We understand the value of providing students with a first-hand experience of literary and language locations, hands-on research, and the chance to put skills into practice in real-world settings. We offer a range of field trips and opportunities.
We also deliver training in the skills valued by a wide range of employers and embed work-based learning opportunities as part of the course, rather than separately from it. In English, on our employability focused module ‘Independent Project,’ our students have gone on placements in schools, have written for WriteBase in Liverpool, have engaged in placements and exhibitions at The Atkinson, Southport, and have worked for a local literary festival.
In Creative Writing, there are a range of opportunities to get professional experience and get your work ‘out there’, through first year writer’s blogs and intern opportunities with the Edge Hill University Press. There is also opportunities to meet, as well as attend workshops and readings from a variety of guest speakers at the University’s Arts Centre, and to be a part of the national Edge Hill Short Story Prize which takes place every year.
Whatever opportunities may arise for you to enhance and develop your future, we will support you.
Seven Stories: The national centre for children’s books
The National Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle is a treasure trove for students in our ‘British Children’s Literature’ module, including interactive exhibitions and an archive of material including Enid Blyton manuscripts and original Nick Sharratt illustrations. The museum’s holding inspire students’ career aspirations to impart their love of literature to the next generation of school children or pursue their own plans in publishing.
Dr Andrew McInnes, Reader in Romanticisms
Manchester Crown Court
The National Justice Museum coordinates trips to Manchester Crown Court for our Forensic Linguistics students. We get to stage a mock trial in a real courtroom, with students taking the roles of judge, barristers, witnesses, jury members and the defendant. All of our learning becomes relevant as we apply it in a real-life work place that lies beyond our degrees.
Dr Deborah Chirrey, Associate Head of Department
Edge Hill short story prize
Each year one or two CW students work as interns on the prize, the only award for a single-authored collection of short stories in the UK, where they gain invaluable experience of organising a major literary event in London and liaising with authors and publishers. Students also have the opportunity to go to the award ceremony in London, gaining valuable networking experience with professional writers and publishers. Students on the MA course can also enter the MA Prize, which can help launch their careers and bring their work to the attention of agents in the business.
Billy Cowan, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing
Edge Hill University press
This is the University’s very own publishing facility, specialising in contemporary prose, poetry and plays of high quality. As a student, there will be opportunities to intern at the press, gaining invaluable publishing experience; everything from choosing stories and poems to proofreading, from organising events to generating publicity. Students have taken internships for each of the three books published so far at Edge Hill University Press and we look forward to more works and student involvement to come in the near future.
Dr James Byrne, Reader in Contemporary Literature
Hear from some of our current students who answer some of our frequently asked questions in our English Q&A series:
May 31, 2022
