Introduction to English Literature and Creative Writing

The University of Kent offers a comprehensive program in English Literature and Creative Writing, designed to foster a deep understanding of literary traditions and develop students' creative writing skills.

Program Overview

The English Literature and Creative Writing program is a three-year full-time or six-year part-time course that explores the rich traditions of literature while encouraging students to find their distinctive voice and style as writers. The program is based in Canterbury, a city steeped in literary history, from Dickens to Chaucer to Marlowe.

Key Information

• Start Date: September 2026
• Location: Canterbury
• Study Mode: 3 years full-time (4 with a year abroad/in industry), 6 years part-time (7 with a year abroad/in industry)
• Fees (per year): UK: £9,790*, International: £19,300
• Typical Offer: BBB / 104-120 UCAS points

Course Structure

The program is divided into three stages, each with compulsory and optional modules that allow students to explore a wide range of literary genres, styles, and formats.

Stage 1

Compulsory modules include:

• Changing Literatures
• Other Worlds: Dystopias and Futures
• Adventures in Criticism
• Creative and Critical Conversations
• Becoming a Writer

Optional modules may include:

• Class: Narratives of Exclusion and Belonging
• American Power, American Protest

Stage 2

Compulsory modules include:

• Approaching Poetry
• Writing Fiction
• Right/Write to the World: Displacement, Social Movements, Political Action

Optional modules may include:

• Shakespeare: Before and After
• World Literatures in English
• American Modernities: US Literature 1930 to the Present
• Becoming America: From Poe to The Great Gatsby
• Encounters with the Premodern
• Modernism

Stage 3

Compulsory modules include:

• The Project

Optional modules may include:

• A Woman's Tale: Writing Female Identity and Experience in Medieval Europe
• American Crime Fiction
• Animals, Humans, Writing
• Beginning to Write a Novel
• The Brontës in Context
• Centres and Edges: Modernist and Postcolonial Quest Literature
• Cross-Cultural Coming-of-Age Narratives
• The End of Empire: Post-Imperial Writing in Britain
• Foundations of Activism
• Global Capitalism and the Novel
• Innovation and Experiment in New York
• Magic, Marvels and Monsters in Medieval Literature
• Marlowe vs Shakespeare
• Perceptions, Pathologies, Disorders: Reading and Writing Mental Health
• Places, Journeys, Borders
• Queer Literature
• Representing World War Two
• #ShakeRace: Shakespeare and Racial Politics
• The End of the World
• The Gothic: Origins and Exhumations
• The Love Poem: Romantic Language from Thomas Wyatt to Taylor Swift
• The New Woman: First Wave Feminism and Women's Writing
• The Unknown: Reading and Writing Creative Non-Fiction and Autofiction
• Utter Lyric
• Virginia Woolf and the Novel

Teaching and Assessment

The program features a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, writing workshops, and one-to-one supervision. Assessment is also varied, with a focus on developing skills that are essential for success in the workplace, including digital, critical thinking, communication, and project management skills.

Entry Requirements

• UK: 104-120 UCAS points, with typical offers including BBB at A level or DMM in BTEC Nationals.
• International: 120 tariff points, with requirements including English language proficiency.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry are £9,790 for UK students and £19,300 for international students. The University offers various scholarships and funding opportunities to support students.

Career Prospects

Graduates from this program can pursue a wide range of creative and professional roles, including journalism, marketing, public relations, creative and cultural industries, writing, publishing, education, business, and the charity sector.

Why Study at Kent?

The University of Kent is known for its academic excellence, research-led teaching, and stunning locations. Students benefit from a unique blend of tradition and innovation, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant student community. The English Literature and Creative Writing program at Kent is particularly renowned for its emphasis on both critical analysis and creative practice, providing students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for a variety of careers in the arts and beyond.

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English Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons) - University of Kent

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Degree Overview:

Explore the rich traditions of literature while developing your talents as a writer, editor, and publisher in this unique project-based program. The course covers British, Irish, American, Indigenous, Postcolonial, and World literatures, making it truly global, cutting-edge, creative, interactive, and vibrant. You might make a documentary film, script a video game, assemble a journal, compose a collection of poetry, write a novella, or plan and pitch an exhibition.

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Outline:

The program covers a variety of genres, allowing you to study something you already love or develop a new passion for a different genre. Whether you love Jane Austen or William Shakespeare, dystopian fiction, the gothic, or modern and contemporary poetry, the program specializes in the literature you are passionate about.

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Course Structure:

• Stage 1: Learn essentials of creative writing practice, while taking modules on the major forms of literature.
• Stage 2: Continue developing your creative writing skills and explore option modules on how literature addresses crucial issues such as the environment, power and protest, the social impacts of technology, or contemporary feminism.
• Stage 3: Further refine your creative writing abilities and choose from a range of modules, including an optional Dissertation or final project.

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Assessment:

• Assessment across all Stages is by a varied and exciting range of coursework only.
• There are no exams in modules from the School of English.
• Some modules may include an optional practical element.
• Assessment at Stage 3 may also include an optional Dissertation or final project.
• Assessment at Stage 3 is by coursework only and may include an optional English Dissertation/Creative Writing project.
• Attendance at seminars is required, and for the majority of modules, you are assessed on your seminar contribution/performance.

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Teaching:

• All modules are taught by weekly seminars.
• In addition to seminars, the majority of literature modules also include a weekly lecture.
• The majority of Stage 2 and Stage 3 Creative Writing modules also include a weekly workshop.
• Seminars are a crucial part of your learning.
Class sizes are kept small, making it easier for you to develop your own ideas and ensuring you have the space to express and defend them.

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Careers:

• The program provides rigorous academic training in all aspects of literary history, critical theory, and creative writing.
• The program embeds employability at every turn with modules that focus on careers in growing and emerging sectors.
• The program demonstrates how your degree can give you options in the creative industries and beyond.

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Other:

• The University of Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies.
However, the courses, services, and other matters may be subject to change.

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The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are: Full-timePart-time UK £9,250£4,625 EU £18,600£9,300 International £18,600£9,300 For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.

Your fee status The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process.

University of Kent

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Overview:

The University of Kent is a public research university located in Canterbury, Kent, England. It is known for its commitment to ambition and providing a supportive environment for students to thrive.

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Services Offered:

Guaranteed Campus Accommodation:

First-year students are guaranteed a place in campus accommodation upon accepting their offer.

Free Gym and Fitness Membership:

First-year students receive a free sport and fitness membership.

Campus Tours:

Prospective students can book tours to explore the campuses and learn more about accommodation options.

Clearing Support:

The university provides comprehensive support for students applying through Clearing, including a dedicated website with information and resources.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university emphasizes a vibrant student life with opportunities for community building, fitness, and social activities. Students can expect a welcoming and supportive environment.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Guaranteed Campus Accommodation:

Ensures a comfortable and convenient living experience.

Free Gym and Fitness Membership:

Promotes a healthy lifestyle and fosters a sense of community.

Comprehensive Clearing Support:

Provides reassurance and guidance for students applying through Clearing.

Vibrant Student Life:

Offers a range of opportunities for social interaction, personal development, and community engagement.

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Academic Programs:

The context does not provide specific details about academic programs.

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Other: