Free taster exercise with lecturer feedback

If you’re curious about studying with us, you can try a small sample course for free. You’ll get individual, tailored feedback on your work, so you can see what it’s like as a student at Bolton and see your own strengths in the field.

try a free sample course

"Bolton isn't like anywhere else. Everything they do is about the students."

If you’re curious about studying with us, you can try a small sample course for free. 

try for free now

"Bolton isn't like anywhere else. Everything they do is about the students."

Through in-depth study and analysis of a range of texts, including fiction, poetry and drama, you will cultivate your critical skills and hone your prowess as a creative communicator.

Literature is one of the most powerful ways we can experience other lives, enjoy worlds we’ve never visited, and develop an appreciation for the amazing capacity of words to move, inform, persuade and inspire.

Course highlights

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 place us first in the UK for teaching quality and student experience for English and Creative Writing.


Small groups and workshops tailored to your interests and employability needs, including guest lectures from a range of industry specialists.


Dedicated support from lecturers that are professional writers and researchers whose work is widely published or produced on stage, screen or radio.


Excellent industry contacts with external creative organisations such as publishers, production companies, theatres, libraries, art galleries, schools, funding bodies and arts development agencies.


Live briefs developed from industry partnerships and in-house work experience projects, such as The Bolton Review, the New Writing Showcase and the Victorian Bolton digital archive.

Creativity and critical thinking are graduate skills prized by employers. Studying literature and learning how to write imaginatively and persuasively will prepare you for a range of careers from teaching to editing and more.

Our innovative degree allows you to critically explore a variety of literary texts and to create imaginative works that develop your understanding of real world issues.

We encounter everything from fantasy fiction to creative nonfiction memoir, powerful poetry to cutting-edge screen and stage drama. You will consider how crafted and artful language shapes our society. Live briefs developed from industry partnerships will hone your communication and organisational skills ready for the world of work.

"The English and Creative Writing staff are amazing. They go above and beyond for their students; the lecturers always give you the support you need which helps you grow as a student and an individual."

Soti Erekosima, English & Creative Writing BA (Hons) student

"The English and Creative Writing staff are amazing. They go above and beyond for their students; the lecturers always give you the support you need which helps you grow as a student and an individual."

Soti Erekosima, English & Creative Writing BA (Hons) student

100% Student Satisfaction for four years in a row

Join a course led by varied, specialist lecturers dedicated to making sure you have the best experience possible. Don’t take our word for it, watch the video to hear from some of our students.

100%

Overall Student Satisfaction. National Student Survey (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)

100%

Teaching and Learning. National Student Survey (2019)

1st

1st in the UK for Student Satisfaction. The Complete University Guide (2021)

2nd

2nd in subject overall in the UK. Guardian League Table (2020)

Lecturers