The Foundation Year route leads to a valuable degree offering excellent career prospects. It’s the ideal option if you don’t have the formal entry qualifications you need for honours level studies.

The highlights

• Learn the art, craft and processes of writing fiction and non-fiction; we'll cover writing for books, magazines, and digital content
• Understand how today's publishing industry works and gain the skills you need to get your work — or the work of others — to market
• Prepare for any career in the literary world, whether you aspire to be a writer or to work in the publishing industry, including roles in editorial, design, production, sales, marketing, publicity and more
• Tailor your degree to suit your needs and aspirations, with the choice of a wide range of optional modules.

The world needs writers and publishers

The UK market for written information and creative content of all types is of enormous significance to cultural and political life, as well as to economic growth. However, we live in a fast-changing society where consumers are bombarded with fake news and a flood of information daily. This means that carefully curated and diverse content is more important than ever.

The publishing industry is rapidly adapting to this evolving digital marketplace. It is a resilient, creative and global industry that continues to grow year-on-year. To do so, it relies on professionals who are commercially and digitally aware, and who feel passionate about books, writing and reading. Could that be you? 

We blend the creative and the commercial

In today's publishing industry, authors, editors, literary agents and other professionals need to collaborate with each other to an unprecedented degree. If they have an understanding of each other’s roles and priorities, they can do this well. That’s why this course looks at the industry from both the perspective of the writer and the perspective of the publishing professional.  

This gives you a distinct advantage in the workplace; if you want to be a writer, we’ll ensure you  understand the marketplace for your work and the practicalities of getting it published, including self-publishing or working with literary agents. Equally, if you're an aspiring publishing professional, we’ll give you valuable insight into the creative processes, aspirations and concerns of authors, alongside the communications skills that are vital for any publishing role.

"I have been grateful to have dynamic lecturers who are supportive and knowledgeable about all aspects related to this creative industry. They make the learning process accessible and engaging. The lecturers have always challenged me to produce my best work and allowed me to develop a wide range of skills which will be invaluable in my career after graduation. The programme provides a range of modules which will open many different opportunities for me."

Fred Gough, Writing and Publishing Student

Choose your focus

This Creative Writing and Publishing degree gives you the opportunity to learn about every aspect of the publishing process: from developing ideas, to writing, editing and typesetting, as well as designing, marketing, and selling written work.

In the first year, everyone takes the same modules because these cover critical skills and knowledge. In years two and three you can tailor the course to suit your interests with our wide range of optional modules, including:

• writing and publishing for: non-fiction, short fiction, children and young adults, or gaming
• designing and producing content
• self-publishing
• poetry and language
• power, passion and persuasion
• teaching English literature and language
• business skills for the creative industries
• the legal aspects of writing and publishing, and many others. 

Expertise to inspire you

We have a vibrant programme of guest lectures, which are delivered by leading novelists, poets, scriptwriters, editors, publishers, agents and others. Previous speakers have included: the BAFTA award-winning script writer Neil McKay; poets and authors such as Momtaza Mehri, Bernard O'Donoghue and Dan Abnett; professionals from Penguin Random House, Bloomsbury, HarperCollins, Amazon, and The Southbank Centre in London. Our tutors themselves are experienced writers and publishing professionals, with a network of industry connections.

Practical and applied

This course includes writing workshops and work-based projects with employers, to help you hone and apply your skills. You might be producing magazines and anthologies of student work, creating interactive eBooks, or crafting industry-standard TV and film scripts. By the end of your studies, you will have a portfolio of professionally developed and presented work to show to a potential employer.

We also encourage you gain as much experience of  the industry as you can. You can use our networks across the creative and cultural sector to find opportunities for mentoring, internships, placements and volunteering.

We take part in NaNoWriMo — a programme for young writers, which offers great tools, resources and access to a supportive community.

"Studying Writing and Publishing at Derby is a decision I will never regret. The lecturers are fantastic people, supportive and encouraging; our discussions in class were simulating and insightful. I particularly enjoyed utilising the book production, commissioning, and editorial skills I had gained while on the course, to self-publish two eBooks as part of my major publishing project."

Oliver Tipple, Writing and Publishing Student

Study in America

If you want to broaden your horizons and experience life in another country, you can choose to spend part of your second year studying at one of our partner universities in America. They are:

• Eastern Michigan University
• Keene State College in New Hampshire
• Longwood University in Virginia
• Indiana University — Purdue University Indianapolis.