THE LIFE WRITING PROGRAMME
Online 2026-2028. This course will open for enrolment in January 2026 and the deadline is 16th September 2026. Our 10% early bird discount ends on 30th April 2026.
Two-years. One morning a week for 25 weeks per year.
The Life Writing Programme has been designed to develop your understanding of the craft of turning personal or researched experience into narrative. It has a particular emphasis on the different forms of creative non-fiction: life writing, autobiography, biography, historically-researched fiction, travel writing, diaries, journals, comic writing and blogs and teaches writing techniques that can be used in both non-fiction and creative fiction.
Overview
In your first year you will reflect on the sources and themes of your own writing
develop a deeper understanding of your own creativity and enhance your story-telling ability
learn the writing techniques that will bring the world of your imagination to life on the page
explore the relationship between memory and imagination in non-fiction narratives
In the second year the focus will shift from shorter scenes to longer narratives. You will:
learn how to create compelling characters and a strong, distinctive narratorial voice
discover ways of enhancing the dramatic impact of your writing and explore the different ways in which life stories can be told
gain further insights into language and technique and examine the related concepts of authenticity and integrity in life writing
Throughout the course you will continue to explore aspects of character and setting, learning to negotiate memory and constructs of time in relation to life writing.
You will hone your critical and editing skills and develop your eye for good life writing. In the writing workshops, you will share, discuss and evaluate your work with the other writers in your writing group.
By the end the programme you will have developed a substantial body of work and have either finished your writing project or be in a position to bring it to completion.
What this creative writing course will do for you
This programme will help you:
develop your confidence and ability as a writer
organise and manage your work
evolve a strong individual style.
It is an ideal programme for writers who want to write a memoir, biography or other piece of long-form creative non-fiction and are looking for structure, encouragement and feedback to help them achieve this.
All you will need to bring to the programme is your imagination, a love of reading, a passion to write and the determination to succeed.
Through the course, I found a community of writers who remained a huge source of support for several years after the course, and received a foundation of knowledge and tools in creative writing.’
Louise Kenward, author of Moving Mountains
What is required of me?
Over the two years you will need to organise a minimum of twelve hours per week for classes and additional writing and reading time.
You will need to have access to a computer with email and an internet connection as the programme uses an online learning site to allow students to keep in touch outside of the taught sessions. Your computer must have a built-in camera as the workshops are held on Zoom.
How our life writing courses work
The programme follows a structure of four terms over two years. Weekly seminars of 2.5 hours include a mix of practical writing exercises, discussions, group work, tutor-led feedback and taught sessions.
You will work closely with two of our experienced tutors, who will meet you for one-to-one tutorials. You can also take additional one-day masterclasses with visiting writers if you choose. You’ll have the opportunity to read your work – and hear from your peers – at termly student and alumni reading evenings held both online and at Kemptown Bookshop, Brighton.
Once you have enrolled you will be taken to your course page on our website. When your course starts your tutor will add course outlines, supporting seminar notes, writing exercises and a Writers’ Forum where you can chat with other writers in your group.
Key Information
Programme Length: Two years
Maximum group size 15
Seminar times:
TBC
Term dates
Autumn term: Monday 28th September – Saturday 12th December (Half term 26th October to 30th October)
Spring term: Monday 4th January – Saturday 20th March (Half term 15th-20th February)
Summer term: Monday 19th April – Saturday 22nd May
2027-8 term dates will be provided later in spring 2027.
Entry requirements:
No formal qualifications required. All you need to bring to the programme is your imagination, a love of reading, a passion to write, a commitment to your writing group and the determination to succeed.
We’re running taster sessions from February to September so you can see if the programme is for you. Find out more and book your place here.
Enrolment
Fee:
£1,249+VAT per annum (total £1,499)
Early bird discount: pay your entire first year course fee by 30th April 2026 and receive 10% off.
The fees include:
Two-year programme. 25 weeks of taught classes per year. Pitched at graduate degree level
Four one-to-one tutorials with an experienced tutor over the two years
Four one-day masterclasses over the two years
Publishing Day and meeting with an agent for market feedback at the end of the course
Several student and alumni readings/ social events across the year (small fee applies for refreshments for the in-person events)
Payment options:
A non-refundable 10% deposit (£149.99) is paid at the start of the first year by way of a deposit for the second year. This is then taken off the second year’s fees.
Students can also pay their fees in two instalments: £999.49 (half the course fees plus the second year deposit plus £100 admin fee) to secure their place on the course and then £749.50 at the start of the spring term in January. The second year course fees will then be £1,350 including VAT if paid in one instalment or £1,450 if paid in two instalments.
By booking a place on one of our courses, you are deemed to have accepted our terms and conditions. Please take time to read these.
Life Writing Programme
Pay in Full
Life Writing Programme
Pay in Two Instalments
To discuss your payment options, email Cathy Hayward