BA (Hons) Creative Writing Bachelor's degree at Sheffield Hallam University
BA (Hons) Creative Writing at SHU. You'll combine core theory, research methods and hands-on creative work with specialist options and an independent project, supported throughout by professional development tailored to your career goals.
About this course
<p>Develop your voice and confidence as a creative writer through this practice-based and employability-focused degree.</p> From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Creative Writing is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at SHU, based in City Campus. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for English & Literature, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Becoming A WriterCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module introduces you to the skills needed to write compelling fiction, poetry, script and creative non-fiction. Looking closely at a range of texts from a writer's point of view, you will engage workshop exercises and hone your skills in areas such as dialogue, characterisation, imagery and structure. You will also learn the essential skills of editing and revision through workshopping your draft work with tutors and fellow students.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Creative SheffieldCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Engaging with the diverse and exciting creative scene in Sheffield you will gain an understanding of how publishing works and begin to develop your own supportive writing community. Through writing to a series of tasks and projects with our creative industry partners, you will explore and reflect on what kind of writer you want to be whilst fostering collaborative connections.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- The Narrative ArcCompulsory40 credits
Module details
Finding an effective structure is crucial in long form writing. In this module, you'll explore various approaches such as the Hero's Journey and the Three-Part Structure, as well as considering other aspects of plotting and pacing. You'll be reading and discussing a range of examples to inform your understanding of how these techniques can be applied to different literary forms, such as novel, narrative poetry, script and creative nonfiction. As well as developing critical skills in recognising
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Words In The WorldCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces you to the writing industry and allows you to start thinking about professional creative practice. Working in small groups, you will be set a brief by an external industry professional, such as a publisher or literary agent. You will respond to this with your own writing in any genre and learn about the processes of collaboration, attending to industry standards and drafting and editing accordingly. Industry professionals will be involved, responding to your work as it dev
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Year 2 4 modules
- Experimenting With Short FormsCompulsory40 credits
Module details
You will discover how short forms provide the writer with a unique canvas to practise brevity, precision and the art of suggestion. You will learn how craft skills such as characterisation, narrative voice and dialogue can be used effectively in concise storytelling, like flash fiction, and explore a diverse range of short forms, developing your understanding of how these rich, condensed forms can lend themselves to experimentation and innovation. You will also learn about markets and publishing
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- The Writers' WorkshopCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Following on from 'Becoming a Writer,' this module allows you to develop your writing interests and bring work of any genre or none into the space of the Creative Writing workshop. Having acquired a variety of craft skills in the first year, here is where you can begin to think about what your individual specialism and voice might be and even start to work towards your final year portfolio. You will deepen your understanding of the purpose of workshopping, offering editorial advice to others and
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Writing GenreCompulsory40 credits
Module details
In this module, you will refine your craft and personal voice by examining and responding to a range of genres, such as science fiction, comedy, and thriller. The module might focus on specific genres each year, or a specific element that's found in many genres (a particular setting, technique, or character type). You'll be able to explore genres that particularly interest you – as readers and writers – and will be reflecting on your own creative practice. You'll also be considering the historic
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Writing To CommissionCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Building on the work you will do in your first year, this module goes a step further into the writing world and industry. You will work with a local external organisation to respond to a brief, using both your understanding of professional practice and writing skills. This module provides further experience of working in the creative industries, allowing you to produce a c
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This practice-based degree develops your voice and confidence as a creative writer while building employability skills. A course like this typically moves from foundations in close reading, literary history and critical theory through to workshop-based creative writing craft. You'll usually progress from introductory modules in literary studies and the history of literature across periods, medieval through to contemporary, towards specialist options such as Shakespeare and early modern texts, contemporary fiction, world literature, critical theory, or publishing pathways. Later stages typically include advanced seminars and an extended independent project, allowing you to pursue your particular interests in creative writing at greater depth.
Who it's for
You're someone who writes regularly, finds genuine pleasure in reading across different forms and genres, and wants to understand craft, how writers actually make their choices. You'll thrive if you're ready to take critical feedback, experiment beyond your comfort zone and share work in progress with peers. This course suits those drawn to writing not as a hobby but as something they want to build on, whether that leads towards publication, professional content roles, or other creative industries. You'll study part-time, which works well if you're balancing work, caring responsibilities or other commitments alongside your degree.
Careers & job market
Across English and Literature courses nationally, 85% of graduates enter work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Starting salaries typically range from £23,000 to £30,000, rising to £24,650–£34,800 after five years (these are national figures, not guaranteed). Over half of working graduates move into highly skilled roles or postgraduate study. Destinations vary widely, publishing, arts administration, education, communications, broadcasting and the civil service all employ creative-writing graduates, as do roles where strong writing and communication matter across any sector.
University & format
The BA (Hons) Creative Writing is studied part-time at Sheffield Hallam University, a university founded in 1992, based at its City Campus. Teaching is delivered in English. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, the university's degrees are nationally recognised. The course has been awarded Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at SHU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What English & Literature graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in english & literature · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs English & Literature nationally
National figures for English & Literature graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How English & Literature graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where English & Literature graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Publishers
- Media & broadcasters
- Marketing & PR agencies
- Charities & public sector
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit English & Literature graduates.
English GraduateRibbons and Reeves LimitedEnglish, Maths & Digital Skills ManagerHIT TrainingEnglish Certification Examiner (Written & Oral) – Paid TrainingPearsonEnglish Supply Teachers - Oldham and RochdaleTradewind RecruitmentWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Sheffield Hallam University
Language and area studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around City Campus
3,427 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is English & Literature right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to SHU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check SHU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with SHU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SHU
English & Literature at other universities
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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