The English Literature and Creative Writing building with the sign on the wall.

English Literature and Creative Writing

Start your story with Lancaster University

Scroll to content
Students gathering at the Priory

Welcome to the Department of English Literature and Creative Writing

Professor Mark Knight- Head of Department.

Welcome Message

Study with us

Outstanding

96% of our published work has been rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021: English Language and Literature). Our research is uniquely shaped by the juxtaposition of the critical and the creative, the historic city of Lancaster, with its stunning Medieval Castle and Priory, and the nearby Lake District, home of Romanticism. We have a formal link with the Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere, and also collaborate with both The Ruskin Museum on campus and Lancaster Literature Festival.

Our Research
Tutors at a book reading
Okey Nzelu, Dr Eoghan Walls and Dr Elen Caldecott

Historic

Our Creative Writing programme has a long and distinguished history which dates back to 1970, meaning that, in the UK, we were there at the very beginning of the discipline. And we remain at the fore with celebrated authors as tutors and students who go on to publish their work both while with us and after.

Creative Writing at Lancaster

Get Involved

Literary Lancaster

The Department is not only home to many eminent authors and critics but also hosts a whole series of free literary events featuring world-leading guest writers and scholars. Some are held on campus, but many are held in Lancaster’s historic city centre – our favourite venues are the Castle, the Priory, and the Storey. For a calendar of our upcoming events, just scroll down.

Literary Lancaster

News

Sir Humphry Davy portrait

Online course and exhibition shine light on Sir Humphry Davy

British inventor Sir Humphry Davy’s chemical experiments – complete with a re-creation of a spectacular demonstration of how he thought a volcano worked – together with his life and historical times will be available as part of a revamped, free, online Lancaster University course, which will get underway on Monday, October 9.
Banner with the words Lancaster Playwriting Prize and a logo of shapes

2024 Lancaster Playwriting Prize to focus on young writers from County

The 2024 Lancaster Playwriting Prize will focus on young writers from two age brackets 12 to 15 and 16 to 18-years olds.
Lucy Prescott, winner of the David Craig Memorial Award.

David Craig Memorial Award 2023

The David Craig Memorial Fund has awarded the 2023 prize to Lucy Prescott.
An NSS award badge displayed alongside the logo of the Department of English Literature and Creative Writing at Lancaster University, with the text:

NSS 2023: Top 5 success for the Department of English Literature and Creative Writing

The Department of English Literature and Creative Writing is proud to have achieved a place in the Top 5 in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023. The department has been placed 5th in the UK for both Teaching and Academic Support in English Literature. We are very proud of this result which reflects the dedication and hard work of our department.
Mimi Sheller against wall backdrop with green climbing plants

Centre founder returns to Lancaster University for celebratory anniversary lecture

A founding director of a pioneering Lancaster University research centre returns to the city to celebrate the organisation’s 20th anniversary. 
Group photograph shows the whole company - students, professionals, volunteers – at Lancaster Castle ready for the first read through. Professor Alison Findlay is seen second from left. Photograph by Lancaster University PhD researcher Jayoon Byeon.

‘Edward III’ – Shakespeare or not Shakespeare? - that is the question

How much, if any, of the Elizabethan history play ‘Edward III’ was written by William Shakespeare? An opportunity to find out will come when Lancaster University students stage a performance at Lancaster Castle next month.

More News

Events

12th Oct

Malika Booker: Reading and In Conversation

Thursday 12 October 2023, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
18th Oct

Steven Denison - 'All that we behold from this Green Earth'; the poetry and science of William Wordsworth, Charles Darwin and E. O. Wilson (English Literature Research Seminar)

Wednesday 18 October 2023, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
20th Oct

Literature & Religion Reading Group -- with Daniel Gabelman (Kings Ely)

Friday 20 October 2023, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
21st Oct

God, Ethnicity and Social Justice: Castle Open Theology Seminar

Saturday 21 October 2023, 10:30am to 12:45pm
25th Oct

The Priory Literature and Religion Lecture

Wednesday 25 October 2023, 7:30pm to 8:30pm

More Events

Athena Swan Action Plan 2019.

Download Athena Swan Action Plan

Lancaster Writing Awards 2022 Winners

The winners of the Lancaster Writing Awards 2022 are listed below. Congratulations!

Criticism

First place : Maya Gould Second place : Holly Gordon-Clark Third place : Cara Cristine

Prose

First place : Aaron Firth Second place : Emily Robinson Third place : Holly Cumpsty Commended : Ben Thomas Commended : Gracie Quinn

Poetry

Joint first place : Oshadha Perera Joint first place : Maria Hill Second place : Hamin Park

Script and Screen Writing

First place : Demi Armstrong First runner up : Aneja Sunehar Second runner up : Grace Thompson