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Best uni for English & Creative writing? Lancaster? Nottingham?

69 replies

BonnesVacances · 12/10/2021 19:24

DS wants to do English and Creative Writing. All he's ever wanted to do is be a writer. He's doing English Lang A level and many unis want Lang Lit A level, if not just Lit. But that's ok as he wants to do language-focussed study not literature anyway and he knew that when he chose his A levels. And he's doing a Lit extension.

Top of the list so far is Lancaster (AAB). He'll also look at Nottingham (AAA) and Loughborough (AAB). The grades are achievable, but are by no means guaranteed, so insurance options are either Manchester Met and Brighton which are BBB-BBC.

Am I right in thinking that Lancaster is the best place for linguistics? Even though Nottingham is asking for AAA I'm assuming that's because it's RG rather than because of its outstanding linguistics courses? Or do I have that all wrong? The website for Lancaster says it's 3rd in the UK for linguistics and I think Oxbridge are 1st & 2nd, not Nottingham.

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DeJaDont · 13/10/2021 13:19

I did my degree and master in English and creative writing at EdgeHill. It's a wonderful university, the head of CW is a ptoffesor called Alisa Cox. She specialises in short Stories. Peter Wright is just a fabulous charismatic guy and he does a module on world building for table top games etc. The entire department is jam packed with super talented people. But it really depends on what sort of writer you are hoping for? Edge Hills poetry and fiction tutors are very strong but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for screen writing/script plays. One of the Manchester units has a much stronger department in that area and do courses specifically in script writing. Every year students are encouraged to watch DRs or Holly oaks and then write a few future story lines. The best in the year get work placements to learn the craft on site.

If all he wants to do is become a writer, he should be writing now. Search literary journals on Twitter.... cabinet of heed, Kelly fish review, etc. He needs to be submitting writing now in he hopes to get onto a top course as he will need to show he is a practicing writer or at least working towards a decent port folio that he can improve on. Local writers groups are always good. There are also several writers forums for getting feed back. I will attach some books that I found really helped e to learn the science behind writing such as story arcs, anti heroes, exposition etc.

He also needs to be reading what ever genre he is most interested in. For short story's, Roald Dahls the great automatic gramatizator is great. For interesting literary fiction "even the dogs" is beautifully written but haunting. Atlantic drift is a good pretty collection ( R shepherd is of Edge Hill) . Any screen plays. A good writer reads and reads and reads. Then they write.

Best uni for English & Creative writing? Lancaster? Nottingham?
Best uni for English & Creative writing? Lancaster? Nottingham?
Best uni for English & Creative writing? Lancaster? Nottingham?
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EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues · 13/10/2021 13:20

He wants to study language, and things like dialogue, gender representation

Without literature? Shock

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Gherkingreen · 13/10/2021 13:53

As a former journalist I'd strongly recommend not doing a journalism degree, but focus on other subjects like politics/law
/history/sociology/languages/other social sciences at degree level then get a postgrad in journalism. Gives a much broader base and more appealing from an employer's perspective.

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Ethelswith · 13/10/2021 14:08

It might be worth looking at Newcastle (fantastic city to live in) - the joint honours in LIt and Lang might interest him, and it looks as if you can swerve Shakespeare and there is a CW module.

www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/q300/

The department also has other lit, lang and linguistics courses inc creative writing. Or you can put them into a Combined Studues degree (essentially liberal arts, pick and mix)

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BonnesVacances · 13/10/2021 14:22

DS wants to write fiction atm. He's also involved in drama so perhaps screenplays but that will all sort itself out in time if he keeps the course broad. He's been writing since forever, has several books on the go that he's writing, is always asking about how to get an agent, and got into the last 1,000 in the 500 Words competition a few years ago.

Every teacher has said they fully expect to receive a first edition copy of his first book Grin but realise this is a competitive industry etc etc and that doesn't necessarily translate into any concrete. So this is just about finding the right course to inspire him and keeping his options open.

He is on some aspirational programme for high achievers at college re routes and universities so I'm sure he'll get lots of guidance there too. Lancaster sprung to mind immediately when he started looking but there have been some helpful suggestions here, so thank you.

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BonnesVacances · 13/10/2021 14:26

Thanks @DeJaDont I'll order those books for him for Christmas.

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TizerorFizz · 13/10/2021 20:03

I have a sneaking suspicion that a great many authors didn’t study CS at all. They just wrote and polished their work as they matured. For mental CW doesn’t pay the bills. Many journalists don’t make £10,000 a year because it’s piecework. I would advocate doing the best degree he can at the best university and blog, write, edit a magazine whilst there.

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Piggywaspushed · 13/10/2021 20:05

Many, many modern authors have Creative Writing MAs.

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TizerorFizz · 13/10/2021 21:20

Who? Journalists rarely.

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Piggywaspushed · 13/10/2021 21:25

To be fair you said authors...

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TizerorFizz · 13/10/2021 21:38

Two separate comments. Which well known authors have a creative writing BA? The thread isn’t about MAs. He’s not got a first degree yet! So can we compare apples with apples? MA isn’t the same. It’s also a journalism MA that matters. An undergrad journalism degree isn’t highly valued.

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Piggywaspushed · 13/10/2021 21:41

What I meant was that creative writing is spreading as an academic study and lots of high calibre unis offer it, both at under and postgraduate. The OP says her DS wants to write fiction. A CW degree is analytical and rigorous.

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Newmum29 · 13/10/2021 21:45

I studied English at Nottingham and my sister did the same course at Bristol and my brother at UEA. We all loved our individual courses and unis but they’re very different.

Bristol is a more classic literature degree. Nottingham is varied (lit and language, you can do modules in old English, Middle English, language discourse, language analytics etc). UAE has a good rep for American literature and I believe they’re creative writing course is excellent.

They’re always oversubscribed courses and very competitive. Helps to submit your own writing if you have it, basically the only way to get in to Oxford /Cambridge is to be a published poet!

Are they doing the advanced extension award? I had a distinction in this which helped me get in with AAB.

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Newmum29 · 13/10/2021 21:48

Their*

I actually think from what you said about your son and his interests Nottingham would be great. I almost became a sleeve therapist because the language modules were so in depth (learn about aphasia etc). The drama modules were also exceptional.

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ShirleyBadass · 13/10/2021 21:51

Bath Spa?

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Halfpace · 13/10/2021 22:12

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues

He wants to study language, and things like dialogue, gender representation

Without literature? Shock

Yes, this is something he needs to think about. I’ve taught in several English and CW departments, and every one has required students to read and analyse vast amounts of literature, across genres. That’s why universities want EngLit A-level, in part — to show a commitment to reading. No one wants CW students who think they can be writers without reading. (A sprinkle seem to make it in annually, and are gobsmacked to find how much reading is required.)
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MarchingFrogs · 14/10/2021 06:58

They’re always oversubscribed courses and very competitive. Helps to submit your own writing if you have it, basically the only way to get in to Oxford /Cambridge is to be a published poet!

First statement - possibly / probably
Second - do you mean, send the department random unsolicited pieces of work (aside from those specified as part of the application process for Oxford / Cambridge)?
Third statement - really?

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TorchFire · 14/10/2021 07:52

@MarchingFrogs

They’re always oversubscribed courses and very competitive. Helps to submit your own writing if you have it, basically the only way to get in to Oxford /Cambridge is to be a published poet!

First statement - possibly / probably
Second - do you mean, send the department random unsolicited pieces of work (aside from those specified as part of the application process for Oxford / Cambridge)?
Third statement - really?

Yes, to your second point — any reputable course that wants to recruit non-beginner writers will require a portfolio to demonstrate your longterm commitment to writing. It doesn’t need to be published, but prizes, publications etc will definitely help.

And to your third pt — I know nothing about Cambridge, but as far as I’m aware all Oxford CW courses are postgraduate and part-time, or short non-degree courses, and require a first or 2.1 first degree, so aiming for a different cohort.
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EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues · 14/10/2021 07:54

basically the only way to get in to Oxford /Cambridge is to be a published poet!

I can tell you that if you enquire about a CW postgrad at at least one of the two, you’re likely to be asked, at a very early stage, what prizes you’ve won …

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Musmerian · 14/10/2021 08:00

Bath Spa, Manchester and Birmingham all good for Creative Writing these days. Linguistics is more of a specialist thing and there may be a module within the English part of the course. FWIW reading literature is the best preparation for any writer.

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daisypond · 14/10/2021 08:08

The Birmingham course is English Literature and Creative Writing, and the OP’s son doesn’t have the right A levels to be eligible for it.

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FourFourthsDontCare · 14/10/2021 08:16

I’m an author with an MA from one of the universities mentioned on this thread. I also have a first degree - and a first career - in an unrelated subject.

What I’d say to your son is that regardless of what undergrad degree he chooses, he needs to read, write, read, write, read etc. He’s probably heard it said how writing is a muscle - and muscles atrophy without constant practice. Reading is just as important: it’s a how-to, a benchmark and inspiration in one absorbing package. I know a lot of writers and while many don’t have a CW degree and a few choose not to read fiction while in the midst of their own work, books and what to read next are, without exception, one of their (our!) favourite topics. Apologies if I’m veering into grandmother egg-sucking territory here - and good luck and All The Best Stories to your son wherever he does his degree.

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Hdhdjejdj · 14/10/2021 08:24

Liverpool John Moores and Salford are also worth looking at. They have good reputations and turn out some people who go on to have great careers, especially in the screenwriting fields.

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TorchFire · 14/10/2021 08:30

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues

basically the only way to get in to Oxford /Cambridge is to be a published poet!

I can tell you that if you enquire about a CW postgrad at at least one of the two, you’re likely to be asked, at a very early stage, what prizes you’ve won …

Sure, they’ll ask for indications of independent evidence of your level, like prizes or publications, but I think that’s fair enough if it’s for an MA or MSt and they specifically want non-beginners. I mean, they also want a first or 2.1, though they do make exceptions.
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TorchFire · 14/10/2021 08:32

Sorry, that was to @FourFourthsDontCare. And I agree totally about how much reading you will be required on virtually any reputable CW course. I think some prospective students imagine it’s going to be nothing but workshopping people’s work.

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