Students in an English lecture Rows of English students in a lecture room

Course Summary

The Creative Writing course gives you the opportunity to develop the skills and techniques to become a creative writer in poetry, drama and fiction (flashes, short stories and novels), and also to write critically. We are fortunate to have a number of highly successful published writers of fiction and poetry amongst our lecturers, who can share their insights with you. Our commitment to contemporary literature and our contacts with eminent authors allow us to place your degree studies in Creative Writing in an exciting wider context. We will also give you guidance on how you can get your work published, so that you can share your success with others.  

By studying our History course, you will explore the past and prepare for your future with modules covering a thousand years of local, national and international history. Set within the historic environment of Chester, our exciting course offers not only an exploration of the past but also a gateway to your future. Our inclusive curriculum means that you will challenge existing narratives about the past, and be encouraged to think critically about how and why these narratives have developed. You will also explore important themes and issues relating to race, diversity, gender, imperialism, conflict and climate change. Through the study of the past, we can make sense of our present and start to think about how to work together to shape our future.  Join our passionate team to start shaping your future. 

Why you’ll Love it

Who you’ll Learn from

Dr Graham Atkin

Senior Lecturer in English Literature
Dr Graham Atkin

Dr Kara Critchell

Senior Lecturer in History; Programme Leader BA History
Dr Kara Critchell

How you’ll Learn

Creative Writing assessment varies from module to module: you will compile portfolios of creative writing; write critical and self-reflective prose; and also do a range of other kinds of assessed work. There are no formal written exams. 

The vast majority of your teaching in History will be in small groups, in seminars and tutorials, but you will also get the chance to meet everyone in your year in large lectures for the core modules. When we can, we’ll take you out on field trips to historic locations or heritage sites for ‘hands-on’ learning. You will be assessed through a wide range of coursework methods, all of which are designed not only to test your understanding of history but also to allow you to develop and demonstrate skills that are essential for success after university. These include essays, source analyses, literature reviews and oral presentations, but also reflective exercises, digital assignments including video essays and other digital media, poster presentations and portfolios. There are no exams on our History course.   

Beyond the Classroom

On this course, you have the opportunity to spend five weeks working for a host organisation via our innovative Work Based Learning module. You’ll have the chance to test-drive a future career, boost your CV and gain real work experience.  

Our Experiential Overseas Learning module offers a unique opportunity to participate in a short-term placement around the world. 

This course offers the exciting opportunity to study abroad for a full academic year at one of our bilateral exchange partners or through ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs), a network of over 300 additional higher education institutions worldwide. 

 

 

Entry Requirements

112 UCAS Points

GCE A Level

 

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

Must include a Humanities-based essay writing subject such as English Language or Literature, Philosophy, Religious Studies, History or Classical Civilisation.

BTEC

Considered alongside one of the A level subjects listed above

International Baccalaureate

26 points, including 5 in HL History

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4, including History

Scottish Highers - BBBB including History

Access requirements

45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above (15 of which must be in History)

T Level

Considered alongside one of the A level subjects listed above

OCR Cambridge Technicals

Considered alongside one of the A level subjects listed above

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. 

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Where you'll Study Exton Park, Chester

Fees and Funding

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2024/25 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU starting in or after the 2021/22 academic year will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

£13,950 per year (2024/25)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £13,950. 

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.  

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.

Your future Career

Job prospects

Creative Writing graduates typically follow careers in such areas as journalism, editing, teaching, copywriting, marketing, arts administration, librarianship, broadcasting and public relations. Many follow up their degree with postgraduate study. Creative writing teaches many transferable skills, such as communication, persuasion, presentation, listening, working independently, and time management.  

History graduates from Chester have pursued a wide range of careers reflecting the excellent transferable skills offered by a History degree, including - amongst many others - careers in teaching, law, the civil service, publishing, business, IT, and research. History continues to be one of the most attractive degrees to employers and we work closely with our students and the Careers Service to help students develop a range of transferable skills. 

Progression options

Should you decide to further your journey in Higher Education, we offer a broad choice of professional, internationally recognised qualifications. This can be a popular option for students interested in developing their knowledge within a specialist area, or gaining the necessary qualification to further their career. 

Here are just some of the areas our students have gone on to: 

Postgraduate Opportunities 

  • Creative Writing: Writing and Publishing Fiction 

  • Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture 

  • English Language and Linguistics

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.