Description

Creative Writing is taught by a team of award-winning writers, and helps to foster skills that matter in the workplace as much as on the page. Communication, creativity, reflection, analysis and collaboration are at the heart of this degree.

Whether students are penning their own poetry, finding their way with fiction, shaping scripts, exploring creative non-fiction or experimental writing, this Creative Writing Programme enables students to develop work in a variety of forms and genres.

It’s an exciting time to join YSJ. Students will become part of the York Centre for Writing, a hub for innovative new work with strong links to the wider literary community and to the publishing industry. Their participation in the annual York Literature Festival will give them the chance to study and learn directly from many popular and internationally-acclaimed writers. They also have regular visits from industry professionals and innovators, including agents, publishers and literary activists.

Good writing comes through good reading, so this course emphasises the importance of engaging with the wider world of literature in order to develop students' own style. They’ll study brilliant writing from the past, as well as learning from contemporary creative practitioners. They’ll learn to read and analyse texts to develop a deeper understanding and they’ll have the chance to get involved in events, performances and publications.

At YSJ they place a strong emphasis on giving them transferable skills, so that whether they pursue a career in writing, the arts or another profession, they’ll have the empathy, insight, independent thinking and experiences to help them succeed. Students will develop both intellectual skills and the practical skills necessary for employability, as well as gaining a wealth of experience relevant to the publishing industry and beyond.