UK Writers' College –
Online Writing Courses FAQ
A complete guide to common questions about our certified online writing courses in the United Kingdom.
About UK Writers' College
What is UK Writers' College and how long has it been running?
UK Writers’ College is one of the UK’s most established online writing schools, training writers since 2005. We are part of The Writers’ College family of schools, which also includes SA Writers’ College and NZ Writers’ College. Across all three schools, we have trained around 10,000 writers over the past 20 years. Our UK college brings that wealth of international experience directly to British writers, with 35 specialised online writing courses and a team of award-winning tutors who provide personal, one-to-one feedback on every assignment.
Is UK Writers' College a reputable writing school?
Yes. UK Writers’ College has been training writers since 2005 and has built a strong reputation for the quality and depth of its one-to-one tutoring. Unlike many online writing platforms that rely on video lectures, peer reviews or automated marking, we work with every student individually, providing detailed, line-by-line feedback from a working professional writer. Our graduates have been published in major UK magazines and national newspapers, won literary prizes and published books with leading British publishers. We let our students’ results speak for themselves. You can read their stories on our Student Success Stories page.
Is UK Writers' College accredited or approved by a UK body?
To keep our fees affordable and accessible to UK writers, UK Writers’ College is not registered with Ofqual or another UK regulatory body such as the QAA. However, our courses are professionally developed, certified and have been trusted by thousands of students since 2005. Every graduate receives a certificate of completion from UK Writers’ College, which is recognised within the British writing and publishing industry. Many of our graduates have gone on to work professionally as writers, journalists, editors and authors. If you require CPD-recognised training for professional development purposes, please contact us at admin@ukwriterscollege.co.uk to discuss your needs.
Can I study with UK Writers' College if I live outside England?
Absolutely. Because all our courses are delivered entirely online, you can study from anywhere in the United Kingdom, whether you’re based in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Bristol, Leeds or a rural village in Cornwall or the Scottish Highlands. You can also study from the Republic of Ireland or anywhere else in the world. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a passion for writing.
Can I study with UK Writers' College if I live outside the UK?
Yes. We welcome students from all over the world. Our courses are delivered entirely online and there are no campus visits or fixed class times, so you can study from Australia, Canada, the United States, Europe or anywhere else on the globe. Many of our students are British expats living abroad who want to develop their writing with a school that understands the British publishing market.
Our Courses
What writing courses does UK Writers' College offer?
UK Writers’ College offers 35 specialised online writing courses across four main faculties: Journalism, Creative Writing, Business and Grammar and Specialist Writing. Our journalism courses include Freelance Journalism for Magazines and Webzines, Travel Writing and Writing Articles for Websites and Blogs. Our creative writing courses cover the short story, novel writing, romance, science fiction and fantasy, scriptwriting, poetry, memoir and children’s book writing. Our specialist courses include Copywriting, Copy-editing and Proofreading, Writing SEO and GEO Content for Websites, Write with AI and Press Release and Media Writing. We also offer self-guided Writing Intensives for writers who want a shorter, focused challenge. View all writing courses here.
What is the best online creative writing course in the UK?
Our most popular course for beginner and intermediate writers is the Basics of Creative Writing Course. It is a comprehensive introduction to fiction writing, tutored one-to-one by an award-winning writer who provides detailed, line-by-line feedback on every assignment. By the end of the course, you will have polished short fiction and a strong foundation in the craft of writing. We also offer advanced creative writing courses, short story courses and novel writing courses for writers at every stage of their journey.
Do you offer writing courses for complete beginners in the UK?
Yes! UK Writers’ College warmly welcomes complete beginners. Many of our most successful graduates had never written seriously before enrolling. Our courses are designed to build your confidence and skill with every assignment, with no prior experience required. The Basics of Creative Writing Course is the ideal starting point for most new writers, while the Grammar Skills Course is perfect for anyone who wants to strengthen their written English before diving into a longer course.
Do you offer courses for intermediate and advanced writers?
Yes. At UK Writers’ College, we train writers at every level, beginner, intermediate and advanced. If you already have writing experience and want to deepen your craft, sharpen a specific skill or complete a manuscript under expert guidance, we have advanced courses across all our faculties. These include the Advanced Creative Writing Course, the Advanced Novel Writing Course, the Advanced Freelance Journalism Course and the Advanced Scriptwriting Course, among others.
Can I do a part-time writing course while working full-time in the UK?
Absolutely. All our courses are designed to fit around your existing commitments. There are no fixed class times and no live sessions you must attend. You work through your course modules at your own pace, submitting assignments by email when you are ready and receiving your tutor’s feedback within three to five working days. Many of our UK students study in the evenings, at weekends or during school hours. Whether you’re a busy professional in the City, a parent fitting study around the school run or someone returning to education after a break, our flexible model works around you.
Do you offer a distance learning writing course I can do from home?
Yes. All our courses are fully home-based and delivered entirely online. There is no travel involved, no campus visits and no classroom attendance required. In that sense, our courses are the modern equivalent of a correspondence course, with the added benefit of fast email turnaround and expert digital feedback. It is one of the most flexible and cost-effective ways to develop your writing in the UK today.
How Our Courses Work
How does an online writing course at UK Writers' College work?
Once you enrol, you receive access to your course materials, which are divided into modules. You work through each module at your own pace, completing writing assignments and submitting them by email to your personal tutor. Your tutor reads your work carefully and returns detailed, line-by-line written feedback within three to five working days. There are no set class times, no video lectures to sit through and no peers marking your work. Just you, your writing and your tutor.
What makes UK Writers' College different from other online writing courses?
The defining difference at UK Writers’ College is our one-to-one tutoring model. Every student is assigned a personal tutor, a working award-winning writer, who reads every word of every assignment and provides detailed, individual feedback tailored specifically to your writing. We do not use generic marking rubrics, peer assessments or automated responses. We believe in the traditional writing apprenticeship: working closely with a master of the craft as your writing develops, line by line. Many of our tutors have run postgraduate writing programmes at universities. At UK Writers’ College, you receive that same level of expert guidance for a fraction of the cost of an MA or evening class.
How does UK Writers' College compare to doing a creative writing MA in the UK?
A creative writing MA at a UK university is a significant investment, often costing between £9,000 and £20,000 or more, and typically requires two years of part-time or one year of full-time study. UK Writers’ College offers a comparable level of expert, individual tutoring in your specific area of writing at a fraction of that cost and with far greater flexibility. You study entirely at your own pace, with no commute, no fixed timetable and no essays unrelated to your craft. For many writers, a specialist course with a professional tutor who is actively working in their field is more directly useful than a broad academic qualification.
How does UK Writers' College compare to evening classes or local writing groups?
Evening classes and local writing groups are wonderful for community and general motivation, but they typically involve group feedback sessions rather than individual attention. At UK Writers’ College, every piece of work you submit is read in full and assessed individually by your tutor, with detailed, personal feedback tailored to your writing. You are never one of twenty students waiting for ten minutes of general commentary. The depth of attention you receive is far closer to a private tutorial than a group class.
Who are the tutors at UK Writers' College?
Our tutors are not just teachers. They are working writers and editors who are leaders in their specific fields, with real-world experience of publishing, journalism and the creative industries. Every course at UK Writers’ College is designed and tutored by a professional with multiple awards and, in many cases, substantial publishing credits to their name. You can meet the full team on our Meet Our Tutors page.
How long does a writing course take to complete?
Course duration varies depending on the course. Most of our standard courses can be completed in four to twelve months and our more in-depth courses (such as the Write a Novel Course or the Advanced Creative Writing Course) are designed to be completed over up to 24 months. You work at your own pace within the allocated time frame and extensions are available if needed. Shorter self-guided Writing Intensives can be completed in five to fourteen days. Full details are listed on each individual course page.
What do I need to study at UK Writers' College?
Very little! You need a computer, tablet or laptop, a reliable internet connection and a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs. You do not need any special software and you do not need to travel to a campus or attend classes at fixed times. Our courses are designed to be fully accessible to writers anywhere in the UK or beyond.
Will my writing stay private?
Yes. Your writing assignments are only seen by your personal tutor and, occasionally, by an external moderator for quality assurance purposes. Any intellectual property you produce during a course with UK Writers’ College remains entirely your own. The college and its tutors have no claim whatsoever to any manuscript, article, script or other material you write during your studies. With your explicit permission only, selected excerpts may be featured in our student showcase.
Fees and Payment
How much do UK Writers' College courses cost?
Course fees vary depending on the length and level of the course. Our short self-guided Writing Intensives are the most affordable option, and our standard tutored courses range from shorter introductory programmes to longer in-depth advanced courses. All fees are listed in pounds sterling on each individual course page. We believe quality writing education should be within reach of UK writers and we work hard to keep our fees fair, transparent and competitive with other UK writing schools and distance learning providers.
Do you offer a payment plan?
Yes. We understand that investing in your writing education is a significant decision and we offer flexible payment options to make it as straightforward as possible. For shorter courses (six to twelve months), you can pay a 50% deposit at the start and the balance at the end of the following month. For our 24-month courses, fees can be paid in three instalments: 50%, then 25%, then 25%. In some circumstances we are happy to discuss alternative arrangements. Just get in touch with our admin team at admin@ukwriterscollege.co.uk. There are no additional charges for using a split payment option.
Are your fees in pounds sterling?
Yes. All fees for UK students are listed and charged in pounds sterling (GBP). There are no hidden currency conversion charges for UK students. For students studying from outside the UK, please contact us at admin@ukwriterscollege.co.uk to discuss payment in your local currency.
What is your refund policy?
If you are not completely satisfied within the first seven days of starting your course, you may transfer to a different course or request a full refund. If you request a refund after seven days but before 30 days, a 5% administrative fee plus any bank and tutor fees already incurred will be deducted. We do not offer refunds after 30 days on the course.
Enrolment and Getting Started
How do I enrol at UK Writers' College?
Enrolment is simple. Visit the course page of the course you’d like to study and complete the enrolment form at the bottom of the page, or click the Enrol button at the top of any page on our website. We will email you a welcome letter and invoice within one working day. If you are unsure which course to choose, contact us at admin@ukwriterscollege.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)208 0799548 and we’ll help you find the right fit.
What qualifications do I need to enrol?
Writing is one of the few fields where you do not need a degree, A-levels or any formal qualifications to get published or build a successful career. To study at UK Writers’ College, all you need is a reasonable level of written English and a reliable internet connection. We assess your writing briefly in the application form to make sure you’ll be comfortable with the course content. If we feel a different course might suit you better, we will always let you know before you commit.
Can I start a course at any time of the year?
Yes. You can enrol and start a course at any time. There are no fixed intake dates, no September starts and no waiting for a new term to begin. Once your enrolment is confirmed, you can begin as soon as you’re ready. This flexibility is one of the great advantages of studying with UK Writers’ College.
What if I choose the wrong course?
Before you enrol, we are happy to help you choose. If you are unsure, email us or give us a ring and we’ll discuss your goals and recommend the most suitable course. If you do start a course and find it’s not the right fit, we can transfer you to a different course early in the process (within the first module). Get in touch as soon as possible and we will find the best solution for you.
Results and Outcomes
Will a writing course help me get published in the UK?
It absolutely can. Many UK Writers’ College graduates have gone on to publish novels, short story collections, children’s books, magazine articles, travel pieces and memoirs. Our journalism graduates have been published in UK titles including The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, Granta, Mslexia and a wide range of trade and consumer magazines. Our fiction graduates have been published with major British publishers and have been longlisted and shortlisted for prestigious UK literary awards. Our courses are designed not just to improve your writing, but to produce polished, publication-ready work. View our Student Success Stories.
Can I earn money from writing after completing a course?
Yes. Many of our graduates earn an income from writing, whether as freelance journalists contributing to UK publications, as copywriters for British agencies and businesses or as copy-editors and proofreaders. Each course includes practical guidance on the UK writing industry, including how to pitch to commissioning editors, how to approach British literary agents and publishers and how to manage your writing career professionally.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Upon successful completion of your course requirements, you will receive a UK Writers’ College certificate. Requirements vary by course and are detailed on each course page. Your certificate is recognised within the British writing and publishing industry.
Can I sell the work I produce during my course?
Yes, and we encourage it. Any article, short story, novel manuscript, script or other work you produce during your studies belongs entirely to you. You are free to submit it to UK publishers or agents, enter it in competitions or sell it during or after your course. Your tutor will guide you on how to approach the British market for your specific genre.
The UK Writing Industry
Is there a market for writers in the UK?
Yes, and it is one of the most vibrant in the world. The UK has an extraordinarily rich publishing industry, home to major houses including Penguin Random House UK, HarperCollins UK, Pan Macmillan, Hodder and Stoughton, Bloomsbury, Faber and Faber, Orion and many thriving independent publishers. London is one of the world’s great publishing capitals, and the UK magazine and digital content market is equally strong, with substantial demand for feature writers, copywriters, content creators and web writers. Many UK writers also work with publishers in the United States, Ireland, Australia and beyond.
What literary prizes can UK writers enter?
The UK has some of the world’s most prestigious literary prizes. These include the Booker Prize, the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the Costa Book Awards, the Desmond Elliott Prize, the Walter Scott Prize, the Wainwright Prize for nature writing, the Forward Prize for poetry and the Crime Writers’ Association’s Dagger Awards, among many others. UK Writers’ College keeps an updated list of writing competitions for UK writers and runs its own annual Short Story Writing Competition. Many of our students and graduates have been shortlisted or won prizes in UK and international competitions.
Do you offer courses for UK business writers and corporate teams?
Yes. UK Writers’ College offers corporate writing training for British organisations, public sector bodies and businesses of all sizes. We have trained writers from a wide range of UK companies and institutions. Whether your team needs to sharpen their business writing, improve their report writing or develop their copywriting skills, we can tailor a programme to suit your needs. Contact us at admin@ukwriterscollege.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
Do you have courses for writers interested in the BBC, screenwriting or British television?
Yes. Our Scriptwriting Course and Advanced Scriptwriting Course cover writing for stage, screen and digital media and are highly relevant to writers interested in working within the British television and film industry. The courses cover story structure, character, dialogue and formatting to industry standards. Our scriptwriting tutor has won over 30 writing awards including two Emmy nominations and brings an exceptional level of professional experience to the course.
Are there writing organisations in the UK I should know about?
Yes. As a UK writer, it is worth familiarising yourself with organisations such as the Society of Authors, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, the National Association of Writers in Education (NAWE) and PEN International (whose secretariat is in London). There are also genre-specific associations such as the Crime Writers’ Association, the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the British Science Fiction Association. UK Writers’ College maintains a list of useful links for UK writers on our website, including writing circles and groups across the country.
AI and the Future of Writing
Does UK Writers' College offer a course on writing with AI?
Yes. We offer a dedicated Write with AI Course that teaches writers how to use artificial intelligence as a creative and professional tool without losing what makes their writing unique. The course covers how to prompt AI effectively, how to use it for research, brainstorming, overcoming writer’s block and refining drafts, while keeping your own voice and creative instincts firmly in control. It is practical, forward-thinking and designed for writers who want to stay relevant in a rapidly changing publishing landscape.
Will AI replace writers in the UK?
No. AI can generate words, but it cannot replicate your lived experience, your emotional truth or your distinctively human voice. The writers who will thrive in the age of AI are those with strong craft skills, a distinctive voice and the ability to tell stories that feel genuinely human, which is precisely what we develop at UK Writers’ College. The British publishing industry, from the Booker Prize to the BBC, continues to invest heavily in human storytelling. Investing in your writing skills now is one of the most future-proof decisions you can make.
Can AI help me become a better writer?
Used thoughtfully, yes. AI can help writers brainstorm ideas, break through creative blocks, research more efficiently and polish drafts, freeing up more time and energy for the creative work that only you can do. At UK Writers’ College, our Write with AI Course teaches you how to work with AI in a way that enhances your craft rather than replacing it, helping you find the balance between smart tool use and authentic, original storytelling.
Extras and Community
Can I buy a writing course as a gift?
What a lovely idea! UK Writers’ College offers gift vouchers redeemable against any of our 35 writing courses. Whether it’s for a birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day or simply to encourage someone you care about to pursue their writing dream, a writing course is a gift that can genuinely change someone’s life. Visit our Gift Voucher page to purchase one today.
Is there a writing community I can join as a UK Writers' College student?
Yes. As a student, you are warmly welcomed into our Facebook community, where you can connect with fellow writers, share your progress and draw inspiration from others on the same journey. You will also receive our free monthly newsletter, packed with writing tips, competition announcements and industry news relevant to UK writers. We also publish a directory of writing circles across the UK on our website, so you can connect with writers in your area.
Do UK Writers' College students get any additional benefits?
Yes. In addition to your one-to-one tutor relationship, UK Writers’ College students enjoy lifetime access to future updates of their course materials, access to our resource library of 500+ writing articles on our blog and the opportunity for top graduates to join our Writers and Editors for Hire service, a real-world opportunity to earn money from your writing. We also run an annual short story competition exclusively for our students and keep you up to date with UK and international writing competitions throughout the year.