Course summary
Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster.
Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don't have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.
The Foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within your chosen field. Core modules accelerate your academic and professional development , bringing together like-minded students to think about the 'big ideas' within your discipline.
You'll also take modules from areas closely related to your chosen field, giving you the chance to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective on your course. On successful completion of the Foundation year, you will be able to move on to study for the Creative Writing and English Literature BA Honours degree over a further three years study.
Our course combines the study of literary and non-literary texts in English with the development of your own creative writing skills. The study of texts and their background in the history of ideas informs your progress as a writer, while your experience of writing in a variety of genres (the novel, the short story, poetry and drama) enhances your appreciation of literature.
Our course takes full advantage of our central London location through visits and the opportunity for internships as part of your study.
This course will be of particular interest to those who wish to write or develop their reading with the experience that comes from writing literary texts. You’ll gain the knowledge and understanding necessary to begin a career in freelance writing, publishing, theatre, or teaching literature and creative writing. The course will also equip you with the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.
Your work in creative writing will move in tandem with your study in English literature, particularly in Year 3, when you will produce either a single substantial work (novel, play) or a portfolio of shorter work (short fiction, poetry) while studying related literature modules.
Our course will enable you to develop a deep understanding of British society and literature’s place within it by investigating the codes and conventions that have emerged in a variety of social and historical contexts, and the ways in which these have guided both literary and non-literary representation. You’ll also be able to relate the study of English literature and your own writing to the broader context of Western history and thought.
Top reasons to study with us
- Fantastic location for the creative industries - London has unrivalled access to publishing houses, film production companies, theatre and poetry networks, and other literary opportunities
- Writer-led workshops - all of our creative writing tutors are either practising poets, dramatists or novelists
- Subject-leading researchers - our English Literature staff are leading experts in their fields, producing internationally recognised research that they bring straight back into the classroom
- Gain valuable industry contacts - you’ll have the opportunity to make writing contacts through our talented creative writing tutors, our expert guest speakers and our industry links
- Get experience before graduating – you’ll have the option to do a work placement as part of this course.
- Opportunities to gain international experience - our students enjoy regular field trips and amazing opportunities to travel, work and study abroad