Virtual Open Events
To learn more about the programme and the student experience, and to ask any questions you may have, join us for our virtual open events. To register, follow these links:
Watch the info session webinar recording here
What will I be studying?
Unit 1: Introduction to creative writing
9 evening classes (7.15-9.15 pm) starting on Tuesday 12 October plus 2 Saturday day-schools (30 October and 20 November 2021). Saturdays 11am to 4pm (break 1-2pm)
This unit will introduce you to different forms of fiction – such as the novel, flash fiction and short stories. Through close reading of published work, and your own writing, you will examine the difference between fiction and other forms of writing such as poetry.
Unit 2: Approaches to long fiction
9 evening classes (7.15-9.15 pm) starting on Tuesday 4 January plus 2 Saturday day-schools (29 January and 12 February 2022). Saturdays 11am to 4pm (break 1-2pm)
In this unit you will look at the different ways of writing long fiction. You will study the structure of a range of novels to see how different authors have followed or subverted the “rules”. We will discuss how authors achieve a particular style – whether that is the tense atmosphere of a “police procedural” or the more lyrical style of a “literary” novel.
Unit 3: Writing for Performance
8 evening classes (7.15-9.15 pm) starting on Tuesday 22 March plus 2 Saturday day-schools (9 April and 7 May 2022). Saturdays 11am to 4pm (break 1-2pm)
In this unit you will study the ways in which a piece written for performance tells its story and engages with its audience – whether that audience is watching a TV “soap” or listening to a radio play. The unit will introduce you to the tools and conventions used to create a play or radio drama or to write for film or TV. You will gain a greater understanding of dialogue and pace, and skills learnt on this unit will help to enhance other forms of writing.
What can I go on to do?
The Institute offers a pair of Certificate (FHEQ Level 4) and Diploma (FHEQ Level 5) level courses in Creative Writing along with a range of postgraduate courses. For further details please visit the subject page.
Credit awarded by the Institute may also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However the volume of credit and the curriculum which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Find out more
If you have any questions about this course, would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, or would like to know more about the admissions process, please complete this enquiry form with your questions.