You graduated from the University of Chester in 2017 with a BA Honours Degree in English Literature with Creative Writing. Can you tell us a little bit about what you have been doing since then?

Since leaving the University of Chester I started working as a reporter at a regional North East newspaper, The Northern Echo. I spent my first 18 months there as an apprentice and gaining a few more journalism-specific qualifications, but now I work as a full-time reporter.

How has your experience as an English Literature and Creative Writing student at the University of Chester helped you with your career in journalism?

My experience at the University of Chester helped me enormously in my career in journalism. In the Creative Writing element of my degree, I was able to refine my writing through great feedback from lecturers and tips from fellow students in friendly and constructive workshops. As writing is now a big part of my job, I am thankful I had the opportunity to improve that skill.

Thanks, Paige. Can you tell us what made you choose the University of Chester to study English Literature and Creative Writing?

I chose the University of Chester to study after attending one of the University’s Open Days. I met with some of the lecturers from the Department of English and really liked the feel of the campus and the city.

One thing that drew me to the degree was the wide range of texts, novels and modules you can study. As an avid reader and writer, it made sense to me to take a Combined Honours in two subjects I was really interested in. I wanted to learn more about literature and culture while having the opportunity to develop my creative writing skills and this was a great way to do it.

What did you enjoy most about the course and other aspects of life as a student at the University of Chester?

What I enjoyed most about the course were the modules and the texts I got the chance to study – in particular I enjoyed studying Gothic Literature, Victorian Literature and the Creative Writing modules such as the Poetry ones, but there are plenty more to choose from. I also got the chance to read some novels I had always wanted to read but had never got round to, such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, and Stephen King’s The Shining.

I loved life as a student at Chester because of its community spirit. I made lasting friendships by joining a society, taking part in charity events on campus and going to the renowned SU Fridays. Everyone is in the same boat at uni so everyone lives through it together.

Finally, can I ask if you have any advice for current Creative Writing students at the University of Chester, or for potential students?

My advice to potential and current Creative Writing students is to just get involved as much as you can. Make the most of the opportunity to get some real feedback on your writing (and don’t be too disheartened if it stings the first time).

Go to the uni’s open-mic nights, and similar events, where you can share your writing with others and enjoy the work of like-minded people. Outside of your course, try joining a society because if you like it – then great!

Just get involved with everything that interests you that the uni has to offer and you will reap the benefits.