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Flexible Payment Options

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Learn At Your Own Pace

Study wherever and whenever you want. You’ll have access to your course for one year so you can fit your learning around your other commitments.

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Crime Writing

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OUR PASS RATE
Professional Skills (National Average 82.6%)
90.9%
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Sunday 25th October
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Sunday 25th October

Crime Writing

About the Crime Writing Certificate

From Agatha Christie to Patricia Cornwell, crime has sold hundreds of millions of books worldwide. Beyond traditional fiction this genre blends forensic methods and real investigative methods that readers appreciate so much in crime novels. The writing course begins with an introduction to criminology and suspense writing, walks you through the techniques of building characters, plot and dialogue. There is also a forensic dimension to it with a module on crime scenes and motives, and it ends with a practical perspective on the business of getting published.

This home study course is specifically addressed to people with little or no experience in crime fiction. It was designed to take students on a journey from research methods down to the practicalities of getting published. Along the way you will develop your writing craft, under the expert guidance of experienced tutors.

Who should study this course?

This distance learning course is just as suitable for skilled writers who would like to broaden their techniques or master the art of building suspense and character profiles, much as it suits those who enjoy reading crime fiction and would like to try their hand at writing it as well.

You can be an experienced writer or a novice in writing fiction. You can join this course either way. There is no need for precedent qualifications or any other experience. You are welcome to embark on this course straight away.

What happens after the course?

After you complete the crime writing course, you may choose to take another writing course to develop your skills even further, or you may follow a career in a publishing house, assessing other writers’ work. You may also complement this course with a communications program and take up a job in investigative journalism, or in public relations keeping the criminology field.

You could also try your hand at writing the crime fiction you dreamt of, and go on to become an acclaimed novelist, like Joe Dunthorne, Anne Enright, or the author of “Before I Go to Sleep” SJ Watson. Jobs that you may consider as well could include:

  • Crime writer
  • Publishing editor
  • Crime reporter

For more information about this course, give us a call on this number: 01202 006 464

Modules

  • Introduction to Crime, Mystery & Suspense Writing
  • How to Research
  • Putting the Story Together
  • Characters, Plot & Dialogue
  • Motives & Crime Scenes
  • Editing & Polishing Your Work
  • The Business of Getting Published

Entry Requirements

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

On successful completion of your course you will receive the learndirect Certificate of Completion of Training in Crime Writing.

Your course certificate will also state the number of CPD points/hours the course is eligible for.

View a sample of the certificate (opens in new window)

learndirect is one of the largest integrated providers of courses and qualifications, training, and employment services in the UK

  • Each year around 6,000 businesses equip their staff for success with learndirect
  • learndirect have helped more than 75,000 businesses equip their employees with the skills needed to improve productivity.
  • Almost 700,000 maths and English test passes have been achieved with learndirect.
  • 300,000 people fulfilled their career ambitions last year with learndirect.
  • Over 250,000 apprentices have achieved with learndirect.
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Sunday 25th October
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Sunday 25th October

Crime Writing

About the Crime Writing Certificate

From Agatha Christie to Patricia Cornwell, crime has sold hundreds of millions of books worldwide. Beyond traditional fiction this genre blends forensic methods and real investigative methods that readers appreciate so much in crime novels. The writing course begins with an introduction to criminology and suspense writing, walks you through the techniques of building characters, plot and dialogue. There is also a forensic dimension to it with a module on crime scenes and motives, and it ends with a practical perspective on the business of getting published.

This home study course is specifically addressed to people with little or no experience in crime fiction. It was designed to take students on a journey from research methods down to the practicalities of getting published. Along the way you will develop your writing craft, under the expert guidance of experienced tutors.

Who should study this course?

This distance learning course is just as suitable for skilled writers who would like to broaden their techniques or master the art of building suspense and character profiles, much as it suits those who enjoy reading crime fiction and would like to try their hand at writing it as well.

You can be an experienced writer or a novice in writing fiction. You can join this course either way. There is no need for precedent qualifications or any other experience. You are welcome to embark on this course straight away.

What happens after the course?

After you complete the crime writing course, you may choose to take another writing course to develop your skills even further, or you may follow a career in a publishing house, assessing other writers’ work. You may also complement this course with a communications program and take up a job in investigative journalism, or in public relations keeping the criminology field.

You could also try your hand at writing the crime fiction you dreamt of, and go on to become an acclaimed novelist, like Joe Dunthorne, Anne Enright, or the author of “Before I Go to Sleep” SJ Watson. Jobs that you may consider as well could include:

  • Crime writer
  • Publishing editor
  • Crime reporter

For more information about this course, give us a call on this number: 01202 006 464

Modules

  • Introduction to Crime, Mystery & Suspense Writing
  • How to Research
  • Putting the Story Together
  • Characters, Plot & Dialogue
  • Motives & Crime Scenes
  • Editing & Polishing Your Work
  • The Business of Getting Published

Entry Requirements

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Qualifications

On successful completion of your course you will receive the learndirect Certificate of Completion of Training in Crime Writing.

Your course certificate will also state the number of CPD points/hours the course is eligible for.

View a sample of the certificate (opens in new window)

learndirect is one of the largest integrated providers of courses and qualifications, training, and employment services in the UK

  • Each year around 6,000 businesses equip their staff for success with learndirect
  • learndirect have helped more than 75,000 businesses equip their employees with the skills needed to improve productivity.
  • Almost 700,000 maths and English test passes have been achieved with learndirect.
  • 300,000 people fulfilled their career ambitions last year with learndirect.
  • Over 250,000 apprentices have achieved with learndirect.
OUR PASS RATE
Professional Skills
90.9%
(National Average 82.6%)
100% online
learning
0 units
5 guided
learning hours

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Rated Excellent by our learners

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Zoe was amazing ,she explain very well every step what I should follow and what I need to do . Everything was easy and quick Thank you

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Tom R was very helpful

Tom R was very helpful and answered all my questions. He made signing up easy!

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A Huge Shout-Out to the Amazing Courtney!

I honestly can’t recommend Courtney enough! She was so friendly, lovely, fun and incredibly helpful from start to finish. She made the whole joining a breeze and made me feel supported every step of the way. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and her kindness, patience and positive attitude really stood out. It’s so lovely to deal with someone who genuinely cares and goes out of their way to help. Courtney is an absolute credit to the team, and I’m so grateful for all her help and support. Thank you, Courtney!

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Nessrine, great support along the whole process informative great service by nessrine

Anonymous 24 Oct 2026
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Speaking with Scott on the phone today…

Speaking with Scott on the phone today makes me wonder why I'm delaying this opportunity for my career which I have withheld for so many years. I have also announced that I can have an interest-free payment for 6 months with lower payment options, which Scott assisted me to get the best deal possible for me, and I really appreciate his support and dedication to this process. I’m glad I spoke to him today about My decision for the future of my career.

Aaliya 24 Oct 2026
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Speaking with Scott on the phone today…

Speaking with Scott on the phone today makes me wonder why I'm delaying this opportunity for my career which I have withheld for so many years. I have also announced that I can have an interest-free payment for 6 months with lower payment options, which Scott assisted me to get the best deal possible for me, and I really appreciate his support and dedication to this process. I’m glad I spoke to him today about My decision for the future of my career.

Aaliya 24 Oct 2026
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