Creative Writing and Publishing

Creative writing and publishing is a combination that places you on both sides of the literary relationship, as a maker of texts and as someone who understands how those texts reach an audience. Creative writing develops your craft across a range of forms, from fiction and poetry to non-fiction, screenwriting, and digital content, with sustained attention to the technical and imaginative skills that serious writing demands. Publishing takes you inside the industry that brings writing to readers, covering editorial processes, book development, marketing, design, digital publishing, and the economics of a rapidly changing media landscape.

At the University of Derby, this three-year full-time programme begins with an integrated foundation year, giving you the academic and creative preparation needed before you enter the main degree. The curriculum reflects the genuine importance of high-quality, carefully curated content in a world saturated with information, developing your ability to produce writing that is distinctive, purposeful, and well-made. A sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities are all built into the programme, giving you substantial professional and international experience in publishing, media, or writing-related settings before you graduate.

The typical entry tariff of 88 points reflects the accessible character of the foundation route.

You will develop both creative writing skills and professional publishing knowledge, alongside the research, editorial, and communication capabilities that the combined programme builds.

Graduates pursue careers in writing, editing, publishing, literary journalism, content creation, communications, and the broader creative industries. The publishing component opens specific routes into editorial, marketing, rights, and digital publishing roles that creative writing alone does not necessarily provide. Postgraduate study in creative writing, publishing, or journalism is a natural continuation for those wishing to specialise further.