Creative Writing & Publishing
Graduate Diploma Creative Writing
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Award: Graduate Diploma Creative Writing
Duration: 2 academic years, part-time
School: School of Arts
Campus: West Dean or London
Scholarships and bursaries: See available funding
The Graduate Diploma is a new programme equivalent to the level of the third year of a BA (Hons). It is designed for aspiring writers who want to develop their skills and explore different creative forms. You will study fiction, creative non-fiction (with particular emphasis on essay, memoir, journaling) and poetics. There will also be opportunities to explore long form journalism and scriptwriting as well as an introduction to the mechanics and processes of modern publishing. You will be encouraged to experiment with form and style in order to develop your own voice. There will be a primary focus on the development of craft over and above literary theory.
The programme is part-time and delivered at either:
- West Dean (West Sussex) Campus
Delivered during the week, through nine 3-day residential blocks per year - London Bloomsbury Campus
Delivered through 10 weekend courses at Bloomsbury and one week-long writers retreat at West Dean per year (in spring)
West Dean prides itself on providing an inclusive and student focused experience with regular one to one tutorials and feedback on your work during and after each study block.
At the heart of this programme is the opportunity for you to invest time and attention in your writing, hone your abilities and develop your craft through supported practice with teaching delivered by a committed team of successful, published writers.
Learning environment
- Attend either nine 3-day intensive blocks of workshops, lectures and tutorials per academic year, at our Sussex or London campuses, or, ten 2-day weekend study blocks and one week-long writing residential, at our Sussex campus, per academic year.
- Excellent staff: student ratio
- One-to-one tutorials with your personal tutor as part of every study block
- Intensive practical workshops in creative fiction and non-fiction to support the development of your work
- Receive professional input from publishers and agents
- Creative interdisciplinary environment
- Be part of an active writing community with regular high-profile writers-in-residence
- A supportive and individualised approach to your learning and the development of your craft
What to expect
- Varied teaching styles
- Develop your writing, editing and critical skills
- Develop a clearer idea of genre and form
- Work toward publication
- Practical introduction to the mechanics of publishing
- Gain and articulate a critical insight into your own writing process, challenges, strengths and direction.
- Learn from a range of published writers and industry experts in a way that enhances your development as an emerging writer.
- Enhance your practice by learning from and alongside other artistic and creative practitioners.
If you complete the Graduate Diploma with a grade B or above you will automatically be offered a place on the MA Creative Writing and Publishing. If you complete the GD with a lower grade you will be offered an interview for the MA Creative Writing and Publishing.
Fees & funding
2025/26 Course Fees - UK & International Students
- £2,000 per term (£6,000 per academic year)
Lunch, accommodation and other living expenses are additional. Find out more
A £250 course fee and £200 accommodation deposit (if residential) is required to secure your place. Details will be provided to you in your offer. Fees are billed termly in advance. Please see the Terms and Conditions for further information.
We may routinely increase our course fees from year to year for one-year courses as well as courses lasting two or more years and may review and change such course fees without notice.
Funding
You may be eligible to apply for a Student Loan to cover course fees and/or maintenance; more information can be found on the Government Student Finance website.
Scholarships and Bursaries are also available based on individual need.
Entry requirements
- A qualification equivalent to a second year of successful undergraduate study e.g. HND, DipHE
- Portfolio of written work (Optional at point of application. A portfolio will be requested if shortlisted for an interview)
- English language: CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) Level B2 or IELTS 6.5
How to create a writing portfolio
Do you need help creating a portfolio to apply for one of our Creative Writing courses? Read our portfolio advice to learn about the general requirements, what we look for in a good portfolio, and what it should reflect.
How to apply
Applications for this course can be made by submitting a completed application form and emailing it to: [email protected].
Ask a question
Need more information? Have a question? Speak to our course advisors
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 01243 818 300 and select option 1
Gallery
School of Arts
Explore and expand your work in a uniquely immersive environment with its own connections to art history. Our School of Arts students enjoy specialist studio spaces dedicated to painting and drawing, sculpture and tapestry and textile-based work as well as exceptional exhibition space.
School of Arts news
Foundation
7th July 2023
Making makes the difference: Our new brand
We are delighted to introduce our new brand design for West Dean following our integration with KLC School of Design and the expansion of our courses. The new style embodies the power of making and the maker, across arts, craft, conservation and design. It is a celebration of mark-making as well as the mark our students make on the world. We are very proud of it, and hope you like it to...
20th July 2022
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Short course tutor Dan Lobb recently visited The Regis School to deliver Sculpture in the Landscape workshops to Years 9 and 10 as part of their Super Curricular day. Pupils were off-timetable for the day, participating in creative activities they wouldn’t normally have the chance to do. In his introduction, Dan explained that this session was about using materials found naturall...
31st May 2022
Realising the dream of becoming an artist
By Jo Boddy, Foundation Diploma in Art and Design alumna 2021
1st April 2022
St Philip Howard Life Drawing Day
West Dean College of Arts and Conservation recently welcomed 30 budding Year 10 artists from St Philip Howard Catholic School for a life drawing lesson delivered by artist and tutor, Chris Gilvan-Cartwright.
As well as learning new techniques with paints and charcoal and experiencing the freedom of large scale drawing, pupils commented on how they enjoyed taking risks and being brave ...
9th September 2021
6 Tips for getting creative this autumn
By Tiffany Robinson, Programme Coordinator and Tutor - Foundation Diploma Art and Design & Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design
As the long summer days begin to recede comes the autumn light that gives rich intensity at the start or end of the day, I have put together tips focusing on experiencing the light, and the land to make more visceral responses in...
26th February 2021
Studying an object from the Edward James Collection: Silver porringer
By Finn Banwell, Foundation Degree Arts - Metalwork student I first became interested in metalwork when I visited a Japanese silversmith’s workshop. Whilst exploring Kyoto, I found “Artsmith”, a local shop selling a variety of craft pieces and very detailed, intricate examples of metalwork. Also, in this shop, was a workshop, where the Craftsman and owner of ...
15th October 2020
In conversation with puppeteer and FDAD alumna Sue Cooper
Over lockdown, Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (FDAD) alumna Sue Cooper's colourful puppet characters made quite a stir on Instagram and were enjoyed 'live' on the roof of a barge on the Thames Path; with their humorous and heart-warming stories, bringing joy to her local community and challenging stereotypes around ageing. Here Sue tells us more about her latest project ...
1st August 2020
West Dean College Sketchbook Project
The Sketchbook Project is brought to you by the Short Course programming team at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. It is designed to bring you regular inspiration from the Gardens which can be used to draw, paint, stitch or print using the colours, textures and shapes from the images in your work whilst at home. Join the conversation and share your creative responses on ...
20th July 2020
My lockdown life
By Vanessa McGlone, Foundation Diploma in Art and Design student As the peak of the pandemic recedes, I am reflecting on the last few months and how they have affected my artistic life. Being one of the fortunate ones not to be directly affected by the Covid illness, the past few months proved to me an opportunity for intense creativity and experimentation. Before the UK was in lockdown, ...
27th February 2020
Fine Art Alumna joins the West Dean Tapestry Studio
2019 Fine Art alumna, Emma Straw is currently working with the West Dean Tapestry Studio to realise a new tapestry translated from one of Edward James’s artworks. The Empress of the Insects at her Midsummer Night’s Ball was created by James in 1983, the year before his death at 77. The ‘rorschach test’ inspired watercolour and ink drawing depicts a three-faced cr...
Tutors
Mark Radcliffe
Subject Leader - MA Creative Writing and Publishing
Mark Radcliffe is the author of three novels; Gabriel's Angel (2010), Stranger Than Kindness (2013), and most recently, Three Gifts (2023). He has a PhD in Creative Writing and Philosophy (University of Sussex) and an MA in Creative Writing (UEA).
Domenica De Rosa
Associate Tutor - MA Creative Writing and Publishing
Tutor - Certificate in Crime Writing
Domenica de Rosa is the author of sixteen published novels, twelve of them written under the name Elly Griffiths. As Elly Griffiths, she is best known for the highly successful Ruth Galloway crime novels. In 2016, she won the Crime Writer's Association Dagger in Library Award for her body of work.
Lesley Thomson
Associate Tutor - MA Creative Writing and Publishing
Tutor - Certificate in Crime Writing
Lesley Thomson's first novel Seven Miles From Sydney, (ed: Jeanette Winterson) was one of London’s City Limit’s Books of the Year in 1987. Recent novels include The Companion (June 2022), and The Mystery of Yew Tree House (September 2023).
Laura Wilkinson
Associate Tutor - MA Creative Writing and Publishing
Tutor - Certificate in Fiction Writing
LAURA WILKINSON has published seven novels for adults (two under a pseudonym). Alongside writing, she tutors on the Creative Writing MA at West Dean, for the CWP in Brighton and works as an editor, mentor and book coach. She has a passion for fashion, ginger hair and anything that glitters.
Beth Miller
Beth Miller is the author of six novels, including the bestselling The Missing Letters of Mrs Bright (2020). Her most recent novel, The Woman Who Came Back to Life (2022), will be published in seven languages. She has also published two non-fiction books. She has a PhD in Psychology and is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Brighton University. She teaches regularly for Arvon, and is a book coach for writers at all stages.
Mick Jackson
Mick Jackson's first novel, The Underground Man, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and won the Royal Society of Authors' First Novel Award. His novels, collections of stories and an e-book are published by Faber and Faber. Mick was an RLF Writing Fellow at the University of Sussex and has been writer in-residence at the Science Museum, London and the Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton. He has an MA in creative writing.
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