What’s better? A degree or the Creative Writing Programme?

Many writers looking to improve their writing craft ask whether they should take a Masters degree in creative writing or study on the Creative Writing Programme.

 While attending university can be a hugely enriching experience, it’s not necessary to study for a degree to learn about creative writing. Becoming a writer is all about learning the craft of writing and actually sitting down and writing. 

Creative writing degrees don’t just focus on the craft of writing. At least half of most university courses have academic subject matter so you could find yourself on a creative writing degree and studying literary criticism, narrative theory or literary movements. These are all really interesting topics, but you don’t need to study them indepth to become a writer. 

What you do need is to learn the craft of writing – character development, point of view, dialgoue, world-building, story structure and how to edit your work. Most importantly, you need to learn the discipline of writing (even when it’s hard) and work alongside like-minded writers. 

If you want to write a novel, then yes, you can take a Masters degree. But by taking the Creative Writing Programme you will focus more on the actual craft of writing, enjoy a more flexible schedule to fit around work or other responsibilities, save money and, if you’re interested in seeking publication, you’ll meet publishers and agents at the end of the course.  

At the end of the two years of the Creative Writing Programme, you won’t have letters after your name – we’re not an accredited qualification. What you will have is the skills to write and at least 20,000 words of a first draft of a novel or collection of short stories (many of our writers have a completed first draft) - all for a fraction of the cost of a university degree. Our two-year programme costs £3,000 in total compared to more than £11,000 for a Masters degree. You can study online, or in person at our bookish locations in Brighton, Eastbourne, East Grinstead, Hastings, London Bridge or Worthing. 

But don’t just take our word for it. Why not come to one of our taster sessions to see if the programme is for you. https://www.creativewritingprogramme.org.uk