Autobiography Writing Diploma

Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma Course

The Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma has all the information that any aspiring auto/biography writer needs to become successful in this writing genre in the UK. This course contains all the knowledge needed to write a commercially viable biography, and become an authority on your subject. From choosing the right person, to interviewing techniques, to ensuring your writing brings your subject to life, this course covers it all. You will receive a comprehensive introduction to writing gripping biographies and a thorough understanding of how to achieve success in the biography industry.

Introduction to the Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma

This online course provides students with the opportunity to cover the diploma’s curriculum in their own time and at their own pace. Most students are able to complete the course in a reasonable amount of time while continuing to work full time.

As this course is online, this diploma is accessible from any device with an internet connection, and you will have access to online support during your study. Before completing the course, you must pass a comprehensive test, covering the curriculum in detail, which will lead to the award of your certificate. You can download and print the certificate yourself at home, or we can post it to you for a small additional cost.

What You Will Learn

This Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma has been designed to give students a comprehensive overview of how to become a biographical writer and will set you on the route to success. This course will cover:

  • What a biography is
  • The practical aspects of becoming a writer
  • The lives and works of famous biographers
  • How to identify your target market
  • Working with your chosen subject and an extensive list of interview questions
  • The ethics of writing a biography, what to include and what to omit
  • How to create a research plan, organise your research, and tell your subject’s story
  • The technical aspects of writing and structure and keeping it interesting and dynamic
  • Developing self-confidence and belief in your abilities
  • Finding your own writing style
  • Writing your autobiography
  • Different publishing options, and how to approach publishers and deal with rejection

Benefits of the Auto/Biographical Writing Diploma

The Auto/Biographical Writing Diploma offers students the following benefits:

  • The ability to study anywhere at times that suit you
  • Study at your own pace, with no deadlines: complete it as quickly or as slowly as you like
  • Use any internet-enabled device to study on, including computers, tablets and mobile phones
  • Follow the course easily thanks to short, informative modules, which make studying fun
  • A convenient online support system, helping you to stay on track throughout the course
  • A comprehensive curriculum, providing you with the knowledge you need to begin writing biographies
  • Improved prospects when contacting publishers
  • Earning a certified, recognised diploma
  • An affordable cost

This course includes

24/7 Student Support

End of course certification

Lifetime access to your course

Compatible with modern devices

PLUS - Access to the exclusive New Skills Academy Study Group!
  • What is biographical writing?
  • Why pursue biographical writing as a career?
  • Why pursue autobiographical writing?
  • The basics of what to include in a biography
  • What tools you'll need to become a biographical writer
  • What personal skills a biographical writer should possess
  • The upsides and downsides of working from home as a writer
  • How to conduct great research and turn it into something interesting to read
  • William Shawcross, journalist and biographer of the Shah of Iran and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
  • Norman Mailer, novelist, playwright and Pulitzer Prize winning biographer of Lee Harvey Oswald
  • Robert Lacy, British historian and Royal biographer
  • Andrew Morton, sensational biographical writer of Diana: Her True Story
  • General tips on how to identify your target audience
  • Why readers love big biographies
  • Reasons why people should read more biographies, that may help you consider your target audience
  • Where biographies are in the leading book genres
  • Tips for a meaningful biographical interview
  • Thoughts to keep in mind when conducting a life interview
  • How to bond with your subject through their ancestors
  • Some great biography interview questions - beyond the obvious
  • Different approaches to biographical research
  • What to look for in a good biography - and what your readers will query
  • How to conduct thorough research
  • Getting it right - the importance of truth and accuracy
  • The process of deciding a subject
  • Formulating a research plan
  • The steps to writing a biography - getting everything in order
  • A basic biographical writing frame to elaborate on
  • Easy tips on how to fix a bad biography
  • Why your subject's life story can seem boring, and how to make it better without embellishing the truth
  • How to prevent boring your readers to sleep
  • Considering the factors that could make your writing dull to read
  • The key ingredients to make your writing flow
  • Drafting a fluid outline or biographical sketch
  • Great transition words to ensure your writing isn't choppy
  • Structuring your biographical details for flow and consistency
  • How to build your writing confidence
  • Secrets for writing with confidence
  • How to overcome writer's doubt
  • Tips for writing with a sense of purpose
  • A miniature biography writing outline
  • A quick and easy autobiographical exercise
  • Choosing a brief biography and identifying how you could elaborate on it
  • Simple writing exercises to get you thinking
  • What an autobiography is and what should you include
  • Ideas for getting started with your autobiography
  • Organising your details and what you must consider
  • Tips for making your biography more exciting
  • Publishing methods to consider and accumulating validation
  • Whether you should consider the self-publishing route
  • What to do if you get rejected and common reasons manuscripts are rejected
  • Taking steps towards self-publishing or publishing online, along with several top tips for self-publishing
ID: YDFT67YHJ
certificate

of achievement

This certificate is presented to

Your Name

NSA

For completing the

Autobiography Writing Diploma

on 21st November 2026

Selena Hurford

Selena Hurford

Course Tutor

cpd

Daniel Morgan

Daniel Morgan

Head of Academy

Certificate Example

Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.

The course is broken down into 13 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.

You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!

Once you have completed all 13 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 13 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.

The pass mark for the test is 70%.

If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.

You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.

You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.

We estimate that the course will take about 20 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.

Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.

Whilst doing an internship in an Estate Agency, I decided to study the Estate Agent Diploma to gain a better understanding of the regulations and the best ways to go about visits and building my network. I found the course to be very comprehensive and easy to follow.

I’d recommend this to anyone looking to broaden their knowledge of the field of Estate Agency. I found the time estimates to be right if you are simply reading, but I took several pages of notes and so took longer, as I wanted to really understand what I was reading.

Overall, comprehensive and easy to follow.

Lauren Newall

I was a little sceptical about doing an online course as thought it wouldn't be very in depth, but how wrong I was!

Very thorough and covered everything yo could possibly need. I trained many years ago and wanted a refresh and this was perfect and enabled me to get my insurance and feel confident being back in the Beauty Industry.

I'm now about to start another refresh course on waxing and cant wait to get going, I will most certainly be back to do more. If you're unsure whether to do an online course, don't be, its a must. Highly recommended!

Sue Pearce

Amazing course, very easy to do within your own space of time. Very helpful, would highly recommend to anyone and everyone. This has helped me a lot to gain more knowledge and more experience in this field to help me later on in life. The course is user friendly and very straight forward. Provides you with up to date information and real life situations if anything was to happen and makes you feel like you are already working in the field and have the experience you need. The course also has an online tutor to help you at all times!

Rijul Mehan

I was already quite proficient in many areas that this course covers as I have worked similar jobs before but felt I could benefit from a qualification. This is a very in depth course that covers all areas of being a personal assistant, even ones that I wouldn’t have ever considered needing to learn.

The in-depth learning has built my confidence to put myself out there and try to get back into this career path. I particularly found the section on faxing to be very useful as it’s something that is done in most offices that I’ve found it difficult to come to grips with in the past.

I am already eyeing up more courses on the site and will be sure to give them a try soon.

Maria Casey

Would recommend the course to anyone! Considering estate agency as a career gives a clear insight into the role and regulation and was easy to digest. I was able to easily fit this in with my busy work schedule. I was able to complete this course in less than a month which I originally expected to take a lot longer. The course material is really helpful and the assignments help you to identify if you have a clear understanding of what you have read and usually don't take too long to complete. I am now looking into doing a more advance course in estate agency and looking for a trainee position in my local area.

Samantha Giles

I found this course most interesting. Having been a Receptionist in various industries over the years, and learning more at each location, this course helped focus my thoughts 'back to basics' and made me rethink some of the things I'd learnt. Very helpful, very concise, informative and uncomplicated.

It also gave great insights into the different kind of Reception work which can be so varied. I have been put forward for a Doctors Receptionist vacancy, a 'trade' I haven't ventured into yet, and will take what I have learnt from the course to the interview and hopefully it will stand me in good stead.

Maggie Jones

Duration:
20 hours

Access:
Lifetime Access

Approved by:
CPD

Learning Type:


Text based modules  Images 

Cost:
$175.00

Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma Course

The Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma has all the information that any aspiring auto/biography writer needs to become successful in this writing genre in the UK. This course contains all the knowledge needed to write a commercially viable biography, and become an authority on your subject. From choosing the right person, to interviewing techniques, to ensuring your writing brings your subject to life, this course covers it all. You will receive a comprehensive introduction to writing gripping biographies and a thorough understanding of how to achieve success in the biography industry.

Introduction to the Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma

This online course provides students with the opportunity to cover the diploma’s curriculum in their own time and at their own pace. Most students are able to complete the course in a reasonable amount of time while continuing to work full time.

As this course is online, this diploma is accessible from any device with an internet connection, and you will have access to online support during your study. Before completing the course, you must pass a comprehensive test, covering the curriculum in detail, which will lead to the award of your certificate. You can download and print the certificate yourself at home, or we can post it to you for a small additional cost.

What You Will Learn

This Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma has been designed to give students a comprehensive overview of how to become a biographical writer and will set you on the route to success. This course will cover:

  • What a biography is
  • The practical aspects of becoming a writer
  • The lives and works of famous biographers
  • How to identify your target market
  • Working with your chosen subject and an extensive list of interview questions
  • The ethics of writing a biography, what to include and what to omit
  • How to create a research plan, organise your research, and tell your subject’s story
  • The technical aspects of writing and structure and keeping it interesting and dynamic
  • Developing self-confidence and belief in your abilities
  • Finding your own writing style
  • Writing your autobiography
  • Different publishing options, and how to approach publishers and deal with rejection

Benefits of the Auto/Biographical Writing Diploma

The Auto/Biographical Writing Diploma offers students the following benefits:

  • The ability to study anywhere at times that suit you
  • Study at your own pace, with no deadlines: complete it as quickly or as slowly as you like
  • Use any internet-enabled device to study on, including computers, tablets and mobile phones
  • Follow the course easily thanks to short, informative modules, which make studying fun
  • A convenient online support system, helping you to stay on track throughout the course
  • A comprehensive curriculum, providing you with the knowledge you need to begin writing biographies
  • Improved prospects when contacting publishers
  • Earning a certified, recognised diploma
  • An affordable cost

This course includes

24/7 Student Support

End of course certification

Lifetime access to your course

Compatible with modern devices

PLUS - Access to the exclusive New Skills Academy Study Group!
  • What is biographical writing?
  • Why pursue biographical writing as a career?
  • Why pursue autobiographical writing?
  • The basics of what to include in a biography
  • What tools you'll need to become a biographical writer
  • What personal skills a biographical writer should possess
  • The upsides and downsides of working from home as a writer
  • How to conduct great research and turn it into something interesting to read
  • William Shawcross, journalist and biographer of the Shah of Iran and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
  • Norman Mailer, novelist, playwright and Pulitzer Prize winning biographer of Lee Harvey Oswald
  • Robert Lacy, British historian and Royal biographer
  • Andrew Morton, sensational biographical writer of Diana: Her True Story
  • General tips on how to identify your target audience
  • Why readers love big biographies
  • Reasons why people should read more biographies, that may help you consider your target audience
  • Where biographies are in the leading book genres
  • Tips for a meaningful biographical interview
  • Thoughts to keep in mind when conducting a life interview
  • How to bond with your subject through their ancestors
  • Some great biography interview questions - beyond the obvious
  • Different approaches to biographical research
  • What to look for in a good biography - and what your readers will query
  • How to conduct thorough research
  • Getting it right - the importance of truth and accuracy
  • The process of deciding a subject
  • Formulating a research plan
  • The steps to writing a biography - getting everything in order
  • A basic biographical writing frame to elaborate on
  • Easy tips on how to fix a bad biography
  • Why your subject's life story can seem boring, and how to make it better without embellishing the truth
  • How to prevent boring your readers to sleep
  • Considering the factors that could make your writing dull to read
  • The key ingredients to make your writing flow
  • Drafting a fluid outline or biographical sketch
  • Great transition words to ensure your writing isn't choppy
  • Structuring your biographical details for flow and consistency
  • How to build your writing confidence
  • Secrets for writing with confidence
  • How to overcome writer's doubt
  • Tips for writing with a sense of purpose
  • A miniature biography writing outline
  • A quick and easy autobiographical exercise
  • Choosing a brief biography and identifying how you could elaborate on it
  • Simple writing exercises to get you thinking
  • What an autobiography is and what should you include
  • Ideas for getting started with your autobiography
  • Organising your details and what you must consider
  • Tips for making your biography more exciting
  • Publishing methods to consider and accumulating validation
  • Whether you should consider the self-publishing route
  • What to do if you get rejected and common reasons manuscripts are rejected
  • Taking steps towards self-publishing or publishing online, along with several top tips for self-publishing
ID: YDFT67YHJ
certificate

of achievement

This certificate is presented to

Your Name

NSA

For completing the

Autobiography Writing Diploma

on 21st November 2026

Selena Hurford

Selena Hurford

Course Tutor

cpd

Daniel Morgan

Daniel Morgan

Head of Academy

Certificate Example

Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.

The course is broken down into 13 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.

You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!

Once you have completed all 13 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 13 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.

The pass mark for the test is 70%.

If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.

You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.

You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.

We estimate that the course will take about 20 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.

Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.

Whilst doing an internship in an Estate Agency, I decided to study the Estate Agent Diploma to gain a better understanding of the regulations and the best ways to go about visits and building my network. I found the course to be very comprehensive and easy to follow.

I’d recommend this to anyone looking to broaden their knowledge of the field of Estate Agency. I found the time estimates to be right if you are simply reading, but I took several pages of notes and so took longer, as I wanted to really understand what I was reading.

Overall, comprehensive and easy to follow.

Lauren Newall

I was a little sceptical about doing an online course as thought it wouldn't be very in depth, but how wrong I was!

Very thorough and covered everything yo could possibly need. I trained many years ago and wanted a refresh and this was perfect and enabled me to get my insurance and feel confident being back in the Beauty Industry.

I'm now about to start another refresh course on waxing and cant wait to get going, I will most certainly be back to do more. If you're unsure whether to do an online course, don't be, its a must. Highly recommended!

Sue Pearce

Amazing course, very easy to do within your own space of time. Very helpful, would highly recommend to anyone and everyone. This has helped me a lot to gain more knowledge and more experience in this field to help me later on in life. The course is user friendly and very straight forward. Provides you with up to date information and real life situations if anything was to happen and makes you feel like you are already working in the field and have the experience you need. The course also has an online tutor to help you at all times!

Rijul Mehan

I was already quite proficient in many areas that this course covers as I have worked similar jobs before but felt I could benefit from a qualification. This is a very in depth course that covers all areas of being a personal assistant, even ones that I wouldn’t have ever considered needing to learn.

The in-depth learning has built my confidence to put myself out there and try to get back into this career path. I particularly found the section on faxing to be very useful as it’s something that is done in most offices that I’ve found it difficult to come to grips with in the past.

I am already eyeing up more courses on the site and will be sure to give them a try soon.

Maria Casey

Would recommend the course to anyone! Considering estate agency as a career gives a clear insight into the role and regulation and was easy to digest. I was able to easily fit this in with my busy work schedule. I was able to complete this course in less than a month which I originally expected to take a lot longer. The course material is really helpful and the assignments help you to identify if you have a clear understanding of what you have read and usually don't take too long to complete. I am now looking into doing a more advance course in estate agency and looking for a trainee position in my local area.

Samantha Giles

I found this course most interesting. Having been a Receptionist in various industries over the years, and learning more at each location, this course helped focus my thoughts 'back to basics' and made me rethink some of the things I'd learnt. Very helpful, very concise, informative and uncomplicated.

It also gave great insights into the different kind of Reception work which can be so varied. I have been put forward for a Doctors Receptionist vacancy, a 'trade' I haven't ventured into yet, and will take what I have learnt from the course to the interview and hopefully it will stand me in good stead.

Maggie Jones

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