If diving into a good book or letting your imagination roam free through writing your own stories and poems sounds like your idea of heaven, then our English Literature & Creative Writing courses at University Centre Peterborough could be your perfect match.
Dr Andrew McDonnell
Course Leader Expertise
Dr Andrew McDonnell brings over 20 years’ experience teaching English Literature and Creative Writing across leading UK institutions, including UEA, Anglia Ruskin, and Birkbeck. A published poet, editor, and researcher, he holds a PhD in English & Media, an MA in Creative Writing, and a PGCHE.
His work is widely published, he serves as Poetry Editor at Gatehouse Press, and he is an active conference speaker with Advance HE and UNESCO Cities of Literature. Dr McDonnell’s teaching is informed by ongoing research into narrative voice, working-class writing, and contemporary regional literature, alongside his current work on his first novel.
English Courses at University Centre Peterborough
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Achieving Academic Excellence
Over 80% of our students graduate with a 2:1 or above, reflecting our commitment to high academic standards.
15 Years of Educational Expertise
Proudly delivering quality courses for 15 years, UCP is a cornerstone of higher education in our community.
Award-Winning Education
UCP has been recognised with a TEF Silver award, underlining our excellence in teaching, learning and outcomes.
Case Studies
Kirstie Marfleet
“Receiving the Malcolm Bradbury Trust Scholarship was an incredible honour,” shares Kirstie Marfleet, a dedicated BA (Hons) English Literature with Creative Writing student at University Centre Peterborough. She reflects “It has opened up so many doors for me, allowing me to work with schools and be involved in other exciting projects”.
Kat Beeton
“I was crowned Poet Laureate 2022 by the Syntax Poetry Festival judges in the final year of my English Degree. Being Poet Laureate, for me, means a bigger platform and a louder voice to do the things I am passionate about.”
Related news
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University Centre Peterborough Launches First Postgraduate Qualification – MA in Creative Writing
19 December 2025
University Centre Peterborough (UCP) is proud to announce the launch of its first postgraduate qualification, the Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing.
Marking 50 Years of The History Man: UCP Student Shares Insights from a Night of Literary Celebration
5 December 2025
The invite-only event brought together writers, academics, journalists, and supporters of the arts to celebrate Bradbury’s life, work, and continuing influence on British literary culture.
UCP Lecturer to Speak at International UNESCO Cities of Literature Conference
6 October 2025
Dr Andrew McDonnell, course leader at University Centre Peterborough has been selected to deliver a paper at the UNESCO Cities of Literature International Conference: Literature, City, Nature in Lithuania.
