English Literature or creative writing: which should I study?
English Literature may suit you better if you enjoy analysing texts, historical and cultural contexts, and critical arguments. Creative Writing may suit you better if you want to develop your own poetry, fiction, drama, or other writing through practice and feedback. Some degrees combine both, so compare the modules, assessment methods, and opportunities offered by each course.
Key points
- Literature assessment may focus on essays, close reading, research, and interpretation.
- Creative Writing may involve workshops, drafting, reflection, and building a portfolio.
- Consider whether you prefer studying existing writing, producing original work, or a balance of both.
- Check the course structure and optional modules in the official information for each university.
Things to check
- Course content, teaching methods, assessment, and the balance between literature and writing vary by university and programme.
- Neither subject guarantees a particular career outcome; your choice can also depend on your interests and longer-term plans.