Diploma Classroom Based

Elevate your writing to new heights and embark on your creative journey with confidence and advanced skills.
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Price

£2,195 (Easy-pay plan available)

Duration

Approximately 6 months

Study Option
Classroom Based
Course Location
We offer classes in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and Bristol
Course Level
Equivalent to level 3 on the RQF
Entry Requirements
18 years old or over
Assessment
10 practical assignments
Accreditation
The British Academy of Creative Writing is accredited by the International Approval and Registrations Centre (IARC).

Elevate your writing skills to new heights with our diploma course. Building on foundational skills, we delve into advanced fiction writing, explore the mastery of poetry and creative non-fiction, and introduce specialized writing techniques.

Designed around ten practical assignments, you will begin to understand the publishing world, enhance your online presence, and prepare for a career in writing, allowing you to embark on your writing journey with confidence and advanced skills.

As a classroom-based student, you will attend tutor-led classes taught by industry professionals. You will also have full access to the Online Learning Centre, which contains course material created by industry experts, including instructional videos, written content and assignments.

Our tutors provide all the support, knowledge and in-depth feedback you need to progress through your course and are always contactable through the Online Learning Centre.

On average, a student studying around 15 hours per week can complete the course in 12 months, and a student studying around 30 hours a week can complete the course in 6 months*.

*Completion time is based on the approximate time it has taken past students to complete the course. Students have up to 36 months to complete the course.

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Class Location

View class location details.

Class Schedule

View the schedule for the evening classes and the weekend classes in London , Birmingham , Manchester , Edinburgh , Belfast , Cardiff and Bristol.

Topics

The list below provides an overview of the topics covered in this course.

    • Introduction to Creative Writing

    In this module, you will explore the foundational elements of creative writing across various genres including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Learn how to build a compelling narrative structure, create memorable characters, effectively use different settings and atmospheres, and master various points of view to enhance your storytelling.

    • Understanding different genres: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama
    • Basics of narrative structure: beginning, middle, and end
    • Character development: creating memorable characters
    • Setting and atmosphere: using location to enhance storytelling
    • Point of view: first person, third person, and omniscient

    • Writing Techniques

    Sharpen your writing skills with techniques that bring your prose to life. This module covers how to 'show, not tell' to improve descriptive writing, craft realistic dialogues, control pacing, and use flashbacks and foreshadowing. You'll also begin to develop your editing skills with practical self-editing techniques.

    • Show, don’t tell: improving descriptive writing
    • Dialogue basics: crafting realistic conversations
    • Pacing your story: controlling speed and tension
    • Using flashbacks and foreshadowing effectively
    • Introduction to editing: self-editing techniques

    • Poetry and Creative Non-Fiction

    Delve into the forms and functions of poetry, exploring structures from sonnets to free verse. Understand how imagery and symbolism enrich your poems. You’ll also learn to write compelling personal essays and memoirs, conduct research for non-fiction, and discover the pathways to publishing your work.

    • Forms of poetry: sonnet, haiku, free verse, and others
    • Imagery and symbolism in poetry
    • Writing personal essays and memoirs
    • Research for non-fiction: gathering and organising information
    • Publishing poetry and creative non-fiction: avenues and tips

    • Short Stories

    Focus on crafting engaging short stories by understanding essential story elements, developing plots, and creating suspense and drama. This module also covers themes, motifs, and the practicalities of getting your short stories published.

    • Elements of a short story
    • Themes and motifs: enriching your story
    • Developing a plot for short stories
    • Creating suspense and drama
    • Markets for short stories: submission and publication

    • Fundamentals of Dramatic Writing

    Explore the basics of playwriting and scriptwriting, from structuring a play to script formatting. Learn how to develop characters for the stage and screen and use dialogue and subtext effectively to engage audiences.

    • Introduction to playwriting and scriptwriting
    • Structure of a play: acts, scenes, and sequences
    • Basics of script formatting
    • Developing characters for stage and screen
    • Dialogue and subtext in dramatic writing

    • Advanced Fiction Writing

    Develop complex narratives with multiple storylines, create in-depth characters, and use settings to influence the narrative. Dive into genres like sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and historical fiction, blending imaginative elements with realistic settings.

    • Complex plotting: multiple storylines and twists
    • Advanced characterisation: depth and complexity
    • Setting as a character: deepening the environmental impact
    • Writing speculative fiction: sci-fi, fantasy, and horror
    • Historical fiction: blending fact and fiction

    • Literary Devices and Stylistics

    Enhance your writing with advanced literary devices and stylistic techniques, including metaphors, similes, alliteration, stream of consciousness, and the use of unreliable narrators. Explore the unique narrative possibilities of epistolary writing through letters and diary entries.

    • Utilising metaphor and simile effectively
    • The role of alliteration and assonance in prose and poetry
    • Stream of consciousness writing
    • Unreliable narrator: crafting and revealing
    • Epistolary writing: using letters and diary entries

    • Writing for Children and Young Adults

    Understand the nuances of writing for younger audiences, from themes and character development to the structural considerations of children's books. Learn about the children’s book market and how to engage young readers effectively.

    • Understanding your audience: age-appropriate writing
    • Themes in children’s and YA literature
    • Character development for younger audiences
    • Structure of a children's book
    • Publishing in the children's book market

    • Playwriting and Scriptwriting

    Build on your scriptwriting skills with advanced lessons on character arcs, dialogue, stage directions, and screenplay development. Learn how to pitch and sell your scripts to potential producers and networks.

    • Basics of script formatting
    • Character arcs in plays and scripts
    • Dialogue and stage directions
    • Developing a screenplay: from concept to final script
    • Pitching and selling a script

    • The Publishing Process

    Gain insight into the publishing industry, comparing self-publishing and traditional publishing routes. Understand the roles of literary agents, and learn strategies for marketing your book and the importance of cover design and a compelling synopsis.

    • Understanding the publishing industry
    • Self-publishing vs traditional publishing
    • The role of literary agents
    • Book marketing and promotion strategies
    • The importance of cover design and synopsis

Tutors

All our tutors are creative writing professionals working in the industry.

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I would certainly recommend the Post Grad Dip to friends or other students looking to gain a professional qualification, so many new skills to learn.

Student testimonial

Mark Powell

Student - BAPH

The support I get from the student community and my tutor are essential. It isn't always easy and it's clearly demanding, but the whole experience is extraordinary

Student testimonial

Daniel Oliver

Student - BAPH

This course has taken me on an amazing journey - there has been a lot of learning with tutors who have given constructive feedback to help with progression.

Student testimonial

Tiffany Hayes

Student - BAPH

Between the forums online and our Facebook page I feel more connected with students and staff and I never feel silly asking my tutor even basic questions!

Student testimonial

Sonya O'Donoghue

Student - PAI

The British Academy of Creative Writing

Our philosophy at the British Academy of Creative Writing is to make high-quality education accessible to all by empowering people to do what they love. Through the power of online and blended learning, our students are able to harness their creativity and practically apply it to succeed in their chosen careers.

Pursue your ambition - because the future is today!

Learn more

Choosing the right course

We offer a range of creative writing courses to suit your goals.

Why not contact our experienced staff for advice, or browse to our other courses.

Certificate Classroom Based
Postgraduate Diploma Classroom Based

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