BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing · West LondonBachelor's degree · Duration varies
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The University of West London · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing Bachelor's degree at West London

BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing at West London integrates core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.

BA (Hons)
Award
Years
Part-time
Study mode
Ealing / Brentford
Location

About this course

BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at West London, based in Ealing / Brentford. 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.

Level 4 (Year One) 7 modules
  • English Literature I: History, Form and GenreCompulsory
    Module details

    In the first half of this module you will focus on the novel and the development of the genre using examples from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century literature. Concentrating on works (or extracts from works) by Samuel Richardson, Charlotte Brontë, Herman Melville, James Joyce and Toni Morrison, through lectures and seminars you will explore the novel form, and ask why it became the dominant mode of literary expression over the course of these three centuries. In the second half of

  • English Literature II: Critical ApproachesCompulsory
    Module details

    Introducing you to a range of critical approaches to understanding literature, this module will cover formalist, biographical, historicist, gender, psychological, sociological, reader-response, structuralist, postcolonial and deconstructionist models of engagement with literary texts. The aim is to provide you with the tools you need to examine writing, writers, and our engagement with their works.

  • Foundations of Creative WritingCompulsory
    Module details

    This module will introduce you to the practice of creative writing. It will give you an overview that includes practical challenges, approaches to plot and narrative and considerations about composition and process. You will explore various forms of creative writing from conventional fiction to creative nonfiction, writing poetry and performing writing. The aim of this module is to help you develop a positive and disciplined approach to your writing.

  • Foundations of Creative Writing IICompulsory
  • Media and Communications: Theories and DebatesOptional
    Module details

    In this module you will be introduced to the key theories, concepts and debates about the relationships between media forms, institutions and audiences. Some of the key themes covered in the module include representation, institutions, audiences and effects. The media forms studied will be drawn from film, broadcasting, photography, advertising, the internet and the printed press.

  • Video ProductionOptional
    Module details

    Learn the basics of video production and film grammar, developing your skills as a filmmaker. Using hands-on exercises, you will learn photography, video, lighting, sound and scriptwriting.

  • PodcastingOptional
    Module details

    Dive into the world of audio production and storytelling through podcasts. Enhance your voiceover skills, audio recording, sound design and web design/publishing skills.

Level 5 (Year Two) 8 modules
  • Literature and Modernity: 1900-1960Compulsory
    Module details

    In this module you will investigate the shifting conceptions of modernism and modernity in literature written in English between the turn of the twentieth century and 1960. You will study important exemplars of literary modernism in the larger context of twentieth century art, culture and politics. The core texts covered will differ from year to year but a typical selection will feature at least five major works from a selection of the following authors: Katherine Mansfield, James Joyce, T. S. E

  • The Canon ReloadedCompulsory
    Module details

    On this module you will look at adaptations in the context of relevant cultural, critical, historical and technological factors. In addition, you will examine how and why certain texts are valued, and improve your abilities in research, academic writing and presenting effectively.

  • ScreenwritingCompulsory
  • Creative Writing WorkshopCompulsory
    Module details

    Building on your creative writing studies at level 4, you will have the opportunity on this module to work on writing projects and take them through the three stages of production, namely getting started, drafting and completion. A range of published creative writers will give talks throughout the module, providing further insights.

  • WorldbuildingOptional
    Module details

    Explore the migration of form and content between different texts and media, with a focus on fiction. Underpinned by explorations of intertextuality and convergence culture, theories of adaptation, intermediality and transmedia storytelling are explored through key examples from film, literature, TV, videogames, new media, visual arts, and many other media.

  • Critical Approaches to New and Social MediaOptional
    Module details

    On this module you will examine the changes that impact social and cultural issues as we make greater use of social and digital media technologies. You'll also have the opportunity to gain an understanding about the accompanying globalisation of media in political, financial and cultural networks.

  • Industry ExperienceOptional
    Module details

    You will begin with a structured induction process, during which you will be guided in researching the job market, understanding professional responsibilities, preparing a CV plus cover letter and undertaking a mock interview. Additionally, you'll be guided in contacting and negotiating with a potential host organisation/employer or client to secure your industry experience.

  • Visual Media CulturesOptional
Level 6 (Year Three) 5 modules
  • Contemporary Writers and the CityCompulsory
    Module details

    On this module you'll explore literature by contemporary authors who focus on urban and architectural settings, themes and predicaments. You will cover these focal points in the context of contemporary debates concerning the status of the metropolis in a globalised world.

  • British and Irish Drama since 1945Compulsory
  • Writing for PerformanceCompulsory
  • Creative Writing: The Short StoryCompulsory
    Module details

    This module seeks to develop your storytelling skills, using the short story format to explore narrative, characterization, setting, and style.

  • Dissertation OR ProjectCompulsory

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

You'll study English literature and creative writing together. A course like this typically moves from foundations, close reading of poetry, prose and drama, through literary history from medieval texts to contemporary work, including global anglophone writing. Critical theory threads through: you'll engage with the ideas informing literary analysis. Alongside this, you'll usually develop writing craft in workshop settings. As you progress, you'll choose specialisations such as Shakespeare & early modern, contemporary fiction, critical theory, world literature, or publishing pathways. The course ordinarily concludes with advanced seminars and an extended independent research project in your chosen area.

Who it's for

This part-time degree suits students balancing study with work or other commitments. It's designed for those seeking to develop both analytical understanding of English literature and practical creative writing ability, whether for professional advancement or personal development.

Careers & job market

Across English and Literature courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries of £23,000–£30,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £24,650–£34,800 after five years.

University & format

This is a BA (Hons) degree awarded by The University of West London, a university in Ealing/Brentford. The course is studied part-time, with instruction in English. The University of West London is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, its degrees are nationally recognised, and holds a Silver award 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.

2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider

Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates

2026 entryLive availability check

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 requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check West London's official course page for the current offer.

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

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.

Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
UCAS codeQW12quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code QW12). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by Apply directly to the provider

    Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask West London whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Home£9,790 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at West London →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
total borrowing, course length not published

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.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All West London funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

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.

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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.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What English & Literature graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in english & literature · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs English & Literature nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£23,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£19,975 – £28,200
After 5 years LEO
£24,650 – £34,800
national rangeaxis £18,500 – £36,000

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.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across English & Literature courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

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.

Where they work

  • Publishers
  • Media & broadcasters
  • Marketing & PR agencies
  • Charities & public sector

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of West London

All students17,690
International27.1%
Aged 25+48.3%

Language and area studies across the UK

Students75,355
Aged 25+23.7%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Ealing / Brentford

2,092 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Anti Social Behaviour 612Violent Crime 415Vehicle Crime 242Shoplifting 181Public Order 154

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 West London from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by West London; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 West London’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 West London and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by West London. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
See the career and earnings data for English & Literature below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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