Aberystwyth University United Kingdom

BA Creative Writing and Drama and Theatre

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

Embark on your journey into the dynamic worlds of storytelling and performance with the BA Creative Writing and Drama and Theatre Studies at Aberystwyth University. This undergraduate degree is crafted for those eager to explore the transformative power of language and stagecraft, equipping you with the skills to craft compelling narratives and engage audiences. You will delve into the essential elements of writing across genres like poetry, fiction, and screenplays, while simultaneously immersing yourself in the practical and theoretical aspects of theatre. Aberystwyth University provides a vibrant academic environment where creative and critical thinking converge, preparing you for a future in the arts and media industries.

This full-time, on-campus programme spans three years, offering you a rich, immersive learning experience. You will engage with core modules in creative writing and theatre in context, alongside opportunities to specialise through a wide array of optional units. Your studies will involve practical projects, such as site-specific performances and studio theatre work, alongside in-depth exploration of dramatic literature and theory. In your final year, you will undertake a significant dissertation or independent research project, culminating in a substantial piece of creative or critical work. You will graduate with a versatile skill set, ready for diverse career paths in writing, theatre, education, and beyond.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This program offers a comprehensive exploration of creative writing and drama. Students will engage with foundational writing techniques, delve into the history and context of theatre, and participate in practical performance projects. The curriculum progresses to advanced novel writing, diverse theatrical practices, and culminates in a dissertation or independent research project, allowing for specialization in areas such as playwriting, contemporary drama, or various literary genres.

1 YEAR 1

Beginning Creative Writing Part 1 Compulsory
Beginning Creative Writing Part 2 Compulsory
Theatre in Context 1 Compulsory
Theatre in Context 2 Compulsory
Site-Specific Performance Project Compulsory
Studio Theatre Project Compulsory
Academic Writing: Planning, Process and Product Elective
American Literature 1819-1925 Elective
Ancestral Voices Elective
Contemporary Writing Elective
Critical Practice Elective
Greek and Roman Epic and Drama Elective
Introduction to Poetry Elective
Language Awareness for TESOL Elective
Literature and the Sea Elective
Peering into Possibility: Speculative Fiction and the Now Elective
Re-imagining Nineteenth-Century Literature Elective
Body, Voice, Expression Elective
Body, Voice, Perception Elective

2 YEAR 2

Beginning the Novel Compulsory
Acting for Camera Elective
Acting: Process and Performance Elective
Design Project Elective
Devised Performance Project Elective
Directors' Theatre Elective
New Media Performance Elective
Shakespeare in Performance Elective
Theatre Production Project Elective
Theatre and Contemporary Society Elective
A Century in Crisis: 1790s to 1890s Elective
Adventures with Poetry Elective
Effective Academic and Professional Communication 1 Elective
Shaping Plots Elective
Short Stories: Grit and Candour Elective
Telling True Stories: Ways of Writing Creative Non-Fiction Elective
Writing Selves Elective
Classical Drama and Myth Elective
Contemporary Writing and Climate Crisis Elective
In the Olde Dayes: Medieval Texts and Their World Elective
Literary Geographies Elective
Literary Modernisms Elective
Literary Theory: Debates and Dialogues Elective
Literature and Climate in the Nineteenth Century Elective
Literature since the '60s Elective
Place and Self Elective
TESOL Approaches, Methods and Teaching Techniques Elective
Writing Women for the Public Stage, 1670-1780 Elective

3 YEAR 3

Dissertation Compulsory
Independent Research Project Compulsory
Playwriting Compulsory
Contemporary Drama Elective
Musical Theatre Dramaturgies Elective
Performance and Architecture Elective
Performance and Disability Elective
Place, Space and Landscape Elective
Ali Smith and 21st Century Fiction(s) Elective
Big Ideas: Writing Popular Science Elective
Crisis Writing Elective
Effective Academic and Professional Communication 2 Elective
Humour and Conflict in Contemporary Writing Elective
Literatures of Surveillance Elective
Poetry for Today Elective
Remix: Chaucer In The Then and Now Elective
TESOL Materials Development and Application of Technologies Elective
The Writing Project Elective
Writing Crime Fiction Elective
Writing Horror Elective
Writing Music Elective
Writing and Place Elective
Ensemble Performance Project Elective
Haunting Texts Elective
Reading Theory / Reading Text Elective
Romantic Eroticism Elective
The Mark of the Beast: Animals in Literature from the 1780s to the 1920s Elective
Victorian Childhoods Elective
Writing in the Margins: Twentieth-Century Welsh Poetry in English Elective

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

11% off
First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 21,877.00 USD 24,560.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,560.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,560.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 70,998.00 USD 73,681.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 689.00 - USD 1,322.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on Penglais campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

96%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Agricultural Marketing & SalesBeverage Production & DistributionCorporate Finance & TreasuryEconomic Research & PolicyEducational Support ServicesEnvironmental & Sustainability ConsultingFilm & Television ProductionFintech & Mobile MoneyJournalism & ReportingSupply Chain & Food Logistics

Top Employers Hiring for this course

BT Group

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

British Council

Deloitte UK

ITV

Sainsbury's

Why Study BA Creative Writing and Drama and Theatre at Aberystwyth University

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at Aberystwyth University in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA Creative Writing and Drama and Theatre at Aberystwyth University

Can I work while studying?

International students in degree courses can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks. No separate work permit is needed for this arrangement.

What English language score do I need for this course?

For admission, you must meet specific English test requirements: TOEFL overall score of 93, IELTS overall score of 6.5, or PTE score of 59. Ensure you achieve the required scores in all sections to be eligible for this program.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as scriptwriters, literary agents, theatre directors, or editors.

What will I actually study in this course?

This cross-disciplinary degree focuses on enhancing your voice through literature and media platforms. You will learn to craft various writing forms, including poetry, fiction, and screenplays, while benefiting from industry connections with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre Wales.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA in Creative Writing and Drama and Theatre at Aberystwyth University begins in September. Make sure to prepare your application in advance to secure your place in this dynamic program.
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