Welcome to the Department of English Literature and Creative Writing

The Department of English Literature and Creative Writing is a welcoming and friendly place, at the centre of which is its students, both present and past. We look keenly to the future, whilst also drawing deeply on our history.

Together, we seek to think about literature and its real-world implications in ways that are innovative, unpretentious, challenging, and supportive. In addition, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and seek to sustain a departmental culture in which different voices are heard and valued. Our curriculum thus embraces both tradition and the latest developments in the reimagining of our discipline, and we are keen to explore the intersection of English Literature and Creative Writing.

Being close to the Lake District provides an excellent opportunity to study literature in location, and our teaching and research also situates texts and writing in a global setting. Our staff includes highly accomplished academics and writers, many of whom have additional expertise in different languages and disciplines. It is encouraging to see this work recognised through the Department’s high standing in national and global university league tables.

It is equally encouraging to see our students’ many successes, not only during their programmes of study but also after. We are, therefore, always keen to maintain contact with alumni of the Department, and to hear from them as and when they have news we can celebrate, or experience to share with current students. Indeed, alumni are always more than welcome to join us for any or our many special events, not least our annual Shakespeare at the Castle and our annual May Gathering at the Priory.