Aberystwyth english with creative writing

Hi is anyone currently at Aberystwyth studying english and creative writing? I really like the look of the uni and the course in the prospectus and online. I'm coming for an open day soon but i really want to know what it's like from someone who's actually doing/done the course. Are you enjoying the course? Is the department good? What about the university in general?
Thanks! x

hi
just wondered if you'd managed to speak to anyone yet about english with creative writing?
thanks x

Hi TillyMint,

Apologies for the delay, had a couple of unscheduled days away from uni and internet access.

I've asked my flatmate about English with Creative Writing. Her opinion was that the course although is very good teaching wise and is interesting to study, the course is too static with the assignments and work required in the first year. The work you are required to do is too 'answer this specific question, with this specific answer'. However, she did say that in your second and third year the work becomes more personal and is more about your writing not getting all the facts down on paper.

The above is probably quite a messy way of saying; it's a good course with good content, first year is a little boring and second and third year get better.

As the above is quite general, if you have any precise questions by all means note them down here. I'll ask them to my flatmate and then get back to you.

Thanks for the info, i found it really useful.
Just thought i'd let you know I came to an Aberystwyth open day yesterday and the department seemed really good. I met some other creative writing and english students who all enjoyed the course, including some VERY enthusiastic members of the english and creative writing society! Thanks for the help

Hey,
Sorry if this thread was a while ago, but I did English Literature combined with Psychology (not the Creative Writing part, unfortunately) and I'll try and provide you with some honest information about English.

I fairly enjoyed the course, but purely for career-related reasons I am dropping the English to do single honours Psychology (nothing to do with the course, I just want a more Psychology-related career). The lectures are pretty good (although it really does depend on who takes them - there are a couple who are fantastic and then a few which are so-so) and the seminars are brilliant in consolidating the information and having more personal interaction about the material.

I didn't find the assignments too terrible, but you really do have to put in the work and I find some of the lecturers are fussy markers, especially with regards to formatting and references. It is also essential that you supplement your work with further reading (as you do with all university work!) in order to get the top grades.

The material is very interesting and there is a wide variety (depending on the modules you pick of course). In my first year I studied poetry (Rime of the Ancient Mariner), Shakespeare (Titus Andronicus; Othello; sonnets), horror (Bloody Chamber) and 19th Century literature (North & South; Jane Eyre), as well as medieval literature (Breton Lais). These are just a handful and you are also given the choice of which piece you would like to take on for your coursework, so you can focus purely on the text you like the most.

I can't really speak for Creative Writing but I have heard from some people - similarly to what Optimistic Ram told you above - that the first year of creative writing feels a bit restrained and you are pretty much told what to write, but the second and third years will improve. I am only going by opinions from a couple of people though unfortunately.

Hope this has helped a little bit

thanks thats very helpful, always wanting more info from students who have done the course have you enjoyed aber in general?

I have absolutely loved Aber. It has such a friendly feel to it, it's in a beautiful location and asides from coursework, there is a fair bit to do for such a small seaside town. There is the union of course (might not be for everyone, but it can put up some pretty nifty events like beach, foam and paint parties) and the town which is chock-full of pubs. (I'm more of a pub-goer myself, and Aber is rife with them )

If drinking isn't your scene then there are so many different societies you join as well, depending on your hobbies it's also a splendid way to make friends and meet new people. There's definitely an English and Creative Writing society too - and as far as I'm aware they hold special socials such as dressing up as your favourite book character, poetry competitions, etc.

Facilities-wise, the uni campus has everything you need. The library's pretty good, there's a student shop selling the essentials, chocolate, crisps, stationary, hoodies, etc. (right next to the union) and there are several laundries dotted round the accommodation. There is also the Arts Centre, which has its own cinema, a bookshop (bit like Waterstones), a café and a lovely shop selling all sorts of items like jewellery and toys, etc. Also there are plenty of computer facilities, or 'lounges', which are equipped with computers, study areas and vending machines

The town also has a wide variety of shops, the usual New Look/Monsoon/Matalan, Game, Sports Direct, Subway, KFC, various takeaways, Poundland, WHSmith's, etc. - including some quirky ones like Mona Lisa and Polly's. Students tend to do the basic food shopping in CKs which is just over the road from Trefloyne and Cwrt Mawr but to do the main food shopping, there is a Morrisons (just outside of town), Iceland and Lidls

Not to mention - the beach, Constitution Hill and Penglais Woods are all lovely places for walks, bbqs and get-togethers

I study straight lit at Aber, and I enjoy it, the lecturers are all sound and depending on who you have for your seminars it can be a laugh, I had one seminar tutor last year who brought cake in and handed it out if you could analyse Keats well enough! I don't really agree with the one question one answer thing but it does depend on who you're being marked by, you kindof have to learn which lecturer wants to read what.

The place itself is nice enough, night life good but there are only two clubs (unless you count the SU) , makes up for it amount of pubs though like. Cheap nights out, cheap sports and stuff, the cinema is tiny and shows films weeks after everyone else but its cheap as well. Depends what kind of stuff you like, but there a load of clubs and stuff to join, whatever you're into. Only thing is it can get a bit isolated being in the Aber bubble, not the biggest of towns!

Hope this helps =]

I study straight lit at Aber, and I enjoy it, the lecturers are all sound and depending on who you have for your seminars it can be a laugh, I had one seminar tutor last year who brought cake in and handed it out if you could analyse Keats well enough! I don't really agree with the one question one answer thing but it does depend on who you're being marked by, you kindof have to learn which lecturer wants to read what.

The place itself is nice enough, night life good but there are only two clubs (unless you count the SU) , makes up for it amount of pubs though like. Cheap nights out, cheap sports and stuff, the cinema is tiny and shows films weeks after everyone else but its cheap as well. Depends what kind of stuff you like, but there a load of clubs and stuff to join, whatever you're into. Only thing is it can get a bit isolated being in the Aber bubble, not the biggest of towns!

Hope this helps =]