English Literature and Creative Writing at degree?

Hi everyone!

I am an aspiring English teacher. I am set to get top grades in Sociology, English Literature and Film Studies. However, I have taken a recent interest in taking a joint honours in English and Creative Writing, as opposed to just English.

My question is, do universities mind if your school does not offer a Creative Writing A-Level? I have been attending a writing class for roughly 6 months now. We are publishing an anthology in September. I have written a review on a festival that was recognised by leading organiser John Giddings. Is this enough for universities if I don't have the A-Level?

Also, would be great if people could let me know what this degree was like when you started and where you are now, as well as any advice on how to ace my writerly skills for university level.

Universities do not mind if you don't have A-level Creative Writing as they realise it's still a relatively new A-level and not many colleges or school will offer it.

What you're doing sounds great and that's the sort of stuff you should put in your personal statement that will make you stand out!

It sounds like you really enjoy creative writing and you should go for it. Since you're wanting to become an English teacher, having "Creative Writing" in your degree title wouldn't matter like it would in industry. Apparently it's a mickey mouse and a black-listed subject like Media Studies or Journalism. But I say go for what you want!

I wanna be an English teacher too! :P

Hi everyone!

I am an aspiring English teacher. I am set to get top grades in Sociology, English Literature and Film Studies. However, I have taken a recent interest in taking a joint honours in English and Creative Writing, as opposed to just English.

My question is, do universities mind if your school does not offer a Creative Writing A-Level? I have been attending a writing class for roughly 6 months now. We are publishing an anthology in September. I have written a review on a festival that was recognised by leading organiser John Giddings. Is this enough for universities if I don't have the A-Level?

Also, would be great if people could let me know what this degree was like when you started and where you are now, as well as any advice on how to ace my writerly skills for university level.

Thanks so much! I am considering the industry if it goes well, but teaching has also been a dream of mine for a long time. Do you think doing Creative Writing alongside Literature will affect my potential to get into a PGCE English course later on?

I get you completely!! I plan to go into industry as the teaching profession is at a crisis atm. Many of my school teachers said they wish they did someone else before they went straight from uni into teaching.

Oh gosh, no! Creative Writing is constantly on the KS3 curriculum like always. It is on the KS4 English Language exams. And of course you can potentionally teach creative writing at alevel as well as teaching some of it in English language and english literature.

When you so your pgce, you can specialise in teaching creative writing too. So it will be a huge benefit for you!