Creative Writing in the Highlands and Islands

The innovative BA (Hons) Creative Writing in the Highlands and Islands is designed to give you a solid grounding in the creative principles, in both form and structure of four of the main areas of creative writing: poetry, prose, playwriting and the screenplay. You will be encouraged to explore how these can inform and support other areas of professional writing in gaming, advertising, marketing, vlogs etc.

You will have the opportunity to present your work using traditional methods as well as using new technologies and publishing platforms. The course aims to place creative disciplines within the cultural, social, political, geographical and historical context of Scotland, and to show how they make the area culturally unique but connect it to the literature, cultural traditions and histories of its geographical neighbours.

You will be encouraged to pursue your individual creativity, along with both the necessary intellectual stimulation and understanding of the professionalism required to be a successful writer in your chosen field.

The degree capitalises on the popularity of books and series set in Scotland and beyond, and will encourage you to realise the potential opportunity these existing and developing markets represent for your work.

Module outline

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following modules:

• First draft: proposal (S1)

• First draft: reflection (S2)

• Introduction to creative writing skills: journals (S1)

• Reading as a writer (S2)

• Writing for film: Introduction to screenplay (S1)

• Writing poetry (S2)

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following modules:

• Creative project: literary competitions (S1)

• Creative project: peer assessment (S2)

• Developing creative writing skills (S1)

• Introduction to publishing (S2)

• Writing from the north: context and criticism (S1)

You will also choose one of the following modules:

• Heroic literature: epic from classical to contemporary (S2)

• Writing for children and young people (S2)

• Writing for film: writing a screenplay (S2)

Year 3 - BA

You will study the following modules:

• Authors and audience (S1)

• Creative non-fiction (S2)

• Creative project: researching your writing (S1)

• Creative project: writing what you know (S2)

• Writing experience placement (S2)

You may also choose one of the following modules:

• Branching narratives for interactive content development (S1)

• Scottish writing (S1)

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will study the following modules:

• Crime pays (S1)

• Final creative project: literary anthology (double credit) (SC)

• Publishing practice (S1)

• Social media skills for writers (S2)

• Writing in the marketplace (S2)

This outline reflects the modules as currently delivered and is subject to change.