Course unit details:
Creative Writing: Fiction

Course unit fact file
Unit code ENGL30121
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Variable teaching patterns
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course focuses on the writing of fiction. Over the course of the semester, students will submit their work by rota for annotation and discussion by other members of the group.


To take this third year module, you must have completed the second year module, ENGL20001/20002 Creative Writing: Fiction, with a mark of 60 or above.
    

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Creative Writing: Fiction ENGL20002 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

  • To enable students to further develop their skills in writing fiction.

  • To improve students' understanding of the imaginative and technical possibilities of creative writing.

  • To enhance students' powers of critical thinking and skills in written and verbal forms of expression.

  • To further develop students' expertise, proficiency and confidence in editing their own work and in commenting constructively on that of others, to a level appropriate to work that will form part of the final degree assessment.

  • To provide students with skills that are both related to the discipline and transferable to appropriate professional contexts.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course unit the successful student will have demonstrated:


  • Enhanced skills in the techniques of fiction writing.

  • An improved understanding of the imaginative and technical possibilities of creative writing.

  • A level of critical and analytical thinking and skills in written expression appropriate to work that will form part of the final degree assessment.

  • Skills in editing his or her own work, and in commenting constructively on that of others, appropriate to work that will form part of the final degree assessment.

  • Skills that are both related to the discipline and transferable to appropriate professional contexts.

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Students taking this unit will be able to analyse and evaluate arguments and texts. Above all, committed students will emerge from this course unit with an advanced capacity to think critically, i.e. knowledgeably, rigorously, confidently and independently.
Group/team working
Students taking this unit will be able to work courteously and constructively as part of a larger group.
Innovation/creativity
On this unit students are encouraged to respond imaginatively and independently to the questions and ideas raised by texts and other media.
Leadership
Students on this unit must take responsibility for their learning and are encouraged not only to participate in group discussions but to do so actively and even to lead those discussions.
Project management
Students taking this unit will be able to work towards deadlines and to manage their time effectively.
Oral communication
Students taking this unit will be able to show fluency, clarity and persuasiveness in spoken communication.
Research
Students on this unit will be required to digest, summarise and present large amounts of information. They are encouraged to enrich their responses and arguments with a wide range of further reading.
Written communication
Students on this unit will develop their ability to write in a way that is lucid, precise and compelling.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Portfolio 100%

Recommended reading

Students will be required to read the contributions of fellow-members of the group on a weekly basis, as well as the work of contemporary fiction writers (specific texts TBC). 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Practical classes & workshops 33
Independent study hours
Independent study 167

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
David Hartley Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Other information

To take this third year module, you must have completed the second year module, ENGL20001/20002 Creative Writing: Fiction, with a mark of 60 or above.

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £29,200 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

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As an international student you may be eligible for our Global Futures Scholarships . This is open to students starting their studies in September 2026.

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