Certificate in Fiction Writing Course at West Dean

Creative Writing & Publishing

Certificate in Fiction Writing

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Award: Certificate in Fiction Writing
Duration: 1 year, part-time (December 2026)
School: School of Arts
Campus: Sussex

Our Certificate in Fiction Writing course is delivered in three weekend course units spread across the year, self-directed study and a final submission of 5,000 words of fiction.

This course seeks to bring together the key elements of writing fiction into one continuing programme and to support the development of skills in characterisation, voice, plot and structure, and points of craft.

Each weekend unit will be based in the inspirational environment of West Dean College’s historic rooms. Each morning will be devoted to informal lectures, group discussions of key texts and themes, and writing exercises. In the afternoons, you will have time to work on your own writing, as well as the opportunity to take up an individual tutorial. Writers can submit 500 words in advance, for feedback during the tutorial. The course is aimed at writers who wish to commit to an extended programme of study without having to make a significant time commitment.

This course also offers a potential pathway for those interested in applying for West Dean's Higher Education programmes in Creative Writing and Publishing.

Course structure

This course is designed for writers who want an extended and cohesive course on fiction writing, delivered by successful authors and teachers. The course delivery mirrors that of the MA programme in Creative Writing and Publishing offered at West Dean. It offers a deeper and broader raft of teaching, designed to enable you to take on a piece of longer fiction. At the end of the third unit, you will be asked to submit the first 5,000 words of a work in progress for feedback from the tutors.

Course Aims

Introduction

To introduce you to the key skills and knowledge that underpin fiction writing and the development of the novel. These will include the organisational skills required for plotting, character development and narrative technique. It will also introduce you to constructive and focused critical reflection of your work and support the development of rewriting/drafting skills.

Skills Development 

The course will offer a stimulating and varied learning environment to enable writers to develop their skills around characterisation, point of view and narrative drive. Writing exercises, along with discussion and textual analysis, will be the key modes of learning.

The course will facilitate constructive critical thinking/reflection and cover redrafting, narrative drive and the development of voice.

Course units

Unit 1: Character and Point of View

  • Ideas generation, testing ideas and thinking like a writer (Friday evening)
  • Building character
  • Point of view

Pre-course preparation:
A reading pack of PDFs will be sent to you prior to the course. For How-to reading, Francine Prose’s Reading Like a Writer is a great place to start, if you wish. You can submit 500 words from a work in progress to Laura for feedback during your individual tutorial.

Unit 2: Plot and Place

  • Structure and plot
  • Sense of place (and time)
  • Narrative drive

Pre-course preparation:
A reading pack of PDFs will be sent to you prior to the course. You can submit 500 words from a work in progress to Beth for feedback during your individual tutorial.

Unit 3: Writing Your Book

  • Show, don’t tell
  • Dialogue
  • A writing workshop in which you will get feedback on your work from your colleagues and tutor

Following the completion of this third unit you will be asked to submit the first 5,000 words of a work in progress for feedback from the programme tutors.

Final writing

On completion of the course, students will submit the first 5,000 words of a piece they have developed on the programme.

Course deadlines

  • Submission date for 5,000 words:  (two months following the final unit)
  • Feedback from the programme tutors by

Completion

On successful completion, students will receive a Certificate of Completion and be offered an interview for the MA in Creative Writing and Publishing, should you want to continue your studies and project. The MA is set up to facilitate the production of a completed novel.

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    Explore and expand your work in a uniquely immersive environment with its own connections to art history. Our School of Arts students enjoy specialist studio spaces dedicated to painting and drawing, sculpture and tapestry and textile-based work as well as exceptional exhibition space.

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    Entry requirements

    The following qualifications will be considered for entry to the course: 

    • A firm commitment to attending all three units 
    • Some experience of writing
    • An interest in and awareness of the fiction writing genre 

    Please bring:
    Your usual writing equipment, notebook and pen and/or laptop to each of the study units.

    Fees

    2026/27 Tuition fees. Fees are payable in advance for each year of study.

    UK Home students
    •    £1,500

    International students
    •    £2,000

    Find out more about tuition fees and admissions.

    Accommodation is available at an extra cost at our Sussex campus. Find out more about our accommodation options and costs.

    We may routinely increase our course fees from year to year for one-year courses as well as courses lasting two or more years and may review and change such course fees without notice.

    How to apply

    Details coming soon.

    Ask a question

    Need more information? Have a question? Speak to our course advisors

    Email: [email protected]
    Phone: +44 01243 818 300 and select option 1 

    Send an Enquiry
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    Tutors

    Laura Wilkinson Tutor on the MA Creative Writing course at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation

    Beth Miller

    Beth Miller is the author of six novels, including the bestselling The Missing Letters of Mrs Bright (2020). Her most recent novel, The Woman Who Came Back to Life (2022), will be published in seven languages. Her seventh novel will be coming out in August 2025. She has also published two non-fiction books. She works as a writing mentor and book coach for writers at all stages, particularly at the submission stage. She has a PhD in Psychology.