
BA in
BA (Honours) in English Literature and Creative Writing Open University

Introduction
This degree offers a stimulating and wide-ranging introduction to English literature and creative writing. You’ll have the opportunity to study and interpret literature from different historical periods and diverse cultural settings – including translations – and to develop your writing skills in several genres including fiction; poetry; life writing; and scriptwriting for film, radio and stage.
Key features of the course
- Learn how to analyse a wide range of texts including fiction, poetry and drama
- Develop and reflect on your own writing and editorial practice in several genres
- Learn the skills of complex argument and critical commentary, which are highly valued in the workplace
- Introduces the world of publishing and the requirements of professional presentation
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The BA (Honours) English Literature and Creative Writing uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- face-to-face tutorials/day schools/workshops and online tutorials
- finding external/third party material online such as ebooks and electronic journals
- working in a group with other students
- using technology for research purposes involving access to catalogues and databases online
- working with specialist reading material such as films and dramatic scripts for different media
- continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination
- using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
- engagement with learning and assessment within a pre-determined schedule or timetable – time management will be needed during your studies and the University will help you to develop these skills throughout your degree
Program Outcome
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Curriculum
Course details
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- You’ll start Stage 1 with a broad introduction to the arts and humanities before learning how culture affects the creative process of writing.
- Next, in Stage 2, you'll focus on your creative writing and English literature studies with two compulsory modules.
- Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll complete your degree with an advanced creative writing module and an advanced literature module.