BA Writing and English Literature
About this course
BA (Hons) Writing and English Literature is an undergraduate degree that combines creative writing workshops with the historical and critical study of English literature. Core topics include Research Methods, Project Management, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course offers flexible study routes including a standard three-year pathway or a four-year option with a professional placement. The first year introduces the history of English literature from early texts to the present day alongside foundational modules such as Introduction to Imaginative Writing, Screenwriting: The Short Film, Contemporary Publishing for Writers, Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing, Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment, and Into ARU. The second year expands into genre-specific techniques and historical periods through modules including Writing Short Fiction, Writing for the Stage, Nineteenth Century Literature and the Environment, Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters, and the Ruskin Module, alongside optional choices like Writing Creative Non-Fiction, Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations, Online Journalism, and the Anglia Language Programme. The final year focuses on advanced creative practice and critical engagement through compulsory modules like Writing Poetry and Writing and the Present. Students can further tailor their studies by selecting from optional modules such as Major Project Writing, Major Project English Literature, Renaissance Magic, Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama, New Media Discourse, Literature and Exile: Displacement, Identity, Self, Film Journalism, Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books, Worldbuilding 1 and 2, The Business of Being a Writer: Craft and Professional Practice, Novel Writing: Long-Form Prose, Screenwriting: Writing and Selling the Feature Film, and Crime and Detective Fiction.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
112-96 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, OCR, Access to HE and most other qualifications within the UCAS Tariff. 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above. If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 7.0 ( Academic level), or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 97%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 93%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Sales occupations: 30%
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 150 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 61%
- London: 16%
- South East: 8%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing
- Introduction to Imaginative Writing
- Screenwriting: The Short Film
- Contemporary Publishing for Writers
- Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment
- Into ARU
- Writing Short Fiction
- Writing for the Stage
- Nineteenth Century Literature and the Environment
- Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters
- Ruskin Module
- Writing Creative Non-Fiction
- Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations
- Online Journalism
- Anglia Language Programme
- Writing Poetry
- Writing and the Present
- Major Project Writing
- Major Project English Literature
- Renaissance Magic
- Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama
- New Media Discourse
- Literature and Exile: Displacement, Identity, Self
- Film Journalism
- Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books
- Worldbuilding 1 and 2
- The Business of Being a Writer: Craft and Professional Practice
- Novel Writing: Long-Form Prose
- Screenwriting: Writing and Selling the Feature Film
- Crime and Detective Fiction
- Anglia Language Programme
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Writing and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University earn?
The median salary is £23,000 after 15 months, £22,000 after 3 years, £25,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £30,500. The £25,500 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Creative writing.
What do graduates of BA Writing and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Writing and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University?
100% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Writing and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University?
The average entrant had 105 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Writing and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.