BA (Hons) Creative Writing and History

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Creative Writing and History program provides a balanced and interconnected study of the craft of writing and the academic discipline of historical inquiry. It emphasizes a hands-on approach to creative writing, encouraging students to develop their unique voice and explore different genres. Simultaneously, it offers a rigorous academic exploration of history, its methodologies, and its enduring relevance to the present. The program encourages students to understand how historical knowledge can inform and enrich their creative writing, and how narrative techniques can be employed to communicate historical understanding in engaging ways. Through a combination of workshops, seminars, lectures, and independent study, students develop both their creative and analytical skills.

Curriculum: The curriculum is structured to provide a progressive learning experience, starting with foundational modules that introduce key concepts in both creative writing and historical studies. In creative writing, students explore narrative techniques, character development, setting, and style across different genres. In history, they study foundational historical periods, methodologies, and the development of historical thought. As students advance, they engage with more specialized modules, such as advanced fiction writing, poetry workshop, screenwriting, early modern history, modern history, cultural history, and oral history. The program encourages students to explore the intersections between creative writing and historical analysis, understanding how historical research can inspire fictional narratives and how narrative structures shape historical accounts. A significant component involves practical writing exercises, workshops for peer feedback, and the development of a writing portfolio, alongside historical essays and research projects based on primary and secondary sources.

Research Focus: The University of Worcester fosters a research-informed teaching environment within its School of Arts and Creative Industries and the History department, which directly benefits the BA (Hons) Creative Writing and History program. Faculty members are actively engaged in research across various areas of creative writing and historical studies, including contemporary literature, poetry, screenwriting, early modern history, social history, memory studies, and public history. Students benefit from being taught by academics who are actively contributing to their fields and may have opportunities to engage with research through their studies and final-year dissertations. The program aims to cultivate a research-oriented mindset, encouraging students to critically analyze historical sources and contribute their own creative and analytical insights to understanding the past and its representation.

Industry Engagement: The BA (Hons) Creative Writing and History program recognizes the importance of preparing students for successful careers in the creative, cultural, and heritage sectors. The curriculum often incorporates guest lectures from writers, historians, museum professionals, and archivists, providing students with insights into the professional world. The University of Worcester actively seeks to build and maintain links with literary organizations, publishing houses, media companies, museums, archives, and heritage sites. This engagement may include opportunities for workshops, internships, and networking events, providing students with valuable practical experience and industry connections. The aim is to ensure that graduates possess the skills and knowledge that are highly valued by employers in fields that require strong writing, analytical, research, and communication abilities, as well as a deep appreciation for storytelling and the past.

Global Perspective: The University of Worcester welcomes a diverse international student body, enriching the learning experience within the BA (Hons) Creative Writing and History program. History and storytelling are inherently global, reflecting diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives across time and place. The program encourages students to explore historical narratives and creative writing from different cultural backgrounds and to consider the global impact of historical events and their representation in literature and other forms of storytelling. Discussions and analyses often incorporate international examples, and students have opportunities to interact with peers from various cultural backgrounds, fostering a global perspective essential for understanding the complexities of human experience and the power of narrative in shaping our understanding of the world and its history.