Creative Writing and Film Studies

Why study Creative Writing and Film Studies at Liverpool John Moores University?

• Gain a holistic view of film and filmmaking, including scriptwriting, digital film production, film history and theory

• Professional guidance and peer support to help you develop your writing, production and critical skills

• Teaching is based in the Mount Pleasant Campus and film production facilities are located in the Redmonds Building, both close to Liverpool City Centre

• Liverpool has more theatres, cinemas, literary events, arts centres, galleries and museums than any city outside London

• LJMU ranked 7th university in the UK for Creative Writing (The Times UK University Rankings 2025)

• 96% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on our creative writing courses were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2025)

About your course
As a student on the BA (Hons) Creative Writing and Film Studies at Liverpool John Moores University you will taught by internationally published poets, novelists and film industry professionals.

The degree combines practice in screenwriting, digital film production, and other writing forms with a critical study of film and written texts. As the degree progresses, you will be able to specialise in screenwriting and produce your own scripts for short films (fiction and documentary) and longer dramas, as well as learning to write treatments and pitch your ideas to a professional standard.

This hybrid degree combines practical and theoretical work which allows students to pursue their own interests. You will explore the development of cinema worldwide, while providing you with extensive hands-on filmmaking and editing experience using our industry-standard facilities including a production studio, a green screen, digital cameras and designated editing suites. You’ll have the opportunity to create an impressive portfolio of your own. Liverpool is the second most filmed city in the UK after London and the perfect place to start your screenwriting and filmmaking career.

We receive regular visits from guests who are renowned in their fields, with recent talks from the likes of Andrea Gibb, Lizzie Nunnery, Stewart Harcourt, Jayshree Patel, Torfinnur Jakupsson, Phil Collinson and Russell T Davies.

You will have plenty of opportunities to hone your writing and production techniques. As you move through the three years of your degree programme, you’ll acquire a holistic understanding and knowledge of film. Towards the end of your studies, you will be expected to produce near-professional standard scripts and short films.

In addition to formally taught courses, there are opportunities for work-based learning, visits and trips, as well as encouraging independent research in almost any area of Creative Writing and Film Studies and in your final year you will be able to undertake an option in freelance writing and/or production.

Please visit the Liverpool John Moores University website for detailed module information.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

We acknowledge that all students perform differently according to the type of assessment they are given, and so you will be assessed by a combination of coursework, exams and group productions. Coursework includes essays, reviews, individual and group presentations, individual and group critical self-evaluation, logbooks, self-reflective group portfolios, research exercises, individual work-based learning reports and dissertations. Exams may be seen or unseen and may include class tests. Group productions of audio-visual artefacts include photo-storyboards, vox-pops, and factual and fictional video productions.

Your tutors will provide feedback on your assessments within 15 working days of submission and you will receive regular feedback on draft creative work submitted to workshops. We believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.