Creative Writing with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Sheffield Hallam University

• Experiment with fiction, non-fiction, poetry, new media and script.

• Learn how the creative arts can help to make a difference across the world.

• Connect with diverse audiences through your writing.

• Kick-start your career with accredited work placements.

• Join at the foundation year and develop your personal skills, awareness of resources and commitment to the subject.

On this course, you’ll focus on your development as a writer and content creator. You’ll be supported by a network of leading practitioners, editors and publishers, graduating with the skills and real-world contacts you need to work as a writer.

How you learn

In the foundation year, you will start by developing a good foundation of knowledge but also the personal skills and awareness of resources that will help you manage your studies effectively and be self-motivated. Throughout the degree, our team of novelists, poets, scriptwriters and editors will help you become a confident writer skilled in everything from prose fiction to publishing.

Our external networks create opportunities for you to connect with professional partners, gaining valuable real-world experience of the creative industries and the vibrant Sheffield creative scene.

You learn through

• generating and pitching ideas

• workshopping your writing

• working with different audiences

• live readings and performances

• writing and sharing your work online and offline

• specialist workshops, lectures, seminars and tutorials

• live projects

• writing retreats

Applied learning Live projects

You’ll get regular opportunities to showcase your knowledge and skills to our industry and community partners. You’ll work independently and in groups throughout your studies, bringing your ideas to life in response to real briefs.

In the foundation year, you will undertake a series of projects that respond to real world debates.

Work placements

In the second year of the full degree, you’ll raise your professional profile through a placement module. You’ll have the chance to collaborate with external partners, undertake a work placement or develop your own enterprise.

Previous students on this course have worked with local schools and local children’s charities to develop materials and resources. Many have also gained experience in industries such as publishing, event design and public relations, and some have even started their own businesses.

Field trips

We run regular local, regional and international field trips at no additional cost such as writing retreats, festivals and theatre visits. These start right from the beginning of the foundation year and continue throughout your studies. Students in previous years have visited London Book Fair, as well as events in Montreal, Canada and Zagreb, Croatia. They also took part in the Festival of Debate, Doc/Fest film festival and Off the Shelf literature festival, and attended the ZEE-Jaipur Literature Festival in London.

Networking opportunities

We work with renowned festivals such as Off the Shelf and Doc/Fest and bring literary agents, publishers, and high profile writers to Sheffield to work with our students. You can take part in networking events and masterclasses, giving you a head start in the writing and publishing industries.

You’ll also have the opportunity to work with leading researchers. We have a strong alumni network and will encourage you to connect with partners outside of the University to give you the best career opportunities possible.