English, Publishing and Creative Writing • City, University of London

We offer uniquely contemporary programmes in English, Publishing and Creative Writing, in one of the world’s great literary and cultural hubs.

Innovative sector-leading courses

We are an interdisciplinary environment for the critical analysis, production and dissemination of literature and other cultural texts.

As reflected in our motto, ‘English in the World’, we have an outward-looking focus on literature, creative writing and publishing from around the world, as well as an interest in London as a literary and cultural hub.

Our ethos is reflected in our research, which strives to shift our understanding of English in the world, and in our teaching, which seeks to decolonise and re-envision the curriculum as politically informed and socially conscious.

We see English, Publishing and Creative Writing as constantly evolving academic disciplines that play an active role in the modern world, informing and changing attitudes, perceptions and behaviours.

Our programmes are built around the core values of employability, creativity and critical thinking to help students develop a range of transferable skills as global citizens.

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We offer BA, MA and PhD programmes in English, MAs in Publishing, International Publishing, Creative Writing, and Creative Writing and Publishing, and an MFA in Creative Writing.

See which course is right for you.

A first-class student experience

At City you can access a wide range of social and study spaces, including three campus libraries with around 250,000 books, and over 25,000 online journal titles.

We have more than 1,600 study spaces available, as well as bookable private library spaces. As part of the University of London, City students have access to Senate House Library, which offers Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences collections, and research collections.

Students benefit from a wide range of academic and pastoral support.

Each student is assigned a personal tutor and can receive tailored advice from our writers-in-residence.

Our Academic Skills team is here to help you develop effective learning skills, and the Neurodiversity and Disability Support teams at City offer specialist support with your studies.

We host student-run podcasts and literary magazines, which will give you the opportunity to graduate with a portfolio of published work and kick-start your career.

You will be invited to attend a range of exciting events with leading creative writers, literary scholars and industry professionals, and will benefit from access to a dedicated Common Room.

World-leading research

We offer research expertise in the fields of literature, creative writing and publishing, including in the areas of:

Major periods of English Literature, including medieval literature, early modern literature and drama, nineteenth-century studies, modern and contemporary literature
Urban Studies, spatial humanities, infrastructural studies
Digital publishing, interactive media
Book history, print culture, the reception of classical literature
Creative Writing, prose fiction, genre fiction, investigative reporting
Medical humanities, health humanities
Women’s writing, gender studies, feminist studies
Visual cultures, graphic narratives
Postcolonial Studies
Ecocriticism, climate futures
Genre studies.

Our outward-facing ethos is reflected in our research, which strives to shift our understanding of English in the world.

With our conviction that English is a socially engaged and globally relevant discipline, we are committed to communicating with diverse audiences through various public engagement activities, including school and community workshops, public events and media engagement.

We are proud to produce influential and impactful research. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework – which measures the quality and impact of university research – our research in English Language and Literature was rated highly, with 82% recognised as being 4* (world-leading) and 3* (internationally excellent) quality.

Staff

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, who are experts in their chosen field. We also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and offer insight into the working world.

Holly Tonks

Graduate Opportunities

Our graduates leave City with a unique blend of intellectual and creative skills, which are in great demand. They go on to enjoy successful careers in a range of industries including journalism, publishing, creative writing, advertising and marketing, public relations, digital media, translation, research and teaching.