writing, learn from established writers, and develop your imagination. The practical emphasis of the course means that you learn through writing exercises and games, workshops and one-to-one tutorials. You will benefit from the knowledge and skills of published writers who are also experienced writing tutors. Seminars from professional writers include topics such as how to make a living from writing and deal with the world of publishing.

Our students have gained publication, had success in competitions and been selected for prestigious writing projects. They also produce their own magazine of original writing and art, Pan. Student work is showcased at the Riverfront Theatre in Newport in our annual Best Student Writing production, and field trips, including backstage theatre visits, will also enrich your learning experience.

This is a Joint Honours only course that has to be combined with another subject.

What you study

Year 1
Starting Creative Writing: Focuses on imaginative writing. We aim to get you writing fiction and poetry with confidence and trying out forms and styles that you may not have tackled before.

Ways of Writing: This module is about different language styles for different professional purposes. Topics range from writing magazine articles to reviewing films and music and writing for the web.
Starting Scriptwriting: An introduction to plotting, creating characters and telling stories through dramatic scripts.

Year 2
Involves more specialised study, with separate courses on:

Scriptwriting: Explores writing for television, radio and the theatre.
Poetry: A more focused look at poetry.
Fiction: Writing novels and stories.
Work-based Learning: You will also have the chance to make real use of your writing skills with a work placement. Past students have worked on Buzz, The Big Issue and on Able Radio, where their pieces have been published. Others have worked on scripts, for example in community film projects and even with the National Theatre. Other placements have included the University’s Press Office, producing press releases and features, and on the publicity for productions of student work. Pan provides excellent opportunities for ‘hands-on’ experience of producing a magazine.

We have good links with several universities abroad and opportunities are available to study a semester overseas (in Europe or the USA) in the second year to students on all Humanities courses.

Year 3
Extended Writing Project: You will work on your own free choice of style and genre. With the help of a tutor, you will produce a collection of stories or poems, or a script, which is accompanied by a commentary.

Special Topics: You will take two Special Topics, which might cover, for example, Fantasy, Writing for Children, Writing for Screen, Crime Writing or Life Writing.

A programme specification for this course is available.

Where Next?

As well as developing your own writing talent and creativity, this course gives you excellent skills for the employment market generally. Government, business, teaching, journalism and many other fields need imaginative people who can write in a variety of styles and be supportive and experienced editors.

Our MA in Scriptwriting for Screen Media & Stage offers an exciting opportunity for postgraduate study in creative writing.

Interview Required

There is no formal interview, but you are encouraged to come and meet staff and discuss the course on designated visit days.

Assessment

All assessment is through coursework. You will be asked to produce portfolios of original writing accompanied by commentaries that reflect on the writing process.

Student Soundbite

“A perfect course with perfect elements to turn students into writers. Everything was wonderful.”

Experiences Gained

Student Successes

Teaching Team

Course Costs

Creative writing students contribute to a living literary culture. Projects include showcase performances of student work in the Riverfront Theatre in Newport. In 2010 Gary Raymond's play The Requiem Average was selected as the best written by a creative writing student and was performed by a cast of professional actors and students from the University.

The English and Creative Writing team has long established links with the Welsh Academy, the national literature and promotion agency for writers in Wales. With the Academy’s help we have been proud to welcome several major visiting writers, including the Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, Gillian Clarke, Liz Lochhead, Dannie Abse, Adrian Mitchell, Les Murray, Wendy Cope, Gwyneth Lewis and the first National Poet of Wales, Gwyneth Lewis, composer of the words that adorn the landmark Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

You will have the chance to make real use of your writing skills with a work placement. In recent years students have worked with the University's Press Officer and in local schools, others have gone to work with local radio stations while those with screenwriting ambitions to the Engine Room in Bridgewater.

PAN - This is the sparky magazine of creative writing and art produced by Creative Writing and English students at the University of Wales, Newport.

Launched in 2007 PAN is now on its fourth edition and continues to fizz with snappy, touching and haunting pieces, both written and visual. Pan features work from students at the University, along with selections from young writers who entered our University Annual Writing competition. This years edition features a contribution from broadcaster and poet and 'Barnsley Bard', Ian McMillan. Previous contributors include those from Australia's leading poet Les Murray, artist Jon Langford, poet Rachel Tresize and Gillian Clarke, the National Poet of Wales. All creative writing students are encouraged to join the editorial team in year 2.

To order your free hard copy (while stocks last) email english@newport.ac.uk with your name and address. Alternatively view a copy here.

• Creative Writing undergraduate Laurie Canciani was invited onto the BBC Radio Wales ‘Phil the Shelf’ book programme to review her manuscript with a publisher. Laurie says, “It was over in a day – the gigantic headphones, talking to a microphone with polite nods from behind a sheet of glass, the amazing feedback from Phil Rickman and Hazel Cushion and the recommendation of my manuscript to a literary agent.”

• A short script submitted into a National Theatre competition to find new playwrights gained second year student Julie Bainbridge two months’ mentoring and intensive workshops at Ty Newydd, the National Writers Centre for Wales. As a result of her experience with the NT, Julie has been commissioned to write a play on the Welsh industrial revolution for schools and colleges for the Welsh Baccalaureate. Blackboots and Petticoats has been directed and produced by Cilgwyn Theatre Company. She has also received a bursary to be mentored for another six moths by leading playwright Kaite O’Reilly.

• One of our graduates, Stephen Nicholas, has published a book for children/young teens called The Ghost Office, which is largely set in Caerleon. Stephen graduated in BA Hons English in 2005 before the BA Hons Creative Writing started, but he did modules in creative writing as part of the degree and completed a section of The Ghost Office for his final year dissertation under the supervision of tutor Linda Ruhemann.

Linda Ruhemann
Vanessa Dodd
Jeremy Hughes
Phil Morris
Steve Eddy
Gary Davies

Optional Items	Costs
Other	£200 (for Specialist materials and learning resources including books, journals and other resources – optional)

Year of Entry

September 2013

(also available for September 2012 entry)

CourseCode

Q3W8 - English and Creative Writing
VW68 - Religious Studies and Creative Writing
W4W8 - Applied Drama and Creative Writing

Duration

3 years full-time, 6 years part-time.
12 hours full-time, 6 hours part-time per week.

Day-time lectures.

Entry Requirements

A typical offer is 260 points, with 180 points from 2 A levels or equivalent (see page 238). Students may be accepted on the basis of experience in professional writing or related employment rather than formal qualifications.