Undergraduate Certificate in Creative Writing I

Please note that this is one of two Creative Writing Certificate courses, which can be studied independently of each other, and in any order. Certificate II will run concurrently with this course, and includes units on creative non-fiction, writing about place and life writing.

What will I be studying?

The course is taught through three termly units, each with its own topic. The evening sessions take place on Tuesdays.

Unit 1: Introduction to creative writing

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

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

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?

If you wish, you can develop your studies in this subject by taking a second Certificate in Creative Writing or the Diploma in Creative Writing.

You may like to know that a part-time Master of Studies (MSt) degree in Creative Writing is also available.

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

The course specification, giving information about course-content and assignments, is available below under Downloads.

If you would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, please contact the Course Director, Midge Gillies: midge.gillies@tutor.ice.cam.ac.uk

If you have any questions about the application process, contact our Admissions team: ice.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746262.

For all other enquiries, contact the Academic Programme Manager, Katherine Roddwell: ug-awards@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746223 / 746212.

There are no formal entry requirements for this course but as it is taught at university level, applicants should be able to read, write and speak English fluently. If English is not your first language, you will need to send us evidence of your competence in the English language when you apply for a place.

ICE English language requirements

Given the nature of creative writing, it is important that applicants’ use of English is sufficiently fluent to be able to understand nuances of meaning and have a familiarity with the structure and grammar of English.

Applicants will be expected to show evidence of this level of fluency in English in their applications and may be asked to provide a short piece of written work before the offer of a place can be made.

This programme does not meet immigration requirements for entry to the UK as a short-term student or under Tier 4. Non-EEA nationals are unlikely to be able to undertake this programme unless they hold a visa in another category which permits study. Further information can be found on our Information for International Students webpage

The fee for the course is £2,000 and you can pay in one of two ways:

• in full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)
• in four instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, the second on 1 November 2017, the third on the 1 February 2018 and the fourth on 1 April 2018.

ICE fees and refunds policy

How to apply

Online application is recommended and you will find the link to the online application form at the top of this page.

If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees (£2,000) or if paying by instalments, the first instalment of fees, to secure your place.

Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on the 4 September 2017.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 11 September 2017 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Refund and Cancellation policy).