Undergraduate awards: Diploma in Creative Writing: Advanced Non-Fiction

Discover how to elevate your non-fiction writing with creative tools such as sense of place and using objects as a narrative tool.  The course also explores some of the key ethical considerations of this genre.

As part of our learning community, you will:

• find out about the changing forms of non-fiction and what constitutes ‘creative non-fiction’
• explore the ways in which writers of non-fiction borrow tools from fiction
• consider the place of ethics and the authorial role in this genre
• learn how a strong sense of place can enhance your work’s tone, content and character
• consider how simple objects can tell a multitude of stories (personal, collective, geographic and scientific) and explore texts with a central focus on a particular object, specimen or ‘thing’
• write creative nonfiction
• read texts that blend genres, including lyric essays and medical writing.

Course breakdown

This course will run from 10 October 2025 to 10 June 2026.

Exact teaching dates and times will be confirmed in the course guide upon enrolment.

Michaelmas term: Introduction to Creative Non-Fiction

• Course (unit 1) start date: 10 October 2025
• Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 7 January 2026

Lent term: Writing about Place

• Unit 2 start date: Week commencing 5 January 2026
• Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 25 March 2026

Easter term: Creative Non-Fiction: Objects

• Unit 3 start date: Week commencing 30 March 2026
• Unit 3 end date: Wednesday 10 June 2026

After the course

You may wish to take our other Diploma in Creative Writing: Advanced Fiction and Writing for Performance.  Students who have successfully completed both Diploma courses can apply to be awarded the Diploma of Higher Education in Creative Writing, worth 120 credits at level 5.  You may also be interested in applying for our MSt in Creative Writing.

Entry Requirements

To be accepted onto a Diploma course, you will normally have passed a Certificate (level 4) qualification, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.  

We are able to make exceptions, especially if you have evidence of relevant professional experience that demonstrates your suitability for the course. 

Please tell us about any previous study or relevant educational and professional experience when you apply.

You are required to submit a short piece of your own writing with your application and this, as well as your application, will be reviewed by the Course Director or Academic Director, who will decide whether to make you an offer of a place. The sample should be between 500-100 words, though an extract of this length from a longer piece would be acceptable and should be an original piece of writing written within the last year. Please include your writing sample with your personal statement on the application form.

If you are still unsure which academic level to study, 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.

Given the nature of creative writing, it is important that your’ 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.

IT requirements

The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). 

You will therefore need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device
• speakers or headphones in order to hear any pre-recorded material 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive sessions which may be available

ID Requirements

As part of your application you are required to provide a copy of your ID. At the beginning of the course, you will be required to attend a live zoom session, so that we can verify your identity. Please note we will not be able to issue the award if an identity check has not been completed.

The fee for this course is £3,300. You can either pay:

• in full when you enrol,
  or
• in 3 equal instalments: the first when you enrol, the second by 1 January, and the third and final instalment by 1 April. The exact dates will be confirmed in your booking details.

Important: your place on the course is not secured until we receive your first payment along with any required documents, such as proof of English language proficiency.

If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay.

Help with fees

The University has many sources of financial help that you can explore. Please visit our pages on bursaries and sources of funding and Disabled Student’s Allowances (DSAs) for more information. 

Refunds

This course will require a minimum number of students to run. In the rare event that the course is cancelled by us, due to minimum numbers not being met, or for any other reason, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid.

If you would like to cancel your place on the course, please refer to our Cancellations and Refunds policy, which we encourage you to read in full before applying.

Disability Support

The University’s Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre Non-Matriculated Service (ADRC NMS) provides advice, guidance, and resources to ICE award-bearing undergraduate and postgraduate students who have a diagnosed disability or medical condition, including mental health conditions. The support provided can include:

• appointments with a Senior disability adviser or Neurodiversity disability adviser ​
• reviewing/assessing medical or diagnostic evidence​
• production of a Student Support Document (SSD)
• signposting to sources of disability-related funds (Disabled Students’ Allowances [DSA], as well as other internal funds for home and international students)​
• coordination of human support, such as specialist mentoring or specialist study skills​
• neurodiversity screening service (Autism, Specific Learning Difficulties, ADHD)​
• signposting to disability library services 
• signposting to assistive technology and software support

If you would like to access support then please indicate this on your course application form and then complete the ADRC NMS online Student Information Form so they can work with you to fully support your studies. Please upload medical evidence (written in English) when prompted to within the Student Information Form. The following links to guidance on medical evidence or diagnostic evidence will help to answer any questions you may have. 

If you have any questions concerning disability support then please contact the ADRC NMS team via adrc.nms@admin.cam.ac.uk or view their website via https://www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/non-matriculated-students.

Wellbeing Support

It is important that all our learners feel safe in their learning environment and student wellbeing is a key priority at ICE. We have a dedicated Student Support team who can offer a variety of support mechanisms to those who are experiencing challenges maintaining positive mental wellbeing. The ICE Student Support Team are here to support you throughout the duration of your studies at ICE and can:​

• meet with you via teams/zoom (camera can be off) to discuss any concerns surrounding your wellbeing, mental health, academic pressures, or welfare​
• advise you on options and signpost you to appropriate sources of guidance which range from self-guided resources to wellbeing conversations
• direct you to specialist support and help concerning welfare, wellbeing, safeguarding and prevent​
• in specific circumstances (where there is a clear need unmet elsewhere) provide access to counselling ​
• provide access to study skills resources

If you have any questions concerning welfare support, then please contact the ICE Student Support team via studentsupport@ice.cam.ac.uk