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  • Engineering
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  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

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  • History
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  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
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  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
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  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

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  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
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  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

BA Creative Writing and Film & Theatre

  • UCAS code
    WW48
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

Develop and hone your writing skills, and explore the important relationships between film and theatre, in our BA Creative Writing and Film & Theatre course.

Taught jointly by the Department of English Literature and the Department of Film, Theatre and Television, this multi-faceted course will:

  • develop your creative writing in a small-group environment
  • explore a variety of literary, dramatic and film texts
  • provide practical and theoretical approaches to film and theatre.

Creative writing, film and theatre complement each other perfectly. Developing characters and narratives in your creative writing, and working to improve and refine them, will make you a better writer. This will enhance your ability to create compelling characters and narratives in your filmmaking and theatre work.

Creative writing

Creative writing allows you to explore your creativity from all angles: creating characters, shaping poems, drawing on your imagination. We are ranked 11th for Creative Writing in the Complete University Guide 2023.

We offer a specially curated group of English literature modules, which are designed to complement your creative writing. You’ll gain knowledge of a variety of literary, dramatic and film texts, from a range of different periods. The course aims to foster your independent thinking, using the close reading and analytical skills that are fundamental to English literature, film and theatre.

We place a strong emphasis on small-group learning within a friendly and supportive environment. Workshops are central to our creative writing community, helping you to form relationships with your peers and feel more confident about your work.

Your learning environment

Modules are taught by practising, published authors who have strong links with professional writing communities. We regularly invite published authors to read from their work and participate in teaching.

We’ll help you develop your creative writing skills in a variety of settings:

  • lectures concentrate on specific, practical issues such as how to construct a character or tackle a specific literary form
  • seminars involve small group discussions, led by one of the teaching team, with short practical writing exercises
  • workshops allow you to explore and develop your writing in small peer groups.

Creative community

The Department of English Literature fosters a creative writing community that is friendly, cohesive and committed. As well as learning from lecturers, you’ll learn from each other by sharing your work in progress. Outside the classroom, you can share your ideas with the University’s creative writing group, Scribblers, which is run by and for students from across the University.

You will also have the opportunity to publish your work – and gain experience in editing and publishing – by participating in our online creative magazine.

Film and theatre

Your film and theatre modules will allow you to explore your passion for both mediums. You’ll also have the opportunity to study modules in television.

During your studies, you will:

  • examine critical approaches to film, theatre and television
  • have the opportunity to develop your practical and technical skills
  • discover how theatre, film and television have been affected by different social and historical contexts.

You’ll be introduced to film and theatre from across the world and study narrative traditions from both theoretical and practical perspectives. This will enable you to understand how theoretical ideas are applied to, and have an impact on, the creative process. You’ll watch, interpret and debate a wide range of film, theatre and television.

You’ll have the opportunity to undertake selected group-based practical work, which will help you develop your creativity, storytelling and practical skills, and you’ll learn in the dynamic, fully-equipped spaces of Minghella Studios.

A key benefit of studying at Reading is our close proximity to London – undoubtedly the UK’s premier hub for all things film and theatre. You will have numerous opportunities to visit theatres and see performances as part of your degree.

Placements with BA Creative Writing and Film & Theatre

Our innovative placement scheme gives you the chance to undertake an academic placement in commerce, industry or the arts.

Study abroad

In your second year, you can spend a semester studying abroad at one of our partner institutions in the USA, Canada, Australia, or countries across Europe. To find out more, visit our Study Abroad site.

Overview

Develop and hone your writing skills, and explore the important relationships between film and theatre, in our BA Creative Writing and Film & Theatre course.

Taught jointly by the Department of English Literature and the Department of Film, Theatre and Television, this multi-faceted course will:

  • develop your creative writing in a small-group environment
  • explore a variety of literary, dramatic and film texts
  • provide practical and theoretical approaches to film and theatre.

Creative writing, film and theatre complement each other perfectly. Developing characters and narratives in your creative writing, and working to improve and refine them, will make you a better writer. This will enhance your ability to create compelling characters and narratives in your filmmaking and theatre work.

Creative writing

Creative writing allows you to explore your creativity from all angles: creating characters, shaping poems, drawing on your imagination. We are ranked 11th for Creative Writing in the Complete University Guide 2023.

We offer a specially curated group of English literature modules, which are designed to complement your creative writing. You’ll gain knowledge of a variety of literary, dramatic and film texts, from a range of different periods. The course aims to foster your independent thinking, using the close reading and analytical skills that are fundamental to English literature, film and theatre.

We place a strong emphasis on small-group learning within a friendly and supportive environment. Workshops are central to our creative writing community, helping you to form relationships with your peers and feel more confident about your work.

Your learning environment

Modules are taught by practising, published authors who have strong links with professional writing communities. We regularly invite published authors to read from their work and participate in teaching.

We’ll help you develop your creative writing skills in a variety of settings:

  • lectures concentrate on specific, practical issues such as how to construct a character or tackle a specific literary form
  • seminars involve small group discussions, led by one of the teaching team, with short practical writing exercises
  • workshops allow you to explore and develop your writing in small peer groups.

Creative community

The Department of English Literature fosters a creative writing community that is friendly, cohesive and committed. As well as learning from lecturers, you’ll learn from each other by sharing your work in progress. Outside the classroom, you can share your ideas with the University’s creative writing group, Scribblers, which is run by and for students from across the University.

You will also have the opportunity to publish your work – and gain experience in editing and publishing – by participating in our online creative magazine.

Film and theatre

Your film and theatre modules will allow you to explore your passion for both mediums. You’ll also have the opportunity to study modules in television.

During your studies, you will:

  • examine critical approaches to film, theatre and television
  • have the opportunity to develop your practical and technical skills
  • discover how theatre, film and television have been affected by different social and historical contexts.

You’ll be introduced to film and theatre from across the world and study narrative traditions from both theoretical and practical perspectives. This will enable you to understand how theoretical ideas are applied to, and have an impact on, the creative process. You’ll watch, interpret and debate a wide range of film, theatre and television.

You’ll have the opportunity to undertake selected group-based practical work, which will help you develop your creativity, storytelling and practical skills, and you’ll learn in the dynamic, fully-equipped spaces of Minghella Studios.

A key benefit of studying at Reading is our close proximity to London – undoubtedly the UK’s premier hub for all things film and theatre. You will have numerous opportunities to visit theatres and see performances as part of your degree.

Placements with BA Creative Writing and Film & Theatre

Our innovative placement scheme gives you the chance to undertake an academic placement in commerce, industry or the arts.

Study abroad

In your second year, you can spend a semester studying abroad at one of our partner institutions in the USA, Canada, Australia, or countries across Europe. To find out more, visit our Study Abroad site.

Entry requirements A Level BBB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme. 

Typical offer

BBB including a grade B in English Literature or a related subject. Related subjects include: English Language, English Language and Literature, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Creative Writing.

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall including 5 in English at higher level.

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM (Modules taken must be comparable to subject specific requirement)

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Introduction to Creative Writing
  • Poetry in English
  • Analysing Theatre & Performance
  • Approaches to Film 

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Optional modules:

  • Creative Writing Dissertation
  • Film and / or Theatre Dissertation
  • Creative Research Project

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £22,350

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government's guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

As a creative writing graduate, you will enter the job market with well-developed communication, research and writing skills, together with a high level of cultural literacy and critical sophistication. According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, 89% of English literature graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating.

To prepare you for the future, an emphasis on professional skills is built into all of our courses. Our flexible degrees are designed to develop the skills valued by both creative and commercial industries, providing you with a diverse range of career opportunities following graduation.

Many of our alumni work in the creative industries, in roles such as:

  • theatre director
  • arts management
  • actor
  • playwright
  • film director
  • television producer
  • critic.

Graduates also go on to work in:

  • commercial marketing and media
  • advertising
  • journalism
  • teaching.

Study Creative Writing at the University of Reading

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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Related Subjects


  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Film & Television
  • Theatre & Performance
  • English Literature

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