English and Creative and Professional Writing

This flexible and innovative degree enables you to develop your writing skills alongside discovering literature from across the world and diverse historical periods. Our graduates enjoy excellent career prospects in fields like teaching, publishing, librarianship and arts administration.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE

Boost your employability
Combining two subjects boosts your employability and gives you the opportunity to develop knowledge and expertise in two subject areas, making you a more versatile graduate.

Study fascinating subjects
English and Creative and Professional Writing at Derby is an exciting, diverse and challenging course that not only incorporates the close analysis of literature, but also considers the situations in which literature is produced and read. It also looks at the industry from both the perspective of the writer and the perspective of the publishing professional. This means your studies will include the intellectual and cultural history of art, film, philosophy, linguistics and sociology, as well as contemporary cultural politics, and the world of publishing.

A strong basis for your career
This course gives you a distinct advantage in the workplace; whether you’re interested in being a teacher, publisher, librarian or arts administrator. If you want to be a writer, we’ll ensure you understand the marketplace for your work and the practicalities of getting it published. Equally, if you're an aspiring publishing professional, we’ll give you valuable insight into the creative processes, aspirations and concerns of authors, alongside the communications skills that are vital for any publishing role.

Tailor your degree
With a range of optional modules across English and Creative and Professional Writing (covering various themes and theories in literature like crime, fantasy, gender and society) you’ll be able to tailor your studies to your area of interest and your career goals.

HOW YOU’LL LEARN:
You will learn through lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will be taught in interactive and varied ways, with plenty of opportunity for you to discuss and debate ideas, so your course stays stimulating and thought-provoking. You will be able to test your ideas, clarify points and develop arguments based on your reading of primary and secondary sources. This will help you develop excellent communication skills, something that employers really value. You’ll also have the opportunity to write, market and deliver a conference paper in the second year, building a broader range of skills.

YOUR CAREER:
Studying English and Creative Writing provides you with transferable creative and analytical skills. Employers across all sectors need people who can write and communicate well. The key skills you'll develop on this course — writing, editing, group work and presentations — are essential for many roles.

You may consider a career in:
• Writing, editing or publishing



• Journalism



• Marketing, advertising or events



• Art and Literature-based organisations such as media centres, museums or galleries



• Teaching



STUDY OPTIONS:
On the Joint Honours programme, there are different pathways of study available. You can often study both subjects equally or choose to major in a subject. Please view the course page on our website for more information on pathways.

Based solely on more than 24,000 student reviews, we were named Uni Compare's University of the Year 2027, and voted 1st in the UK for employability and 2nd in the UK for course quality. Not only that, but 97% of students would recommend the University of Derby*, which we can offer you industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, multi-award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

*Uni Compare 2027