Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons)
Course code: Q32W
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.
Course type: BA (Hons)
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Argyll; Inverness; Moray; North, West and Hebrides; Orkney; Shetland
Start in: September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally., You will come together with other students for short, intensive periods (e.g., a day, week or longer).
Duration: Full time: 4 years; Part time: 8 years
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.
What is special about this course?
Are you passionate about reading? Do you long to study literary works while developing your own styles of writing? Combine all three as you explore literature in a global context, covering a wide range of authors, in English and translation, from the classical to the contemporary, and looking in-depth at language and literary history within texts and on the international literary stage.
Gain a solid grounding in four of the main areas of creative writing: poetry, prose, playwriting, and the screenplay; examine how these can inform and support other areas of professional writing; and, through the programme's carefully structured blend of research, residentials, and creative projects, become a confident, enthusiastic and highly employable writer, researcher, and reader.
Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.
Special features
- Present your own work using traditional methods as well as new technologies and publishing platforms
- Engage with experienced staff from a variety of literary, creative and professional backgrounds
- There are a number of residential held during the course where you will have the opportunity to meet with fellow-students and staff
Entry requirements
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, OR
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above
- Must include English at grade C or above, plus one from the list of relevant subjects (Please note: Higher ESOL is not accepted in place of Higher English for this programme)
- Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
- You will be required to submit a portfolio of up to 3,000 words containing three examples of creative writing (preferably in three different styles or genres) and also attend an interview which may be either in person or online
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
Core modules are:
- Introduction to creative writing skills (S1)
- Reading as a writer (S2)
- Theories of literature (S1)
- Travellers in the wilderness: literature and exile (S2)
You will also choose two option modules which may include:
Literature
- Reading drama: an introduction (S2)
- Reading fiction: an introduction (S1)
- Reading poetry: an introduction (S2)
Creative Writing
- Creative project: creative journal (S1)
- Creative project: portfolio (S2)
- Writing for film: introduction to screenplay (S1)
- Writing poetry (S2)
You will choose at least two literature option modules, which may include:
- Heroic literature: epic from classical to contemporary
- Medieval literature: text and contexts
- Theatrical powerplay: classical and modern tragedy
You will also choose at least two creative writing option modules, which may include:
- Creative project: literary competitions
- Creative project: peer assessment
- Developing creative writing skills
- Introduction to publishing
- Writing for children and young people
- Writing for film: writing a screenplay
- Writing from the north: context and criticism
You will select six modules in total.
Literature
Modules may include:
- Imagining new worlds: renaissance literature and thought (S2)
- Literary borrowings: adaptations and appropriations (S1)
- Nature writing and ecology (S2)
- Risk anything! The modernist short story (S1)
- Romantic genius: Scottish and European literature, 1750-1830 (S1)
Creative Writing
Modules may include:
- Authors and audiences (S1)
- Creative project: researching your writing (S1)
- Creative project: writing what you know (S2)
- Introduction to Orkney and Shetland literature OR Scottish writing OR Creative non-fiction (S1)
- Writing experience placement (S2)
- Writing for performance (S2)
You will choose either:
- Dissertation (literature) (runs across both semesters) OR
- Final creative project (literary magazine/anthology)
You will also study one option module from your choice above, plus three option modules from the other subject.
Literature
Modules may include:
- Apocalyptic fictions (S1)
- Avant-garde literature (S1)
- Metafiction: self-referential texts (S2)
- Satire: the art of attack (S2)
Creative Writing
Modules may include:
- Crime pays (S1)
- Publishing practice (S1)
- Social media skills for writers (S2)
- Writing in the marketplace (S2)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and/or video conference seminars, residentials and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors. There is a weekly two-hour timetabled video conference lecture for most modules.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
- Part-time (unstructured): Variable
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
- Argyll
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- Shetland
- This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the UK
- Students based near to one of the listed campuses should apply to, and be enrolled and supported by, their local campus
- All other students should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, UHI North, West and Hebrides
Start date
- September
Fees
For information on costs of this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
On completion of this course, you may be interested in pursuing a career in:
- Creative writing
- Publishing
- Gaming
- Theatre
- Museums and archives
- Heritage sector
- Marketing
- Advertising
- Media
- Teaching
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from BA (Hons) Literature and Creative Writing to the following UHI postgraduate courses:
My tutors have been supportive and helpful, they really encourage independent, informed thinking. I think my studies will equip me with the knowledge and experience I need to develop as a writer, as well as provide helpful contacts. I’ve also been impressed by the support provided for lectures online; I’ve done online courses before, but the support at UHI is by far the best.
Jennifer is studying Literature at UHI.
Apply for Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.