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Creative Writing Summer Courses in Cambridge
Explore the craft of storytelling, experiment with language and literary techniques, and develop your own voice as a writer with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Creative Writing summer course in Cambridge, designed for students aged 16–17, gives you the opportunity to explore writing beyond your usual studies while developing your creativity, critical thinking and communication skills.
Through small-group seminars, tutorials and independent study, you'll examine how writers shape their work, experiment with different approaches and become more confident developing, discussing and refining writing of your own while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Cambridge with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential Creative Writing summer course in Cambridge includes academic teaching, accommodation, meals, a certificate on completion, airport transfer and insurance.
Choose from Plus, Superior and Premier packages, with accommodation and additional benefits varying by package.
Study Creative Writing in Cambridge
Our Creative Writing summer course in Cambridge gives students aged 16–17 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring storytelling, literary techniques and creative expression as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Creative Writing involves much more than having a good idea. Writers make deliberate choices about language, character, perspective, structure, imagery and voice, shaping how readers experience a story, poem or other piece of writing.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to experiment with these choices and think critically about your own creative process. By reading, writing, discussing and revising, you'll explore how different techniques can affect a piece and develop greater confidence making creative decisions of your own.
You'll also have opportunities to share ideas and respond constructively to the work of others, helping you see your writing from new perspectives and understand how feedback can contribute to the revision process.
Outside your academic sessions, you'll experience the wider programme alongside other students, with time to enjoy Cambridge and take part in the social and cultural elements of your Atlas Summer Courses summer.
What Will You Study on a Creative Writing Summer Course in Cambridge?
There is no prescribed syllabus that every student follows. Atlas Summer Courses tutors create their own syllabi, drawing on their expertise while taking the interests, abilities and learning needs of their students into account.
Depending on your tutor and group, you could explore different forms and genres of creative writing, alongside techniques for developing and refining your own work.
You might consider questions such as:
- How can writers create distinctive and convincing characters?
- What makes a narrative voice memorable?
- How can point of view change the way a reader experiences a story?
- How can dialogue reveal character and move a narrative forward?
- How do writers use setting, imagery and description effectively?
- How can structure and pacing shape a reader's experience?
- How can feedback, editing and revision strengthen a piece of writing?
The precise content will reflect your tutor's expertise and the interests and learning needs of the students in your group. Any syllabus shown on our website is an example from a previous course rather than a guarantee of the exact genres, texts, techniques or writing exercises you'll explore.
How You'll Learn on Your Creative Writing Course
Atlas Summer Courses' Creative Writing summer course combines small-group seminars, tutorials and private study, giving you opportunities to experiment with your writing, discuss creative choices and develop work of your own.
Ages 16–17
18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring creative writing through discussion, close reading, writing exercises, workshops and other activities. You'll be encouraged to experiment with different techniques, discuss the effects of particular creative choices and respond thoughtfully to the work of your peers.
2 hours of tutorials
You'll have one tutorial each week, usually with your tutor and one other student. These focused sessions give you the opportunity to discuss the creative work you've been developing, explain your decisions and receive detailed feedback to help you revise and refine your writing.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading and preparation for seminars and spend time independently developing, editing and refining your creative work for tutorials.
Together, these different forms of teaching encourage you to participate actively, experiment with new approaches and take greater responsibility for developing your own writing and creative voice.
Your Summer Experience in Cambridge
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your Creative Writing course.
You'll spend two weeks living and learning alongside other students, combining your academic programme with the wider social and cultural elements of the summer experience.
Outside your academic sessions, you'll have opportunities to spend time with other students, enjoy Cambridge and take part in the activities and experiences included within your programme.
Accommodation and additional programme benefits vary according to the package you choose, so you can compare the available options before applying.
Explore the summer experience in Cambridge.
Who Is Our Creative Writing Summer Course in Cambridge For?
Our Creative Writing summer course in Cambridge is designed for students aged 16–17 who enjoy writing and want to become more confident developing, experimenting with and refining their own creative work.
You don't need to consider yourself an experienced writer before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy creating stories, characters or poetry, like experimenting with language, are interested in how writers develop their craft or want structured opportunities to receive feedback on your own work.
It can also provide an opportunity to explore Creative Writing academically before deciding whether writing, literature or another creative discipline is something you'd like to pursue in greater depth.
You'll develop transferable skills including creative thinking, written communication, critical reading, editing and revision, responding to feedback, independent study and communicating your creative decisions clearly.
Learn from Expert Tutors
Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, writing, publishing and education.
They bring their own expertise and interests into their teaching and have the freedom to shape their syllabus around both their specialism and the students in their group. This means different Creative Writing summer courses in Cambridge may explore different genres, literary techniques and approaches to the writing process.
Tutors are confirmed closer to the summer, so profiles on our website are examples of tutors who have previously taught with us rather than confirmation of who will teach your course.
Where Can Creative Writing Take You?
Creative Writing develops the ability to communicate with clarity and imagination, make deliberate choices about language and structure, and refine ideas through drafting and revision.
Students interested in Creative Writing may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as English Literature, journalism, publishing, communications, media or other humanities and creative disciplines.
The creative, analytical and communication skills associated with Creative Writing can also support future paths across writing, publishing, journalism, media, communications, marketing, advertising and many other fields where compelling communication matters.
A Creative Writing summer course in Cambridge gives you the opportunity to develop your writing before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which forms, genres and approaches to creative expression interest you most.
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FAQs about Our Cambridge Courses
Atlas Summer Courses offers a range of summer courses in Cambridge across subjects including sciences, medicine, technology, humanities, social sciences, business and creative disciplines. Course availability varies by age group and dates, so students can explore the subjects available for their age when choosing what to study.
Our summer courses in Cambridge are available across age groups including 13–15, 16–17 and, for selected subjects, 18–24. The academic approach varies according to age, giving students an appropriate balance of small-group teaching, independent study and academic challenge.
Our residential summer courses in Cambridge combine academic teaching with accommodation, meals and a wider programme of social and cultural experiences. Exact inclusions and accommodation vary by package, allowing students and families to compare the available options before applying.
No. Atlas Summer Courses is an independent summer course provider and is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Cambridge. Our summer courses in Cambridge are organised and delivered by Atlas Programmes, with the focus on our academic courses and the wider Atlas Programmes summer experience.
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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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