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Find Your Voice. Tell Your Story.

Create a spectacular universe of your own this summer with a creative writing course in the literary and cultural hotspots of Oxford, Cambridge or London. Stretch your imagination and challenge yourself to think differently, and play with different genres and styles through creative storytelling. Feel the buzz of finding exactly the right word to make your poem sing, craft a tantalising script destined for the silver screen, or finally get started on your Great Novel!

Find the Best Experience for You

From J.R.R. Tolkien to Zadie Smith, generations of writers have been shaped by the university cities of Oxford and Cambridge. Writing here means drawing inspiration from history, architecture, and a long tradition of literary excellence. Where will you choose for your Creative Writing summer program this summer 2026?

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More Details: Creative Writing Summer Schools

A broad selection of programmes is available, varying in depth, workload and course design across providers.

Academic Focus and Teaching

Creative writing summer schools prioritize an immersive and exploratory approach, allowing students to delve deeply into various genres and styles. Instruction often emphasizes not just the mechanics of writing but also the importance of voice, narrative structure, and character development. Unlike conventional school methods that may focus primarily on prescribed curricula, these programs foster a more dynamic and individualistic learning environment. Through workshops, peer critiques, and one-on-one mentorship, participants are encouraged to experiment and refine their unique perspectives, ultimately enhancing both their craft and critical thinking skills.

Programme Structure and Student Experience

The structure of creative writing summer schools typically balances intensive study with ample opportunities for independent exploration. Students engage in a blend of guided workshops and self-directed projects, promoting a collaborative classroom atmosphere. Expect a rhythm that oscillates between structured lessons and creative freedom, where daily writing exercises and group discussions play pivotal roles. This blend cultivates a supportive community, enhancing the overall experience as participants share their work and receive constructive feedback, while also finding space to develop individual voices and styles.

Student Age Groups and Eligibility

Creative writing summer schools cater to a diverse range of participants, often welcoming individuals with varying levels of experience and backgrounds. While some programs may target specific age groups, many are designed to be inclusive, encouraging anyone with a passion for writing to apply. Expectations typically include a willingness to engage in creative processes, a readiness to explore different writing forms, and an openness to feedback, all of which contribute to a rich and productive learning environment.

What Makes Creative Writing Summer Schools Unique

These summer schools stand apart from traditional writing courses due to their concentrated focus on creativity and personal expression. Students are immersed in a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, all passionate about storytelling and artistic exploration. The intensity of the programs often leads to remarkable personal growth and breakthroughs in writing, as participants are encouraged to push past their comfort zones. This experiential learning approach fosters a sense of ownership over one’s creative journey, distinguishing these summer schools from more conventional academic settings that may prioritize standardized assessments over individual expression.

Choosing the Right Programme or Provider

  1. Reputation and credentials of instructors
  2. Curriculum focus and offered genres
  3. Duration and intensity of the program
  4. Opportunities for peer interaction and feedback
  5. Flexibility in project work and independent study

Fees and Course Costs

Observed fees for current intakes start from £0, with total cost shaped by duration, accommodation and subject intensity.

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Top Creative Writing Summer Schools Compared

Last updated: 26/01/2026

Course Provider Subject Location Duration Fees Short Description Link
Creative Writing: Writing Paris (Oxbridge in Paris) Oxbridge Academic Programs Creative Writing, Arts, Literature Paris 4 weeks $9,995 In this course, students explore Paris as a city full of stories – drawing inspiration from the city in order to broaden their writing skills. Instructed by professional authors, students will polish their writing skills as they produce new works inspired by visits to Hemingway's favorite cafe, Beckett's tomb, and the Luxembourg Gardens. View
Creative Industries in San Francisco for Ages 15-18 Immerse Education Arts, Business, Creative Writing, Design, Media, Entrepreneurship San Francisco 2+ weeks 7495 Discover how art, design, and innovation intersect in San Francisco’s thriving creative scene. View
Film Academy for ages 12-15 (Oxford) Oxford Royale Media, Arts, Creative Writing Oxford 2 weeks 6995 Create, edit, and screen your own short film at the Oxford Summer School Film Academy for ages 12-15. Using professional equipment and Final Cut Pro, you’ll learn screenwriting, storyboarding, filming, and editing on location in Oxford. View
Creative Writing (16-17 years old) Oxford Summer Courses Creative Writing, Arts, Humanities Oxford 2 Weeks 6995 The Creative Writing summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 16-17 years old students, provides tutorials and is priced from £6,995. View
Film Academy for ages 16-18 (Oxford) Oxford Royale Arts, Media, Creative Writing Oxford 2 weeks 6995 Create, edit, and screen your own short film at the Oxford Summer School Film Academy for ages 16-18. Use professional HD cameras and editing tools like Final Cut Pro, and learn screenwriting, storyboarding, and location scouting in historic Oxford. View
Photography MINOR ONLY (The Oxford Experience) Oxbridge Academic Programs Arts, Media, Creative Writing, Design Oxford 4 weeks $12,495 Photographers of all levels of expertise spend much of their time in the field, pursuing assignments designed to improve their landscape, portraiture, art, and fashion photography skills. Students exhibit their best work at the end of the program. View
Film & Animation in Tokyo for Ages 15-18 Immerse Education Arts, Art, Creative Writing, Design, Media Tokyo 2+ weeks 7495 Unleash your creativity in Tokyo, the vibrant heart of anime and a global powerhouse in film production. Click to learn more. View
Creative Writing (Adults) Oxford Royale Creative Writing, Arts, Literature, Drama, Media, Business, Marketing Oxford 2 weeks 6995 Immerse yourself in creative writing at an historic Oxford college, exploring novels, speculative fiction, drama, and poetry. Learn from expert faculty and professional writers, studying genres from modern dystopian fiction to Shakespeare and the Romantics. View
Creative Writing (The Oxford Experience) Oxbridge Academic Programs Arts, Creative Writing, Literature Oxford 4 weeks $12,495 Students compose fiction and poetry under the guidance of a published author, with Oxford's rich literary history as their inspiration. They experiment with new forms and styles of writing. View
Photography MINOR ONLY (Oxbridge in Barcelona) Oxbridge Academic Programs Arts, Media, Creative Writing, Design, Drama Barcelona 4 weeks $9,995 Beginners and experienced photographers transform Barcelona into their private studio, honing their skills on assignments that cover portraiture, urban landscapes, photojournalism, and art photography. All students exhibit their best work at the end of the program. View
Film (Elective) ISSOS Arts, Media, Creative Writing St Andrews 3 weeks 7900 The ISSOS Film summer school course gives students the unique opportunity to discover the fascinating world of filmmaking under the expert tuition of working professionals in the film industry. View
Young Professionals Graphic Design Bucksmore Education Arts, Design, Creative Writing London 2 weeks 3095 Ignite your career aspirations, our Young Professionals courses combine academic rigour, industry embedded workshops and a real world collaboration with professionals in order to provide the most immersive career experience currently available. In addition, each programme offers external certification from a recognised UK provider View
Creative Writing (The Cambridge Experience) Oxbridge Academic Programs Arts, Creative Writing, Literature, Humanities Cambridge 2 or 4 weeks $7,395; $12,595 Students compose fiction and poetry under the guidance of a published writer, with Cambridge's rich literary history as their inspiration. They explore their own potential by experimenting with new forms and styles of writing. View
Story Explorers (12 years old) Oxford Summer Courses Arts, Creative Writing, Literature, Humanities UK Boarding Schools 1 Week 2995 The Story Explorers summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 12 year old students, provides interactive learning and is priced from £2,295 for Non Residential option. View
Story Explorers (11-12 years old) Oxford Summer Courses Arts, Creative Writing, Literature, Humanities UK Boarding Schools 1 Week 2595 The Story Explorers summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 11-12 years old students, provides interactive learning and is priced from £1,995 (Non-Residential) View
Perfectionnement de la langue IMMERSION (Oxbridge in Paris) Oxbridge Academic Programs English, Humanities, Arts, Creative Writing Paris 4 weeks $9,995 Ce cours avancé d’expression orale et écrite s’adresse aux étudiants qui veulent enrichir leur vocabulaire et approfondir leur connaissance de la grammaire française et de ses complexités, tels que l’emploi du subjonctif et du conditionnel, la concordance des temps et le choix des pronoms personnels et relatifs. Les étudiants lisent la presse nationale et regardent des extraits de films contemporains, ils discutent de questions de société et de sujets d’actualité, et s’initient à l’art du débat. View
English Plus Adventure Bucksmore Education English, Humanities, Arts, Creative Writing, Social Sciences Brighton 2 or 4 weeks 1795 The English ‘Plus’ courses integrate the Bucksmore English syllabus with specialist workshops, pushing students out of their comfort zones. This unique experience allows them to pursue their passions while gaining a deeper understanding of a specific subject. View
Future Artist at Canford Summer Boarding Courses Arts, Art, Creative Writing, Design, Humanities UK Boarding Schools 2 Weeks 4250 Future Artists is a two-week programme for students who want to explore creativity in practice. You’ll experiment with different techniques, from drawing and painting to mixed media and design, while learning how to develop and express your own artistic voice. View
English Literature and Creative Writing (13-15 years old) Oxford Summer Courses English, Literature, Creative Writing, Humanities, Arts Oxford 2 Weeks 6995 The English Literature and Creative Writing summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 13-15 years old students, provides seminars and small group learning and is priced from £6,995. View
The Secret Lives of Books: Parchment, Printing-Presses, and Paperbacks Lady Margaret Hall University of Oxford Humanities, Literature, History, Arts, Creative Writing Oxford 3 Weeks 4384 How have various technologies, from the printing press to the coding, impacted how people have read, used, and understood books? How have people’s reading practices changed over time? View

Creative Writing by Age