How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

You’ll join a dynamic and collaborative writing community, working alongside illustrators, graphic designers and filmmakers to explore possibilities and challenge conventions.   

Our team of award-winning writers will help you become confident and skilled in everything from prose fiction to publishing. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our professional partners, so you can gain real-world experience of the creative industries and make the most of Sheffield’s vibrant cultural scene.

You learn through:

• Lectures, seminars and individual tutorials
• Workshopping your writing
• Modules focused on specific forms and styles
• Working with different organisations and audiences
• Generating and pitching ideas
• Live readings and performances
• Masterclasses from guest writers
• Writing trips and retreats

Course topics

In your first year you’ll learn the basics of a variety of forms – from poetry and fiction to script and creative non-fiction. You’ll think about what it means to be a writer and start to connect your writing with the real world by responding to a live brief from a publisher. 

In your second year, you’ll continue to hone your skills across all the main forms of writing, developing your style as you find your audience and explore genres. During this time, you’ll workshop your writing with students and academics to develop essential skills in drafting and revising your work.

The final year of your course is your opportunity to focus on your creative future. In addition to refining your craft and developing your creative voice, you’ll explore different audiences and purposes for creative work. You’ll also develop and carry out a creative project that brings your passions and creativity together. 

Course support

You’ll be supported at every step of your student journey, with:

• Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
• Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources
• Student-led social initiatives and feedback
• Career support for up to five years after graduating

Course leaders and tutors

Dr Shelley Roche-Jacques

Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing

I bring to my teaching my interest in dramatic action and the spatio-temporal elements of texts. This approach often helps students unpick ideas around genre, narrat … Read more

Applied learning

We think the best way to learn something is to do it in the real world. Studying in Sheffield puts you at the heart of a vibrant cultural scene, where you can put learning into practice through placements and live projects with our rich community of publishers and creatives.

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a placement year between your second and third years – either a 25-week placement or multiple shorter placements. These give you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – as well as an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV. You could also take the time to collaborate with external partners or develop your own creative enterprise.

Previous students have taken the chance to work at children's literacy charity Grimm and Co, exhibit work at Sheffield Museums, and create their own digital magazines.

Field trips

We run regular local, regional and international field trips – from writing retreats to festivals and theatre visits. There’s also an opportunity to experience a writing retreat closer to home. Previously, this has included a residential in the Peak District – the stunning national park right on the border of Sheffield.

Networking opportunities

We work with renowned festivals held in the city, such as Off the Shelf literary festival and Doc/Fest, an international documentary film festival. 

These events attract literary agents, publishers and high-profile writers. Past students have volunteered as delegates – gaining experience working at the festivals while growing their professional network. Plus our innovative Masterclasses and alumni network will give you a headstart in the writing and publishing industries.

Competitions and galleries

Take advantage of regular opportunities to showcase your knowledge and skills to our industry and community partners – such as schools, museums, theatre companies and charities. You’ll work independently and in groups, bringing your ideas to life in response to real-world briefs. 

In a recent exhibition at Sheffield’s Millenium Galleries, students on the BA and MA Creative Writing courses worked together to curate an exhibition that more than 30,000 people attended.

Some of our students have also taken part in the Festival of Debate and we encourage students to enter competitions like Sheffield’s New Poet’s Prize and the Hive Young Writers Competition. 

Future careers

As well as written and spoken communication skills, you’ll develop the skills to understand different audiences and frame a persuasive argument.

Our students have gone on to exciting careers in:

• Creative industries, such as theatre and media
• Teaching and education
• Journalism
• The charity sector
• Arts organisations
• Marketing, PR and communications
• Local and regional government
• Social work
• Postgraduate study and academia 

Our famous Hallam graduates include:

• Marina Lewycka – author of the prize-winning novel, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian 
• Ben Wilkinson – renowned poet, critic and freelance writer
• Frances Leviston – award-winning poet and novelist
• Cherie Jones – author of How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House (shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, 2021)

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 

Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.