Literature and Creative Writing

Explore the urge to create and build new worlds, to share language and stories with others. On our course you will reflect on how literature shapes, and is shaped by the world, as well as honing the craft of writing through a multi-genre approach. Drawing on key texts and ideas, you’ll develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills that will help you to make your own mark. To develop your own creative writing, we offer an unusual approach to the practice of writing, combing innovative and traditional methods in order to develop your writing skills and abilities to judge your work critically, while expanding your knowledge across different modes and genres. On our four-year MLitSt Literature and Creative Writing, you will be part of an interdisciplinary department and well-established home to practising poets, dramatists, novelists and critics.

A good literature degree opens many doors and our students have gone on to work in a number of careers such as writers, and others are now established as scholars, university lecturers, teachers, publishers, publishers’ editors, journalists, arts administrators, theatre artistic directors, drama advisers, and translators. Our recent graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of desirable roles including: Theatre Journalism and broadcasting The Civil Service Marketing Museum and library work Commerce and finance Teaching

Work while you study

You can also work on a UK student visa, from 10 to 20 hours per week during the academic year, 40 hours per week or full-time during vacations.

Partnerships

Most universities in England have partnerships with different companies and organisations to ensure their students get enough professional training as students. In addition to increasing their students' chances to get hired by one of the universities. University of Essex has partnerships with the following companies: