Creative and Professional Writing

Tell stories that matter to you with our vibrant Creative and Professional Writing degree

Explore yourself and your imagination with our hands-on Creative and Professional Writing degree. You will fine-tune your craft, work collaboratively, and learn how to write and edit in an encouraging seminar and workshop environment.

You will focus on contemporary writers and writing to understand the latest developments in the literary and social media worlds. You will cover:

- the ins-and-outs of the publishing business

- writing young adult and children’s fiction

- how to write a book proposal

- writing song lyrics

- how to write short fiction

- screenwriting and the film industry

- journalism and interviewing skills.

You decide what you write about – follow your own passion for words. We welcome and encourage you no matter your background, interests, style, or genre.

Learn in the capital

We are only 30 minutes from central London. Therefore, you’ll have access to the capital’s diverse literature scene and world-renowned libraries. You can visit places like:

- The British Library

- Shakespeare’s Globe

- The Sherlock Holmes Museum

- The George Inn

- Charles Dickens Museum.

You'll also get a trip to the London Book Fair, where you'll be able to meet people in the industry and learn more about upcoming trends.

Expert teaching and support

Our BA Creative and Professional Writing lecturers are:

- fantasy and genre writing specialists

- experts on popular music

- young adult novelists

- professional journalists

- working scriptwriters.

This team supports your personal, professional, and academic growth from the day you arrive.

Our student, Jenny, notes how she "gets to be in an environment that helps [her] develop as a writer as well as meeting new people who enjoy stories and writing as much as [she does]." Read Jenny's full story.

Creative and Professional Writing teaching staff includes:

Dr Anthony McGowan renowned author of more than 40 children’s and young adult books. His novel Lark won the Carnegie Medal for Writing, one of the most prestigious awards for children’s fiction in the world.

Dr Russell Schechter, Course Leader for Creative Writing and a World Fantasy Award-nominated novelist. He has been awarded the title of St Mary’s University Champion of Student Experience by a vote of students.