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English, Film and Media Studies, and Creative Writing

Explore the many ways writers have helped to reflect and shape the world around them.

Why study English, film and media studies, and creative writing?

Study with us and you’ll read and write about literature in all its forms, from the Renaissance to the present day. You’ll learn from academics with expertise in a variety of specialist areas, as well as critically acclaimed poets, novelists and scriptwriters from the world-renowned Manchester Writing School, based at Manchester Met.

You’ll be joining a world-class English department, 70% of our research impact is rated as world-leading (REF21). We’ll help you build your own network among our many partners within the creative and culturally rich city of Manchester, including the opportunity to connect with alumni.  As a student, you’ll have access to Manchester Poetry Library, which aims to create an exceptional poetry research centre, a space where poetry belongs to everyone, and can be enjoyed and celebrated.

Our department encompasses three specialised areas: English, Creative Writing, and Film and Media Studies, and because these disciplines complement each other so well, you can combine different subjects and choose the path that’s right for you. 

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Why Manchester Met?

World-class department

We're recognised as one of the very best universities in the UK for research power in its key strength areas including English, ranking in the top 10 for the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

Academic expertise

Staff include award-winning poets and writers, including winners of the Costa First Novel Award and the Ted Hughes Award.

Build your connections

We’ll help you build your own network among our many partners within the creative and culturally rich city of Manchester, one of only 28 recognised UNESCO Cities of Literature in the world.

Broadening your horizons

You’ll have access to the many conferences, readings, research programmes, festivals and competitions run by the department.

Setting for creativity

You’ll be based in our award-winning Grosvenor East building, a purpose-built hub for creativity. This inspirational teaching venue is home to a number of creative areas, including Manchester Writing School and Manchester Poetry Library, the only poetry library in the North West and the first one associated with a university.

Career prospects

Studying English, film studies and creative writing opens up a variety of career options, with many of our graduates pursuing their passions as authors, teachers, journalists and digital communications professionals. Others have continued their studies, moving on to a postgraduate course in English or publishing, or joined the 100+ published writers who have studied creative writing at Manchester Writing School.

There are multiple aspects of my degree I enjoy, including the range and diversity of content. We are encouraged to engage with a broad array of materials from plays and poems to music videos and films, in order to develop our analytical skillset beyond the textual. Aside from the content, the lecturers at Manchester Met have been incredible. Their passion for the subject has been contagious, and has encouraged me to further pursue English, at Master’s level, which I wholly attribute to my lecturer’s and their dedication, commitment and enthusiasm to the subject.
Sophia - BA (Hons) English
There are multiple aspects of my degree I enjoy, including the range and diversity of content. We are encouraged to engage with a broad array of materials from plays and poems to music videos and films, in order to develop our analytical skillset beyond the textual. Aside from the content, the lecturers at Manchester Met have been incredible. Their passion for the subject has been contagious, and has encouraged me to further pursue English, at Master’s level, which I wholly attribute to my lecturer’s and their dedication, commitment and enthusiasm to the subject.
Sophia - BA (Hons) English

Our reputation

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

Rated an "outstanding" university

Manchester Met received overall Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027.

Times Higher Education

Student satisfaction

We're ranked in the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction, according to the Times Higher Education.

Research Excellence Framework 2021 logo

Research with impact

90% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent, according to the Research Excellence Framework (2021).

Find out more about studying English, film and media studies, and creative writing

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    Learn about studying English, film and media studies, and creative writing from our staff, students and alumni

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