Creative Writing and Digital Media (Placement Year) Lancaster University

The hallmark of Lancaster’s Creative Writing and Digital Media degree is the exceptional opportunities you will have to gain professional skills and experience. Develop your creative voice and hone your writing with support from published novelists, poets and playwrights. Gain in-depth knowledge of the opportunities and challenges presented by digital media technologies. Prepare for a dynamic career in the rapidly-changing digital media and creative sectors.

Why Lancaster?

• Taught by a team of published writers and world-leading experts in digital media

• Learn from academics who shape conversations in areas such as media power, ethics and AI

• Enhance your writing through both text-based writing experiments and workshops focusing on your own writing

• Take advantage of our fully equipped digital media studio and the latest specialist equipment

• Explore professional dimensions of Creative Writing, such as performing your work, editing, publishing and marketing

• As you progress though the course, choose modules from either subject, depending on your own interests

How will I develop my writing at Lancaster?

Lancaster was one of the very first UK universities to teach Creative Writing. Today we continue to lead the way in the discipline with celebrated authors as tutors and students who go on to publish their work.

In your own writing you will be able to explore traditional forms such as the short story, the novel, poetry, or scriptwriting, as well as non-traditional forms such as digital media, screenwriting, fantasy and writing for young adults.

You can also get involved with our four student-run literary journals: Cake, Flash, Lux and Errant and capitalise on our partnership with Lancaster LitFest.

What areas of Digital Media will I study?

Our team carries out world-leading research into a wide range of fascinating topics, from artificial intelligence and algorithmic cultures to fandom, sustainability, media activism, gender and sexualities, and more. Our academics consult on key policy debates and bring their expert knowledge into their teaching.

You will learn how digital technologies, in their many forms, function in our everyday lives and the global societies we live in. You will also discover how these themes present both opportunities and challenges within our everyday lives and the creative industries.

What opportunities are there to gain professional experience at Lancaster University?

In recent years, we have run workshops with journalists from organisations such as the BBC; talks from successful authors; masterclasses in areas like podcasting; and career talks with professionals based at think tanks and NGOs. We also organise bespoke careers’ sessions on employment opportunities in the media and creative sectors.

Our rich programme of literary events on campus, online, and in the city’s historic Castle Quarter offers further opportunities to gain experience and make professional contacts. You might try writing graphic novels and comics thanks to our connections with the Lakes International Comics Arts Festival or take up an internship opportunity in the Lake District with our partner, the Wordsworth Museum.

You can build your creative experience by getting involved with our student media societies which include a television station, a newspaper, a radio station and a cinema. Take a backroom role in marketing, social media or content creation – or try live presenting, if you dare!

Throughout your time at Lancaster, you will build a strong network of contacts and a bank of professional experience that will be invaluable to your career as a digital media and writing professional.

Your Placement Year

Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

ABB

Access to HE Diploma

30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 15 Level 3 credits at Merit

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

BTEC in combination with A levels

A level at grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BB plus BTEC at D

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Distinction overall

GCSE requirements

English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.