Creative Writing Aberystwyth University

Overview

The Creative Writing degree at Aberystwyth University provides an immersive environment for students to master the craft of the written word across multiple genres and forms. This comprehensive programme balances imaginative practice with critical analysis, ensuring graduates possess the technical dexterity required for the modern creative industries. By engaging with a broad curriculum, you will explore how storytelling and poetic expression shape our cultural landscape.

Why Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University?

Students benefit from a vibrant community of published authors and industry experts who provide professional mentorship throughout the degree. The university maintains a unique collaborative relationship with the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, an on-campus facility that serves as a dynamic resource for networking and showcasing work. Additionally, learners have unlimited access to the National Library of Wales, one of the UK’s five copyright libraries.

A distinctive feature of the programme is the final-year writing retreat held at a country house in mid Wales. This experience allows students to focus intensely on their dissertations and major projects within a supportive rural setting. The department’s academic staff are active scholars and experts, ensuring that teaching is informed by contemporary research and professional practice.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: GBP 19190 per year
• National fee: GBP 9535 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to transition from foundational writing techniques to independent creative research. Modules may include:

• Creative Writing
• Critical Perspectives on Creative Writing
• American Literature
• Poetry
• Literary Theory: Debates and Dialogues
• Adventures with Poetry
• Shaping Plots
• Telling True Stories: Writing Creative Non-Fiction
• Writing Crime Fiction

Careers with Creative Writing

Graduates from this programme frequently establish successful careers as authors of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The skills developed during the course are highly transferable, leading to roles in professional editing, publishing, and journalism. Many alumni also find opportunities in marketing, communications, and teaching, where high-level written communication and creative problem-solving are essential.

The integration of the Aberystwyth Arts Centre into the learning experience helps students build professional networks before graduation. By the end of the degree, students possess a portfolio of creative material and the organisational skills necessary to flourish in any workplace that values sophisticated dexterity with language.