Journalism with Creative Writing

Journalism and creative writing might seem like separate crafts, but the best work in both fields draws on the same core instincts: curiosity, precision in language, a sense of structure, and the ability to tell a compelling story. The best journalism is creative, making people think, laugh, or change their minds, and creative writing skills can sharpen a journalist's ability to engage an audience. Equally, the discipline of reporting, fact-checking, and writing to a brief can make creative writers more precise and purposeful.

At the University of Leicester, this three-year full-time programme treats the two as genuinely complementary.

You will develop your journalistic skills across print, digital, broadcast, and multimedia forms, learning how to find and verify stories, interview sources, and write to deadline. Creative writing strands ask you to experiment with fiction, non-fiction, and other forms, developing your own voice and learning to revise your work through peer critique and workshop. The programme includes a sandwich year with a year abroad and work placement opportunities, giving you international experience alongside real professional exposure in media or writing-related settings.

Together, these structural features help you graduate with a portfolio of work and a clear professional identity. Entry typically requires around 120 UCAS tariff points.

Graduates go into journalism, digital content creation, copywriting, public relations, communications, editorial work in publishing, and broadcast media. The research skills, adaptability, and clarity of expression the degree develops are also valued in teaching, the charity sector, and policy communications. Many students continue to postgraduate journalism programmes or creative writing MAs.