The UK has a rich history of poetry, some of the most famous poets ever have come from Britain and there is an incredible infrastructure for those who want to take part in poetry classes and learn how to write poetry.
While English is taught in all UK schools, and available to study to a high level through a world-class system of universities, there are also a lot of other ways to learn poetry. In the modern age, we’ve moved from a system of having to learn from a mentor in person, or through a university, to being able to attend online poetry courses in the UK or learn through a poetry workshop.
A Brief History of UK Poetry
The UK is incredibly well-positioned to offer poetry lessons and courses. The universities and other educational establishments have seen hundreds of years of established poets attending and honing their craft. Whether you are looking for lessons in London, Birmingham, or even north of the border in Glasgow, there are options out there.
The UK’s poetry scene has always had a way of reflecting the cultural, social, and political changes of the nation. The UK's influence on the global literary landscape is significant, with countless poets contributing to the development of various poetic forms and styles.
In fact, poetry in the UK can be traced back to the ancient Celtic bards who composed and recited poetry, often celebrating heroic deeds, myth and nature. With the introduction of Christianity in the medieval period, religious themes became prominent, exemplified by the epic poem "Beowulf." The Middle Ages also saw the emergence of Geoffrey Chaucer, often referred to as the "Father of English Literature," who wrote "The Canterbury Tales," a collection of iconic stories told by a diverse group of pilgrims.
The Renaissance period brought about a transformation in poetic expression. Figures like Edmund Spenser and his epic poem "The Faerie Queene" were hugely influential. However, it was during the Elizabethan era that William Shakespeare shone as a playwright and poet, crafting sonnets that are still celebrated today. He explored love, time, and mortality.
The Romantic era of the late 18th to early 19th centuries saw a renewed focus on nature, emotion, and romance. William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats are prominent figures who created powerful works during this time. Their poems celebrated the sublime beauty of the natural world and created some beautiful imagery with their words.
In the Victorian era, poetry continued to shine in the UK. Alfred Lord Tennyson's reflective poems captured the spirit of the age and Matthew Arnold perfectly captured the societal impact of the Industrial Revolution.
The 20th century saw the emergence of Modernist poets like T.S. Eliot, W.H. Auden, and W.B. Yeats, who experimented a lot with language and form.
The World Wars had a profound impact on poetry. It created a whole movement of war poetry resulting in poignant works by Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon that captured the horrors of war.
The mid to latter half of the century witnessed poets like Philip Larkin and Ted Hughes, each with their distinctive styles.
The UK's role in the history of poetry is crucial due to its influential literary heritage and the constant evolution of poetic expression. Its poets have addressed timeless themes while adapting to changing cultural landscapes.
The UK’s poets have continuously reshaped the boundaries of poetic thought and paved the way for new voices to join the poetic conversation, and this could mean a way for you to join in with poetry, creative writing, and the study of the English language.
Universities For Creative Writing
A traditional method of learning poetry is to attend a university course and get a degree.
The 10 best universities for creative writing at the moment are:
- University of Birmingham
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Warwick
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- University of Leeds
- Lancaster University
- Newcastle University
- University of East Anglia UEA
- University of Nottingham
- University of Kent
Learning poetry in Manchester or in Leeds is just as straightforward as in the capital, London, and there are rich histories in these locations.
Adult learners can still learn to write poetry and prose by attending university courses, but this can be difficult. A lot of adults turn to part-time study, which can include a part-time degree.
However, other poetry lessons and poetry workshops can be more accessible. Plenty of successful writers and poets didn’t get qualifications in the area. John Grisham the fiction writer actually majored in accountancy at university.
Poetry writing is something that anyone can get involved in.
Learning Poetry in the UK: Online Options
There are a number of poetry writing courses and classes online. You don’t have to attend a poetry course in person and this means that you have a lot more options regarding when you take part in your lessons.
A huge number of online organisations provide you with the opportunity to continue your learning or take part in short classes in poetry and creative writing.
Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) by University of Cambridge
The ICE by University of Cambridge offers a variety of different courses including award-winning creative writing and poetry courses online. For instance, the Undergraduate Certificate in Creative Writing: Creative Non-Fiction lasts for a full educational term. It is expensive, but offers a prestigious award.
BBC Maestro
The BBC is a British institution and they offer a huge number of courses and classes now via their BBC Maestro programme. This is similar to the Masterclass platform.
There are many creative writing courses within, and Carol Ann Duffy offers her thoughts on writing poetry in a full poetry course consisting of 25 different video lessons and dozens of pages of notes.
City Lit
City Lit was originally founded in London as the City Literary Institute.
Their courses include “Ways into poetry” meaning that those who want to learn how to write poetry for beginners will have a starting point.
“Relatively new to writing poetry? This inspiring course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices alongside fellow emerging poets. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.”
The City Lit classes take place online largely, which means that you can access them from anywhere in the UK. On top of this, they offer some more affordable courses than many of the competitors, which means you don’t have to commit to spending thousands.
City Lit also has a number of esteemed tutors, who are working in the industry as poets and have had their work published in many different places.
You can see a full list of the poetry classes both in London and online at the dedicated poetry area on their website.
National Centre For Writing
The national centre for writing is a must for those who are interested in creative writing and poetry.
They offer a number of different online courses, including “first steps in short form poetry” which can be completed for free.
There are also a number of paid classes and poetry courses which have some very impressive poets leading the workshops.
The National Centre For Writing is based in Norwich in the East of England and does have in-person events as well as those that take place online.
Poetry Tutors and Poetry Classes With Superprof
A lot of us learn best in a one-to-one environment, and Superprof can provide learners with a way to learn at their own pace, in their own time, and with the help of a professional tutor.
Our tutors in creative writing and poetry offer lessons both in-person and online all over the UK. You’ll be able to book a session at a time that suits and using a delivery method that works for you.
Superprof offers the first lesson free and the poetry classes and courses are “pay as you go”. One of the best things about working in this one-to-one environment is the option to get continual feedback on your work. Tutors will be able to check out what you have been doing and work together by providing advice and honing your specific techniques.
Many of the tutors you can work with at Superprof have been educated to the very highest standards and even had their own poetry and creative writing published. There is an incredible level of choice in our tuition platform.
Learning Poetry in the UK
The United Kingdom is definitely one of the best places to be for those who want to learn the ins and outs of poetry. Anyone with a love and aptitude of creative writing can potentially start to learn how to write in a creative way.
It doesn’t matter what your educational background. With Superprof as well as many of the other options for learning poetry, you don’t need any prior experience at all. This means that there are opportunities no matter what level you come from or aspire to.
Whether poetry is a hobby for you or you wish to reach an elite level of artistic expression and skill, there are organisations in the UK that can help you to learn.
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