English and Creative and Professional Writing at Derby is an exciting, diverse and challenging course that not only incorporates the close analysis of literature, but also considers the situations in which literature is produced and read. It also looks at the industry from both the perspective of the writer and the perspective of the publishing professional. Your studies will be put in a wider cultural, theoretical and cultural perspective meaning it will include the intellectual and cultural history of art, film, philosophy, linguistics and sociology, as well as contemporary cultural politics, and the world of publishing.
This course gives you a distinct advantage in the workplace. If you want to be a writer, we’ll ensure you understand the marketplace for your work and the practicalities of getting it published. Equally, if you're an aspiring publishing professional, we’ll give you valuable insight into the creative processes, aspirations and concerns of authors and the industry.
Enrich your own writing by studying critically acclaimed and commercially successful writers, and enhance your appreciation of great literature by reflecting on your own writing practice.
Tailor your degree
With a range of optional modules across English and Creative and Professional Writing (covering various themes and theories in literature like crime, fantasy, gender and society) you’ll be able to tailor your studies to your area of interest and your career goals.
Choose your pathway
Studying an English and Creative and Professional Writing Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally.
You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally.
What is a Joint Honours degree?
A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.
A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:
- You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
- You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
- You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with
The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
You will learn through lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will be taught in interactive and varied ways, with plenty of opportunity for you to discuss and debate ideas, so your course stays stimulating and thought-provoking. You will be able to test your ideas, clarify points and develop arguments based on your reading of primary and secondary sources. This will help you develop excellent communication skills, something that employers really value. You’ll also have the opportunity to write, market and deliver a conference paper in the second year, building a broader range of skills.
English is a subject based upon discussion and interpretation, and your English classes will reflect this, with great emphasis placed upon student contributions and presentations in addition to lectures.
How you are assessed
For Creative and Professional Writing modules, you’ll be allowed to get creative and express yourself in written work in the form of stories, poetry, scripts, blogs and press articles. You will also be assessed through traditional essays and presentations.
For English modules, our assessment strategy is designed to produce confident, articulate graduates with a broad set of skills. There are no exams and forms of assessment include seminar debates, group presentations and conference papers alongside essays and longer research projects. We place great emphasis on developing your research skills, with independent projects playing a key part in the second and third year of the course.
Studying English and Creative Writing provides you with transferable creative and analytical skills. Employers across all sectors need people who can write and communicate well. The key skills you'll develop on this course — writing, editing, group work and presentations — are essential for many roles.
You will have opportunities to engage with the creative industries during your programme and in your modules. We work closely with publishers offering podcasts on the Creative Writing Industry The BookMachine Podcast: Conversations in Publishing and we participate actively in cultural events such as Derby Book Festival.
You may consider a career in:
- Writing, editing or publishing
- Journalism
- Marketing, advertising or events
- Art and Literature-based organisations such as media centres, museums or galleries
- Teaching
2025 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 112-120 |
| A Level | BBB-BBC (At least a grade C in English or related subject (or equivalent qualification) |
| T Level | Merit |
| BTEC | DDM-DMM |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6. Must include passes in compulsory Level 3 subjects |
| English language requirements | IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area) |
2025/26
| | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,535 per year | N/A |
| International | £16,900 per year | N/A |
Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.
How to apply
Please look at our before you apply.
You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Course updates
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
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