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BA English Literature and Creative Writing

Lancaster University

About this course

BA Hons in English Literature and Creative Writing, an English Literature and Creative Writing degree centred on literary analysis, criticism and creative practice. Core topics include Research Methods, Project Management, Critical & Analytical Thinking. Time is divided evenly between the two subjects, allowing students to hone their craft through professional support from published authors and participate in student-run literary journals and events. The first year introduces foundational study through Literature in Time and Introduction to Creative Writing, alongside optional choices such as World Literatures, Re-Making Tradition, The Arts and Identity, British Cinema, Understanding Media and Culture, and Foundations of Language. The second year advances core skills via Critical Theory, Developing Your Writing Practice, and Writing Fiction, while offering optional modules like Critical Practice, Medieval to Early Modern Literature, Victorian Literature, American Literature, Postcolonial Literature, Literary Adaptation, Writing Poetry, Playwriting, and Taking an Idea and Making it Happen. The final year centres on the Advanced Creative Writing Workshop core module, alongside optional choices such as Shakespeare, Romanticism, Austen and the Brontës, Gothic and Science Fiction, Modernism, Contemporary Literature, Literature and Environment, Special Topics in Theory, English Literature Dissertation, Writing Beyond the Text, Writing Beyond the Moment, Writing Beyond the Self, Artistic Fusions, Queer Futures, and Live Performance Criticism.

Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.

Institution
Lancaster University
Level
undergraduate
Subject
English Literature and Creative Writing
Duration
3 years
UCAS code
QW38
Typical offer
A-level ABB, IB 32
Median salary
£29,000 after 5 years

Entry requirements

A level: ABB IB: 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects

See the highest paying Languages & English degrees in the UK →

Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)

Offer rate 74%: 69 offers from 93 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.

What students say

Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Teaching on my course: 98%
  • Learning opportunities: 87%
  • Assessment and feedback: 89%
  • Academic support: 96%
  • Organisation and management: 89%
  • Learning resources: 98%
  • Student voice: 88%

Do students stay on the course?

Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Continued on course: 90%
  • Left higher education: 10%

What graduates do next

Based on about 7 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Working: 50%
  • Working and studying: 10%
  • Further study: 20%

Most common jobs

  • Teaching Professionals: 15%
  • Elementary occupations: 10%
  • Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
  • Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
  • Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
  • Find their work meaningful: 65%
  • Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
  • Use what they learnt on the course: 45%

Where graduates work (5 years on)

Based on about 245 graduates, across similar courses at this university

  • North East: 2%
  • North West: 48%
  • Yorkshire and the Humber: 14%
  • East Midlands: 3%
  • West Midlands: 6%
  • East of England: 2%
  • London: 14%
  • South East: 7%
  • South West: 4%
  • Wales: 1%

Who gets in

Based on about 35 students who started

  • A levels: 90%
  • Baccalaureate: 5%
  • Other HE qualification: 5%

Accreditation & quality ratings

TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.

Modules

  • Literature in Time
  • Introduction to Creative Writing
  • World Literatures
  • Re-Making Tradition
  • The Arts and Identity (Discovery module)
  • British Cinema
  • Understanding Media and Culture
  • Foundations of Language
  • Critical Theory
  • Developing Your Writing Practice
  • Writing Fiction
  • Critical Practice
  • Medieval to Early Modern Literature
  • Victorian Literature
  • American Literature
  • Postcolonial Literature
  • Literary Adaptation
  • Writing Poetry
  • Playwriting
  • Taking an Idea and Making it Happen (Discovery module)
  • Advanced Creative Writing Workshop
  • Shakespeare
  • Romanticism
  • Austen and the Brontës
  • Gothic and Science Fiction
  • Modernism
  • Contemporary Literature
  • Literature and Environment
  • Special Topics in Theory
  • English Literature Dissertation
  • Writing Beyond the Text
  • Writing Beyond the Moment
  • Writing Beyond the Self
  • Artistic Fusions (Discovery module)
  • Queer Futures (Discovery module)
  • Live Performance Criticism

Questions about this course

How much do graduates of BA English Literature and Creative Writing at Lancaster University earn?

The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £34,500. The £29,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Literature in English.

What do graduates of BA English Literature and Creative Writing at Lancaster University do next?

80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).

Are students happy with the teaching on BA English Literature and Creative Writing at Lancaster University?

98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.

What grades do I need for BA English Literature and Creative Writing at Lancaster University?

The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.

What is the offer rate for BA English Literature and Creative Writing at Lancaster University?

74% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 69 offers from 93 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.

How many students continue on BA English Literature and Creative Writing at Lancaster University?

90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.