As a Reader in Creative Writing at Brunel University, my colleagues and students know me best as a novelist. Before I signed my publishing deal with Penguin Random House, however, I enjoyed an exciting career in marketing at Google. That is why I am delighted to be the programme lead for our brand-new postgraduate course, an MSc in Creative Writing for Marketing.
Storytelling has been at the heart of all my professional endeavours, from my very first job working in broadcasting for RTE in Ireland, to my recent role as the Head of Executive Engagement for Google UK. From my lived experience in industry, I know how valuable creative writing skills are for marketeers. This new MSc programme – the only one in the UK that offers a fusion of these two disciplines – will create graduates with a unique set of specialist skills that will set them apart in the competitive job market.
To offer this innovative programme of study, my department of Arts and Humanities is collaborating with the Brunel Business school so students will benefit from the best of both worlds. Students will be taught by marketing experts in BBS but also by award-winning and internationally acclaimed writers from our Creative Writing faculty such as Booker Prize winning author, Prof. Bernardine Evaristo and Costa Prize winner Prof. Hannah Lowe.
This course will be perfect for anyone who would like to pursue a career in marketing in roles such as creative copywriting, advertising, communications, digital media, brand development, social media marketing or creative industries. It also offers excellent training for those interested in leading on the marketing communications in their current company so could be a very valuable professional development opportunity for those already working. We will be capping the number of students at 40 so each student will receive focused and personal attention. This will also allow us to support those who are interested in doing so to apply for an industry placement as part of the programme.
At Brunel we are very proud to hold a joint first place as the UK’s most international university and 4th most international university in the world, and so we anticipate applications from across the world for this special programme. By joining us, students will become a member of a diverse, international community with people from more than 150 of the world's countries on one campus. We are the only university in London with a single campus that includes accommodation, so we offer a home away from home while being based in London, one of the most exhilarating cities in the world. Our close proximity to London also means we have excellent connections to industry to help us secure placements for our students and to also welcome industry speakers to campus as guest speakers.
We all look forward to launching this incredible new MSc in Creative Writing for Marketing in September 2025. We are open for applications now, but if anyone has any questions in advance of applying, please feel free to contact me on helen.cullen@brunel.ac.uk.