Course description

English and Creative and Professional Writing at Derby

English and Creative and Professional Writing at Derby is an exciting, diverse and challenging course that not only incorporates the close analysis of literature, but also considers the situations in which literature is produced and read. It also looks at the industry from both the perspective of the writer and the perspective of the publishing professional. Your studies will be put in a wider cultural, theoretical and cultural perspective meaning it will include the intellectual and cultural history of art, film, philosophy, linguistics and sociology, as well as contemporary cultural politics, and the world of publishing.  

This course gives you a distinct advantage in the workplace. If you want to be a writer, we’ll ensure you understand the marketplace for your work and the practicalities of getting it published. Equally, if you're an aspiring publishing professional, we’ll give you valuable insight into the creative processes, aspirations and concerns of authors and the industry.

Enrich your own writing by studying critically acclaimed and commercially successful writers, and enhance your appreciation of great literature by reflecting on your own writing practice.

Tailor your degree

With a range of optional modules across English and Creative and Professional Writing (covering various themes and theories in literature like crime, fantasy, gender and society) you’ll be able to tailor your studies to your area of interest and your career goals

Choose your pathway 

Studying an English and Creative and Professional Writing Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally.

You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally.

How you will learn

You will learn through lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will be taught in interactive and varied ways, with plenty of opportunity for you to discuss and debate ideas, so your course stays stimulating and thought-provoking. You will be able to test your ideas, clarify points and develop arguments based on your reading of primary and secondary sources. This will help you develop excellent communication skills, something that employers really value. You’ll also have the opportunity to write, market and deliver a conference paper in the second year, building a broader range of skills.

English is a subject based upon discussion and interpretation, and your English classes will reflect this, with great emphasis placed upon student contributions and presentations in addition to lectures.

How you are assessed

For Creative and Professional Writing modules, you’ll be allowed to get creative and express yourself in written work in the form of stories, poetry, scripts, blogs and press articles. You will also be assessed through traditional essays and presentations.

For English modules, our assessment strategy is designed to produce confident, articulate graduates with a broad set of skills. There are no exams and forms of assessment include seminar debates, group presentations and conference papers alongside essays and longer research projects. We place great emphasis on developing your research skills, with independent projects playing a key part in the second and third year of the course.

Who will teach you  

You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts.