English Literature with Creative Writing

English literature with creative writing is a degree that treats reading and writing as two sides of the same practice. Literary study examines how writers have used language, form and narrative to create meaning, exploring a wide range of texts and periods and developing the critical vocabulary and analytical precision to understand how literature works. Creative writing develops your own voice and craft, asking you to make the same kinds of choices, about form, structure, character, language and perspective, that the writers you study have made.

The two strands reinforce each other: reading closely informs writing, and writing attempts teach you to read differently.

At the University of Leeds you will study English literature with creative writing over three years of full-time study, engaging with a wide range of texts and creative forms across the degree. A sandwich year and the opportunity for a year abroad add professional and international experience to your formation, and work placement is integrated into the programme, connecting your creative and analytical development to professional contexts. The typical tariff of 152 reflects the intellectual standards expected at one of the UK's leading schools of English, and Leeds has a distinguished tradition in both literary scholarship and creative writing.

Graduates work as writers, editors, journalists, publishers, communications professionals, arts administrators, educators and in a wide range of creative and cultural roles. Many develop portfolio careers that combine their own creative practice with other employment, including teaching, freelance writing, editorial work or communications. The analytical and communication skills developed through close literary study are valued across many sectors beyond the creative industries.

Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in English literature, creative writing, publishing, education or a range of humanities disciplines, and the combination of critical and creative ability developed through this degree is a strong foundation for either research-level academic work or a range of professional creative careers.