Creative Writing in the Highlands and Islands BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

The innovative BA (Hons) Creative Writing in the Highlands and Islands is designed to give you a solid grounding in the creative principles, in both form and structure of four of the main areas of creative writing: poetry, prose, playwriting and the screenplay. You will be encouraged to explore how these can inform and support other areas of professional writing in gaming, advertising, marketing, vlogs etc. 

You will have the opportunity to present your work using traditional methods as well as using new technologies and publishing platforms. The course aims to place creative disciplines within the cultural, social, political, geographical and historical context of Scotland, and to show how they make the area culturally unique but connect it to the literature, cultural traditions and histories of its geographical neighbours.

You will be encouraged to pursue your individual creativity, along with both the necessary intellectual stimulation and understanding of the professionalism required to be a successful writer in your chosen field.

The degree capitalises on the popularity of books and series set in Scotland and beyond, and will encourage you to realise the potential opportunity these existing and developing markets represent for your work.

Special features

• Unique residential experiences and writers' retreats experiences
• Study online to fit around your work or other responsibilities
• Forge important links with local communities
• Opportunities to meet and interact with local and national writers, and other industry professionals
• Undertake a blend of creative, critical and practical project-based learning
• Work towards publishing your own work
• The honours year features anthology publication of your original work
• Lecturing staff from a variety of creative and professional backgrounds

Entry requirements

• 3 Highers at grade BCC or above OR
• 2 A levels at grade BC
• You must have Higher or A level English at grade B or above
• You will also be required to submit a portfolio of examples of creative writing (up to 3,000 words)
• You will also be required to attend an interview, which can be conducted 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

You will study the following modules:

• First draft: proposal (S1)
• First draft: reflection (S2)
• Introduction to creative writing skills: journals (S1)
• Reading as a writer (S2)
• Writing for film: Introduction to screenplay (S1)
• Writing poetry (S2)

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following modules:

• Creative project: literary competitions (S1)
• Creative project: peer assessment (S2)
• Developing creative writing skills (S1)
• Introduction to publishing (S2)
• Writing from the north: context and criticism (S1)

You will also choose one of the following modules:

• Heroic literature: epic from classical to contemporary (S2)
• Writing for children and young people (S2)
• Writing for film: writing a screenplay (S2)
   

Year 3 - BA

You will study the following modules:

• Authors and audience (S1)
• Creative non-fiction (S2)
• Creative project: researching your writing (S1)
• Creative project: writing what you know (S2)
• Writing experience placement (S2)

You may also choose one of the following modules:

• Branching narratives for interactive content development (S1)
• Scottish writing (S1)

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will study the following modules:

• Crime pays (S1)
• Final creative project: literary anthology (double credit) (SC)
• Publishing practice (S1)
• Social media skills for writers (S2)
• Writing in the marketplace (S2)

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.

Rest of the UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status the following fees apply:

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK studying online from their home country, or living in the UK but assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:

This includes EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK and EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK 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.

Additional costs

• Residentials will take place twice each academic year. Student are required to self-fund any travel to the residentials and cover accommodation and subsistence costs