Course Overview
Attendance
* Price per academic year
Course summary
Writing is everywhere. From the films we watch, the TV we stream and the books we read, to the social media posts we write, the marketing pitches that surround us and the news stories we receive across print and digital formats.
Our Creative and Professional Writing BA embraces the interconnected nature of these forms in today’s world, as well as the challenges and opportunities brought by AI generated content. The course will help you to translate your love of writing into a career, equipping you with the skills needed to develop your own creative work and a distinctive voice, whilst simultaneously preparing you for the huge range of employment opportunities for which enhanced communication skills are essential.
This course is built on authentic learning and ensures you’ll continually engage with visiting professionals from a range of creative industries. You’ll gain expertise in evaluating, critiquing and enhancing communications produced by others as well as generated by new technologies like AI.
Alongside traditional forms of creative writing, you’ll explore new opportunities such as Instagram poetry, flash fiction, extended series for streaming platforms, podcasts and immersive performances. Your studies will also focus on routes into the creative and communication industries via a practical understanding of publishing, production and curation across digital and offline platforms.
Professional Writing encompasses the wide range of styles and practices of writing used across businesses for purposes such as effective communication, content production, persuasion and promotion. This underpins careers in areas such as journalism, advertising, marketing and communications, production of educational guides and handbooks, public policy-making and content creation.
Top reasons to study with us
- Employing Humanities Programme – Prepare for your career with our Employing Humanities Programme which develops work readiness, including activities like the Hackathon, where you’ll produce work in response to live employer briefs
- Study in the heart of London, a global city and major creative, intellectual and technology hub
- Gain workplace or international experience – Optional years of work or study abroad or in a UK placement are available, providing the opportunity to extend your learning and gain insight into possible future careers
- Writer-led workshops – All of our creative writing tutors are practising poets, dramatists or novelists
- Gain valuable industry contacts – You’ll have the opportunity to make writing contacts through our talented creative writing tutors, our expert guest speakers and our industry links
- Personalised support – You’ll get individually focused academic support and career planning through our tutorials
Course structure
This course focuses on your writing practice, so you’ll learn continuously through the processes of drafting and redrafting your work. Your core modules dedicate time to tutorials where you’ll meet your module teacher to discuss your work in progress. You’ll also learn from your peers as you share your work in seminars or writing workshops.
In each year of the course, you’ll have a tutorial module, where you take part in weekly timetabled meetings in a small group with your Academic Tutor. This allows you to bring together learning from your different modules, develop projects, work through assessment preparation and feedback, and personalise your learning experience.
In your third year, you’ll choose between the creative writing or professional writing project, designing your own extended piece of work according to your areas of interest.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Subjects of study include:
- Reflective Writing 1
- Storytelling Across Platforms
- Working with Texts 1
- Writing the City
- Genre, Style and Form
- Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
- Language and Text
Credit Level 4
Subjects of study include:
- Forms of Writing
- Reflective Writing 2
- Working with Texts 2
- Language in the Public Space
- Screenwriting
- Stories, Updates, Feeds: Multiplatform
- Working With Data
Credit Level 5
Professional experience or study abroad year
Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – Creative and Professional Writing with Professional Experience.
Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – Creative and Professional Writing with International Experience.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
Subjects of study include:
- Individual Writing Project
- Professional Writing Project
- Publishing, Producing, Curating
- Writing Life
- Issues in Culture
- Professionalising International Communication
- Social Change
- Special Topic: Genres in Writing
- Work Placement for Humanities
Credit Level 6
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
As a student in the School of Humanities, you’ll have opportunities to gain certification in employability-related skills. This course has been designed with a strong focus on career prospects, with employability skills woven throughout the core modules and tutorial sessions. The course is intended to provide you with sophisticated critical and practical skills and a strong knowledge base across several different disciplinary fields.
The skills you gain on this course will be applicable to traditional writing careers such as journalism, editing, publishing, copywriting, teaching and translation, as well as other fields like science or art communication, data presentation, reviewing, digital content creation, subtitling, script editing, PR and story-telling for business.
Guest Speakers
Guest novelists, poets, filmmakers, editors and agents join us from across the industry to provide valuable careers advice.
Employing Humanities Programme
Our tailored scheme develops work readiness and draws attention to the wide applicability of humanities skills in working life and careers.
Boost your Employability
Gain international or workplace experience by studying abroad or undertaking a work placement between your second and third year.
Industry links
We have strong links with the creative industries and the course will include workshops run by industry experts, giving you the opportunity to network with professionals in London’s creative industries. All of our creative writing tutors are practising poets, dramatists or novelists, giving you valuable insight into a career in writing.
As part of the Employing Humanities programme, you’ll engage with employers from various fields through tailored humanities career fairs and the ‘Hackathon’, where employers provide live briefs for student work. Previous employers have included Meta, Channel 4, BBC News, Mind, Brand Advance and WaterAid.
You will also be able to engage directly with the work of the Soho Poly, once home to writers such as Hanif Kureishi, Timberlake Wertenbaker and Caryl Churchill and now revived as an onsite performance and arts workshop venue.
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course can follow a range of different routes that may include:
- Publishing
- Journalism
- PR and advertising
- Creative industries
- Media production companies
- Digital content creation
- Marketing and communications
- Civil service
Job roles
This course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including:
- Copywriter
- Journalist
- Bid writer
- Marketing executive
- Communications officer
- Policy officer
- Digital content producer
- Scriptwriter
- Fiction / poetry writer
- Teacher
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Matthew Morrison
Senior Lecturer, Course Leader
Matt leads BA degrees in Creative Writing and English Literature, Creative and Professional Writing, and Creative Writing and English Language. He is a playwright, whose work has been produced at theatres including the Riverside Studios, the Finborough, the Arcola, Wilton’s Music Hall, HighTide, the Gate, and the Old Vic Tunnels.
He has written short stories and radio comedy for the BBC and has worked in a number of theatres as a literary manager and literary associate. He has a First Class degree from the University of York and a PhD in Theatre History. His academic publications include introductions to philosophy and creative writing.
I’ve never met a student who doesn’t have a compelling story to tell. At Westminster, every voice is important.
Course Team
Why study this course?
Engage with live work
You’ll take part in authentic projects and sessions conducted by visiting professionals to prepare you for the working world.
Fantastic central London location
Based in our Regent Campus in central London, you’ll enjoy the benefits of studying in a major global city.
Develop your digital skills
Through this course you’ll develop skills as part of our ongoing focus on Digital Humanities.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
- BTEC Diploma – D*D
- Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C - IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C - IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
More information
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
- International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course Location
Located on one of London’s most vibrant streets, our 309 Regent Street site houses our Humanities subjects and the Westminster Law School. Along with a city-centre location, the site boasts high-tech learning facilities, collaborative social spaces, gym facilities, and our Regent Street Cinema.
Our Regent Campus is made up of three locations – 309 Regent Street, Little Titchfield Street and Wells Street, all of which are just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street.
For more details, visit our locations page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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