Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,250 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
International/EU: £16,655 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
3 / 4 Years
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Where will I study?
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What is the UCAS code?
W800
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When do I start?
September 2024
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Placement year available?
Yes
3rd best in the UK
We're the 3rd best university in the UK for creative writing in the Guardian University Guide 2024.
Course summary
- Learn from award-winning staff on one of the top three courses in the UK
- Experience guest masterclasses from internationally acclaimed writers and creatives
- Sharpen your writing and editorial skills with work placements and live briefs
- Network with publishers, build your profile and develop as a professional writer
- Join Sheffield’s thriving creative community and take part in UK-leading literature events
This BA Creative Writing course is for those who want to harness the power of the written word and hone creative skills to connect with audiences. You’ll develop your individual writing style and understand the fundamentals of good style, structure and character development, in both traditional and future-facing writing formats.
You’ll graduate with the skills, confidence and contacts you need to thrive as a writer in all its professional forms.
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Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Student view
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
You’ll join a dynamic and collaborative writing community, working alongside illustrators, graphic designers and filmmakers to explore possibilities and challenge conventions.
Our team of award-winning writers will help you become confident and skilled in everything from prose fiction to publishing. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our professional partners, so you can gain real-world experience of the creative industries and make the most of Sheffield’s vibrant cultural scene.
You learn through:
- Lectures, seminars and individual tutorials
- Workshopping your writing
- Modules focused on specific forms and styles
- Working with different organisations and audiences
- Generating and pitching ideas
- Live readings and performances
- Masterclasses from guest writers
- Writing trips and retreats
Course topics
In your first year you’ll learn the basics of a variety of forms – from poetry and fiction to script and creative non-fiction. You’ll think about what it means to be a writer and start to connect your writing with the real world by responding to a live brief from a publisher.
In your second year, you’ll continue to hone your skills across all the main forms of writing, developing your style as you find your audience and explore genres. During this time, you’ll workshop your writing with students and academics to develop essential skills in drafting and revising your work.
The final year of your course is your opportunity to focus on your creative future. In addition to refining your craft and developing your creative voice, you’ll explore different audiences and purposes for creative work. You’ll also develop and carry out a creative project that brings your passions and creativity together.
Course support
You’ll be supported at every step of your student journey, with:
- Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources
- Student-led social initiatives and feedback
- Career support for up to five years after graduating
Course leaders and tutors
![Dr Shelley Roche-Jacques](/assets/images/4to3aspect.png)
Dr Shelley Roche-Jacques
Senior Lecturer in Creative WritingI bring to my teaching my interest in dramatic action and the spatio-temporal elements of texts. This approach often helps students unpick ideas around genre, narrat … Read more
Applied learning
We think the best way to learn something is to do it in the real world. Studying in Sheffield puts you at the heart of a vibrant cultural scene, where you can put learning into practice through placements and live projects with our rich community of publishers and creatives.
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to complete a placement year between your second and third years – either a 25-week placement or multiple shorter placements. These give you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – as well as an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV. You could also take the time to collaborate with external partners or develop your own creative enterprise.
Previous students have taken the chance to work at children's literacy charity Grimm and Co, exhibit work at Sheffield Museums, and create their own digital magazines.
Field trips
We run regular local, regional and international field trips – from writing retreats to festivals and theatre visits. There’s also an opportunity to experience a writing retreat closer to home. Previously, this has included a residential in the Peak District – the stunning national park right on the border of Sheffield.
Networking opportunities
We work with renowned festivals held in the city, such as Off the Shelf literary festival and Doc/Fest, an international documentary film festival.
These events attract literary agents, publishers and high-profile writers. Past students have volunteered as delegates – gaining experience working at the festivals while growing their professional network. Plus our innovative Masterclasses and alumni network will give you a headstart in the writing and publishing industries.
Competitions and galleries
Take advantage of regular opportunities to showcase your knowledge and skills to our industry and community partners – such as schools, museums, theatre companies and charities. You’ll work independently and in groups, bringing your ideas to life in response to real-world briefs.
In a recent exhibition at Sheffield’s Millenium Galleries, students on the BA and MA Creative Writing courses worked together to curate an exhibition that more than 30,000 people attended.
Some of our students have also taken part in the Festival of Debate and we encourage students to enter competitions like Sheffield’s New Poet’s Prize and the Hive Young Writers Competition.
Future careers
As well as written and spoken communication skills, you’ll develop the skills to understand different audiences and frame a persuasive argument.
Our students have gone on to exciting careers in:
- Creative industries, such as theatre and media
- Teaching and education
- Journalism
- The charity sector
- Arts organisations
- Marketing, PR and communications
- Local and regional government
- Social work
- Postgraduate study and academia
Our famous Hallam graduates include:
- Marina Lewycka – author of the prize-winning novel, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian
- Ben Wilkinson – renowned poet, critic and freelance writer
- Frances Leviston – award-winning poet and novelist
- Cherie Jones – author of How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House (shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, 2021)
Student's success story
![Abi Milner](https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/study-here/student-stories/2024/abi-milnerresize.jpg?iar=0&hash=24D4BA579AB1CF65FB9752FFC8120BD4)
Abi Milner, a BA Creative Writing student, has always loved to use words and language in a creative way. Find out how she used poetry to reimagine the past and raise awareness about the future climate crisis. Read more
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
![students working on computers in the library](https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/olp/page-promo-cards/global/adsetts-library.jpg?iar=0&hash=E2AB8EF65D1391058CE543E883A7C0A6)
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
You’ll study in world-class learning facilities across the university campuses – including a 24-hour learning centre, Students’ Union, cafes and eateries, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces and more.
You’ll have access to specialist facilities, such as:
- The Culture and Media Lounge – an open space with flexible desks, large screens, laptop library, individual and collaborative workspaces, and a shared kitchen
- An extensive collection of specialist books, databases and journals
- Our award-winning iLab enterprise centre, with free studio and office space, freelance opportunities and a vast business network ready for you to tap into
Media Gallery
Entry requirements
All students
We will offer flexibility on our usual entry requirements for clearing applicants. Please call us on 0330 024 6390 to discuss your options and apply.Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Being A Writer
Craft And Form
Writing For The Screen
Writing Live
Year 2
Compulsory modules
A Fine Line: Poetry And Poetics
Half Hour Script
Ideas Into Action
Truth, Half-Truth And Lies: Creative Non-Fiction
What's The Story? Long And Short Fiction
Year 3
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Creative Writing Major Project
Elective modules
Counter-Culture And Creativity
Games Narratives
Life On Earth: Writing And Environment
Make It New: Experimental Writing
Writing For Change: Writing And Advocacy
Writing For Young People
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £16,655 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for English courses (PDF, 333KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.