English and Creative Writing

Let your imagination take flight as you develop your own creative voice. Explore global literature, craft original writing, and share stories that matter.

Stories have the power to entertain, challenge, and change the way we see the world. On this BA English & Creative Writing degree, you’ll explore powerful literary texts while developing your own creative practice across a range of forms and genres.

Whether you’re diving into fiction or poetry, life writing or script, at Leeds Beckett, you’ll learn from award-winning writers and expert academics. You’ll combine your passion for writing with creative opportunities and industry experience, gaining exposure to roles you might never have thought about, and building a professional transferable skill set.

As part of this course, you’ll:


• Study literature past and present, from Britain and beyond



• Develop your creative practice in a range of formats, including fiction, poetry, life writing, and script



• Work towards a major creative writing project, producing original work for publication in a collaborative compilation and helping to plan and deliver its launch



• Discover how writing responds to social, cultural, and political issues



• Become part of a thriving creative community with opportunities to connect with publishers, literary festivals, visiting writers, and cultural organisations



You’ll graduate with a portfolio of original creative work that showcases your talent, development, and professional potential.

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Find your creative voice
We’ll help you grow as both a writer and critical thinker, developing the confidence to experiment, refine your craft, and express your ideas with clarity and originality. Through workshops, discussion, collaboration, and independent creative practice, you’ll discover how storytelling can influence culture, challenge perspectives, and connect people across communities.

Study in a cultural centre
Leeds is one of the UK’s leading cultural and creative cities, home to a thriving literary, performance, and arts scene. From independent publishers and poetry events to galleries, theatres, festivals, and community arts projects, you’ll find inspiration and opportunities throughout your studies.

Through our work with cultural partners, you’ll have the chance to engage with regional events. This includes Leeds Lit Fest, poetry performances, and the Leeds West Indian Carnival, as well as with galleries and community projects across the region.

Our links with industry
Our strong connections with employers and cultural businesses help you gain valuable industry experience and understanding throughout your studies. These experiences help you build a professional portfolio, expand your network, and gain insight into how writing and communication skills are used across the creative industries and beyond.

Previous students have completed placements with publishing houses, editorial teams, and creative organisations, including Hallmark Studios, Yorkshire Food Guide, and Peepal Tree Press.

How does writing work in the real world?
As you progress, you can choose modules featuring live briefs, work-related learning, and placement options, enabling you to apply your skills in real-world settings and expand your professional network.

Why study the BA English & Creative Writing degree at Leeds Beckett University?
• Write, create, and publish through a collaborative anthology project and launch event



• Learn from award-winning writers, published authors, and researchers who are actively shaping contemporary literary culture



• Study in Leeds, one of the UK’s most vibrant creative and cultural cities



• Gain professional experience through live briefs, placements, industry partnerships, and community projects



• Explore literature from different cultures, periods, genres, and traditions while developing your own creative practice

Curiosity needs thinkers, makers, and dreamers. It needs you!

Leeds Beckett believes that when unlike minds come together, incredible things happen. That’s why they don’t just teach; they collaborate, challenge and inspire.

Their courses are meticulously designed, combining practical experience through work placements with a vibrant location at the heart of one of the UK’s largest student communities. Boasting a top 10 UK ranking for both course quality and student life (Uni Compare 2026) and a prestigious five-star QS rating, LBU sets the standard for excellence.

The university prioritises student wellbeing and stands among just seven universities nationwide to earn the University Mental Health Charter Award - proof of their unwavering commitment to advancing mental health and wellbeing.

All of this is why 98% of Leeds Beckett students and graduates would recommend studying at the university to a friend (Uni Compare, 2026 reviews).