Creative Writing with Foundation

Writing is timeless - and vital today. At Plymouth, you'll learn from poets, novelists, journalists and more to sharpen your craft. Our expert team nurtures talent, sparks creativity and prepares you for success across writing-driven fields.

Ranked 1st in the South West
Our undergraduate creative writing courses ranked 1st in the South West and 10th in UK, according to the Complete University Guide, 2026.

Career-ready learning
Gain hands-on experience through vocational modules, internships and an optional placement year, and graduate with the skills employers seek.

Rich culture and community
Benefit from Plymouth’s vibrant arts and culture programme and partnerships with local institutions like The Box and Theatre Royal, giving you rich opportunities to engage with literature beyond the classroom.

This course is for you if...

• you are passionate about storytelling

• you are keen to keen to explore multiple genres and discover your unique voice

• you want to learn from published, award-winning writers and journalists

• you are excited to build a foundation for a rewarding career and develop creative skills that employers value.

Course Modules

Foundation year
Cover creative writing, English and history with a focus on the research and writing skills essential for success on your degree. Successful completion of the foundation year allows progression onto year 1.

Year 1
You will study core modules introducing you to fundamental elements of writing in a wide range of genres including prose, poetry, drama and professional writing. You will also learn key research skills and begin your journey as a professional.

Year 2
You’ll develop your professional skills and have the opportunity to write creatively in many forms including theatre and script writing, autobiography and biography, travel writing, and literary adaptation. You will hone your skills as a writer in weekly workshops with tutors and peers. You’ll also have the option to take specialist modules in other subjects in the school, should you wish to broaden your horizons.

Optional placement year
Undertake an optional placement year where you can build a number of key employability skills. Put theory into practice, get a taste of your chosen career and expand your professional network.

Final year
In your final year, you’ll hone your reading and writing and start to find your specialist niche. You’ll study modern experimental writing and choose from literary and creative modules focusing on specific forms, from science fiction to modern poetry and screenwriting. You’ll have a further opportunity to choose a module from another subject in the school if you wish to branch out. You’ll also design and develop your own year-long dissertation project, which you'll work on with focused support from your personal supervisor.