Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons)

Course code Q32W

What is special about this course?

Are you passionate about reading? Do you long to study literary works while developing your own styles of writing? Combine all three as you explore literature in a global context, covering a wide range of authors, in English and translation, from the classical to the contemporary, and looking in-depth at language and literary history within texts and on the international literary stage.

Gain a solid grounding in four of the main areas of creative writing: poetry, prose, playwriting, and the screenplay; examine how these can inform and support other areas of professional writing; and, through the programme's carefully structured blend of research, residentials, and creative projects, become a confident, enthusiastic and highly employable writer, researcher, and reader.

Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.

Special features

  • Present your own work using traditional methods as well as new technologies and publishing platforms
  • Engage with experienced staff from a variety of literary, creative and professional backgrounds
  • There are a number of residential held during the course where you will have the opportunity to meet with fellow-students and staff

Entry requirements

  • 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, OR
  • 2 A levels at grade BC or above
  • Must include English at grade C or above, plus one from the list of relevant subjects (Please note: Higher ESOL is not accepted in place of Higher English for this programme)
  • Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
  • You will be required to submit a portfolio of up to 3,000 words containing three examples of creative writing (preferably in three different styles or genres) and also attend an interview which may be either in person or online

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
 

Year 1 - CertHE

Core modules are:

  • Theories of literature (S1)
  • Introduction to creative writing skills (S1)
  • Travellers in the wilderness: literature and exile (S2)
  • Reading as a writer (S2)

You will also choose two option modules which may include:
Literature

  • Reading fiction: an introduction (S1)
  • Reading drama: an introduction (S2)
  • Reading poetry: an introduction (S2)

Creative Writing

  • Writing for film: introduction to screenplay (S1)
  • Creative project: creative journal (S1)
  • Writing poetry (S2)
  • Creative project: portfolio (S2)

Year 2 - DipHE

Literature

Modules may include:

  • Introduction to Gaelic poetry (S1)
  • Medieval literature: texts and contexts (S1)
  • Theatrical powerplay: classical and modern tragedy (S2)
  • Heroic literature: epic from classical to contemporary (S2)

Creative writing

Modules may include:

  • Writing from the north: context and criticism (S1)
  • Developing creative writing skills (S1)
  • Creative project: literary competitions (S1)
  • Writing for film: writing a screenplay (S2)
  • Creative project: peer assessment (S2)
  • Introduction to publishing or writing for children and young people (S2)

Year 3 - BA

Literature

Modules may include:

  • Romantic genius: Scottish and European literature, 1750-1830 (S1)
  • Literary borrowings: adaptations and appropriations (S1)
  • Risk anything! The modernist short story (S1)
  • Imagining new worlds: renaissance literature and thought (S2)
  • Nature writing and ecology (S2)

Creative Writing

Modules may include:

  • Authors and audiences (S1)
  • Creative project: researching your writing (S1)
  • Introduction to Orkney and Shetland literature or Scottish writing or creative non-fiction (S1)
  • Writing for performance (S2)
  • Writing experience placement (S2)
  • Creative project: writing what you know (S2)

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will choose either:

  • Final creative project (literary magazine/anthology) OR
  • Dissertation (literature) (runs across both semesters)

You will also study one option module from your choice above, plus three option modules from the other subject.

Literature

Modules may include:

  • Avant-garde literature (S1)
  • Apocalyptic fictions (S1)
  • Satire: the art of attack (S2)
  • Metafiction: self-referential texts (S2)

Creative Writing

Modules may include:

  • Crime pays (S1)
  • Publishing practice (S1)
  • Writing in the marketplace (S2)
  • Social media skills for writers (S2)

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and/or video conference seminars, residentials and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors. There is a weekly two-hour timetabled video conference lecture for most modules.

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
  • Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
  • Part-time (unstructured): Variable

Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.

Where can I study my course?

  • Argyll
  • Inverness
  • Moray
  • North, West and Hebrides
  • Orkney
  • Shetland
  • This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the world
  • Students based near to one of the listed campuses should apply to, and be enrolled and supported by, their local campus
  • All other students should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, UHI North, West and Hebrides

Start date

  • September

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Degrees 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £1,820 £1,820
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £915 £915
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £305 £305

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

Full-time Level 2023-24 2024-25
Year 1 CertHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 3 Degree £9,250 £9,250
Year 4 Honours free free

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time With scholarship 2024-25 Full-time
With scholarship
Year 1 CertHE £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 2 DipHE £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 3 Degree £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 4 Honours £13,980 Free £14,988 Free

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

  2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £13,980 £14,988
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year** £6,990 £7,494
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module)** £2,330 £2,498

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

What can I do on completion of my course?

On completion of this course, you may be interested in pursuing a career in:

  • Creative writing
  • Publishing
  • Gaming
  • Theatre
  • Museums and archives
  • Heritage sector
  • Marketing
  • Advertising
  • Media
  • Teaching

Can I progress into further study?

You can progress from BA (Hons) Literature and Creative Writing to the following UHI postgraduate courses:

Is there more information available online?

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My tutors have been supportive and helpful, they really encourage independent, informed thinking. I think my studies will equip me with the knowledge and experience I need to develop as a writer, as well as provide helpful contacts. I’ve also been impressed by the support provided for lectures online; I’ve done online courses before, but the support at UHI is by far the best.

Jennifer Mewes is studying Literature at UHI.

Apply for Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2025

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.