Creative Writing Level Two
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£360 (Summer Term 2025) or £365
- Start Date(s): 29 April 2025, 20 January 2026, 14 April 2026
- Duration: Tuesdays 6 - 8:30 pm, eight weeks
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
Where the mysteries of storytelling deepen, there lies a new chapter waiting to unfold.
It's a narrative that beckons you to venture further into the captivating realm of creative writing. You'll sculpt more complex characters, craft intricate plots, and create immersive worlds that captivate and challenge your readers.
This course invites you to refine your storytelling skills across various genres, from the subtleties of literary fiction to the intensity of thriller writing. Your journey will be one of mastery, refinement and collaboration, as you elevate your craft and delve into more advanced narrative techniques.
Embrace the next stage of your literary adventure and continue your journey towards becoming a master storyteller.
This is a follow on from our Creative Writing for Beginners course, or it can be taken independently if you have attended a course elsewhere.
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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. Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé 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.
Here's what our previous attendees said:
‘I wanted to do this course to continue with my learning about the principles of Creative Writing as well as to spend more time with likeminded people. From doing this course I now feel I can bring my story to life and have gained valuable feedback from different perspectives." LH
‘I did this follow-on course to further develop my writing skills and to gain confidence to enter my work into creative writing competitions. I've learnt more about different writing techniques and styles, as well as the importance of giving and receiving feedback. I most enjoyed the interaction between classmates and the inspiration I have gained to write my own short story, which I am now submitting to writing competitions." RS
‘I chose this course because completing Creative Writing for Beginners was so good! I've taken away valuable skills and advice on how to continue to develop my own work." AHB
'I chose to do this course to continue to build on what I leaned on the beginners’ course. I’ve gained more confidence in writing, motivation and encouragement to write.'
'I wanted to develop my writing skills and learn how to structure stories and develop more in depth plot ideas. This course has given me ideas, and references, I really enjoyed doing the exercises and learning even more new skills.'
'I joined this course because I loved the first one! I’ve gained lots of confidence that I can actually do this!'
What you’ll study
You will consider the importance of originality, both in your work and that of other published authors.
Throughout the course, you’ll be offered advice and feedback on your work to help your writing develop and progress in a supportive workshop environment.
You will also learn how to prepare work for submission for competitions and publication.
Sessions will consider the contemporary marketplace, what appeals to the modern audience, and how classic works transcend through time.
During this course, you will:
- explore the boundaries of your writing by looking at the darker edges of society, politics and human nature
- learn about popular fairy tale themes and their contemporary appeal
- mix fact with fiction, and understand the importance of detailed research
- consider the visual in your writing and the creative portrayal of place
- create three-dimensional characters that help the reader suspend disbelief.
After completing the course:
By the end of the course you’ll have explored a range of writing disciplines at a deeper level, and have information on how to progress your writing for both personal and professional development.
You'll not only have a variety of writing projects in progress but also a network of fellow writers and potential collaborators.
You will have learnt how to analyse and critique what makes an engaging piece of writing for both reader and audience, how to apply this to the redrafting of your own work and have the confidence to formulate your own ideas and structure your writing.
You’ll be able to continue your creative writing journey and take your work to the next level, and if you’re feeling brave after completing this course, you’ll be able to enter creative writing competitions and even submit your work to agents, publishers, theatres and producers.
- Unveiling inspiration and crafting your narrative arc
- Creating immersive worlds and enhancing story depth
- Voicing your characters and narrative perspectives
- Blending reality and fiction and perfecting your manuscript
Deeper and Darker – Looking at what inspires/drives the writer to ‘write’, and the powerful influences of society and the complexity of human nature. Considering how writing, both past and present, plays its role in stretching and moving the boundaries both within literature and beyond the written page, opening up a debating area for change.
Building the plot – Writing a full outline for your story, working in line with the Three Act Structure, comprising of the Set-up, Confrontation and Resolution. Looking at the various parts within each section which build the plot, including how to ‘Create the Inciting Incident’, and where and when to place it within your story.
Sharing the Vision – The importance of creating a living picture, and authentic ‘backdrop’ for your characters. Considering your choice of characters, and their effective interaction with the choice of place, either appearing in unison with the space, or an opposing force of conflict. Looking at the influence of fairy tales, and their timeless images/themes/characters found within our present-day stories.
What Lies Beneath – The importance of the sub-plot, to add depth and complexity to both the outline of the story and the characters within it. How sub-plots can heighten and intensify the tension and conflict within your story, and help to reveal a more detailed three-dimensional depiction of both lead and secondary characters.
Finding the voice – How to create the right ‘voice’ for each of your characters, and natural flowing dialogue to effectively bring your characters to life, creating a suspension of disbelief. Looking at the external and internal voices of your characters, and how the internal monologue can bring a deeper insight into their thoughts and motivations.
Viewpoints and angles – Considering the most effective narrative form and viewpoint to bring your story and characters to life. Looking at ‘whose story’, it is telling, and the importance of selecting the right tense to enable the most effective connection with your lead character and their journey in the story.
Mixing Fact and Fiction – Looking at how real-life events can powerfully inspire writers, whilst fiction brings artistic freedom to the real event and enables the ‘creation’ of fictional characters to tell the ‘truth’ of the story. Considering the importance and methods of drawing from accurate research, and the need for writers to be particularly sensitive to how these stories are portrayed.
The Final Draft – looking at how to self-critique and professionally prepare your work, in readiness for submission to agents, publishers, theatres/producers, etc., and also for competitions. How to write a short pitch/synopsis of your work, and the importance of clearly conveying the journey and intentions of your story in a succinctly summarised style.
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 Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé city campus.
99% of previous course attendees were satisfied with the course, received the attention they needed and would consider doing another short course at NTU.
By the end of the course, you will have a variety of writing projects in development, and a network of fellow writers and potential collaborators with whom you can progress your work further.
Contact hours
You will receive 20 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
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 .
Your 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:
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: Intermediate
Entry requirement: Completion of a beginner's course (either at NTU or elsewhere) is required.
You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £360 (Summer Term 2025) or £365.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
- If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
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.
You will also need to bring with you a notebook and pen, and any examples of previous writing you’d like explore further.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
How to apply
This course is available for booking via the NTU online store:
Browse all our creative writing short courses.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813