First Year in English, Media, Drama and Writing, Leading to Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Writing and Film Navitas Group - Anglia Ruskin University College, UK

In the First Year Pathway students complete the ARU first year of the degree, undertaking the same modules, in the same classes as students entering the University directly. Alongside the ARU modules, students entering through the First Year Pathway will have additional support and tuition from ARU College.

First Year in English, Media, Drama and Writing

Our English and writing courses let you develop your own style of writing and explore facets of English language, literature and linguistics that fascinate you. And we give you industry insight through links with creative organisations.

Our film and media courses let you to explore the culture of communication, and develop your own style of media production – while focusing on the skills and knowledge valued by employers.

BA (Hons) Writing and Film

Develop your writing and filmmaking skills while learning about the films, writers and directors that have shaped the medium.

Why study Writing and Film at ARU?

Join a course that scored 100% for “The Teaching on my course”, “Academic Support” and “Freedom of students to express ideas, opinions and beliefs”, 96% for “Learning Opportunities” and “Assessment and Feedback”, and 93% for “Communication of mental well-being support” in the National Student Survey 2024.

• Learn to tell stories which engage audiences, whether you want to write poetry, drama, short fiction, or make films and documentaries.
• Explore and develop specialist professional writing techniques related to film, including screenwriting and film journalism.
• Get invaluable feedback on all your written work from professional writers, including our teaching staff and Royal Literary Fund fellows, as well as your fellow students.
• Make your own short films in video, animation or 16mm format, with full training in camera operation, sound recording and editing from professional filmmakers.
• Specialise in filmmaking for the chance for your final project to be screened at the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse – and possibly the Cambridge Film Festival too!
• Become part of a community of professionals with expertise in drama and performance, film, games development, journalism, publishing, and digital media.
• Attend guest lectures by visiting authors, editors, agents, and other writing industry professionals, as well as events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre, where you can showcase your writing and make new contacts.
• Prepare for your future career – our Careers in Writing module helps you develop skills wanted by industry and the professional environment, while The Business of Being a Writer will help you understand the path to getting published.

You’ll get invaluable feedback on all of your creative writing work from professional writers, including our teaching staff and Royal Literary Fund fellows, as well as your fellow students. This will offer you the unique opportunity to consider a range of responses to your work, as well as sharpening your own critical skills.

Investigating filmmaking practices from all over the world, and learning the language of film from the perspective of a filmmaker, you’ll make your own short films in video, animation or 16mm format, with full training in camera operation, sound recording and editing from professional filmmakers.

If you specialise in filmmaking, you’ll put your well-practised skills to the test in a project that, once complete, will be screened at the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse. The best may also be selected for showing at the Cambridge Film Festival.

You’ll learn to write knowledgeably and critically about film, giving you even more opportunities to get involved in Cambridge’s exciting arts scene.