Hull’s been called the country’s “most poetic city”. Renowned poets and writers from Andrew Marvell to Philip Larkin, Stevie Smith to Tom Paulin, J.R.R. Tolkien to Winifred Holtby, all have ties to the University and city.
We’ll teach you how to harness the power of words to bring about positive change. You’ll work on real-world projects, and study global literature from medieval to contemporary.
Hull has a lively writing culture, with opportunities to share your work beyond the classroom. Students have taken part in readings, events and publications, including through groups such as the English Society and magazines like Hull Scribbler, as well as engaging with visiting, world-leading authors.
100% of students
in work or further study 18 months after graduating
HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2026
Joint 1st in the UK
for Student Satisfaction
The Complete University Guide, 2027
1st in the UK
for Academic Support
National Student Survey (NSS) 2025, HEIs only
1st in the UK
for Teaching Quality
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2026
Study part-time
alongside your career
Best-selling authors
teach on this course
90+ years
of teaching English, since 1928
About this course
You’ll hone your writing craft through practical workshops and seminar discussions. Developing core skills in characterisation, storytelling and creating a sense of place. And you'll experiment with different genres and forms. From fantasy and science fiction, to scriptwriting and short stories, to poetry and non-fiction.
You’ll also gain a solid grounding in English and American literature. From the medieval and Renaissance eras through to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. You’ll cover a wide range of poetry, short fiction, drama and novels. And you’ll debate urgent issues including the environment and social justice.
There’s a strong culture of taking writing beyond the course. Through performances, showcases, podcasts and publication projects, you’ll have opportunities to connect your work with wider audiences and creative communities, building on a tradition of student-led writing at Hull.
Want to make your mark? Here's a pen
Foundation year
A foundation year at the University of Hull gives you a solid grounding of knowledge and boosts your academic skills, so you can progress on to your chosen programme with confidence.
The foundation course you enrol on may not be an exact match to your chosen degree, but don’t worry. Our foundation courses combine content from multiple related courses in the same subject area, giving you more flexibility and choice about the degree path you take.
For example, if you apply for a Music Foundation Year, you’ll join our Media Foundation course. So, if you decide to switch - say, from Music to Graphic Design - you can do so without restarting your foundation year.
Module options
Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.
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Foundation in Data Analysis
Develop a strong foundation in data collection and analysis. This module will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative data and how to analyse it; the collection of primary and secondary data; the production of high-quality graphics; and report writing.
compulsory
20 credits
Introduction to Study in the Humanities
This module equips you with a suite of analytical and theoretical tools to support you as you progress along your academic journey. You'll develop an interdisciplinary understanding of approaches to study in the humanities by working with a variety of resources, including novels, films and aspects of the visual arts.
compulsory
20 credits
Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education
This module will equip you with the necessary skills to conduct and analyse research in a specific interest, supported by academics within your subject. You'll navigate through the research process, from identifying an area of interest to presenting findings to your peers.
compulsory
20 credits
Group Challenge (Humanities)
Formulate and execute a group led enquiry into texts, cultural artefacts, film, music or dance. You'll explore their topics in groups at supervised workshops and develop questions on the cultural object relates to the living world of human experience, as well as developing your own methods to answer these questions.
compulsory
20 credits
Academic Writing Skills
Developing confidence in expression, oral as well as written, is a key feature of this module, which aims to familiarise you with university submission and assessment procedures. This is a clear building block towards your degree programme and places you at a distinct advantage when you move into the following year.
compulsory
20 credits
Preparing for Learning in Higher Education
This module is designed to give you the best possible start to your university studies, making sure you have all the essential skills you need to succeed. Through lectures and workshops we will teach you how to write in an academic style, how to find quality sources, and how to reference work, culminating in writing up a mini-research project.
compulsory
20 credits
The Writer’s Toolkit
The Universe is made of stories, not of atoms’ – Muriel Rukeyser. This module will help you to nourish the writer within you, and introduce you to the key concepts that will allow your imagination to flourish through writing exercises, workshops and advice from published writers.
compulsory
20 credits
Facts into Art
Discover how to convert real life into good storytelling. Extend your creative writing skills by generating ideas from daily life, and crafting them into well-conceived, skilled pieces.
compulsory
20 credits
Poetry, Performance, Play
Do you love the sound of words, the rhythm of poetry and the power of the human voice? Then this module is for you. Join us to learn how to craft your words into shape as you play with form and perform your own monologues, sonnets, haiku and more, letting your words travel out through the dark.
compulsory
20 credits
Worldbuilding until reality breaks
Featured module- compulsory
- 20 credits
For writers who want to turn reality into magic, evolve limitless technologies and brave the monsters lurking just out of sight. This module invites you to craft a unique world of your very own, through Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror.
You’ll hone your skills in writing the wondrous and the weird, developing techniques that bring speculative fiction to life and share your original contributions to these popular, exciting genres.
Share your unique voice, build worlds unlike any other and experiment with form, style and substance to develop high-quality genre fiction that captivates, unsettles and offers the reader a glimpse into the world of the future.
Escape into unimagined worlds – and bring your readers with you.
Our facilities
Watchlist
Dr Ed Hurst
Course overview
2 mins
Your course in their words
Student Story
2 mins
Your course in their words
Student Story
2 mins
Life on campus
University life
2 mins
Featured academics
You’re taught by published poets, fiction writers, scriptwriters and scholars. People who bring their expertise, creativity and passion into everything you learn.
We’re part of the Larkin Centre research group. In REF 2021, 93% of our research was ranked world-leading or internationally excellent.3
Dr Chris Westoby
Lecturer
Chris’s debut novel, The Fear Talking: The True Story of a Young Man and Anxiety, explores his personal experiences of growing up with anxiety. He lectures in creative writing, gives guest lectures on mental health, and teaches reflective writing.
Dr Caroline Cauchi
Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing
Dr Caroline Cauchi is an academic and international bestselling author. She writes both historical fiction and experimental fiction (also known as Caroline Smailes). Her acclaimed debut novel, ‘In Search of Adam’, was published in 2007.
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you'll need 80 UCAS points.
We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.
But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.
Have questions? Our admissions team will be happy to help.
Typical offer
80 UCAS points
A levels
CDD
BTEC
MMP
Fees & Funding
How much is it?
Tuition fees for 2027 entry have not been confirmed. Please use 2026-27 information as a guide.
For UK students, our standard course fee is £9,790 per year. Keep in mind that some courses are longer - for example, spending your third year abroad will make your degree four years in total.
If you choose to study a foundation year as part of your course, the fee is £5,760.
How do I pay for it?
You can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your course. Once you’ve successfully applied for this, you don’t need to do anything else – the money is sent straight to us.
You can also take out a maintenance loan of up to £10,544 a year to cover your living costs, depending on your household income.
Remember, you won’t start paying your loans back until you’ve left university and earn more than £25,000 per year.
See our full fees and funding information for more details and to find out what support we can offer.
Foundation Year Fee
£5,760
Standard Tuition Fee
£9,790 / year
The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index.
Future prospects
Hull counts poets Douglas Dunn and Roger McGough among its alumni. But an English and Creative Writing degree doesn’t just pave the way for a literary career. It trains you to analyse, research and communicate at a very high level. The ability to showcase a creative mind through writing is a rare skill and highly valuable to employers.
Our graduates develop skills that are prized in many professions, and acquire the adaptability to flourish in various arenas. They’ve gone on to work for a wide range of public and private sector companies and organisations, like East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Sainsbury, Marks and Spencer, the Ministry of Justice, and more.
Become part of the next generation of futuremakers
Like what you've seen? Then it's time to apply.
The standard way is to apply through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skills qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing us with your academic qualifications.
Not ready to apply yet?
Visit our next Open Day, and see all that the University of Hull has to offer. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.
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All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.