Creative Writing and Theatre BA (Hons)
University of Reading
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews of 10 graduates of Creative Writing and Theatre BA (Hons) and other courses in Creative Writing at University of Reading for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Creative Writing.
Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.
All Creative Writing courses of University of Reading
Salary
Salary of Graduates in Drama & Theatre
Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Creative Writing 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 | £20000 | £22500 | £28000 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £16500 - £25000 | £17500 - £27500 | £20000 - £33500 |
All Drama & Theatre courses of University of Reading
Salary of all UK Graduates of Drama & Theatre
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £20869 | £18076 | £21133 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £17953 - £25162 | £13138 - £22910 | £15906 - £26739 |
All Drama & Theatre Courses in the UK
Course Description
Develop and hone your writing skills, and explore the complex interplay between live performance and audience, with our BA Creative Writing and Theatre course.
Taught jointly by the Department of English Literature and the Department of Film, Theatre and Television, on this course you will:
- explore your creative writing in small peer groups
- examine theatre in its various contexts: as popular entertainment, theoretical discipline and art form
- have the opportunity to develop your practical theatre skills.
Creative writing and theatre complement each other perfectly. Exploring a breadth of dramatic work and analysing creative choices will support the development of your own creative writing. Optional practical work will enhance your ability to create compelling characters and narratives.
Creative writing
Creative writing allows you to explore your creativity from all angles: creating characters, shaping poems, drawing on your imagination. We are ranked 11th for Creative Writing in the Complete University Guide 2023.
We offer a specially curated group of English literature modules that are designed to complement your creative writing. You’ll gain knowledge of a variety of literary, dramatic and film texts, from a range of different periods. This course aims to foster your independent thinking, using the close reading and analytical skills that are fundamental to both English literature and theatre.
Modules are taught by practising, published authors who have strong links with professional writing communities. We regularly invite authors to read from their work and participate in teaching.
The Department of English Literature fosters a creative writing community that is friendly, cohesive and committed. As well as learning from lecturers, you’ll learn from each other by sharing your work in progress. Workshops are central to our creative writing community, helping you to form relationships with your peers and feel more confident about your work. Outside the classroom, you can share your ideas with the University’s creative writing group, Scribblers, which is run by and for students from across the University.
You will also have the opportunity to publish your own work – and gain experience in editing and publishing – by participating in our annual Creative Writing Anthology.
Theatre
On your theatre modules, you will analyse and discuss the plays that you love with the opportunity to learn practical skills for your future career.
During your studies at Reading you will:
- discover how directors, designers, writers and other theatre artists respond to and shape our rapidly changing world
- explore the histories and techniques of devising, producing, designing and directing
- learn how theatre works as an expression of real-world issues.
Through our partnerships and connections with the contemporary creative world, you will gain a rich and critically informed knowledge of the techniques that are shaping creative practice today.
A key benefit of studying at Reading is our close proximity to London – undoubtedly the UK’s premier hub for all things film and theatre. You will have numerous opportunities to visit theatres and see performances as part of your degree.
Theatre facilities
Combine the study of ground-breaking theory with practical application, using our purpose-built £11m Minghella Studios facilities that feature:
- three theatre spaces
- a multi-camera film and TV studio
- a digital cinema
- dedicated recording studio and mixing suite.
Placements with BA Creative Writing and Theatre
Our innovative placement scheme gives you the chance to undertake an academic placement in commerce, industry or the arts. You can also take a placement module on languages and literature in heritage, in education, in theatre, and in the media.
Students on our Literature, Languages and Education module also undertake a short placement.
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.
All Drama & Theatre courses of University of Reading
Current jobs
All courses of University of Reading
Required skill level of job after 15 months
All Creative Writing courses of University of Reading
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Creative Writing and Theatre BA (Hons) at University of Reading
| 25% | Teaching Professionals |
| 10% | Administrative occupations |
| 10% | Business and public service associate professionals |
| 10% | Sales occupations |
| 5% | Artistic, literary and media occupations |
| 5% | Customer service occupations |
| 5% | Media Professionals |
| 5% | Business, Research and Administrative Professionals |
| 5% | Finance Professionals |
| 5% | Sales occupations |
Entry Requirements / Admissions
UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Creative Writing
All Creative Writing courses of University of Reading
English language requirements
| test | Grade |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 100 |
| Cambridge English Advanced | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | |
| PTE Academic | 76 |
| Institution's Own Test | |
| Trinity ISE | |
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 100 |
| Cambridge English Advanced | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | |
| PTE Academic | 76 |
| Institution's Own Test | |
| Trinity ISE |
Costs
Tuition Fees Creative Writing and Theatre BA (Hons)
| England UK | £9250 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | year 1 |
| Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
| EU | £22350 | year 1 |
| International | £22350 | year 1 |
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:
August 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)
UCAS application code:
WW84
University Rankings
of University of Reading
among 379 universities in England UK
based on 34 different rankings
Positions of University of Reading in top UK and global rankings.
Rankings of University of Reading in related subject specific rankings.
Languages & Literature
-
-
- #33
- #43
-
- English
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 14 May, 2024]
See all 34 university rankings of University of Reading
About University of Reading
List of 375 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Reading - Course Catalogue
Student composition of University of Reading
-
Total number of students enrolled at University of Reading by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 11905
- postgraduates:
- 3995
- Total:
- 15900
-
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Creative Writing”: 540 Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught
Show on map
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 | 62% | 0% | 10% | £9250 | £22350 | 135 | Reading |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
Creative Writing and History BA (Hons) | Aberystwyth University | - | 0% | 3% | £9000 | £16520 | 129 | Aberystwyth |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
English Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons) | University of Brighton | 42% | 5% | 15% | £9250 | £13842 | 115 | Brighton |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
|
English Literature and Creative Writing (with integrated foundation year) BA (Hons) | Aberystwyth University | 77% | 5% | 15% | £9000 | £16520 | 134 | Aberystwyth |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
Film and Creative Writing BA (Hons) | University of Essex | 69% | 5% | 10% | £9250 | £19500 | 149 | Colchester |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
|
Literature and Creative Writing (Including Year Abroad) BA (Hons) | University of Essex | - | 5% | 10% | £9250 | £19500 | 120 | Colchester |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
|
English Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons) | Aberystwyth University | 66% | 5% | 0% | £9000 | £16520 | 118 | Aberystwyth |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
|
Creative Writing and Theatre BA (Hons) | University of Reading | 79% | 0% | 10% | £9250 | £22350 | 145 | Reading |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
Creative Writing BA (Hons) | Liverpool John Moores University | 76% | 10% | 20% | £9250 £9250 | £16100 £17750 | 135 | Liverpool |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
|
Creative Writing (Including Year Abroad) BA (Hons) | University of Essex | - | - | - | £9250 | £19500 | - | Colchester |
On campus
Full-time
|
FAQ about Creative Writing and Theatre BA (Hons) University of Reading
- Tuition fees for this programme are 9250 per year for UK students. In addition to the tuition fees you should also take into consideration the average monthly cost of living for students in the UK.
- The median salary of graduates of this course was £20000 15 months after graduation, £22500 3 years after graduation and £28000 after graduation.
- Teaching Professionals (25%), Administrative occupations (10%), Business and public service associate professionals (10%), Sales occupations (10%)
- 10 graduates rated the course 79. This means that 79% of graduates indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the course. See detailed ratings above and how these compare to the averages at other universities.
- University of Reading achieved the highest ranking for English. It is ranked #43 in CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject (English). See all subject rankings for University of Reading.
- Creative Writing and Theatre BA (Hons) is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at University of Reading.
- It is rather difficult to get accepted into this course. Accepted students had an average UCAS tariff score of 145 which is higher than 81.63% of all Creative Writing courses in the UK.
Ranking publishers
The University League Tables
- Published:
- 14 May, 2024