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Creative Writing Summer Courses in Oxford
Develop your creative voice, experiment with different forms of writing and discover new ways to bring your ideas to life with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Creative Writing summer courses in Oxford, available for students aged 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to develop your writing beyond your usual studies while building confidence in your creativity, technique and ability to communicate through language.
Through small-group seminars, tutorials and independent writing, you'll explore different approaches to storytelling, experiment with literary techniques and learn to reflect on and refine your own work while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Oxford with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential Creative Writing summer course in Oxford includes academic teaching, accommodation, meals, a certificate on completion, airport transfer from Heathrow and insurance.
Choose from Plus, Superior and Premier packages, with accommodation and additional benefits varying by package.
Study Creative Writing in Oxford
Our Creative Writing summer courses in Oxford give students aged 16–17 and 18–24 the opportunity to spend two weeks developing their writing and exploring different forms of creative expression as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Creative Writing involves more than simply having a good idea. Writers make deliberate choices about character, voice, structure, language, setting and perspective, shaping how readers experience a story, poem or other piece of writing.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to experiment with these choices, explore different techniques and consider how your writing changes through drafting and revision. Reading and discussing the work of others can also help you identify new possibilities for your own writing and become more confident evaluating creative decisions.
Outside your academic sessions, you'll experience the wider programme alongside other students, with time to enjoy Oxford and take part in the social and cultural elements of your summer.
What Will You Study on a Creative Writing Summer Course in Oxford?
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 genres, forms and creative writing techniques while developing work of your own.
You might consider questions such as:
- How can you create compelling and believable characters?
- What makes a distinctive narrative voice?
- How can setting contribute to atmosphere and meaning?
- How can structure and pacing shape a reader's experience?
- What makes dialogue feel purposeful and convincing?
- How can editing and revision strengthen a piece of writing?
- How can feedback help you develop your own creative voice?
You may experiment with fiction, poetry or other forms of writing, with the precise content reflecting your tutor's expertise and the interests 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, techniques or topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on Your Creative Writing Course
Atlas Summer Courses' Creative Writing summer courses combine small-group seminars, tutorials and private study, giving you opportunities to experiment with your writing, discuss creative choices and develop work independently.
Ages 16–17 and 18–24
18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring creative writing through discussion, close reading, writing exercises and workshops. You'll be encouraged to experiment with different techniques, share ideas and reflect critically on the choices you make as a writer.
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 writing you've been developing, explain your creative decisions and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading and preparation for seminars while working independently on your own writing. This gives you time to develop, revise and refine your ideas between teaching sessions.
Together, these different forms of teaching encourage you to experiment creatively while becoming more deliberate and reflective about your writing.
Your Summer Experience in Oxford
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 Oxford 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 Oxford.
Who Are Our Creative Writing Summer Courses in Oxford For?
Our Creative Writing summer courses in Oxford are designed for students aged 16–17 and 18–24 who enjoy writing and want to become more confident developing, revising and discussing their creative work.
You don't need to have completed a major writing project before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy creating stories, characters or poetry, experimenting with language or reading other writers and thinking about how their techniques work.
You'll develop transferable skills including creative thinking, written communication, critical reading, editing, giving and responding to feedback, independent study and expressing ideas 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 Oxford may explore different genres, techniques and approaches to writing.
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 your ability to communicate ideas, experiment with language and approach your own work with imagination and critical awareness.
Students interested in Creative Writing may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as English Literature, journalism, publishing, media,
communications or other humanities and creative disciplines.
The writing, editing and communication skills associated with Creative Writing can also support future paths across publishing, journalism, media, communications, marketing, education and other creative industries.
A Creative Writing summer course in Oxford gives you the opportunity to develop your writing before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which forms, genres and techniques interest you most.
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FAQs about Atlas Summer Courses
Atlas Summer Courses offers a wide range of summer courses in Oxford across subjects including sciences, humanities, social sciences, business, medicine, law, engineering and creative disciplines. Courses are available for different age groups, with the exact subjects available depending on the student's age and course dates.
Our summer courses in Oxford are available for students across several age groups, including 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24. Teaching and independent study are designed around each age group, giving students an appropriate level of academic challenge and independence.
Our residential summer courses in Oxford combine academic teaching with accommodation, meals and a wider programme of social and cultural experiences. Inclusions and accommodation vary by package, so students and families can compare the available options when choosing their course.
No. Atlas Summer Courses is an independent summer course provider and is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Oxford. Our summer courses in Oxford 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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