Take your non-fiction writing to the next level
An ideal progression from a Certificate in Creative Writing, or for students with writing experience. This course dives deeper into different forms through readings, discussion of example texts, analysis of narrative techniques, and writing. You’ll read memoir, family history, travel writing, and more, and discover the true stories you most want to write.
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
Tutors
Course information
Course highlights
During this part-time online diploma course, you will:
- experiment with your own approach to non-fiction writing
- read creative non-fiction texts as both a reader and a writer
- develop academic skills in research, analysis, evaluation and problem-solving
- 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.
Discover how to elevate your non-fiction writing with creative tools such as sense of place and using objects as a narrative tool. The course also explores some of the key ethical considerations of this genre.
As a student in our learning community, you will:
- write creative nonfiction
- find out about the changing forms of non-fiction and what constitutes ‘creative non-fiction’
- explore the ways in which writers of non-fiction apply tools from fiction
- consider the place of ethics and the authorial role in this genre
- learn how a strong sense of place can enhance your work’s tone, content and character
- consider how simple objects can tell a multitude of stories (personal, collective, geographic and scientific) and explore texts with a central focus on a particular object, specimen or ‘thing’
- read texts that blend genres, including lyric essays and medical writing
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: Advanced Approaches to Creative Non-Fiction
9 evening classes usually on Wednesdays (7.15-9.15pm) plus 2 online day-schools usually on Saturday from 11am to 4pm (break 1-2pm). Dates/times TBC.
- Course (unit 1) start date: Friday 9 October 2026
- Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 6 January 2027
Lent term: Writing about Place
9 evening classes usually on Wednesdays (7.15-9.15pm) plus 2 online day-schools usually on Saturday from 11am to 4pm (break 1-2pm). Dates/times TBC.
- Unit 2 start date: Monday 4 January 2027
- Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 24 March 2027
Easter term: Creative Non-Fiction: Objects
8 evening classes usually on Wednesdays (7.15-9.15pm) plus 2 online day-schools usually on Saturday from 11am to 4pm (break 1-2pm). Dates/times TBC).
- Unit 3 start date: Monday 29 March 2027
- Unit 3 end date: Wednesday 9 June 2027
After the course
You may wish to take our other Diploma in Creative Writing: Advanced Fiction and Writing for Performance. 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.
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.
Given the nature of creative writing, it is important that your use of English is sufficiently fluent to be able to understand nuances of meaning and have a familiarity with the structure and grammar of English.
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 during and 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.
