University of Wales Trinity Saint David
College Road
Carmarthen
SA31 3EP
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Course contact details
Admissions Office
Email:admissions@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone:0300 500 5054
Creative Writing with Foundation Year
- BA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 22/09/2025
- Undergraduate
- Carmarthen Campus
- Awarded by:
- University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Prifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant)
Course summary
The Creative Writing with a Foundation Year degree offers an inspiring and supportive environment for aspiring writers. This programme, guided by the standards of the National Association of Writers in Education (NAWE), is designed to build your confidence and skills while encouraging critical engagement with your creative work.
Through a thoughtfully structured curriculum, you will explore the fundamental elements of writing across various forms, including poetry, prose, and drama. As you develop your craft, the focus shifts to more advanced techniques, such as the writing of voice, form, and place, allowing you to experiment and refine your style.
Key to this programme are the specialised modules in fiction and poetry writing, where you will hone your skills in storytelling and self-expression. These are balanced by an emphasis on critical thinking and self-reflective practices, helping you to assess and improve your own work. You will also learn how to research effectively and apply these skills to create an independent project, showcasing your abilities as a writer.
The course goes beyond creative expression, equipping you with essential skills in editing, research, and publication. Dedicated modules on performance and publication provide insights into how to bring your work to audiences, while also offering a deeper understanding of the creative industries.
You will gain valuable knowledge about how writing can be adapted to different contexts, from digital platforms to traditional media.
With a focus on real-world applications, the programme introduces you to writing for diverse mediums, including screenwriting, journalism, digital content creation, and games. This varied approach ensures that your writing portfolio reflects both creativity and versatility, preparing you for opportunities in publishing, media, and beyond.
By the end of this degree, you will possess a comprehensive understanding of the writing craft, alongside a polished portfolio and a clear sense of direction within the creative sectors. Whether your ambition is to become a professional writer, contribute to the publishing world, or use your skills in other creative fields, this programme lays the foundation for success.
Modules
Year One – Level 4 (Cert HE, Dip HE & BA)
• Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Cultures and Philosophies of Politics (20 credits; optional)
• Death, Burial and the Afterlife (20 credits; optional)
• Exploring the Humanities (20 credits; compulsory)
• From Egypt to the Near East: Phenomena of the Mediterranean (20 credits; optional)
• Gender, Sex, & Sexuality: Historical & Critical Perspectives (20 credits; optional)
• Humans and Other Animals (20 credits; optional)
• Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Morality, Ethics and Reason (20 credits; optional)
• Myths and Mythology: How Stories Shape the World (20 credits; optional)
• Power and Inequality (20 credits; optional)
• The Colonial Project and the Humanities (20 credits; optional)
• The Nature of Objects: Why Matter Matters (20 credits; optional).
Year Two – Level 5 (Dip HE & BA)
• Business of Writing (20 credits; optional)
• Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• From Attic to Audience: Engaging with the Public through Residencies, Festivals, Performances and Publication (20 credits; optional)
• International Independent Study Module (40 credits; optional)
• International Independent Study Module (60 credits; optional)
• Writing Form (20 credits; optional)
• Writing Place (20 credits; optional)
• Writing Voice (20 credits; optional).
Year Three – Level 6 (BA)
• Business of Writing (20 credits; optional)
• From Attic to Audience: Engaging with the Public through Residencies, Festivals, Performances and Publication (20 credits; optional)
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• International Independent Study Module (40 credits; optional)
• International Independent Study Module (60 credits; optional)
• Writing Form (20 credits; optional)
• Writing Place (20 credits; optional)
• Writing Voice (20 credits; optional).
Level 3 (Foundation Year)
• Academic Survival Skills (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to University Life (10 credits; compulsory)
• Independent Investigation (10 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to the Humanities (10 credits; compulsory)
• Academic Writing (10 credits; compulsory)
• Understanding Literature (20 credits; optional)
• Talking to the Dead (20 credits; optional)
• Being Human (20 credits; optional)
• Understanding Democracy (20 credits; optional)
Prospective students should be aware of the following:
• Not all optional modules are offered every year
• Optional modules are delivered subject to sufficient student numbers
• Language modules are optional/compulsory/core according to linguistic ability
• There are many Level 5 and Level 6 versions of the same module. Students can only take this module once; this depends on which year the modules are offered in.
Assessment method
One of the standout features of studying with the Faculty of Humanities in Lampeter is the excellent tutor contact you will have. Teaching is in small groups and seminar groups are also small allowing you to develop your confidence and skills in a supportive environment. Assessment methods used during the Foundation Year are wide and varied so that you experience them before progressing to Level 4 study, again helping you to build your confidence and skills base.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- CRF1
- Institution code:
- T80
- Campus name:
- Carmarthen Campus
- Campus Code:
- C
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
International applicants
Visa and funding requirements
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa.
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.
For full information read our visa application and guides.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff
GCSEs or relevant professional experience.
Applicants are usually expected to hold a minimum of GCSE level education.
Grades are important; however, our offers are not solely based on academic results. We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to their chosen subject area and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
To assess student suitability for their chosen course we normally arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your qualifications.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Acceptable Evidence of English https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/apply/international-applications/english-language-requirements
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements.
Learn more on the University of Wales Trinity Saint David website
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £15525 | Year 1 |
| International | £15525 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
The Faculty has estimated on the assumption that students buy new copies of the books. Students may also choose to spend money on printing drafts of work.
Students may spend up to £300 per year on books and additional related materials.
Students are expected to submit two hard copies of their final project, the estimated cost for binding these is £20.
Optional Field trip:
Faculty works to ensure that there are a range of fieldwork and field trip options available both locally and internationally. Thus students can opt to take either more expensive or less expensive placements. The Faculty subsidises these but the cost each year is dependent on airfare, location, and currency exchange rates. Below are the upper end of expected costs based on where students have currently done placements.
Fieldwork (depending on where student decides to do fieldwork): c. £500 - £1,500
Individual trips: c. £5 - £50
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