[EloiseStar]

Is a creative writing course useful if you want to go into script writing?

Writing for the BBC/ITV is my dream career but I don't want to limit my options by just studying creative writing. I quite fancy studying English Literature as it is one of my favourite subjects, and strongest but also History...

I don't know whether to go for more traditional subjects which could open more career paths... How could I, other than through sending my manuscripts to the BBC, get into writing?

I'm really struggling to make a decision D:

[ByronicHero]

(Original post by EloiseStar)
Is a creative writing course useful if you want to go into script writing?

Writing for the BBC/ITV is my dream career but I don't want to limit my options by just studying creative writing. I quite fancy studying English Literature as it is one of my favourite subjects, and strongest but also History...

I don't know whether to go for more traditional subjects which could open more career paths... How could I, other than through sending my manuscripts to the BBC, get into writing?

I'm really struggling to make a decision D:

I would personally go for English. You can't really teach someone to be creative but English will teach you a level of accuracy and proficiency with the language which will foster in you most of the learn-able skills required for the type of writing you want to do. It will also provide you with a rigorous enough academic background to do a great many other things which, rightly or wrongly, creative writing is generally considered not to do - despite many (probably most) creative writing courses sharing a vast majority of modules with the English degrees. I would suggest you look at doing an English degree and follow any creative pathways available to you. No idea how exactly you get into that type of writing but experience will almost certainly be important so joining relevant university societies and the like is something you will want to consider.

[tuo_corso]

You can take English literature courses combined with Creative Writing, either in a major/minor scheme or as a combined major. Major/minor degrees, at least, should generally be fairly easy to find, and while combined major degrees are more rare, there are definitely notable universities which have them, so it could be worth a try.

The thing about creative writing degrees is that they can definitely help, maybe not so much because of what you get taught, but moreso because they give you motivation to write consistently, and an assured feedback system and audience. This would seem especially beneficial in screenwriting, which is less accessible to reading groups and circles. In this case, given that the writers involved will be ones accepted by the university on the basis of samples, etc., you'll likely get to work with at least a couple of good student writers, as well as professors and such, who should be useful both as feedback-givers and as something to read and learn from. As a script-writer, you'll also be introduced to other styles of writing, and get some experience in writing in a greater range of media, which should feed back and improve your script-writing abilities. Shakespeare started off a poet, after all.

All in all, if you're interested in applying for English, there's probably not much harm going for creative writing as well, especially if you want to become a scriptwriter. If there isn't an either/or choice, there's no need to create one. In some universities, such as Lancaster, you could even take History along with those two in the first year, and only make your choices in the second year, once you've seen what they're like (I'm fairly sure that any two of those courses could be coupled, as well.) Of course, it's probably also worth entering your works into anthologies, competitions, etc., although being a creative writing student can be quite useful in that respect as well. Whatever you do, though, keep on writing.

[mutemuse]

Advice please! I'm going to be living in Hampstead and confused between golsmsith, kingston, birkbeck and royal holloway. I'm planning to study MA in Creative writing. I'm not able to make up my mind between the above mentioned. Can you please help me decide.

Traveling is not really an issue, I mean if kingston is a great uni to study and better than rest of three i dont mind travelling thrice a week. I love all the course descriptions, and i love what kingston has to offer, but from what i read Birkbeck seems to be pretty reputed for the course. Also i have heard it's for working professionals ( which means everybody is busy and not a real uni experience.)

And i have no clue how is goldsmith for the same.

please advice!

[sinfonietta]

Why haven't you mentioned going for a BA in Script/Screenwriting if that's your ideal career? They can be studied with English at some universities.

[EloiseStar]

(Original post by sinfonietta)
Why haven't you mentioned going for a BA in Script/Screenwriting if that's your ideal career? They can be studied with English at some universities.

I haven't found 'English with Screenwriting' at any university

[RonnetClaw]

(Original post by EloiseStar)
I haven't found 'English with Screenwriting' at any university

I just goggled 'english with screenwriting course in uk' and got a good list of universities offering them. University of Glamorgan was one of them. But you'd find others that suit to your needs.

btw, even colleges offering creative writing has a dual program that lets your take screenwriting instead of prose/poetry. And with elective modules, you coudl improve your english as well. besides, a creative writing course can quickly get you into good contact with industry professionals as they are regular guests lectures, shows etc, and unlike the other regular english courses, you can also get feedback on your writing etc.

Like you, im a scriptwriter as well. And i believe a course in creative writing is much better than a regular course in english. So far is clear.

Im still doing my research on universities now. I've shortlisted 3 with UEA on the priority spot. It was the obvious choice of course. If you want, we could research together. just get back to me as soon as you can!

[EloiseStar]

(Original post by RonnetClaw)
I just goggled 'english with screenwriting course in uk' and got a good list of universities offering them. University of Glamorgan was one of them. But you'd find others that suit to your needs.

btw, even colleges offering creative writing has a dual program that lets your take screenwriting instead of prose/poetry. And with elective modules, you coudl improve your english as well. besides, a creative writing course can quickly get you into good contact with industry professionals as they are regular guests lectures, shows etc, and unlike the other regular english courses, you can also get feedback on your writing etc.

Like you, im a scriptwriter as well. And i believe a course in creative writing is much better than a regular course in english. So far is clear.

Im still doing my research on universities now. I've shortlisted 3 with UEA on the priority spot. It was the obvious choice of course. If you want, we could research together. just get back to me as soon as you can!

I'd love to research with you

[RonnetClaw]

(Original post by EloiseStar)
I'd love to research with you

great!

these thread should get you started. you'd learn from this thread and with some background researching that UEA, leeds, lancaster and cardiff are the viable choices in uk for a creative writing course. well, it is mine.

Of course, you may find better choices, like the one in manchester headed by star tutor martin amis, among many others that are a lot more cheaper and much more attracting than a course in leeds or cardiff. correct me if im wrong, but the whole point of doing a creative writing is to re-learn the basics that you already know in a much better style, get quality feedback, manage time more effectively, and meet lots and lots of people who know lots and lots of people in the creative writing industry. After all, its who you know, and who they know that matters in today's publishing industry. You can get that wherever you join if you really try for it. besides, as Juliet Brooke, the editor at Chatto & Windus puts it,- 'Ultimately, it doesn't really matter whether the writer has done it from one of the best colleges, or even done a course at all– if the book's brilliant, it will stand alone.'

EDIT: i havnt researched universities that do dual in scriptwriting much, but i should have a clear idea by the end of the week. Will post them as soon as i get enough to share. And what are your suggestions?

EDIT: i forgot to post the thread links. here they are -
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show...tive%20writing
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show...tive%20writing
there was also another thread on the UEA, and leeds but i cant find it anywhere now!

[OliS]

(Original post by RonnetClaw)
...

Don't rule out Warwick (it's brilliant).

[Miraclefish]

A course focusing on script writing or creative writing may help you with a narrow potential field, but a larger grounding in English language or literature would be far, far more useful.

One of the posters, Paddy Power, made an amazingly accurate point: "I would personally go for English. You can't really teach someone to be creative but English will teach you a level of accuracy and proficiency with the language which will foster in you most of the learn-able skills required for the type of writing you want to do."

This is so true. I'm a self-taught journalist and writer. A strong grounding in English means you can turn your hand to any kind of writing. And moving disciplines makes you far, far more effective as a writer.

You may want to do script writing now, and you may well end up doing it, but you may find it much easier to make it there with experience in other areas of writing... and you'll certainly find it easier to expand into other areas with that rock solid grounding in English!

Or, to summarise: Being a good writer means you can be a script writer. Being a script writer doesn't mean you can be a good writer.

[RonnetClaw]

(Original post by Miraclefish)

Or, to summarise: Being a good writer means you can be a script writer. Being a script writer doesn't mean you can be a good writer.

you got a point there miracle. It got me to reconsider. Thank you!

..

Warwick? Havnt done much research on that. But on the league rankings, its way too top for my grades, or so i thought. Thanks! Will give it a shot!

[OliS]

(Original post by RonnetClaw)
Warwick? Havnt done much research on that. But on the league rankings, its way too top for my grades, or so i thought. Thanks! Will give it a shot!

It requires at least 3As at A level, but if you're looking at UEA as well then that's the same grade boundaries (for English/Creative Writing)

[RonnetClaw]

(Original post by OliS)
It requires at least 3As at A level, but if you're looking at UEA as well then that's the same grade boundaries (for English/Creative Writing)

we dont go by the same system as yours. so i'm totally clueless on where i stand with regards to the uk system. besides, i did a graduation in computers, though my tastes were in creative writing. it is sorta the norm in india to either pursue engineering or do some weird stuff in medicine right after your high school.

here's what i do have. a few months of work experience with a regional magazine. a entire novel plotted half in my head and half on paper, of which a 5000 word sample is the portfolio work that im submitting. i also owned a college mock-magazine, but that had to closed after objections from the university.

i kinda hope that they wont put too much weight on the marks. if it is on the portfolio work, then i'd have a better chance in getting through.

anybody got any clue on what the entry criteria/weightages are?