Creative Writing
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Join the Oxford Creative Writing Summer School
At Oxford Summer Courses, our Oxford creative writing summer school is designed for students aged 16–17 and 18–24 who want to explore writing as both a craft and an academic subject. This Oxford creative writing summer school introduces key ideas such as storytelling, character development, and narrative voice, while helping students develop creativity, critical thinking, and expressive skills.
Students learn in small groups through discussion-based sessions led by expert tutors with academic backgrounds from leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. By sharing ideas, analysing texts, and developing their own writing, students gain a clearer understanding of how creative writing is studied and practised. If you’re ready to develop your writing in Oxford, you can apply now to be considered for a place.
About Creative Writing
Creative writing is the study and practice of crafting original work, including fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. It involves developing a personal voice, experimenting with style, and learning how to shape ideas into compelling narratives.
Students interested in creative writing often also explore related subjects such as English literature summer courses and history summer school, particularly when drawing inspiration from different contexts and storytelling traditions. At our Oxford creative writing summer school, students explore both reading and writing as interconnected parts of the creative process.
Reading and Thinking Like a Writer
Reading is an essential part of becoming a stronger writer. Rather than following a fixed reading list, students on our Oxford creative writing summer school receive a curated set of recommendations from their tutor approximately three weeks before arrival. These are tailored to the tutor’s expertise and the interests of the group, ensuring preparation is relevant and inspiring.
Students are encouraged to analyse how texts are constructed, considering elements such as tone, structure, and style. This approach helps students understand how writing works at a deeper level, while also developing their ability to reflect on and improve their own work.
How You’ll Learn
Our Oxford creative writing summer school is built around small-group teaching, allowing students to actively participate and develop their ideas through discussion, writing exercises, and collaborative feedback. Tutors guide students through the writing process, encouraging them to experiment with different forms and styles while refining their own voice.
There is no fixed curriculum. Each tutor creates their own syllabus based on their academic specialism, current approaches to creative writing, and the interests of their students, meaning that any syllabus provided is an example only rather than a fixed structure. This flexible approach allows students to explore the areas of writing that most interest them.
Learn from Expert Writing Tutors
Our creative writing tutors are academics, authors, and experienced educators with backgrounds at leading universities. Each tutor brings their own perspective and expertise into the classroom, shaping the course around their interests and the ideas of their students.
Many of our tutors are passionate about working with emerging writers, as it allows them to support creativity, encourage experimentation, and help students develop confidence in their work. This creates a supportive and engaging environment where students can explore their ideas and grow as writers. To learn more, explore our tutors and their academic backgrounds.
What You’ll Study
Topics explored on our Oxford creative writing summer school vary depending on the tutor and the interests of the group, but are designed to develop key writing skills. Students may explore areas such as character development, narrative structure, dialogue, and descriptive writing.
As the course develops, students may experiment with different forms, including short stories, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Through writing exercises and group discussion, students refine their ideas and gain confidence in expressing themselves creatively.
Universities That Offer Creative Writing
Creative writing is offered at a range of universities across the UK, often as part of English literature or dedicated creative writing degrees. Universities such as UEA, Warwick, and the University of Manchester are known for strong creative writing programmes.
Because there is no fixed curriculum on our Oxford creative writing summer school, students have the opportunity to explore different styles and approaches to writing before choosing a specific pathway. This flexibility helps students build confidence in their voice while gaining insight into how creative writing is studied at university level.
Careers, Skills, and Is Creative Writing Right for You?
Studying creative writing can lead to careers in publishing, journalism, media, and communications, as well as further study in literature and writing. Students develop transferable skills including communication, creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to express ideas clearly and effectively.
Creative writing is well suited to students who enjoy storytelling, reading, and expressing ideas through language. Those who are curious about how narratives are constructed and want to develop their own voice often find it particularly rewarding. Exploring writing through an Oxford creative writing summer school allows students to test their interest before making longer-term academic decisions — you can apply now to take the next step.
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FAQs about Our Summer Courses
No, Oxford Summer Courses is a private education company. While we host our programmes at prestigious venues such as Oxford and Cambridge colleges, Harrow School, and international locations, we are not affiliated with or endorsed by any university or institution.
Our teaching style is tailored by age group. Students aged 9–12 benefit from interactive, hands-on learning. For ages 13–15, we offer seminars and small group discussions. For students aged 16–24, we use a tutorial-style approach, where participants engage deeply with subjects alongside expert tutors.
Accommodation varies by location and age group. Students may stay in university college residences, prestigious boarding schools, or high-quality residential venues. All options are fully supervised and include meals, comfortable rooms, and access to common areas and facilities.
We recommend applying early to secure your place. Our courses tend to fill up quickly — particularly in popular locations and subjects — and early applicants are more likely to secure their preferred dates and accommodation.
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Choose from over 40 subjects taught through flexible, age-appropriate programmes. Our tutors adapt their teaching methodologies to different age groups and shape course content around students’ interests, rather than following a fixed curriculum.
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