Fulfil your dream of becoming a writer

Whether you want to write a novel, poetry, short story or memoir, our part-time, two-year degree-level programmes make that aspiration a reality. Our courses help you to understand the craft of writing and provide the support and structure to get your writing on the page.

The Creative Writing Programme is the leading centre for creative writing in the south-east of England. Our courses starting in October 2025 in Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne and Tunbridge Wells, and online, are now open for enrolment. Why not sign up for a taster session to see if they’re for you?

The courses

The Creative Writing Programme

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The Life Writing Programme

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Advanced Writing Workshops

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Advanced Poetry Workshops

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Beginners Poetry Workshops

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Introduction to creative writing course

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Join a second-year group

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Masterclasses

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Our approach

At a time when university study is an expensive luxury, our programmes offer a practical course of study at an affordable price. Our innovative approach focuses on individual creativity and on teaching writing skills within the context of the creative process. Through a practical course of study designed to teach you how to build and structure narrative, our team of experienced writing tutors will help you to develop your creative potential. After moving out of the University of Sussex in 2012, the course is now run independently. Read more about us.

Our Locations

Online

Testimonials

“The Creative Writing Programme is a first-rate experience, run by outstanding tutors. The quality of the teaching is excellent."

John Herbert ”
“By the end of the course I had a tangible draft and now I'm a published author.”

Jane Crittenden
“This course set me on the path to becoming a working author. I can't recommend it highly enough.”

Lisa Fransson
“I have found this course incredibly helpful in honing my craft finding my voice and trusting my imagination.”

Janet Boyd
"The Creative Writing Programme was an important stepping-stone in my early writing career."

Carole Aubrée-Dumont
"CWP runs excellent poetry courses."

Sue Wallace-Shaddad
"Thank you for two magnificent years on the Advanced Writing Workshops. I have enjoyed them so much and feel l've gained huge benefit from your advice and support. I've really appreciated your deep engagement with everyone's work."

Writer
"This was a superb, well-crafted review of a wide range of modern poetry. I enjoyed a terrific learning experience which has enriched my own writing."

David Bleiman
"CWP runs excellent poetry courses."

Sue Wallace-Shaddad
"The Creative Writing Programme is a first-rate experience, run by outstanding tutors. The quality of the teaching is excellent. You don't need to have published - or, indeed, have written much fiction - before starting the course."

John Herbert
"I did John McCullough's Advanced Poetry Workshop. He brings a vast knowledge combined with enthusiasm to the course. There is a supportive atmosphere."

Andrew G Marshall
"I took part in CWP's Routes into Publishing. It was really, really useful. I feel totally prepared to start writing my letter and synopsis for agents/publishers."

Ali Donaldson
"The Creative Writing Programme offers truly progressive courses both for novice writers and seasoned authors. The tutors are published authors, first-rate and artful in enabling a flourishing writing environment."

Liz Tudor
"The Creative Writing Programme was an important stepping-stone in my early writing career. I learnt a lot about craft and commitment thanks to wonderful tutors, and also made long-term writer friends."

Carole Aubree-Dumont
"The feedback from the tutor over the ten months was fantastic. Having regular deadlines really helped me make progress and be a bit more disciplined about my writing."

Denise Tyler
"When I started it felt scary to share my work with others, but since then I have learned so much through the critiquing process and am much better equipped to take my writing forward."

Clare H
"It was a brilliant experience and I benefitted from the vast experience of the excellent tutors and the support of my co-writers. I was so impressed."

Julian Morgan
"I have found this course incredibly helpful — in honing my craft finding my voice, trusting my imagination. Encouragement from a great tutor and a lovely bunch of fellow writers."

Janet Boyd
"This is an excellent course with a robust content that takes you through the whole book writing process over two years. Now I'm a published author! I would recommend this course to anyone."

Jane Crittenden
"Thank you for your very helpful and encouraging feedback and for being such a great leader of the Advanced Writing Workshops throughout the past year."

Clive
"The course was excellent, the programme and the tutors. The group learned subjects such as plotting, dialogue and structure. We all wrote and shared our work, very important in developing our novels."

Penelope Lloyd
"I loved this course. It opened up a new world of creativity for me, and I met some incredible people, some of whom remain lifelong friends."

Hilary
"This course set me on the path to becoming a working author. I can't recommend it highly enough."

Lisa Fransson