University of Chester
Creative Writing and Drama BA (Hons)
University of Chester

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 20 graduates of Creative Writing and Drama BA (Hons) and other courses in Drama & Theatre at University of Chester for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Drama & Theatre.

Overall student satisfaction
77 /100
20 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in English Studies

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Drama & Theatre at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23000 £18000 £22500
25-75 percentile range £19500 - £25000 £14500 - £22500 £16500 - £26500


Salary of all UK Graduates of English Studies

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £20869 £17853 £21547
25-75 percentile range £17953 - £25162 £12636 - £22332 £15836 - £27154

Course Description

A Combined Honours degree at Chester gives you the opportunity to study two subjects. You will spend a fairly even amount of time studying each subject area, with possible opportunities to declare a major – minor towards the end of your studies.

Drama

Study a unique course where you can creatively engage with both traditional and alternative forms of theatre and performance.

This degree will provide you with opportunities to engage with a wide range of approaches to making theatre and performance. You will study a broad suite of modules which will enhance your knowledge of performance making. This includes looking at traditional forms of theatre, while also engaging with alternative forms of making performance, such as devising.

The degree focuses on practice, theory and industry which allows you to explore performance critically and practically whilst gaining a deeper understanding of diverse performance, as well as creative and research practices. There are also regular guest workshops and talks, and opportunities for work experience through our extensive industry links and our resident, professional theatre companies.

You will work with specialist and highly experienced lecturers, a wide range of professional practitioners and visiting industry professionals with a wealth of industry experience. The team currently includes experienced theatre directors, applied theatre practitioners, and experts in actor training and physical theatre. Alongside this, you can work with specialists in areas such as live art and interactive digital performance. There are a number of extracurricular activities to get involved with, such as regular trips to theatres, galleries and other creative spaces.

Creative Writing

Unleash your creativity and discover what makes good writing great as you produce and reflect on your own fiction, poetry and drama.

This course helps you to develop the skills and techniques to become a creative writer in poetry, drama and fiction (flashes, short stories, novels), and also to write critically. We have a number of highly successful published writers of fiction and poetry in the Department, who can share their insights with you.

Learn how your own work fits into the wider world of literature and contemporary publishing. Study the works and techniques of successful poets, novelists and dramatists to inform your own writing; choose from a number of optional and specialist modules; and pursue and complete a writing project of your own choice.

The Department’s commitment to contemporary literature and its contacts with eminent authors allow us to place your degree studies in Creative Writing in an exciting wider context. We will also give you guidance on how you can get your work published, so that you can share your success with others. At Chester, we pride ourselves on teaching Creative Writing in a professional but supportive environment.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Creative Writing and Drama BA (Hons) at University of Chester

30% Sales occupations
15% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10% Welfare and housing associate professionals
10% Elementary occupations
10% Caring personal services
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Administrative occupations
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Sales occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals

**For Creative Writing, assessment varies from module to module:** you will compile portfolios of creative writing; write critical and self-reflective prose; and also do a range of other kinds of assessed work. There are no formal written exams. For Drama, assessment combines practical presentations and performances, and oral assessments in which you are invited to discuss your work. Written assessment takes the form of academic essays rather than unseen examinations.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

112 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent. Typical offer - BCC/BBC. Specific subjects/grades required for entry: (Drama & Theatre Studies or Performing Arts) and a Humanities-based essay writing subject such as English Literature, English Language, English Language & Literature, Philosophy, Religious Studies, History or Classical Civilisation.

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Creative Writing

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

A Level General Studies accepted; Welsh Baccalaureate accepted alongside A Levels/BTEC/OCRs. Please note that applicants may still be considered without a Drama/Performing Arts qualifications if they have extensive relevant experience

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Creative Writing and Drama, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Creative Writing and Drama BA (Hons)

EU £9250 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1

Additional fee information

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2
  • year 3

University Rankings

Positions of University of Chester in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Chester in related subject specific rankings.

Arts Visual & Performing

    • #20 
    • #23 
    Creative Writing
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]

Languages & Literature

    • #62 
    • #74 
    English
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]

See all 14 university rankings of University of Chester

About University of Chester

The University of Chester, as the name suggests, is a university located in Chester. The university is formally affiliated with the Christian faith, but they make it clear in their mission statement that students of all faiths or no faith at all are welcome at their university. Chester operates from a total of six campuses, five of which are in Chester, the other in Warrington, with the main campus building being known as Parkgate Road Campus.

List of 330 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Chester - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Chester

undergraduates:
8005
postgraduates:
3300
Total:
11305
  • Student Life - University of Chester
  • A City for Students: Behind the Photoshoot
  • Business and Management: meet the students
  • Meet Our Students
  • Settling in at the University of Chester
  • Sport: meet the students

Where is this programme taught

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Creative Writing and Film and Theatre BA (Hons) University of Reading 83% 0% 10% £9250 £22350 135 Reading On campus Full-time
Creative Writing and History BA (Hons) Aberystwyth University 96% 0% 3% £9000 £16520 129 Aberystwyth On campus Full-time
English Literature and Creative Writing (with integrated foundation year) BA (Hons) Aberystwyth University 98% 5% 15% £9000 £16520 134 Aberystwyth On campus Full-time
Creative Writing and Health & Wellbeing (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University 86% 0% 10% £9250 £12500 105 Liverpool On campus Full-time
Film and Creative Writing BA (Hons) University of Essex - 5% 10% £9250 £19500 149 Colchester On campus Full-time
Literature and Creative Writing (Including Year Abroad) BA (Hons) University of Essex 85% 5% 10% £9250 £19500 120 Colchester On campus Full-time
English Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons) Aberystwyth University 100% 5% 0% £9000 £16520 120 Aberystwyth On campus Full-time
Creative Writing and Theatre BA (Hons) University of Reading 83% 0% 10% £9250 £22350 145 Reading On campus Full-time
Creative Writing BA (Hons) Liverpool John Moores University 89% 10% 20% £9250 £16100 135 Liverpool On campus Full-time
Childhood & Youth and Creative Writing (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University 78% 10% 5% £9250 £12500 112 Liverpool On campus Full-time