BA Creative and Professional Writing

Program Overview

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) in the United Kingdom offers a vibrant BA (Hons) Creative and Professional Writing degree, designed for individuals who possess a passion for words and aspire to carve out a career in diverse writing fields. This program goes beyond traditional creative writing, incorporating the crucial elements of professional application. Students delve into various creative forms such as fiction, poetry, drama, and even innovative areas like writing for stage, screen, and game narratives. Simultaneously, they gain essential professional skills in self-publishing, submitting to agents, marketing, PR, and journalism. The degree is taught by a team of highly qualified writer-academics and industry professionals who bring up-to-date expertise to the classroom, ensuring graduates are equipped to pursue their creative ambitions while also being prepared for a wide range of professional opportunities within the dynamic creative industries.

Curriculum: The BA Creative and Professional Writing curriculum at CCCU is comprehensive, encompassing both the artistic craft and the commercial realities of writing. Students engage deeply with various genres including literary and genre fiction, poetry, and drama. The program also explores contemporary forms such as experimental writing, environmental writing, and game narratives, reflecting current industry trends. Key areas of learning include developing control of language, precision, imagination, and a deep understanding of the context in which writing occurs. The curriculum emphasizes practical application through workshops where students submit their work for peer and tutor feedback, fostering essential revision and editing skills. Assessments are typically portfolio-based, combining creative output with critical work, and often include practical components like editing tasks, marketing plans, or submission packs, preparing students for real-world publishing and industry processes.

Research Focus: The Creative and Professional Writing program at Canterbury Christ Church University is delivered by a teaching team composed of published authors, playwrights, and industry professionals, all possessing current, real-world experience in their respective fields. While the program's focus is heavily on practical skills and industry readiness, the academic staff's ongoing creative practice and scholarly engagement underpin the curriculum. Lecturers' research interests often align with contemporary writing practices, literary theory, genre studies, and the evolving nature of the publishing and media industries. For example, faculty members are involved in researching creative and reflective writing's impact on well-being, speculative fiction (particularly regarding climate change and human-nonhuman relationships), and new workshop methodologies. This integration of active professional practice and relevant research ensures that students are exposed to the cutting edge of both creative and professional writing.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a pivotal aspect of the BA Creative and Professional Writing program at CCCU, designed to enhance graduate employability. The university puts "employability right at the heart of this degree," ensuring that all tutors have recent industry experience and can impart essential skills for navigating the professional writing landscape. Students learn how to publicize themselves and their work, develop skills in self-publishing, understand the process of submitting to agents, and gain insights into writing for commercial markets. The program offers opportunities for students to contribute to or even edit the student Creative Writing magazine and participate in live literature events. Additionally, CCCU has a "CCCU Creatives Agency" which offers businesses access to affordable creative services by connecting them with talented students, providing a platform for students to work on paid projects and build their professional portfolios in areas like graphic design, social media marketing, and content creation.

Global Perspective: The BA Creative and Professional Writing program at Canterbury Christ Church University inherently incorporates a global perspective by engaging with literature and writing practices from diverse cultures and contexts. While based in the UK, the curriculum encourages students to explore a wide range of genres and forms that transcend national boundaries, reflecting the global nature of storytelling and content creation. The program prepares students for careers in an industry where content is increasingly consumed globally, whether in traditional publishing, digital media, or game development. By learning to write for various commercial markets and understanding the mechanisms of global content distribution, graduates are equipped to pursue opportunities in an interconnected world where compelling narratives and clear communication are universally valued.