School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities – Bath Spa University

School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities – Bath Spa University
In this section
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
PhD
Research
The School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities is Bath Spa's focal point for teaching and research in Creative Writing, Publishing, English Literature, History and Heritage, Politics, Religions, Philosophy and Ethics and Environmental Humanities.
Based in a thriving world heritage city, our courses are taught by leaders in their respective fields. They will encourage you to take an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to your own studies, whether you decide to focus on a single subject or to explore the connections between them.
#2 in the UK
and
#1 in the South West
for
Satisfaction with Teaching
in History (Guardian University Guide 2026)
#4 in the UK
and
#1 in the South West
for
Value Added
in Journalism (Guardian University Guide 2026)
#1 in the South West
in the overall rankings for Journalism (Guardian University Guide 2026)
#4 in the UK
for
Value Added
in Creative Writing (Guardian University Guide 2026)
#7 in the UK
for
Graduate Prospects
in Creative Writing (Guardian University Guide 2026)
#6 in the UK
and
#1 in the South West
for
Graduate Prospects (Outcomes)
in English (Complete University Guide 2026)
English Literature
Develop a passion for finding and telling stories through study in English Literature.
English Literature
History, Heritage and Politics
Explore the past to inform the future through study in History, Heritage and Politics, from both undergraduate to PhD.
History, Heritage and Politics
Religions, Philosophy and Ethics
How does our own set of beliefs influence how we interact with the world? Our Religions, Philosophy and Ethics courses will help you to challenge your own values and assumptions through the study of other cultures and worldviews.
Religions, philosophy and ethics
Environmental Humanities
How do humanities scholars, artists, writers and scientists explore and respond to their environment? How do we combine, explore and challenge how human creativity interacts with the science of the natural environment?
Environmental Humanities
Our people
Staff in the School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities are experienced teachers, passionate researchers, writers, broadcasters and practitioners. Our students are engaged, energetic and imaginative. Together, we form a thriving community of scholarship, learning and practice.
Alan
Marshall
Emeritus Professor - History
Gavin
James Bower
Jonathan
Lorie
Maria
Nita
Emma
Davies
PhD in Environmental Humanities
Rachel
Bynoth
Megan
Farr
Jason
Bennett
Tracy
Brain
Professor of Creative Writing and English Literature
Mike
Hannis
Neil
Baber
Kyriaki
Hadjiafxendi
Gina
Blaxill
Paul
Reid-Bowen
Elen
Caldecott
Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing for Young People
Lily
Dunn
Lucy
English
Nicky
Lloyd
Sarah
Morton
Clifford
Williamson
Naomi
Alderman
Dashe
Roberts
Karen
Gregory
Elizabeth
Wright
Eleanor
Barraclough
Mel
Darbon
Samantha
Walton
Faith
Binckes
Alexia
Casale
Christopher
Ivic
Annalie
Grainger
Robin
Mukherjee
Steve
Hollyman
Level 5 Leader and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing
Allyson
Edwards
Rachel
Hamilton
Lucy
Cuthew
Alex
Campbell
David
Coast
Sian
Sullivan
Helen
Cobby
BSU alumna and lecturer Samantha Harvey crowned winner of the Booker Prize 2024
Renowned as one of the UK’s most prestigious literary awards, the
Booker Prize
features the most impressive works of sustained fiction and has catapulted exceptional literature into the spotlight for the last 55 years.
Sam
’s novel,
Orbital
, takes place over a single day in the life of six astronauts. During those 24 hours, they observe 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets over their silent blue planet, spinning past continents and cycling past seasons, taking in glaciers and deserts, the peaks of mountains and the swells of oceans.
Read the full story
"The tutors were always friendly, encouraging and approachable. It was a life changing experience, and the best thing I have ever done.”
Nicola Tallis, BA (Hons) History graduate
Research
Our research is world leading, innovative and both academic and applied. It embraces traditional scholarship, practice and policy, and local, national and international collaboration.
Explore the work of our research centres:
Creative Writing Research Centre
Empathy and Writing Research Group
Global Citizenship and Identities Research Centre
History and Heritage Research Centre
Making Books Research Centre
Research Centre for the Environmental Humanities
Projects
Disrupted Histories, Recovered Pasts
Future Pasts
Civic London
Etosha-Kunene Histories
Ambient Literature
Landscaping Change
Adobe Creative Campus
As an
Adobe Creative Campus
, all Bath Spa students have access to the entire Adobe Creative Suite of elite industry-leading apps, including Photoshop, InDesign, Adobe Express and more.
With the ability to amplify your digital fluency from the moment you join Bath Spa, you’ll have the space to develop a wealth of indispensable skills to help you in your studies, and in the world of work.
Find out more about Adobe Creative Campus
"The passion the lecturers have for the course shines through in the breadth of the modules and assessments available, making you feel supported and confident at every stage of your degree."
Tessa Kerslake, BA (Hons) English Literature graduate
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