Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing I

The aim of the course is to enable you to advance your own creative practice and knowledge of literary form, style and genre, whether you are writing for pleasure, for professional development or aiming for publication.

Each of the two Diploma courses may be taken as a stand-alone programme over one year, or combined into an Undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education in Creative Writing, equivalent to one year of full-time study.

The Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing I offers three units which identify and consolidate existing strengths in your own writing and encourage creative experimentation.

What will I be studying?

Unit 1: Advanced fiction

(4 Saturday day-schools - 7 October, 28 October, 18 November and 9 December 2017)

This unit will focus on advanced techniques for identifying a potential story, choosing its form, and establishing plot, structure, theme and characterisation. You will explore how to construct a coherent sense of time and place, how to keep dramatic control and how to create pace, conflict and mood.

Unit 2: Advanced non-fiction

(4 Saturday day-schools - 13 January, 10 February, 3 March and 24 March 2018)

Students will study the advanced skills available to the writer of creative non-fiction. We will examine different approaches to structure and the use of pace, drama, description, characterisation and humour. You will consider the relationship between author and subject and the role of ethics. We will also discuss the changing role of research and the importance of good editing.

Unit 3: Painting words

 (4 Saturday day-schools - 14 April, 19 May, 16 June and 7 July 2018)

This unit introduces students to the tradition of writing inspired by art. We will explore sculpture, portraiture (and self-portraiture), landscapes and modern art to observe the evolution of word-and-image in world literature. After considering the techniques and themes used by published writers and poets, students will be encouraged to find their own approach to art through poetry and/or prose.

What can I go on to do?

If you wish, you can develop your studies in this subject by taking a second Diploma: Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing II.

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.

The Certificate and Diploma courses have been designed to provide a progression path that builds on your Creative Writing expertise and ambition. Our Certificate courses provide students with a strong foundation for further study in Creative Writing and for those wishing to go on to take our Diploma course. The Diploma is suitable for those who have successfully completed either Certificate course, or a similar course elsewhere, or who already have considerable experience of Creative Writing.

What is the status of this qualification?

The course is taught and awarded at second-year undergraduate level (FHEQ 5) and offers 60 credits within the Higher Education Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). This is equivalent to half of the second year of full-time undergraduate study.

How will I be taught and assessed?

The course is taught through a series of Saturday day-schools, 4 in each term, with practical sessions and discussion.

You will learn how to present your creative ideas both through speaking and writing. You will also have access to online support through our virtual learning environment, which will accelerate your learning and enhance your experience of the course.

All students are expected to take an active part in the course and submit work showing evidence of learning. In particular, you will be expected in each term to:

1. attend classes 
2. participate actively in class work
3. undertake reading and assignments set by the tutors
4. access resources and submit assignments through ICE Online, the Institute’s virtual learning environment.

It is essential that you have an email account and regular access to the internet. The course is supported by a web-based virtual learning environment (VLE) and course communications will be sent via email. Your assignments will be submitted online, and feedback on assignments is sent to you online.

The computing facilities available at a public library or internet café may be sufficient and unlimited free computing and internet access will be available to you within the University Library throughout your course.

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

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).