Study professional writing abroad

Professional writing degrees arm students with the expertise, flair, and originality needed to begin a successful career in the creative industries.

As a professional writing student, you’ll study the written word in all of its forms and genres. You’ll take a diverse array of classes in areas like novels, autobiographies, short stories, scriptwriting, and copywriting, all while honing your own style and craft.

Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see how different countries and cultures express themselves through writing. As well as discovering new approaches, tones, and methods that’ll inform your own practice, you’ll make lasting memories and friendships.

BA programs in professional writing last at least three years, but four-year sandwich courses are also common. Completing a 12-month placement after your second year of study is an invaluable way to gather industry knowledge and connect with experts in the field.

The US is home to a great selection of professional writing degrees, making it a popular destination with international students. Bachelor’s programs in the US follow the liberal arts model, so you’ll complete two years of general education before declaring a major in professional writing.

After finishing your bachelor’s degree, you might wish to pursue a one or two-year MA. Following this, you could enroll in a research-based doctoral program that generally lasts between three and five years.

Being taught through a mixture of interactive lectures, discussion-based seminars, and collaborative workshops will help get your creative juices flowing. You’ll also have one-to-one support through individual tutorials.

The content of professional writing programs differs tremendously around the world because of different cultural contexts and faculty specialisms. However, most universities will introduce students to these core topics:

• Foundations of writing
• Creative practice and writing processes
• Reading across forms and genres
• Writing fiction
• Writing non-fiction
• Copywriting and content marketing
• Writing for stage
• Writing for screen

Your communication, critical thinking, and interpretation skills will be highly-respected by employers across the arts, media, advertising, education, publishing, and more.

You’ll be prepared for a range of exciting roles where you can unleash your creative spirit and let your imagination shine.

Although you could turn your hand to almost any communicative position, here are some of the most commonly pursued career paths:

• Editor
• Journalist
• Screenwriter
• Novelist
• Copywriter
• Advertising executive
• Communications officer
• PR specialist

Breaking into the creative industries can be difficult, but there are plenty of ways to make your resume stand out. Consider building some professional experience by contributing to your university’s student magazine, radio station, or broadcasting channel.

Your institution’s career service can also help you land placements with local businesses and agencies.