Bournemouth University

What you'll study

This programme blends intensive creative-writing tuition with modules that explore contemporary publishing practice. You will develop a substantial creative project in your chosen form (fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, or scriptwriting) alongside taught units covering editorial skills, digital publishing, rights and contracts, and promotion and audience development.

• Creative Writing Workshops: small-group workshops focused on craft, voice, structure and revision, with formative feedback and peer review.
• Major Portfolio: an extended creative project developed across the course with one-to-one supervision and critical reflection.
• Publishing Practice: practical modules introducing commissioning, editing, production workflows, metadata, distribution and basic design considerations.
• Digital and Marketing Skills: training in digital platforms, social media strategies for authors and publishers, and methods for building and engaging audiences.
• Professional Development: guest lectures from industry professionals, careers skills sessions, and opportunities for work placement, internships or live publishing projects with external partners.
• Research and Context: seminars on the history of publishing, contemporary market trends, copyright and ethical considerations, and methods of critical reflection on practice.

The programme is delivered through workshops, seminars, one-to-one supervision and project-based assessment. Assessments typically include creative portfolios, critical reflective essays, practical publishing projects and a final major portfolio or dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject at a level considered appropriate by the university, or to demonstrate equivalent professional experience. The programme welcomes applicants with diverse academic and professional backgrounds, and those with substantial creative-writing experience or publishing practice may be considered even if their degree classification differs from the standard expectation.

Applicants are required to submit a creative portfolio and a statement of purpose outlining their project proposal and reasons for applying. International applicants must demonstrate competence in English through an accepted qualification. Where appropriate, applicants may be invited to an interview or to provide further writing samples.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme move into a wide range of roles across publishing and the creative industries. Typical career paths include:

• editorial roles in trade and independent publishing houses
• rights and contracts administration, and production or design support roles
• content management, digital publishing and social media roles in cultural organisations
• literary agent assistant, researcher or publicity and marketing positions
• freelance writing, commissioning or script development work
• roles in education, creative writing facilitation and community arts projects

The course’s combination of writing and practical publishing skills also equips graduates to launch self-publishing projects or small presses with a solid understanding of the editorial, legal and commercial considerations involved.

Why study at Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University offers a practice-led environment with strong links to the creative industries. Students benefit from teaching staff with publishing and writing experience, a programme designed to reflect current industry practices, and regular input from visiting professionals. The university’s location provides access to a vibrant regional creative sector and opportunities for placements, collaborations and live projects.

The course emphasises employability, professional networks and hands-on experience, enabling students to develop both their creative voice and the practical skills required to succeed in contemporary publishing and writing careers.