Step up your storytelling: from fiction to drama
We'll explore the history of the novel and analyse a variety of published work including scripts and screenplays. You'll apply fiction skills and tools to your own work and later test scriptwriting techniques. We'll also interrogate some of the moral and ethical questions around creative writing, representation, and technology.
Ready to advance your fiction and performance writing? We look forward to welcoming you.
Why choose this course with us?
- Access Cambridge teaching in a flexible format: part-time and online
- Gain a credited, Cambridge award: boost your learning and career opportunities
- Join our peer-learning and Cambridge alumni communities: connection and support, for life
Course Dates
Course details
Academic team
Course information
Course highlights
During this part-time online diploma course, you will:
- strengthen your creative writing skills
- develop academic skills in research, analysis, evaluation and problem-solving
- read a variety of texts to explore different writing techniques
- prepare for further study at postgraduate level
On completion of this course, you will be able to continue your studies by concluding a full bachelor’s degree with honours at The Open University. Find out more here.
Through close reading of published work across a range of genres, we will consider some of ‘the rules’ of writing and how to break them. We will also explore the art of writing for performance, and you will learn how to apply techniques used in scriptwriting to your own work.
As a student in our learning community, you will:
- learn how a variety of literary elements can create original and high-concept fiction, with a focus on fantasy, tragedy, comedy and historical fiction
- study the fairy tale to modern-day magical realism and fantasy novels
- learn about the tragic hero and the fatal flaw in relation to shaping character and plot
- explore the modern historical novel and the most effective ways to bring the past to life
- discover how to overcome the obstacles of how, what and why we write
- study techniques used in writing for TV, film, stage and radio and examine how they are transferable to other forms of writing
- explore the art of adapting a story from a different medium
Course breakdown
This course will run from 9 October 2026 to 9 June 2027.
Exact teaching dates and times will be confirmed in the course guide upon enrolment.
Michaelmas term: Introduction to Fiction
- Course (unit 1) start date: Friday 9 October 2026
- Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 6 January 2027
9 evening classes usually on Mondays (6.30 to 8.30pm) starting from 9 October 2026 plus 2 Saturday day-schools (31 October 2026 and 21 November 2026) usually from 11am to 4pm (break 1-2pm).
This term will focus on novels and short stories to help students develop a lively and original style. Fiction writing is a craft which brings together the psychology and creative experience of each individual with a range of techniques and approaches that can be taught, and also amplified by critical reading.
Lent term: The History of the Novel: With special focus on fantasy, tragedy, comedy and historical fiction
- Unit 2 start date: Monday 4 January 2027
- Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 24 March 2027
9 evening classes usually on Mondays (6.30 to 8.30pm) starting from 04 January 2027 plus 2 Saturday day-schools (30 January 2027 and 27 February 2027) usually from 11am to 4pm (break 1-2pm).
In this term we will address novels from a wide-ranging breadth of genres, including fantasy, comedy, tragedy and historical fiction. We will explore the many elements of fantastical fiction, including the uniqueness of the fairy tale form and the many sub-genres of speculative fiction.
Easter term: Writing for Performance
- Unit 3 start date: Monday 29 March 2027
- Unit 3 end date: Wednesday 9 June 2027
9 evening classes usually on Mondays (6.30 to 8.30pm) starting from 29 March 2027 plus 2 Saturday day-schools (17 April 2027 and 15 May 2027) usually from 11am to 4pm (break 1-2pm).
The term “performance-based medium” encompasses a broad range of writing from traditional formats, such as film, TV, radio and the stage, to more recent platforms such as interactive stories, video games and web series. This unit will introduce students to the different conventions involved in writing for each.
After the course
You may wish to take our other Diploma in Creative Writing: Advanced Non-Fiction. Students who have successfully completed both Diploma courses can apply to be awarded the Diploma of Higher Education in Creative Writing, worth 120 credits at level 5. You may also be interested in applying for our MSt in Creative Writing or our MSt in Writing for Performance.
Entry Requirements
To be accepted onto a Diploma course, you will normally have passed a Certificate (level 4) qualification, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.
We are able to make exceptions, especially if you have evidence of relevant professional experience that demonstrates your suitability for the course.
Please tell us about any previous study or relevant educational and professional experience when you apply.
You are required to submit a short piece of your own writing with your application and this, as well as your application, will be reviewed by PACE admissions along with the Course Director or Academic Director, who will decide whether to make you an offer of a place. The sample should be between 500-1000 words, though an extract of this length from a longer piece would be acceptable and should be an original piece of writing written within the last year. Please include your writing sample with your personal statement on the application form.
If you are still unsure which academic level to study, would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, or would like to know more about the admissions process, please use the 'Ask a question' button.
Your application will be reviewed by PACE Admissions along with the Course Director or Academic Director who will decide whether to make you an offer of a place.
English language requirements
Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you’ll need to meet the requirements of one of the language proficiency tests below. You’ll need to complete your test and submit the results to our admissions team by 15 September 2026.
IELTS (Academic), IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake
Overall score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in any component.
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL Home Edition
https://www.ets.org/toefl.html
Overall score of 92, with no element below 20.
(Please note that changes to TOEFL Internet Based Test and Home Edition mean that it will no longer be suitable for entry to Cambridge at Undergraduate level from 21 January 2026. Tests taken after this date will not be accepted.)
Cambridge English C2 Proficiency
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/proficiency/
Overall score of 176, with no element lower than 169.
As part of our open and inclusive learning environment, you can enjoy the world-class resources and expertise of the University of Cambridge wherever you are on your academic journey.
Our video-based teaching platforms offer a flexible way to access lectures, while our Virtual Learning Environment makes it easy to study and learn online and interact with your tutor and fellow students.
Our teaching methods include lectures, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, and interactive and experiential learning activities. There will be assignments, reading and discussions to complete outside of classroom sessions to develop your craft.
You will demonstrate your learning using a range of assignments submitted at the end of each unit. There are more details about how this course is assessed in the course guide we will send you once you have enrolled.
Qualifications
This course is equivalent to half of the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree. It offers 60 CATS credits, which are recognised by higher education institutions and employers.
Hours of study
The award of academic credit is a means of quantifying and recognising learning and within the UK, one credit notionally represents 10 hours of learning. This course attracts 60 credits, so students should expect to need to study for approximately 600 hours in total to complete all units successfully. However, it is recognised that students study at different paces and use a variety of approaches, so this is a recommendation, rather than a hard-and-fast calculation.
SEEC Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education (2021) here.
Fees
The total fee for this course is shown above in 'Course details'.
To help you manage your finances more comfortably, you can pay the fee in instalments. For more information on payment options, and how to secure your place, see how to pay.
Funding
We're dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. Visit financial support before applying to find out what options may be available to help you in your studies. You can explore external funding and stay up to date on our concessions and bursaries.
We're committed to supporting you in your learning journey, and we offer a variety of support opportunities to meet individual needs. Visit student support to find out more about how we can help.
