You will learn about the characteristics that build a language, including its grammar, vocabulary, syntax, phonetics and semantic structure. This provides a solid understanding of language construction, namely the rules and patterns that govern its use. It incorporates how languages function, evolve and shape human communication and society.

Studying and practising writing across a range of genres, forms, and media experience, spanning the traditional through to the experimental, helps you find new ways to engage with diverse audiences. You’ll discover new ways of thinking about texts, from critical exploration to creative involvement, while learning about the publishing industry and the ways in which texts are produced, marketed and distributed.

You will have opportunities to draw inspiration and learn lessons from past and current practitioners – published writers, poets, academics, researchers and linguists. Our teaching team are part of a vibrant community of writers and in the past influential writers have joined us in conversation, from the internationally acclaimed through to the rising stars of tomorrow – this includes former students now working as professional writers.

Some of our own staff and students are among the respected academics featured in our guest speaker programme. Recent topics have ranged from the case for Romeyka as another Greek language to perspectives of speech and speaker dynamics of Scottish English over a century.

The focus of this degree in English Language with Creative Writing is very much on practical experience. On campus, you will find lots of opportunities to extend your creativity outside of the classroom. This includes student-run reading, study and discussion groups.