Creative Writing for Beginners (Daytimes)

Level(s) of Study: Short course
Course Fee:
£470
Start Date(s): 9 October 2026, 15 January 2027, April 16 2027
Duration: Fridays, 10 am to 12.30 pm, ten weeks
Study Mode(s): Part-time
Campus: City Campus
Entry Requirements: More information

Introduction:

Course dates:

9 October - 11 December 2026, Fridays 10 am - 12.30 pm, ten weeks

15 January - 19 March 2027, Fridays 10 am - 12.30 pm, ten weeks

16 April - 18 June 2027, Fridays 10 am - 12.30 pm, ten weeks

This course is for anyone that wants to scratch their writing itch! If you want to write but don’t know where to start, this course is for you.

We’ll develop your writing skills in different genres, exploring short stories, poetry, flash fiction, scripts, novels and creative non-fiction. Using examples from published work as inspiration, we’ll work through the basics of writing, including inventive language, plot, dialogue, character and setting, giving you the skills and confidence to get started with your own creative project.

It’s ideal for people who haven’t done a creative writing course before and are looking for a challenge.

You’ll be part of a creative writing community; one that promotes discussion, collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas.
Benefit from learning with an active, expert writer-tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in a wide range of genres.
Get published with our student anthology; every term we ask for submissions and print a short anthology of your original creative writing, which you can keep after the course.
Study Creative Writing in a UNESCO City of Literature. Nottingham is a place of discovery, exchange, ideas and learning for everyone who loves words and stories. Our vision as a UNESCO City of Literature is for a city where everyone is reading and writing their way to a better life.

'I have loved doing this course, Gareth was a great tutor! Everything was brilliant and I now have the skills and confidence to be a good writer.' WT

'This course has given me a deep understanding of the process and construction of writing. The tutor was great and there was a good balance of topics.' CH

‘I’ve been trying for years to structure a story and yet within a 5 minute exercise on Saturday I managed to crack it!’

'I enjoyed everything! The topics were really interesting, moved at a good pace and really made me think. The exercised were fantastic and definitely got my writing. Thank you!' LM

'The other students were great and Gareth created a safe environment to share our work. Loved it all, thank you, I wasn't ready for it to finish!’ AA

'The experience and knowledge on how to construct a novel was enjoyable. It was a pleasure to get to know Gareth and he was very generous in his help and thoughts.’

‘The course moved at a good pace and there was a good mixture between teaching and time to write.' LD

'Thoroughly enjoyed it, I've been inspired! Enjoyed the shared writing activities and feedback from peers.' JR

What you’ll study

This is a practical course, with a balance of input from your tutor and a feedback session. You will write something new each week and receive guidance, advice and feedback from your tutor and peers in a supportive feedback workshop, helping your writing to develop and progress over a short period of time.

learn key elements of writing, including how to get started and where to find inspiration
explore well-rounded characters and their role in your work
make use of poetic language to enrich your creative writing
complete writing workshops and exercises to develop your writing style
share your work with others and understand how to self-edit
understand the literary landscape of Nottingham/the Midlands

By the end of the course, you’ll have a set of drafts covering different genres to choose to develop further, an awareness of the craft of creative writing and increased confidence in your skills as a writer.

How you’re taught

You will receive guidance and feedback in a supportive seminar environment, engaging in classroom discussions, critiques, and practical writing exercises.

This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.

98% of previous course attendees were satisfied with the course, received the attention they needed and would consider doing another short course at NTU.

Contact hours

You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.

Tutor profile:

Rebecca Cullen has a PhD in Creative and Critical writing and is Director of the award-winning WRAP (Writing, Reading and Pleasure) Programme Director at NTU. An experienced lecturer and researcher, she has worked in both public and private sector management, writing bids, reports and presentations and delivering leadership training.

Rebecca’s approach is based on developing skills and confidence, giving plenty of feedback; her delegates are often surprised by how much they achieve.

During her PhD, Rebecca was Poet-in-Residence at Newstead Abbey. She was joint winner of the prestigious Poetry Business competition and the Live Canon collection competition. Her latest collection, A Reader’s Guide to Time, was published in 2022.

Careers and employability

The course is designed to prepare you to succeed in the creative writing industry; students who have taken this course have gone on to build a portfolio of published work through submitting to literary magazines or self-publishing, progressed onto degree courses and embarked on careers in writing, publishing and teaching.

This course is your toolkit to ensure that you are well-prepared to pursue a successful career in the competitive field of creative writing.

Certificate of attendance and digital badge

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.

Your digital credential is more than just a certificate – it’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.

They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.

Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.

Are you interested in progressing your writing?

Find out more about our undergraduate and postgraduate courses:

BA Creative Writing

MA Creative Writing

PhD

Campus and facilities

You will be studying creative writing in a UNESCO City of Literature, and be based in the School of Social Sciences on the City Campus.

You will find modern teaching spaces and quiet study environments to develop your ideas and writing.

You’ll have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

You’ll also be invited to join WRAP, our Writing, Reading and Pleasure programme of book groups, meet ups and talks from readers and authors.

You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.

Entry requirements

Level: Beginner

Entry requirement: No experience is required.

You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £470

Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.

Please bring with you to the first session: