Aberystwyth University United Kingdom

BA Creative Writing and Fine Art

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

The BA Creative Writing and Fine Art at Aberystwyth University invites you to explore the dynamic interplay between literary expression and visual artistry. This undergraduate degree is designed for aspiring creators who wish to develop a sophisticated understanding of both narrative craft and artistic practice, preparing you for a world where interdisciplinary skills are increasingly valued. You will engage with core concepts in creative writing, including novel and poetry development, alongside foundational fine art disciplines such as drawing, painting, and photography. This programme cultivates your unique artistic voice and critical perspective within a supportive academic environment.

You will study this BA Creative Writing and Fine Art full-time on campus over three years, immersing yourself in a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with practical application. Through modules like 'Beginning Creative Writing', 'Drawing: Looking, Seeing, Thinking', and 'Painting: Extended Practice', you will build a robust portfolio and hone your technical skills. The syllabus includes opportunities for extended practice in various art forms and writing specialisms, culminating in a significant final-year 'Writing Project' or exhibition. You will graduate from Aberystwyth University with a versatile skill set, ready to pursue careers in publishing, the arts, education, or further postgraduate study.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA program offers a comprehensive exploration of creative writing and fine art, guiding students through foundational techniques and advanced practices across both disciplines. Year one introduces core concepts in creative writing, literary analysis, and visual arts, including drawing, painting, and art history. Subsequent years delve into specialized areas such as novel writing, poetry, illustration, photography, and printmaking, alongside in-depth literary studies and professional development. The curriculum culminates in a significant independent project, allowing students to synthesize their creative and critical skills.

1 YEAR 1

Beginning Creative Writing Part 1
Beginning Creative Writing Part 2
Drawing: Looking, Seeing, Thinking
Painting: Looking, Seeing, Thinking
Academic Writing: Planning, Process and Product
American Literature 1819-1925
Ancestral Voices
Contemporary Writing
Critical Practice
Greek and Roman Epic and Drama
Introduction to Poetry
Language Awareness for TESOL
Literature and the Sea
Peering into Possibility: Speculative Fiction and the Now
Re-imagining Nineteenth-Century Literature
Drawing: Extended Practice
Exploring the School of Art Collections: Research and Museums
Looking into Landscape: Reading, Researching, Responding
Painting: Extended Practice
Photography Begins
Pleasure, Power, and Profit: Art in the Long Eighteenth Century
Representing the Body
Revolutions & Modernities: Art in the Nineteenth Century

2 YEAR 2

Beginning the Novel
Book Illustration 1
Book Illustration 2
Interdisciplinary Practice 3
Interdisciplinary Practice 4
Introduction to Design and Illustration 1
Introduction to Design and Illustration 2
Life Studies 1
Life Studies 2
Painting 1
Painting 2
Painting 3
Painting 4
Photography 1
Photography 2
Photography 3
Photography 4
Printmaking 1: Etching and Relief Printing
Printmaking 2: Etching and Relief Printing
Printmaking 3: Screenprinting, Lithography & Hybrid Printing
Printmaking 4: Screenprinting, Lithography & Hybrid Printing
Professional Practice for Students of Art
A Century in Crisis: 1790s to 1890s
Adventures with Poetry
Effective Academic and Professional Communication 1
Shaping Plots
Short Stories: Grit and Candour
Telling True Stories: Ways of Writing Creative Non-Fiction
Writing Selves
Classical Drama and Myth
Contemporary Writing and Climate Crisis
In the Olde Dayes: Medieval Texts and Their World
Literary Geographies
Literary Modernisms
Literary Theory: Debates and Dialogues
Literature and Climate in the Nineteenth Century
Literature since the '60s
Place and Self
TESOL Approaches, Methods, and Teaching Techniques
Writing Women for the Public Stage, 1670-1780

3 YEAR 3

Ali Smith and 21st Century Fiction(s)
Big Ideas: Writing Popular Science
Crisis Writing
Effective Academic and Professional Communication 2
Humour and Conflict in Contemporary Writing
Literatures of Surveillance
Poetry for Today
Remix: Chaucer in the Then and Now
TESOL Materials Development and Application of Technologies
The Writing Project
Writing Crime Fiction
Writing Horror
Writing Music
Writing and Place
Haunting Texts
Reading Theory / Reading Text
Romantic Eroticism
The Mark of the Beast: Animals in Literature from the 1780s to the 1920s
Victorian Childhoods
Writing in the Margins: Twentieth-Century Welsh Poetry in English
Book Illustration 3
Exhibition 1: Graduation Show
Interdisciplinary Practice 5
Interdisciplinary Practice 6
Life Studies 3
Painting 5 – Paint Directed Practice
Photography 5 – Photo Directed Practice
Printmaking 5 – Print Directed Practice

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

10% off
First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 23,256.00 USD 25,939.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 25,939.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 25,939.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 75,134.00 USD 77,817.00

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

Accounting & AuditingAgricultural Research & DevelopmentBroadcasting & TelevisionCorporate Training & DevelopmentCurriculum & Instructional DesignEconomic Research & PolicyEdTech & E-LearningEducational Support ServicesFood Science & TechnologyMedia Research & Analytics

Top Employers Hiring for this course

BT Group

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

British Council

Deloitte UK

ITV

National Trust

Sainsbury's

Why Study BA Creative Writing and Fine Art 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 Fine Art 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.

What English language score do I need for this course?

For TOEFL, you need a minimum overall score of 93, with specific listening, reading, speaking, and writing scores. IELTS applicants require an overall score of 6.5, and similar minimums apply for PTE.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates may pursue careers as writers, art critics, museum curators, graphic designers, or educators.

What will I actually study in this course?

The degree integrates subjects like painting and photography while enhancing your creative writing skills. You'll gain a strong foundation in both fine art practices and critical thinking.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The intake for the BA Creative Writing and Fine Art program is in September each year. Be sure to apply in advance to secure your spot.
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