Hi EstelleAntonia,
Congratulations on both your offers! It can be very difficult choosing between universities, but I'm hoping to persuade you that UEA is the right choice for you. I saw that you had a number of questions regarding the choice between UEA and Birmingham, so I'll hope to answer them as best as possible.
Course structure, modules and reputation are obviously all very important to consider when making a choice. UEA's English Literature with Creative Writing has a great reputation, with a long established Creative Writing department. (You only need to look at
the impressive list of Creative Writing alumni which includes writers like Emma Healey, Ian McEwan, Tracy Chevalier, Kazuo Ishiguro and many many more.) UEA is also in the UK Top 5 for Creative Writing, according to
Complete University Guide 2017.
[video="youtube;n2-3S92Ck9o"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2-3S92Ck9o[/video]
The undergraduate course is a great way to develop your writing skills and improve your knowledge. It's also a modular course, which means you can tailor your studies to suit your interests: from classes in script-writing to poetry to gothic literature. (
You can find out more about the module options here.) I myself studied Creative Writing undergraduate at UEA and had a wonderful experience, and then returned to complete the MA in Creative Writing, so I can speak for the excellent quality of the teaching!
There's also a thriving literary scene in Norwich.
Norwich became England's first UNESCO City of Literature in 2012, and there are lots of wonderful literary events including
the UEA Literary Festival. There are also amazing bookshops, including the award-winning independent Book Hive. There are many many writers living in Norwich too, including Rose Tremain, Sarah Perry, Benjamin Johncock, and more, so it's a great environment for aspiring and developing authors.
The campus of UEA is very beautiful, and the accommodation is extensive and varied, so you're sure to find something you like. Our undergraduate accommodation is among the best in the country. It was voted number one in the UK by the What Uni Student Choice Awards in 2011 and our research also shows that we have some of the best value student accommodation compared to the UK's other top 30 universities.
Nightlife wise, there are lots of student nights in Norwich, including the Tuesday LCR nights on campus which are fancy dress and lots of fun. The next upcoming LCR is a Harry Potter themed night. There are also lots of clubs in Norwich, particularly down Prince of Wales Rd, and plenty of pubs too! (
You can find out more about the nightlife here.)
Hope that all helps, and good luck with your writing!