Writing and English Literature [with Placement year]

Develop as a creative and professional writer while exploring the writing that has shaped, and been shaped by, different societies.

Explore professional writing techniques and learn to write compelling narratives, whether you want to write poetry, drama, short fiction, news, features or other forms.

You’ll improve your writing skills with invaluable feedback from professional writers, and workshops with your fellow students.

You’ll also find out how English literature is shaped by its historical and cultural context and how, in turn, it influences individual readers and the whole of society.

Join a course that scored 100% for Teaching on my course, Academic support, and Freedom of students to express ideas, opinions and beliefs in the National Student Survey 2024.

Get invaluable feedback from professional writers, including our teaching staff and Royal Literary Fund Fellows.

Learn about history, politics, religion, psychology and history of art, enriching your writing.

Become part of a community of creative professionals with wide-ranging expertise.

Attend guest lectures from visiting authors, editors, agents, and more.

Prepare for your future career with modules that demystify the publishing world.

Careers

Our range of optional modules, including work-based modules in years 2 and 3, allows you to tailor your degree to your interests and ambitions.

We’ll support you to find work placements relevant to your chosen career, and you’ll have opportunities to take part in live briefs with our partner organisations.

Our students recently worked with Slow Theatre Company, producing a series of plays for their Women in Red Wiki project to increase awareness of the under-representation of women on Wikipedia.

You’ll also develop literacy, creativity, problem-solving, research, analysis, communication, and independent and team working skills, which are all highly valued by employers in many different fields.

Our BA (Hons) Writing and English Literature students go on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including journalism, teaching, writing, television, radio, the music industry, gallery work and arts administration.

Graduate Sam Millar published his first poetry collection Retail Park in 2022 with Querencia Press.

Jade Slaughter studied both her BA English Literature and MA Creative Writing at ARU, and is now Creative Content Manager for Scouts, the UK’s largest co-educational youth movement.

You might choose to stay at ARU and study a Master’s degree, like our MA English Literature or MA Creative Writing. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship to get 20% off your fees.

Teaching

In Year 1, you’ll gain a grounding in various writing techniques, and analyse what makes existing work so engaging for different audiences.

In years 2 and 3, you’ll tailor the degree to your own interests with a variety of optional modules, as well as learning the techniques and conventions of short fiction, poetry and dramatic writing, and exploring the literature and culture of the Romantic and Victorian periods.

Finally, you’ll complete an independent research project on a relevant writing or English literature topic of your choice.

At ARU, you’ll be supported from day one with wellbeing services, money advice and careers guidance to help you through university and beyond.

Their courses are built around the skills and experience employers value. ARU are proud to be in the top 20% of UK universities for teaching quality (TEF 2023), and ranked #1 in the East of England, and #8 in the UK, for UG graduates in senior roles 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025). You'll have access to fantastic facilities thanks to £95m of investment - think SuperLabs, TV studios, law courts, mock hospital wards, gaming studios and more.

Wherever you're heading, ARU will help you get there.