university of essex literature and creative writing

Introduction

Scholarships and funding, program tuition fee, career opportunities, program delivery, about the school.

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BA Literature and Creative Writing

Colchester, United Kingdom

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STUDY FORMAT

All writers are first of all readers and all readers are writers, for without the active participation of readers a book is never fully realised. Our BA Literature and Creative Writing offers a unique approach to the practice of reading and writing, combining more familiar British and American perspectives and readings with other influential schools of writing, from the study of tradition and myth to the innovative practice of the Workshop of Potential Literature or Oulipo in France.

You deepen your knowledge of literary tradition across a variety of genres in order to develop your practical skills of understanding, expression and invention. Pursue your love of reading and explore some of the most important novels, poems, and plays from the United States, the Caribbean and Europe while developing your own writing through a variety of planned readings and writing exercises. We'll teach you to be your own editor; critically judging your own and others' work is invaluable in transforming your work from something good to something great.

At the beginning of your course, you receive a highly focused introduction to the study of literature alongside intensive modules in creative writing, covering myth, innovation and tradition, prose, and poetry. A module on writing for radio allows you to go into a studio and record a radio play. You then progress to look at a range of specialist topics such as:

• Experimental writing and surrealism
• Myth and fairytale
• Translating novels for the screen
• American literature
• Shakespeare
• Science fiction

Our course develops your abilities as a reader and writer while allowing you to take options from the other courses within ourDepartment of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studiesincluding filmmaking, journalism and drama.

Several scholarship options are available, please visit the university website for more information.

• Origins and Transformations in Literature and Drama
• The Writer's Toolkit
• Text Up Close: Reading for Criticism
• Poetry: A Very Short Introduction
• The Humanities Graduate: Future Pathways
• Creative Non-Fiction
• Writing the Short Story
• Writing Structures

Many of our creative writing students have gone on to successfully publish their work, notable recent alumni including:

• Ida Løkås, who won a major literary prize in Norway forThe Beauty That Flows Past, securing a book deal
• Alexia Casale, whose novelBone Dragonwas published by Faber & Faber and subsequently featured on both theYoung Adult Books of the Year 2013list forThe Financial Times, andThe Independent'sBooks of the year 2013: Children
• Elaine Ewert, recent graduate from our MA Wild Writing, placed second in the New Welsh Writing Awards 2015
• Patricia Borlenghi, the founder ofPatrician Press, which has published works by a number of our alumni
• Petra Mcqueen, who has written forThe Guardianand runs creative writing courses

Our graduates are also ideally prepared for careers in the media, education, publishing, advertising, and the film and theatre industries. Two particular areas in which our recent graduates have had recent success are publishing and the theatre. One of our former students is now in charge of editorial at a large publishing house, and another has just taken over running one of the country's major theatres.

BA Literature and Creative Writing: 3 years

BA Literature and Creative Writing (Including Year Abroad): 4 years

BA Literature and Creative Writing (Including Placement Year): 4 years

• Guided creative writing exercises
• Workshopping your writing
• Critical analysis of how a novel is built
• Literature modules will involve lectures and seminars to discuss texts
• Innovative ways of engaging with texts include editing 16th century sonnets and conducting archival research

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Programme Specifications

Literature and creative writing.

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Professional accreditation

Admission criteria.

• A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels, including B in one essay based subject.
• BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email [email protected] for advice.
• Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
• IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
• IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
• QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
• T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.

Contextual Offers:

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer. Factors we consider:

• Applicants from underrepresented groups
• Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
• Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
• Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus

Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.

For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email [email protected] .

If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page. or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

English language shelf-life

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

Pre-sessional English courses

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Pending English language qualifications

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email [email protected] .

Requirements for second and final year entry

Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

Additional Notes

Course qualifiers.

A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).

Rules of assessment

Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.

Additional notes

The capstone project module within the Department is still under development and is therefore TBC in the structure.

External examiners

Lecturer in Creative Writing (Poetry)

External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment. External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course. They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards. External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.

eNROL , the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 21 October 2024 8:59AM , for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Year 1 - 2024/25

Year 2 - 2025/26, year 3 - 2026/27, exit awards.

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

Programme aims

• To offer a varied, flexible and distinctive curriculum focused on the study of creative writing and literature in comparative and theoretical contexts.
• To enable students to exercise their own choices in creative composition across a range of genres.
• To acquaint students with a range of theoretical and comparative frameworks.
• To enable students to think critically about their own reading and creative writing.
• To provide the knowledge and skills (creative development, critical inquiry and argument, imaginative understanding, written and spoken communication and presentation) to stand students in good stead for more specialised creative and academic study, as well as enhancing their graduate careers.

Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

A: Knowledge and understanding

A1: A range of literature, from the early modern to the present day, including the understanding of a variety of modes (poetry, fiction, drama)

A2: A range of key approaches to creative writing from Anglo-American to mythic to Oulipo.

A3: Major literary and theoretical figures in the field and major literary tendencies or movements

A4: The relationship between literature and culture and an awareness of the writer's role in creating cultural change

A5: Key methods of literary analysis and research and of modes of research for creative writing

A6: The basic functions of audience and marketplace as constraints on writing

A7: Specialised study in the final year in the form of a capstone project

Learning methods

1-7 are acquired through lectures, classes, workshops and continually assessed coursework. Classes focus on textual examples and give emphasis to student discussion and/or presentation, preparing argumentative and creative skills for formal assessment. Workshops focus on writing exercises, oral presentations, and peer review. In addition, students extend and enhance knowledge and understanding of writing they acquire from classes by independent research.

Assessment methods

Formal assessment of student skills, knowledge and understanding (1-7) takes place through coursework essays, notebooks, presentations, writing assignments, portfolios, group projects, critical commentaries and poetics statements.

B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

B1: Show an ability to engage in the practice of creative composition and critical writing

B2: Show an ability to reflect critically on their own work and that of others

B3: Read complex texts and comment cogently on them

B4: Reason critically and argue coherently

B5: Think independently and creatively

Intellectual and cognitive skills are initiated through lectures, classes and workshops in years 0, 1 and 2, as well as one-to-one tutorials where appropriate. The seminar- based work of year 3, like that of Years 1 and 2, encourages critical discussion arising from the analysis and interpretation of set texts and student writing with an emphasis on being able to reason cogently, argue coherently and present one's own viewpoint persuasively. Final year students are guided towards the acquisition of a reflective understanding of their own writing, and the critical positions they and others employ. This is done through in situ feedback (formally and informally, as appropriate) in oral and written presentations, group based critical discussions and the analysis and interpretation of texts and student writing.

Assessment is by coursework essays, notebooks, presentations, writing assignments, portfolios, group projects, critical commentaries and poetics statements.

C: Practical skills

C1: A vocabulary and a critical and analytical terminology for the analysis of writing

C2: An ability to write in a variety of styles and genres

C3: A capacity for working independently and under guidance

C4: Critical analysis of their own work to develop creative writing skills through a number of drafts

C5: The use of accepted conventions of presenting manuscripts, references and bibliographies, and an ability to challenge these conventions

C6: An effective style or range of styles to convey a range of responses as readers of literary texts

C7: A range of methods to research writing projects

Practical writing skills are developed through practice in workshops, group activities and the development of writing skills through peer review and reflective practice and research.

Assessment is by coursework essays, writing assignments, portfolios, group projects, critical commentaries and capstone project.

D: Key skills

D1: Clear, focused, relevant and effective written expression and oral communication

D2: Use appropriate IT to research and present materials.

D3: Basic numeracy as part of the employability aspects of the degree

D4: Management of projects and timetables. Finding, understanding, organising and creatively processing information.

D5: The role of publishing and broadcasting in a modern society, including challenges in reporting on international issues

D6: Receptivity to feedback

The six relevant key skills are implicit throughout the degree, and are supported in their development by seminar work, feedback on essays, and key skills packages.

Key skills are assessed through coursework and through the participation mark.

The University reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University.

The full procedures, rules and regulations of the University are set out in the Charter, Statues and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures .

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing [email protected] , or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing [email protected] .

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department .

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing [email protected] .

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Journal Articles: Introduction

Academic journal articles are shorter than books and they normally focus on very specific topics. You can use the databases below to find articles published in academic journals. Some of the databases are full-text, but others only include citations, so you'll need to check those in the library catalogue to find out if we have access to the relevant journal.

Journal Articles: Literary and Creative Writing Theory

The resources below can help you to find journal articles and other sources on literature and creative writing theory.

• ProQuest One Literature (includes Literature Online) A fully searchable library of English and American literature. It contains over 350,000 works of poetry, prose and drama in full text written between 600 A.D. and the present day. It also includes secondary material, such as biographies of major writers and the full text of over 330 literature journals. Please note, there are some exceptions to access dates - see each individual title page on Proquest for details of full text coverage and exceptions. more... less... Home organisation login
• JSTOR Provides a full-text archive of selected journals, starting with the very first issues, many of which were published as far back as the nineteenth century. The Library subscribes to the following collections: the Arts & Sciences Collections I-XIII; XV, Life Sciences Collection and19th Century British Pamphlets (which comprise seven individual collections held in universities within the United Kingdom). N.B. All titles previously found in JSTOR business collections I & II are now included in JSTOR Arts and Sciences I-X. The Library also subscribes to the current content of 27 journals through JSTOR, including some University of California Press titles. more... less... Institutional login
• MLA international bibliography Produced by the Modern Language Association of America and available through Literature Online, the MLA International Bibliography indexes critical scholarship on literature, language, linguistics and folklore. Coverage includes journal articles, series, monographs, dissertations, bibliographies, proceedings and other materials. The database includes all records indexed from 1963 to the present, approximately 1,400,000 records. more... less... Alternative login via Shibboleth
• Project Muse Project Muse is based at John Hopkins University Press and is an interdisciplinary collection of high quality, peer-reviewed journals. It provides 100% full-text and user-friendly online access to high quality humanities, arts, and social sciences journals from 60 scholarly publishers. Muse is fully searchable and allows keyword searching (please note: if you choose to search all Muse titles, you can only access the full text of those The Library has a subscription to). The library has access to the Premium Collection on Project Muse.;EBSCO PROFILE: Project Muse - Premium Collection (JISC) 699 titles. more... less... Institutional login

Journal Articles: Topic Research

Your creative writing will often require you to do background research into your chosen topic. The resources in this section - all of which are multi-disciplinary - can help you to find journal articles and other material on your topic. You may also wish to have a look at the Library's other subject guides to identify discipline-specific resources which could help you with your research.

• Web of Science Includes three large, multidisciplinary databases: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (1975 - present), Social Sciences Citation index (1898 - present), and Science Citation Index (1970 - present). Each database indexes the core journals in its wide general area, including reviews, editorials, letters, etc. They give bibliographic details of articles, and 670% of SCI and SSCI references include abstracts (AHCI contains very few abstracts), but do not contain the full text of journal articles. more... less... Shibboleth login

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• Last Updated: Apr 27, 2024 8:00 AM
• URL: https://library.essex.ac.uk/creativewriting

Creative Writing Programs Online

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15 colleges and schools

350+ degrees on-campus

600+ degrees online

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Online Undergraduate and Graduate Creative Writing Programs

Do you want to learn how to tell stories or create art through your words? If you want to write poetry, script plays, or write novels, Liberty has creative writing programs that can help you learn the skills you need. You can start with the basics and develop your skills under the teaching and mentorship of teachers who know their craft. But what program is right for you?

Associate Degrees

Liberty’s 100% online Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Creative Writing offers you the opportunity to enhance your writing skills as you prepare for a future career or a bachelor’s degree.

Apply Now   Request Info  

Bachelor’s Degrees

Bachelor of science in creative writing – christian literature, bachelor of science in creative writing – english.

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – English offers you the chance to develop a deep understanding of the English language.

Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing – Journalism

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – Journalism allows you to develop investigative and reporting abilities and build your portfolio. 

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing offers you advanced training in composition and literature, creative writing, and modern grammar.

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Christian Literature can help you hone your writing and critical thinking skills as you explore the works of some of the greatest Christian writers in history.

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Creative Writing degree offers advanced training in grammar, technical writing, and storytelling.

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Journalism offers you a journalism education that can teach you to write compelling stories and help you pursue exciting writing opportunities.

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Composition will guide you through the fundamentals of writing and grammar and help prepare you to teach composition at the collegiate level.

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Writing can help you craft effective communication using digital media, traditional publishing, and cutting-edge technology as you master advanced grammar and composition.

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Writing – Research Administration and Sponsored Programs blends studies in writing with practical business applications, which can help you become a more marketable job candidate.

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing is designed to help you build on your writing skills with specific workshops dedicated to the craft of fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, or screenwriting.

Creative Writing

Master’s Degrees

Composition

Professional Writing

Professional Writing – Research Administration and Sponsored Programs

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Writing – Research Administration and Sponsored Programs blends studies in writing with practical business applications, which can help you become a more marketable job candidate.

Creative Writing – Christian Literature

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – Christian Literature allows you to study prominent authors and works of Christian literature of the past and present. 

Creative Writing – English

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – English offers you the chance to develop a deep understanding of the English language.

Creative Writing – Journalism

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – Journalism allows you to develop investigative and reporting abilities and build your portfolio. 

English and Writing

English and Writing – Christian Literature

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Christian Literature can help you hone your writing and critical thinking skills as you explore the works of some of the greatest Christian writers in history.

English and Writing – Creative Writing

English and Writing – Journalism

Associate of Arts in Creative Writing

Apply Now Request Information  

Apply Now Request Information    

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – English offers you the chance to develop a deep understanding of the English language while sharpening your writing skills.

Bachelor of Science in English and Writing – Creative Writing

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Creative Writing  offers you advanced training in composition and literature, creative writing, and modern grammar.

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing can help you learn new concepts, grow your understanding, and hone your writing skills to their highest form.

Which kind of creative writing program fits my needs?

• If you don’t have a degree and aren’t ready to commit to a bachelor’s – Liberty’s online Associate of Arts in Creative Writing gives you an entry point into creative writing. Designed as a halfway step to a bachelor’s degree, our A.A. in Creative Writing will cover foundational courses and training that can help you get started while opening the door to a more in-depth Bachelor of Science in English and Writing – Creative Writing after you graduate. 
• If you want a full bachelor’s degree focused on creative writing and English language – Liberty’s Bachelor of Science in English and Writing – Creative Writing is designed to equip you with a thorough background in English language studies to support your creative writing skills. The skills you learn in this program can also help you pursue teaching or roles in communication and writing for business. 
• If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want a career in writing – Liberty’s online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing could be the best choice for you. The M.F.A. in Creative Writing is designed to help you refine your craft and gain a mastery in your writing discipline. And because an M.F.A. is considered a terminal degree, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing can open the door to university teaching. 

Karen Kingsbury Center for Creative Writing An exciting part of our creative writing programs is that you will have the opportunity to take courses that were created in partnership with #1 New York Times bestselling author and Christian novelist Karen Kingsbury. Kingsbury has contributed course content to the degrees above, providing firsthand training in all areas of interest. We are proud to partner with her through our Karen Kingsbury Center for Creative Writing .

Potential Career Options with a Creative Writing Degree

• Book and magazine writer
• Business communications specialist
• Creative writing instructor
• Professional blogger
• Public relations
• Publications editor
• Screenwriter
• Social media coordinator
• Website copy editor and writer
• Writing manager

What Are the Benefits of Studying Creative Writing at Liberty University?

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility . Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America . Earning your online creative writing degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• Liberty University’s state-of-the-art online learning environment offers you a wide variety of learning methods, including simulations, recorded lectures, and digital collaboration tools that will help you engage with your studies and learn practical teaching skills.
• The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
• You can complete your online creative writing program in less time than you think, due to our 8-week format and 8 start times per year.

Military Benefits

Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to:

• Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/retirees
• Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
• Current Department of Defense employees

We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits: 

For undergraduate programs:

• Tuition discounts –  $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
• Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a  First Responder (less than $565 per course)
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
• Potential college credit for military training

For graduate programs:

• Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
• Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)

Areas of Interest

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Training Champions for Christ

Liberty’s promise to you is an education that expertly brings knowledge and faith together. Here, education is designed around you. It connects you to people and opportunities that help you develop the skills and confidence you’re looking for. At Liberty, you’ll find the knowledge, experience, and mentorship you want to make your career — and life — a fulfilling one.

Why Liberty

Liberty University is not just another school. It is the realization of a dream, the product of thousands of prayers. It was built to invite students into a bigger, better story. Discover the Liberty difference for yourself.

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When it comes to choosing a college, finances make a difference. That’s why at Liberty, we believe in offering you a top-notch education — that’s also affordable. Discover how Liberty can help you keep your college costs down.

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At Liberty University, we believe everyone should have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education, and it's our job to keep private education affordable. Explore the many ways a Liberty education can be an affordable one.

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Academic Excellence

Liberty University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and certain programs have earned additional field-specific accreditation as well.

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APSU creative writing professor named finalist for Midwest Book Awards

By: Kara Zahn May 24, 2024

Dr. Raymond (RS) Deeren, assistant professor in APSU’s Department of Languages and Literature. | Photo by Sean McCully

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — On the heels of winning a 2024 Michigan Notable Book award, Austin Peay State University (APSU) assistant professor Dr. Raymond (RS) Deeren has been named a Midwest Book Award finalist for his debut collection of short stories, Enough to Lose.

Deeren is being recognized in the Short Story/Anthology category of the 34th Annual Midwest Book Awards. The winners will be announced during a gala hosted on June 22, 2024, at the Mall of America in Minneapolis. 

“ It means the world to me that these stories from my neck of the woods have resonated with readers across the country,” Deeren said. “It’s humbling to know there is a desire for working-class storytelling.” 

The Midwest Book Awards are presented by the Midwest Independent Publishers Association (MiPA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting independent publishers in the Midwest. The awards are open to all books published in the Midwest in the year leading up to the event. 

MiPA founders organized the first Midwest Book Awards in 1989, and it has grown into one of the country’s longest-running literary recognition programs. Judges include booksellers, university staff and librarians who are subject matter experts representing each of MiPA’s 12 states. 

The public is invited to attend the event on June 22, 2024, and all the finalists can be viewed at https://mipa.org/midwest-book-awards/2024-finalists.

About RS Deeren:  

Dr. Raymond Deeren, better known as RS Deeren, is an assistant professor in the Department of Languages & Literature. He writes about odd jobs that helped him and others like him pay the bills. Originally from the rural working-class Thumb Region of Michigan, his fiction focuses on how social class plays to and through aspects of American life such as race, gender and sexuality. Deeren is part of the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts at Austin Peay as the coordinator of the creative writing program and the fiction editor for Zone 3 Press (APSU's internationally distributed literary magazine). He is also the faculty representative for the Creative Writing Club. 

Programme Specifications

Creative writing.

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Professional accreditation

Admission criteria.

• A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels, including B in one essay based subject.
• BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email [email protected] for advice.
• Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
• IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
• IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
• QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
• T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.

Contextual Offers:

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer. Factors we consider:

• Applicants from underrepresented groups
• Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
• Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
• Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus

Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.

For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email [email protected] .

If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page. or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

English language shelf-life

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

Pre-sessional English courses

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Pending English language qualifications

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email [email protected] .

Requirements for second and final year entry

Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

Additional Notes

Course qualifiers.

A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).

Rules of assessment

Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.

Additional notes

External examiners.

Lecturer in Creative Writing (Poetry)

External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment. External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course. They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards. External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.

eNROL , the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 21 October 2024 8:59AM , for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Year 1 - 2024/25

Year 2 - 2025/26, year 3 - 2026/27, exit awards.

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

Programme aims

• To offer a varied, flexible and distinctive curriculum focused on the study of Creative Writing in the context of the study of literature.
• To enable students to exercise their own choices in creative composition across a range of genres.
• To enable students to understand the methodology necessary for undertaking a close analysis of a text passage or film extract.
• Acquire the critical terminology to identify and name the literary devices at work in a text.
• Work in a small group to prepare a presentation that demonstrates the skills involved in the close reading of an unseen text.
• Appreciate the relationship between the written and the spoken language.
• To acquaint students with a range of theoretical and comparative frameworks.
• To enable students to think critically about their own creative writing.
• To provide the knowledge and skills (creative development, critical inquiry and argument, imaginative understanding, written and spoken communication and presentation) to stand students in good stead for more specialised creative and academic study, as well as enhancing their graduate careers.

Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

A: Knowledge and understanding

A1: A range of literature, from the early modern period to present-day, including knowledge of a variety of genres (poetry, fiction, and drama) and national literatures

A2: A range of approaches to creative writing as practiced across a range of genres

A3: Some major figures in the field, and the major literary tendencies or movements covered by the degree scheme

A4: The relationship between literature and culture and an awareness of the writer's role in creating cultural change

A5: The key approaches to creative work

A6: The basic methods of critical analysis and research

A7: The basic functions of audience and marketplace as constraints on writing

A8: Specialised study in the final year in areas students have identified as being of particular interest

Learning methods

1-8 are acquired through lectures, classes, workshops and continuously assessed coursework (with regular feedback, both oral and written, from tutors and peers). Classes focus on textual examples, and give emphasis to student discussion and/ or presentation, preparing their argumentative skills for formal assessment. Workshops focus on writing exercises, oral presentation and peer review. In Year 3 options will focus on specific approaches to writing including genre specialisms, enabling students to pursue more individual interests. In addition, students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding of writing they acquire from classes by independent research(6).

Assessment methods

Formal assessment of students' skills, knowledge and understanding (1-8) takes place through coursework essays, writing assignments, portfolios, group projects, critical commentaries and unseen written examinations.

B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

B1: Show an ability to engage in the practice of creative composition and critical writing

B2: Show an ability to reflect critically on their own work and that of others

B3: Read complex texts and comment cogently on them

B4: Reason critically and argue coherently

B5: Make and account for connections between texts and their contexts

Intellectual and cognitive skills are initiated through lectures, classes and workshops in Year I and II, as well as one-to-one tutorials where appropriate. The seminar- based work of Year III, like that of Years I and II, encourages critical discussion arising from the analysis and interpretation of set texts and student writing with an emphasis on being able to reason cogently, argue coherently and present one's own viewpoint persuasively. Year III students are guided towards the acquisition of a reflective understanding of their own writing, and the critical positions they and others employ. This is done through in situ feedback (formally and informally, as appropriate) in oral and written presentations, group based critical discussions and the analysis and interpretation of texts and student writing.

Assessment is by coursework essays, writing assignments, portfolios, group projects, critical commentaries and unseen written examinations.

C: Practical skills

C1: A vocabulary and a critical and analytical terminology for the analysis of writing

C2: An ability to write in a variety of styles and genres

C3: A capacity for working independently and under guidance

C4: Critical analysis of their own work to develop creative writing skills through a number of drafts

C5: The use of accepted conventions of presenting manuscripts, references and bibliographies

C6: The utilisation in creative writing of a knowledge of literary and generic conventions

C7: An effective style or range of styles to convey a range of responses as readers of literary texts

Practical writing skills are developed through practice in workshops, group activities and the development of writing skills through peer review and reflective practice and research.

Assessment is by coursework essays, writing assignments, portfolios, group projects, critical commentaries and unseen written examinations. Students can apply to be assessed on an Independent Creative Writing Project in the third year in lieu of a taught module. There is a presentation element to the project which constitutes of 20% of the final mark. This could include a portfolio of creative work.

D: Key skills

D1: Clear, focused, relevant and effective written expression and oral communication

D2: Use appropriate IT to research and present materials.

D3: Basic numeracy as part of the employability aspects of the degree

D4: Management of projects and timetables. Finding, understanding, organising and creatively processing information.

D5: Ability to "read" an argument in seminar discussion; ability to engage in "workshopping"; ability to engage in collaborative writing and editing activities ability to respond effectively; ability to work in a variety of group contexts.

D6: Receptivity to feedback in class and in the form of written comments on coursework and oral communications.

The six relevant key skills are implicit throughout the degree, and are supported in their development by seminar work, feedback on essays, and key skills packages.

Key skills are assessed through coursework and dissertations and through the participation mark (D5).

The University reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University.

The full procedures, rules and regulations of the University are set out in the Charter, Statues and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures .

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing [email protected] , or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing [email protected] .

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department .

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing [email protected] .

• For enquiries contact the Course Records Team
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