Choice of universities for English & creative writing

[FastAbsorbing]

DD in Y13 will most likely achieve ABB (A being in English), and will apply to English with Creative Writing. I am not British and have not been educated here and feel a little out of my depth to help her. She is very stressed about the whole process and right now she is struggling to write her personal statement and I can't even help her.

I do want to do something on the background and research some options for her. I was wondering if I could have some suggestions of the best universities she can realistically access, and that have a good feel about them and I can start making some sort of selection to go visit.

Thank you!

If she is likely to be eligible for a contextual offer then University of East Anglia:- https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/school-of-literature-drama-and-creative-writing

at postgraduate level, the creative writing course is internationally renowned, so it will be a v strong department.

Southampton is ABB; no idea about the actual course, though.

Non-contextual entry requirement at UEA is AAA, but worth including as an 'aspirational' application.

Leicester is a fantastic University. Either the general English lit course which has optional modules in creative writing, teaching etc or the combined English Lit & Creative Writing BA Hons
le.ac.uk/courses/english-with-creative-writing-ba/2024

UEA are often quite flexible on grades, particularly on results day if you've made them your first choice so definitely worth a look. DD is there on a different course and loves it.

Surrey is ABB.

Hi OP please don’t panic for a start – it will all be fine. It seems daunting but having been there twice I promise it has worked out both times.

For Eng and creative writing, I second the suggestion of Leicester – my DD was there studying Eng lit and we were so impressed by the dept – great specialists, a super supportive tutor for DD and it’s a lovely uni with a ‘village’ of first year halls and cheap private accomm after that. Offer will probs be ABB I would guess (DD got in on clearing with BCC).

UEA is also a good shout as it is known for creative writing.

My other suggestion is Brunel – it’s a bit left-field as more known for science subjects but for creative writing your prof would be Bernadine Evaristo! I knew someone who did the course there and spoke very highly of it – offer is listed as AAB-BBC (presume the lower offer is contextual?) so well worth a shot.

Wrt personal statement – the key is to say why she wants to do this course – so maybe speak about what inspired her in terms of creative writing, what books in English have really moved her, any external work she has done on that.

UEA was the first university to teach creative writing and for a long time, the only one. Then Lancaster started and has a strong undergraduate and graduate program.

Its a course you can find in a lot of places now, it will depend on the course offerings / structure / MA potential in some instances, I suspect.

Newcastle is a grade above her predicted grades but might be a good aspirational choice:

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/qw38

I've dealt with Bath Spa through my work (publishing) and was impressed by them (BBB so potentially a good insurance, if not your first choice): https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/courses/ug-creative-writing-and-english-literature/
As other posters have said UEA is very well known for its creative writing course.

Oooh that’s interesting! An ex student of mine, lovely person, is just starting this course there. Bath Spa is often disparaged on MN (which I know is meaningless haha) so that’s still good to know.

My neighbour's daughter went to Bath Spa for English and Creative Writing. She spoke highly of it.

Teacher of English and I’ve had former students speak very highly of:
uea. Home of cw, takes it seriously. Good writing festival
lancaster - city has an excellent festival/ writing scene
Manchester has a creative writing school which I think has got very good in recent years
York, also has a festival of writing
bath spa - very creative uni generally
Liverpool shown Moore’s does more genre fiction

lots of these programmes are closing down though so I’d check their longer term viability

you can also do English and usually do CW modules as a part of your options

UEA- just to add to the voices!

Just sent two students there. One got A star AB and the other BBB and both got in.

It's the doyenne of Creative Writing degrees.