BA (Hons) Creative Writing and Screenwriting

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Creative Writing and Screenwriting program provides a specialized and interconnected study of imaginative writing with a strong emphasis on writing for the screen. It emphasizes a hands-on, workshop-based approach to developing practical screenwriting skills, alongside a grounding in broader creative writing techniques and narrative theory. The program encourages students to understand the unique demands and opportunities of writing for visual media, including film, television, and emerging digital formats. Through a combination of screenwriting workshops, creative writing seminars, lectures on narrative and screen theory, and independent writing projects, students develop both their screenwriting craft and their overall creative voice.

Curriculum: The curriculum is structured to provide a progressive learning experience, starting with foundational modules that introduce key concepts in both creative writing and screenwriting. In creative writing, students explore narrative techniques, character development, setting, and dialogue. In screenwriting, they learn script formatting, visual storytelling principles, and the specific structures of film and television narratives. As students advance, they engage with more specialized modules, such as feature film writing, television drama writing, writing for short film, writing comedy for screen, and advanced creative writing workshops in other genres. The program encourages students to explore the synergy between their broader creative writing skills and the specific demands of screenwriting. A significant component involves practical screenwriting exercises, script workshops for peer feedback, the development of a portfolio of screenplays and creative writing samples, and the analysis of existing screen narratives.

Research Focus: The University of Worcester fosters a research-informed teaching environment within its School of Arts and Creative Industries, which directly benefits the BA (Hons) Creative Writing and Screenwriting program. Faculty members are actively engaged in research across various areas of creative writing and screenwriting, including contemporary screen narrative, genre studies in film and television, the adaptation of literary works for screen, and innovative approaches to storytelling in new media. 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 screenwriting projects. The program aims to cultivate a research-oriented mindset, encouraging students to critically analyze screen narratives and contribute their own creative and analytical insights to the evolving landscape of screen storytelling.

Industry Engagement: The BA (Hons) Creative Writing and Screenwriting program recognizes the importance of preparing students for successful careers in the screen industries. The curriculum often incorporates guest lectures from screenwriters, directors, producers, and other industry professionals, providing students with insights into the professional world. The University of Worcester actively seeks to build and maintain links with film and television production companies, screenwriting agencies, and media organizations. This engagement may include opportunities for script development workshops, industry networking events, and potential internships or mentoring, 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 the competitive field of screenwriting and screen-based media.

Global Perspective: The University of Worcester welcomes a diverse international student body, enriching the learning experience within the BA (Hons) Creative Writing and Screenwriting program. Storytelling for the screen is a global phenomenon, with films and television programs transcending cultural boundaries and reaching international audiences. The program encourages students to explore screen narratives from different cultural perspectives and to consider the global marketplace for screen content. Discussions and analyses often incorporate international examples of successful screenwriting, and students have opportunities to interact with peers from various cultural backgrounds, fostering a global perspective essential for understanding the diverse landscape of screen storytelling and the potential for their work to reach a global audience.