This was a fascinating read. I did my BFA in Creative Writing at UBC in Canada, but I did spend a semester in the UK doing writing courses there, so I'm somewhat familiar with how the UK system works (I remember my flatmates complaining about £9k/yr tuition lol), so a lot of this resonated with me, the similarities and differences.

I feel your BA went more in-depth than my BFA, because in North America we're expected to be "diverse" in our knowledge and have to pick a minimum number of upper-level non-creative writing classes. I think there are pros and cons to either of our systems. You seem to have graduated with more knowledge about writing itself, but I feel like my degree was quite flexible; I'm not pigeon-holed into any one industry, which has helped with job-searching.

I haven't done a Master's degree but I'm thinking about doing one in my 30s, so your bit about BAs vs. MAs was very informative.

I, too, found that feedback with other writers was the most valuable part of my program. I'm still friends with many of my former classmates. We've since made (tuition-free!) writing groups of our own to continue that community.

Anyway, thanks for sharing this. Hope you don't mind my long-winded response lol. It's nice to meet a fellow creative writing school survivor! I have a similar article if you want to check it out (no pressure though): https://writingcooperative.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-majoring-in-creative-writing-44bc743dcd4f