Writing is a skill you keep using, no matter what direction you take later. School helps you learn how to organise ideas and communicate clearly, but creative writing goes further. It is about experimenting with form, refining language, and learning how to build something that holds attention from start to finish. This is where creative writing summer programs in the UK come in. They give you space to focus on writing without the usual academic pressure, while still working within a structured setting.

Imagine yourself in Oxford or Cambridge, sitting in a small seminar, discussing a short story with a tutor who has published work of their own. You might read both classical and contemporary texts, experiment with fiction or poetry, and take part in workshops where your writing is reviewed in detail. These sessions are built around discussion and critique, where feedback becomes part of how your work develops.

How to find the best creative writing programs in the UK?

With many options available, it’s important to identify programs that offer meaningful feedback and structured learning rather than just independent writing time. Thoughtful research ensures you find a program that aligns with your interests and skill level.

Creative writing summer programs may include workshops, writing exercises, group discussions, and one-on-one feedback sessions. You might build a portfolio of work, experiment with different styles, or present your writing in a final showcase.

The UK, in particular, offers a strong academic setting for this. Many programs are hosted within universities or historic colleges, and the teaching reflects that environment. You attend seminars, work in small groups, and engage with writing in a way that feels closer to university study than school assignments.

To help you find a program that fits what you are looking for, we’ve put together a list of 15 creative writing summer programs in the UK for high school students! 

Additionally, you can consider summer schools in the UK, or have a look at online writing programs. 

15 Creative Writing Summer Programs in the UK for High School Students

1. Immerse Education’s Creative Writing Summer School

Location: Oxford, Cambridge
Cost/Stipend: Varies by format; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

Immerse Education’s Creative Writing Summer School will offer you the opportunity to explore the art of creative writing through building skills in poetry, narratives, and fiction. You’ll participate in workshops, literary analysis and collaborative projects. You’ll receive personalised guidance from experienced writers and explore different genres and writing styles as you find your unique voice as a writer.

Along with becoming a better writer, the program also gives you the experience of university life through thought-provoking discussions and a chance to make like-minded friendships. If you’re a high school student looking for a writing program that can help you master creative writing, build self-confidence, and earn a recognised certificate, then this one is a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: It combines small-group workshops with 1:1 mentoring in a historic university setting, helping you refine your writing voice while experiencing authentic college-style learning.

2. University of St Andrews – Summer Academic Experience: Creative Writing (Ages 16-18)

Location: Hosted at the University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: Varies by session
Dates: Multiple sessions in July and August 
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16-18. The programme welcomes international students from around the world and welcomed 160 students from 38 different countries last year. Participants must be able to engage with academic teaching in English

The University of St Andrews hosts one of the premier creative writing summer programs in the UK, offering a residential course taught by published Scottish writers on one of the country’s oldest university campuses. It is one of the few international programs of its kind run directly by a Scottish university. During the program, you work across multiple genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama.

You focus on core elements of writing such as character, dialogue, narrative structure, and style, while also exploring more experimental techniques. The course also introduces you to contemporary authors and includes sessions on building a career in writing. Outside the classroom, the program includes visits to cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, along with cultural sites such as Stirling Castle and the V&A Dundee. You receive an official certificate from the University of St Andrews upon completion.

Why it stands out: It combines structured writing workshops, exposure to published authors, and a residential university experience, all within a well-established academic setting.

3. Nottingham Trent University – Creative Writing for 15-17s

Location: City Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: £545 (accommodation available separately for about £266 per week)
Dates: July 20-24 or July 27-31 
Application Deadline: Not specified 
Eligibility: Open to students aged 15-17 at the time of the course. Applicants should have an interest in writing and developing their creative voice. The page does not specify nationality restrictions, so international students may be able to attend if they meet the age requirement.

This one-week programme introduces creative writing through structured workshops and daily writing exercises. You work across genres such as fiction, poetry, and scriptwriting, focusing on how ideas are translated into complete pieces.

Sessions cover narrative structure, language use, and editing techniques. You produce multiple drafts and revise them based on tutor feedback. The course also includes peer discussion, allowing you to evaluate different approaches to storytelling and refine your own work.

Why it stands out: The programme emphasizes regular drafting and revision through guided workshops, reflecting the process-based approach used in academic writing instruction.

4. SUISS Summer School – University of Edinburgh (Ages 16+)

Location: University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: Approx. £2,244 for the 4-week Creative Writing course (accommodation extra)
Dates: July 13th – August 8th (4 weeks)
Application Deadline: April 24th 
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students, postgraduates, teachers, and professionals from around the world; international students are welcome. Applicants must submit a writing sample and a reference letter.

The SUISS Creative Writing course is a four-week intensive programme built around small-group workshops in fiction, poetry, and drama. You produce original work regularly and receive detailed feedback from tutors who are published writers.

The programme includes lectures on modern literature and masterclasses led by visiting authors. You also participate in peer review sessions, where drafts are discussed and revised. The structure emphasizes sustained writing practice, revision, and engagement with contemporary literary work.

Why it stands out: It combines workshop-based teaching with lectures and author-led sessions, situating your writing within both academic study and contemporary literary practice.

5. Guildhall School of Music & Drama – Summer Course (Ages 14-17)

Location: Hosted at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: £230
Dates: Easter Course: April 11-12 | Summer Course: July 18-19
Application Deadline: Easter Course: March 30th | Summer Course: July 3rd
Eligibility: Open to students aged 14-17. Participants must have sufficient English language proficiency to fully engage with the course. The page does not restrict participation by nationality, meaning international students can apply, though accommodation is not provided.

This short course is a two-day workshop that introduces core elements of creative writing through guided exercises and seminar-style discussion. You respond to prompts based on visual and audio material, developing short pieces of fiction or poetry. Sessions include group critique, where work is discussed and revised with input from instructors.

You complete a final piece during the course, which may be shared in a group reading or included in a compiled anthology. The focus remains on drafting, feedback, and revision within a compressed timeframe.

Why it stands out: It concentrates on drafting and critique within a short workshop format, emphasizing discussion and feedback similar to introductory university seminars.

6. Debate Chamber – Young Writers Summer School (Ages 11-14)

Location: Hosted at Woburn House, Bloomsbury, Central London, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: £195 (limited full and partial bursaries available)
Dates: August 17-18 (2-day in-person program)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students aged 11–14. The page does not explicitly state nationality restrictions; therefore, international students may participate if they can attend the in-person program in London.

This two-day programme introduces creative writing through seminar-based teaching and guided exercises. You study examples of prose and poetry, followed by structured writing tasks that apply similar techniques. Sessions focus on understanding narrative structure, language, and style.

You produce short pieces during the course and receive feedback through group discussion. The programme emphasizes participation, close reading, and practical writing within a short timeframe.

Why it stands out: It focuses on close reading and structured discussion, helping you understand how writing is constructed and analysed in an academic context.

7. Oxford Brookes University – Brookes Engage: Creative Industries (Ages 16-17)

Location: Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom​
Cost/Stipend: Free (fully funded widening participation programme)
Dates: Academic Masterclasses across January-March; Summer School in the summer of Year 12; with ongoing online content and mentoring support throughout the academic year​
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in October, with stream-specific deadlines in November 
Eligibility: Open to students currently in Year 12 or the first year of a college programme in the United Kingdom who meet Oxford Brookes’s widening participation criteria (such as attending a state school, being the first in your family to attend university, or living in a low higher education participation area).

Brookes Engage is a free outreach programme for Year 12 students that offers a structured introduction to university study through the Creative Industries pathway. The programme runs across the academic year and is designed to give you sustained exposure rather than a short, one-time experience. You attend Academic Masterclasses on campus, where you work with Oxford Brookes tutors and explore areas such as film, music, digital media, and arts production. These sessions also give you access to professional facilities used within the creative sector.

Alongside this, the Explore Oxford Social Day introduces you to campus life, while the Information, Advice and Guidance Day focuses on UCAS, applications, and career pathways. The programme concludes with a Summer School at the end of Year 12, where you go deeper into the subject, followed by transition support as you move into Year 13.

Why it stands out: It offers a free, year-long pathway with consistent academic exposure, giving you more sustained engagement with a university setting compared to short-term programs.

8. Marlborough College Summer School – Teen Skills (Ages 13-17)

Location: Hosted at Marlborough College, Marlborough, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: Not specified 
Dates: July 5th – August 9th
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to a range of participants depending on the specific activity. Residential summer school activities are planned primarily for students aged 11-17, and the programmes are designed for participants from different countries, meaning international students can attend.

This residential programme combines academic sessions with creative and extracurricular activities. Within creative writing, you attend workshops that focus on drafting and developing original pieces. Sessions include guided exercises, group discussion, and feedback.

You work on short writing tasks and revise them during the course. The programme also incorporates collaborative activities that support communication and idea development.

Why it stands out: It integrates structured workshops with collaborative learning, allowing you to develop writing alongside broader academic and social engagement.

9. Sevenoaks School Summer Programme (Ages 11-16)

Location: Hosted at Sevenoaks School, Kent, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: Approx. £5,940 for a 2-week programme (boarding programme fee)
Dates: Summer sessions in July (two-week programme; e.g., around early July-late July, depending on session)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students aged 11-16 with a strong level of English. The programme welcomes participants from many countries worldwide, indicating that international students are eligible to apply.

Recognized as one of the most multifaceted creative writing summer programs in the UK, this course allows you to explore dynamic creative industries and develop your expressive writing abilities within a prestigious academic enrichment curriculum. Through the Creativity module, you engage with different forms of artistic expression, including creative writing, drama, film, and theatre technology, while learning how creativity shapes communication and storytelling.

You also participate in complementary academic modules such as Critical Thinking, Social Leadership, and Digital Skills, giving you a multidisciplinary learning experience. Classes are taught by experienced teachers from Sevenoaks School and are designed to encourage experimentation, collaboration, and independent thinking. 

Why it stands out: It places writing within a multidisciplinary framework, allowing you to explore storytelling alongside related creative fields.

10. Faber Writing Academy – “Start to Write” Workshops

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Approx. AUD $195 (AUD $165.75 for alumni)
Dates: 3 evening sessions (example run: November 15-17)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to beginners and emerging writers interested in nonfiction writing. No specific nationality restrictions are mentioned, and since the program is online, international participants can generally attend.

This short course introduces nonfiction writing through a series of structured sessions. You learn how to develop ideas into narrative form, focusing on memoir and creative nonfiction.

Sessions include guided exercises, readings, and discussion. You produce short pieces and refine them through feedback. The programme emphasizes drafting, revision, and understanding narrative structure.

Why it stands out: It focuses specifically on nonfiction writing, with structured exercises that develop narrative skills through practice and revision.

11. Loughborough University (LU Arts) – Summer Creative Writing

Location: Hosted at Loughborough University, Martin Hall (MHL0.13), Loughborough, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: £55 for Loughborough University students; £110 for staff and members of the public
Dates: January 14th – March 18th 
Application Deadline: February 6th 
Eligibility: Open to Loughborough University students, staff, and students aged 16+. The program page does not specify restrictions on international participants.

This course is delivered through weekly sessions focused on fiction and narrative development. You work on short writing tasks that explore character, structure, and descriptive detail. Sessions include guided exercises and group discussion.

You revise work based on feedback and develop pieces across the duration of the course. The format supports consistent practice and gradual skill development.

Why it stands out: It emphasizes regular writing and revision through a structured weekly format, supporting gradual development of technique and confidence.

12. City Academy – Creative Writing Summer School (Ages 16+)

Location: City Academy, Farringdon, Central London, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: £595 for 5 days (Monday-Friday; early runs like March at £535.50 with discount; excludes accommodation)​
Dates: Summer run: June 15-19; additional runs in March, September, and November 
Application Deadline: Not specified (bookings open until full; places limited)​
Eligibility: Open to beginners and experienced writers aged 16+; international students can join if they can attend in London (no accommodation provided)

City Academy’s 5‑day intensive introduces creative writing across forms like prose, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, and children’s writing, led by professional tutors (published authors, journalists, and editors). You build skills through daily workshops on story structure, character, dialogue, description, perspective, and editing, with guided exercises, one‑to‑one tutorials, and group sharing in a supportive environment.

Each day focuses on a key element (e.g., Day 1: narrative foundations; Day 5: industry insights and polishing a substantial piece), culminating in refined original work and feedback to continue developing at home.​

Why it stands out: It delivers multi‑genre workshops with pro tutors and individual feedback in central London, packing university‑introductory techniques into an accessible 5‑day format ideal for skill‑building without residential commitment.​

13. University of the Arts London (UAL) – Storytelling and Creative Writing for 16 to 18 Year Olds

Location: UAL college campus in London, United Kingdom (specific college, such as London College of Communication, announced for each run)
Cost/Stipend: Approx. £600-£700 for a 1‑week intensive
Dates: 1‑week daily sessions within UAL Summer School (late June-early September; exact dates published in the UAL Summer Short Courses timetable)​
Application Deadline: Not specified (enrol until full; early booking advised for teen courses)
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16-18. UAL welcomes international participants who can engage in English and travel to London; no formal language test is required.​

This UAL short course explores literary forms like short fiction, personal essay, poetry, creative nonfiction, and spoken word, helping you find your artistic voice through practical exercises and analysis.You respond to prompts, draft pieces beyond exam constraints, and discuss work to sharpen both creative output and critical reading skills, with tutor guidance on structure, focus, and perspective.

Sessions build toward completing smaller projects or starting longer ones, equipping you with tools for portfolios, schoolwork, or future creative pursuits, plus a digital badge and certificate.

Why it stands out: Delivered at a leading arts university, it emphasises artistic experimentation and literary critique in a compact week, bridging high school writing with professional creative industries approaches.

14. University of Warwick – Pre-University Summer School with Creative Writing Elements (Ages 16-18)

Location: University of Warwick campus, Coventry, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: £3,200 for 2 weeks (fully inclusive of tuition, accommodation, meals, and activities)
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions in July-August 
Application Deadline: Not specified 
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16-18. The programme welcomes international high school students from around the world, with visa support provided; English proficiency is required for seminars.

Warwick’s Pre-University Summer School lets you sample university subjects, including literature and creative disciplines, with creative writing integrated into humanities pathways through workshops on narrative, analysis, and original composition. You attend lectures and seminars taught by Warwick faculty, then apply concepts in small‑group tutorials where you draft stories, essays, or scripts and receive tutor/peer feedback on development and style.

Daily independent study supports revision, while extracurriculars like writing clubs and campus events build your portfolio and confidence. The residential format includes social activities and a certificate of completion.

Why it stands out: It previews UK university life for current high schoolers, blending creative writing workshops with academic seminars and feedback in a modern campus setting.​

15. ISSOS International Summer School – St Andrews (Ages 13-18)

Location: Hosted at the University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: Approx. £7,900 (all-inclusive) including £500 registration fee + £7,400 tuition
Dates: Session 1: June 28th – July 19th | Session 2: July 22nd – August 12th
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students aged 13-18 with English proficiency at B2 level or higher. The program welcomes international students from around the world, with nationalities typically capped to ensure a diverse global cohort.

ISSOS runs one of the most culturally diverse creative writing summer programs in the UK, offering a three-week course that moves across multiple forms, including short fiction, poetry, and script writing. The structure is workshop-based, with regular writing exercises and instructor-led discussions.

You work on building narratives, shaping characters, and refining language, while also reading and analysing published work. Feedback is continuous, allowing you to revise and develop pieces over time rather than treating each exercise as separate.

Why it stands out: It combines structured writing workshops with sustained feedback, allowing you to build a portfolio while working within an international cohort.

Bridging the Gap: British Workshops and Classic Manuals

Studying the craft of storytelling within the historic walls of British universities offers an intellectual rigor that transforms casual writers into serious academic scholars today.

By enrolling in creative writing summer programs in the UK, you obtain the personalized feedback and drafting space required to build an authoritative literary portfolio.

To truly excel, you must complement these immersive workshops with the timeless craft principles found in our curated reading lists for aspiring world-class authors everywhere.

Explore our Creative Writing Top Books Guide to master storytelling and perfect your academic profile for the world’s most prestigious and elite literary institutions now!