This exciting course develops connections between the critical study of English Literature and the creative practice of writing in a variety of forms. You will learn to approach texts as both a reader and a writer, discovering links and synergies between these different perspectives.

Through critical knowledge and practical experience, you will study a broad range of English Literature and Creative Writing in small groups or workshops, led by the research experts in the field or by published writers, in an atmosphere of creative, scholarly enterprise in order to develop skills of critical analysis and imaginative problem solving that are highly valued by employers.

In addition to the benefits listed on the page for BA English Literature:

Students rate our teaching extremely highly. English Literature at Bangor received 100% overall student satisfaction in the 2016 NSS. This places Bangor top in the UK for student satisfaction.
We are committed to teaching in small groups as well as lectures, one-to-one supervision and providing individualised feedback.
We offer a broad and flexible range of module choices, combining English Literature – e.g. The Literature of Laughter, Detective Fiction, Contemporary Literature and The Gothic in Literature and Film – and English Language – e.g. in Bilingualism, Historical Linguistics, Language and Communication, and Psycholinguistics.
Our research informs our teaching. The world-class quality of our research and writing was recognised in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), placing us in the UK Top 10 for research intensity.
There is a vibrant Arts and Culture scene. Our close links with Pontio, the University’s, £40million Arts Centre, local theatres, poetry groups and vibrant student societies - including our Bangor English Drama Society (BEDS) – there are lots of chances for you to get involved.
Bangor is an inspiring location for creative writing or literary study.

Course Structure-

Year 1-
Many modules are genre based, each covering a wide range of historical periods, of focusing on writing in a particular genre. You will be introduced you to a range of techniques in Creative Writing. These modules aim to develop in students the skills required for an undergraduate degree in English Literature and / with Creative Writing.

Compulsory Modules:

Creative Writing - Poetry
Creative Writing - Prose
Studying Literature
Introduction to Screenwriting

Also, choose from:
Writing for Children and Young Adults
The Literature of Laughter
Exploring America: an Introduction to US Literature
The Gothic in Literature and Film
Landmarks in Literature
Heroes and Villains: an Introduction to Medieval Literature

Year 2-
The second year allows you to develop your interests in the novel, short fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry.

Modules include:
The Novel
Working-class Fiction
Transformative Writing
Short Fiction and Poetry
Writing Selves
Contemporary Literature

Year 3-
The third year gives you you the chance to explore one area more fully in the dissertation. You will be supervised on a one-to-one basis by a practising writer as you complete a novel, a collection of short stories or poetry to the very highest standard. Learning to reflect critically on your own practice will prepare you equally for the independence of a career in writing or for postgraduate study.

Compulsory Module:
The Creative Writing Dissertation

Modules include:
Experimental Writing
Cross-Cultural Writing
The Open Road

These courses provide students with excellent employment prospects, in a wide range of career options. In the past our graduates have gone into PR work, teaching, publishing, advertising, journalism, the law, community work and academia. The skills of critical analysis, imaginative problem solving, and presentation are all highly valued after by employers in a wide range of sectors. Our graduates are typically independent-minded, yet able to work as part of an effective team. Another option is postgraduate study, which offers graduates an opportunity to further deepen their knowledge and expertise, and to distinguish themselves from other students. There are great opportunities for this at Bangor. The ability to use words effectively is, in fact, a major advantage in almost any career.

In a recent Salaries and Vacancies Survey the Association of Graduate Recruiters lisited the top ten skill areas that employers seek right now:

Motivation and enthusiasm
Interpersonal skills
Team working
Oral communication
Flexibility and adaptability
Initiative/productivity
Problem solving
Planning and organisation
Managing own development
Written communication

All these skills are central to an English degree. Employers repeatedly say that they do not want ‘trained’ recruits. They want intelligent, rounded people who have a depth of understanding, can apply themselves, take responsibility and develop their role in the organisation, demonstrating the traditional high-level academic abilities of analysis, reflection, critique and synthesis. What they do not want is graduates trained for a job, not least because jobs change rapidly.

When graduates in English reflect on the skills they developed through their degree which they have found most useful in their new jobs, they speak of advanced literary and communication skills, writing for project-based work, independent thought and judgement, and good time-management.