City

What you'll study

The programme blends literary analysis with sustained creative practice. You will study a broad range of literature — from medieval and early modern texts to nineteenth-century, modern and contemporary writing — alongside modules that focus on craft, form and genre in creative writing.

• Core literary modules: close reading, literary history, genre studies, and critical theory that develop the analytical tools to interpret texts across periods.
• Creative writing workshops: regular small-group workshops in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction emphasising craft, revision and peer feedback.
• Genre and form options: modules in scriptwriting, creative nonfiction, hybrid/digital writing and longer-form fiction (novel/novella) to build specialist skills.
• Professional practice: units on editing, publishing, pitching, self-promotion and writing for digital platforms to prepare you for the workplace.
• Final project: a substantial independent dissertation or a major creative portfolio usually completed in the final year, supported by supervisory guidance.

Teaching typically combines seminars, workshops, lectures and one-to-one supervision. Assessment is by a mixture of creative portfolios, critical essays, presentations and the final-year project.

Entry requirements

City seeks applicants with strong academic achievement and demonstrable potential in writing and literary study. There are no universally fixed subject prerequisites, but successful applicants normally show high achievement at secondary level (A-level, International Baccalaureate or equivalent) and a good standard in English language/literature. Schools/colleges applicants are expected to have strong GCSE performance in English.

For the creative writing components you may be asked to submit a short portfolio of original work (for example a selection of poems, a short story or an extract from longer fiction). International applicants will need to meet City’s English language requirements. Admissions decisions also take account of personal statements and references that show enthusiasm for literature and writing.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with transferable skills valued across the creative and professional sectors: clear written and verbal communication, critical thinking, editing and project management. Typical career paths include:

• Publishing and editorial roles (assistant editor, commissioning, copyediting)
• Journalism, feature writing and content creation for print and digital media
• Marketing, copywriting, public relations and social media management
• Creative careers as novelists, poets, scriptwriters or freelance writers
• Arts administration, cultural organisations and events management
• Further study: master's degrees in creative writing, literary studies, cultural policy or teacher training leading to secondary education (PGCE) and other professional qualifications

City’s location in London also supports internship and networking opportunities with publishers, media companies and cultural institutions.

Why study at City

Studying English and Creative Writing at City offers the advantages of a central London institution with strong links to the publishing, media and cultural sectors. The Department combines teaching from research-active literary scholars and experienced practitioners in creative writing, ensuring both theoretical grounding and practical craft development.

Small-group workshops and one-to-one supervision help you develop a distinctive voice while departmental events, visiting writers and industry talks expose you to professional pathways. City’s student services provide career support, internships and opportunities to collaborate with student publications and performance spaces, helping to bridge academic study and the creative industries.