Course Content
“Cardiff offers a wonderful stimulus for all things creative and cultural. Our degree
in English and Creative Writing at CMU combines your love of literature with your
passion for writing: it’s a great combination.” Dr Katharine Cox (Head of Department)
Cardiff is a city that has produced and been home to a rich pedigree of poets, novelists, scriptwriters and playwrights such as: National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, Dannie Abse (Ash on a Young Man’s Sleeve), Trezza Azzopardi (The Hiding Place), James Hawes (Rancid Aluminium), John Williams (Cardiff Dead), Terry Nation (Doctor Who & creator of the Daleks), Peter Baynham (Alan Partridge, Borat), Roald Dahl (Boy, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Tessa Hadley (The London Train) to name but a few.
Cardiff is Europe’s youngest capital city and it is vibrant with culture. It was recently voted one of the world’s top ten cities to visit in the National Geographic (2011). Cardiff boasts the Millennium Centre opera house, the recently redeveloped Sherman Theatre, Roath Lock Drama Village (home to several BBC productions such as Upstairs Downstairs, Doctor Who and Casualty), Cardiff International Sport Village and a number of performance venues and sports arenas.
This creative degree programme allows students to combine theoretical perspectives in English and Drama with practical skills in all aspects of performance. As well as a rich and varied academic focus, the course also benefits from specialist facilities including a fully-equipped drama studio and a workshop area for set design. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills in scriptwriting, directing and technical theatre and are offered exciting extra-curricula opportunities, including theatre visits, visiting drama professionals and cultural excursions.
English:
The study of English will engage with your enthusiasm for reading and literature, and introduce you to advanced critical thinking in the form of theoretical practice. Your degree investigates the foundations of contemporary literature via an examination of the cultural narratives we tell ourselves. Modules involving myth, detective fiction and gothic and science fiction investigate our manner of representing the world around us. Likewise, an attention to the socio-political production of texts contextualises the study of contemporary English literature.
Modules are taught by the research active team (including, Dr Katharine Cox, Dr Carmen Casaliggi, Dr Dimitra Fimi) ) who have research interests in such areas as literature and landscapes, English language, children’s literature, art and literature, and myth in contemporary literature.
Drama:
The Drama side of the degree introduces you to a range of theatre genres, playwrights and practitioners using both textual and practical exploration. You will be encouraged to consider the influences from which theatre is made, experiment with performance styles and analyse theatre practice. In addition you will be encouraged to develop your own skills as a performer.
Year One:
Introductory modules like those offered in Literature and Drama provide you with a taster of content, form and genre; while our attention to your academic skills will provide you with a theoretical ‘toolbox’ which you’ll be able to call upon later during your degree.
Typical modules include:
Year Two:
The second year introduces the subjects in more depth with specific modules looking at theatre in the community, directing, legacies of Romanticism, and genre fiction, while our attention to research methods will prepare you for your dissertation. You can also decide to undertake a student work placement (option) or participate in our Erasmus Exchange Programme (option).
Typical modules include:
- Romantic and Victorian Legacies
- Monsters, Cyborgs and Imaginary Worlds
- Research methods
- Work Placement (for example: journalism, creative industries, media, PR, marketing, education/school settings, theatre or museums and galleries)*
- Directing Approaches
- Applied Theatre
- Children's Literature: Theory and Practice*
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: Initial Training (TESOL)*
- Scriptwriting*
- Erasmus Study*
*option modules that will enable you to tailor your degree and follow your areas of interest.
Year Three:
By year three you’ll have a keen sense of your own academic path, as well as a study agreed with your dissertation supervisor into an area of your own choosing. This is an opportunity for you to specialise in one area of specific interest.
Typical modules include:Modern and Contemporary Literature
- Narratives, Identities and Place
- Dissertation: may specialise in either area of the degree (a Drama dissertation will involve a significant practical component)
- Post-War British Drama
- World Theatre*option modules that will enable you to tailor your degree and follow your areas of interest.
Extra-Curricula:
Throughout the years, you will be invited to attend theatre trips, films and other cultural events held in Cardiff. The Department also regularly invites external speakers to give presentations and readings.
Career Potential
English and Drama are natural partners; the study of each augments, enriches and illuminates the study of the other. Holders of degrees from either of these departments have proved employable in a wide spectrum of careers; acting, directing, theatre management, film, media & television, teaching, management, journalism, law, administration, accountancy, PR, as well as further postgraduate study to MA and PhD levels. Both departments have impressive research communities.
Employability Skills and Graduate Attributes:
Many of the skills you will obtain as part of this degree are also useful in industries beyond those listed above. We ensure that our curriculum develops you as a graduate so that you demonstrate the following skills and attributes:
• Problem solving & analytical abilities
• Inter-personal and networking skills
• Global citizen (with knowledge of diversity & sustainability)
• Flexibility & Adaptability (life long learning)
• Effective Communication skills
• Creative & Innovative
• Digital Literacy
• Reflective practice.
Key Facts
Campus: Cyncoed
School: Cardiff School of Education
UCAS Code(s): QW34
Course Length: Three years full-time.
Flexible part-time routes are available.
Assessment:
We’re committed to innovative assessment practices that match identified learning outcomes for your module and degree. This means assessment, wherever possible, is linked to enhancing not only your subject knowledge but skills vital in developing your employment opportunities. Examples of assessment include research portfolios, group work, creative writing portfolios, critical and reflective practice, reviews, poster presentations, annotated bibliographies and so on.
How you’ll be taught:
We utilise a range of teaching environments to best fit your learning needs. Delivery includes workshops, seminars, research seminars, lectures, virtual learning environments, away days, field trips and visits. Wherever possible, the emphasis is placed upon small group work and individual learning needs identified through your Personal and Professional Development plan. You’ll be allocated a personal tutor who will support you throughout each year.
Selection Procedure:
Selection is usually on the basis of a completed UCAS application and interview.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at http://www.ucas.com/
For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.
International Applicants:
Before making an application, international students (those outside of the EU), should contact the International Office at Cardiff Met to discuss the necessary procedures in relation to studying with us. For further information visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/international.
Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.
Bursaries & Scholarships:
The university also offers a bursary and scholarship scheme to help students whilst at university. To see if you are eligible, visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships.