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SUBJECT LEAGUE TABLE 2025

A Creative Writing degree will let you flex your storytelling abilities and study the work of literary legends.Our university rankings for Creative Writing include Scriptwriting and Poetry Writing.

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• University of Warwick VIEW COURSES Royal Holloway, University of Londo... VIEW COURSES University of Birmingham VIEW COURSES University of Leeds VIEW COURSES Newcastle University VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Lancaster University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES University of East Anglia UEA VIEW COURSES GET PROSPECTUS IN CLEARING University of Strathclyde IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Kent IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Plymouth IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Lincoln IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Keele University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES Manchester Metropolitan University VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Hull IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Kingston University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Chester IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Edge Hill University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES Bournemouth University VIEW COURSES Bristol, University of the West of ... VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Canterbury Christ Church University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Aberystwyth University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Nottingham Trent University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Brunel University London IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Essex IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES University of Westminster, London VIEW COURSES Bangor University VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Portsmouth IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Teesside University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Bath Spa University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Brighton IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES GET PROSPECTUS IN CLEARING University of Greenwich IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING De Montfort University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Gloucestershire IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES Sheffield Hallam University VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Anglia Ruskin University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING York St John University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Birmingham City University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES GET PROSPECTUS IN CLEARING University of Chichester IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Liverpool Hope University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Winchester IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES University of Salford VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Central Lancashire IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Arts University Bournemouth IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Worcester IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES University of Bolton VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Liverpool John Moores University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Derby IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING Falmouth University IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING St Mary's University, Twickenham IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES IN CLEARING University of Wolverhampton IN CLEARING VIEW COURSES
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This table was first published on 14 May 2024. 

Read the  University and subject tables methodology  to find out where the data comes from, how the tables are compiled and explanations of the measures used. 

All measures used to compile the tables are available on the full table view. Maximum scores for the measures: 

Overall score: maximum score of 1000 

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Student satisfaction: maximum score of 4

Research quality: maximum score of 4 

Continuation: maximum score of 100 

Graduate prospects – outcomes: maximum score of 100 

Graduate prospects – on track: maximum score of 100 

The following institutions have courses in this subject but insufficient data to be included in the ranking:  

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100 Best universities for Creative Writing in the United Kingdom

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in the United Kingdom ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 640K citations received by 54.6K academic papers made by 121 universities in the United Kingdom was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. University of Oxford

For Creative Writing

2. University College London

3. University of Cambridge

4. King's College London

5. University of Manchester

6. University of Edinburgh

7. University of Exeter

8. University of Sheffield

9. University of Birmingham

10. University of Nottingham

11. University of Leeds

12. University of Bristol

13. Lancaster University

14. Durham University

15. University of York

16. University of Warwick

17. University of Glasgow

18. Cardiff University

19. University of Sussex

20. University of London

21. London School of Economics and Political Science

22. University of Southampton

23. Queen Mary University of London

24. University of St Andrews

25. Royal Holloway, University of London

26. University of Liverpool

27. Newcastle University

28. Loughborough University

29. University of Leicester

30. University of East Anglia

31. University of Kent

32. University of Reading

33. Goldsmiths, University of London

34. Birkbeck, University of London

35. Queen's University Belfast

36. Keele University

37. University of Strathclyde

38. Manchester Metropolitan University

39. University of Aberdeen

40. Ulster University

41. University of Bath

42. Northumbria University

43. University of Portsmouth

44. University of Surrey

45. University of Stirling

46. Brunel University London

47. University of Hull

48. Nottingham Trent University

49. Teesside University

50. De Montfort University

51. SOAS, University of London

52. Bournemouth University

53. Oxford Brookes University

54. University of the West of England

55. University of Plymouth

56. University of Essex

57. University of Dundee

58. University of Brighton

59. Leeds Beckett University

60. University of Wales

61. University of Huddersfield

62. University of East London

63. Sheffield Hallam University

64. University of Salford

65. Swansea University

66. City, University of London

67. University of Hertfordshire

68. University of Roehampton

69. Liverpool John Moores University

70. Middlesex University

71. University of Central Lancashire

72. Anglia Ruskin University

73. Coventry University

74. Bangor University

75. Edge Hill University

76. University of Lincoln

77. Canterbury Christ Church University

78. Imperial College London

79. University of Westminster

80. Aberystwyth University

81. London Metropolitan University

82. University of Wolverhampton

83. London South Bank University

84. University of Greenwich

85. University of Winchester

86. Birmingham City University

87. Aston University

88. Kingston University

89. University of Derby

90. University of South Wales

91. University of Bradford

92. University of the West of Scotland

93. University of Chester

94. University of West London

95. University of Bedfordshire

96. Heriot-Watt University

97. Staffordshire University

98. University of Gloucestershire

99. Edinburgh Napier University

100. University of Sunderland

The best cities to study Creative Writing in the United Kingdom based on the number of universities and their ranks are Oxford , London , Cambridge , and Manchester .

Art & Design subfields in the United Kingdom

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• Writing Tips

The 6 Best UK Universities for Creative Writing Degrees

• 13-minute read
• 24th February 2023

A creative writing degree can unlock your potential and give you access to a world of career and writing opportunities. So if you’re an avid writer looking to develop your skills , a university-level degree might be the perfect next step.

But with so many options for studying creative writing in the UK, you might be wondering where (and how) to start. Your course and university choice could impact the skills you develop, the connections you make, and the direction in which your career takes off.

That’s why, in this post, we break down what a creative writing degree is, explain what you need to look out for when choosing a university, and finally, offer an overview of some of the best UK universities for creative writing degrees.

When you’re done reading, we hope you’ll be one step closer to starting your ideal creative writing degree.

What Is a Creative Writing Degree?

A creative writing degree is an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in creative writing. The degree may focus on creative writing alone, or an institution may combine creative writing with related subjects, such as English language and literature, film studies, or journalism.

The purpose of a creative writing degree is to help students develop their writing skills, establish their authorial voice, and equip themselves with an understanding of different writing styles and techniques. Degree material may also cover practical concerns, such as how the publishing industry works.

Entry requirements for a creative writing course vary, but most institutions will ask for an A-level or the equivalent in English language and/or literature. Creative writing programs cover many forms of writing and can include modules in:

●  Prose

●  Nonfiction

●  Poetry

●  Scriptwriting

●  Writing for an online audience

●  Narrative theory

●  The creative process

●  Getting published

●  Teaching creative writing

As they progress through the course, creative writing students will produce essays alongside a portfolio of creative work, which they will then submit for assessment.

The Benefits of a Creative Writing Degree

While you don’t need a creative writing degree to publish your work, having one can provide you with unique benefits and career opportunities. Creative writing students can expect to:

●  Work with published authors and literary professionals

●  Develop contacts within the publishing industry

●  Experience dealing with and responding to feedback

●  Encounter opportunities to publish their work and establish a reputation as a writer

●  Explore the theory behind writing in depth

You will also develop transferable talents such as time management, communication skills, and self-discipline. These will help you develop your career and stand out to potential employers.

Career Opportunities for Creative Writing Graduates

Becoming an author might be the most obvious career path for creative writing graduates, but you can access plenty of other career choices with your degree. Potential careers include:

●  Editorial assistant

●  Copy editor

●  Publisher

●  Literary agent

●  Copywriter

●  Marketing assistant

●  Journalist

●  Teacher

●  English or creative writing lecturer

Things to Consider When Choosing a University

When you choose a creative writing degree, you’re also choosing the university where you will study. Each institution has its own benefits and approaches, so to make sure you select the right university for you, consider the following factors.

Location and Campus Culture

Some universities are campus-based; that is, lecture halls, accommodations, entertainment, and other facilities are all located in one place. Other institutions are spread across the town or city where they are based.

Each location will have its own atmosphere, so visiting for an open day will help you get a better idea of what attending that university would be like. You should also consider how far away from home you want to study and how easily you can travel between your university and your hometown.

The faculty members of different universities will have their own specialist subjects, research interests, and writing experience. Look for a university where the faculty members specialize in areas of writing you’re interested in. Doing so is especially important if you’re pursuing a PhD in creative writing, as you’ll need to find an appropriate PhD supervisor.

Available Resources and Facilities

While most universities are equipped with a well-stocked library, some may be more suited than others to your subject. A university library that specializes in the humanities, for example, will complement a creative writing degree well.

A university publishing press can also be a useful resource that provides work and publishing opportunities for creative writing students. University publications and magazines are good places to submit writing as well.

Professional Connections and Internships

Some universities incorporate internships into their creative writing degrees. The internships are work placements that will provide you with on-the-job skills and experience and can help you develop professional connections within the publishing industry.

1. University of East Anglia

The University of East Anglia (or UEA) was the first university in the UK to offer degree-level courses in creative writing, introducing an MA in creative writing in 1970, then following suit with the first creative writing PhD in 1987.

UEA’s courses combine creative writing with the study of literature or drama at an undergraduate level. Each of the university’s postgraduate courses focuses on a particular form of writing, such as fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.

Based in Norwich, a UNESCO City of Literature , UEA is able to provide a variety of resources and opportunities for creative writing students, including:

●  The National Centre for Writing and the British Archive for Contemporary Writing

●  The UEA Publishing Project , which runs three publishing presses and publishes student writing in an annual anthology

●  The UEA Award , which helps employers recognize students’ achievements

●  A variety of writing fellowships

●  Year-round literary events and festivals for students and published authors, such as UEA Live and the Norwich Crime Fiction Festival

Notable UEA alumni include Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro and Booker Prize winner Anne Enright .

2. University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is one of the UK’s largest universities and belongs to the Russell Group . Leeds is a campus university, but it’s close to the center of the city.

Leeds offers an interdisciplinary BA in English Literature with Creative Writing , an MA in Creative Writing or Writing for Performance and Digital Media , and research degrees within the School of English or the School of Performance and Cultural Industries.

At the undergraduate level, Leeds offers a diverse range of creative writing modules (including science fiction, crime fiction, nature writing, and travel writing). Published writers and expert researchers teach all these modules.

The university has connections with a variety of creative writing projects, institutions, and festivals, including:

●  Ilkley Literature Festival

●  Leeds Playhouse

●  Leeds Grand Theatre

●  Leeds Poetry Centre

●  The School of Night , a fortnightly poetry seminar

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●  Brotherton Library, which features extensive archives and a collection of period printing presses

Leeds also has its own theater space, stage@leeds , and publishes the literary magazine Stand , both of which showcase students’ creative work. Notable Leeds alumni include playwright Wole Syonka and poet Geoffrey Hill . The university was also home to author J.R.R. Tolkien, who was a professor in the School of English and contributed poetry to the university’s newsletter.

3. University of Birmingham

Established in the West Midlands in 1900, the University of Birmingham is another campus-based Russell Group university.

Birmingham ranked first for creative writing in the Guardian University Guide 2023 . The university offers a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing or in Film and Creative Writing and an MA in Creative Writing.

The university’s creative writing modules and courses focus on exposing students to a broad range of writing styles and genres while offering workshops and professional skills training aimed at preparing students for the publishing industry.

The university also works closely with the local creative community to provide students with a range of opportunities, including:

●  The Cultural Intern Scheme

●  The Birmingham Project

●  Publishing opportunities with Nine Arches Press and Tindal Street Press

In addition, Birmingham runs the world-renowned Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, where students can experience unique writing workshops and a residential trip featuring seminars, theater visits, and other events.

For graduating students, the university currently boasts a 90% employment rate within 15 months. Birmingham is the UK’s fourth-most targeted university among the top employers of graduates.

4. University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is a slightly newer university, first offering courses in 1965. Based just outside the city of Coventry, the University of Warwick is a campus university. It is home to the Warwick Arts Centre , a purpose-built facility for cinema, theater, and the visual arts.

The Warwick Writing Program provides the creative writing courses at Warwick. Established in 1996, the project aims to inspire and develop writers internationally. Published authors, poets, and literary translators make up the staff.

Within the program, students can pursue a BA in English and Creative Writing or an MA in Writing . Students can pursue the MA as either a taught degree or a long project, with the aim of producing a long-form piece of writing.

The University of Warwick provides opportunities for students and graduates, such as:

●  The Warwick Prize for Women in Translation

●  The Sunday Times Young Writer Award

●  Workshops at the Warwick Arts Centre

●  Warwick Thursdays (weekly events hosted by publishing industry experts)

●  The option to study abroad for one year

Warwick’s alumni include novelist Sophie Mackintosh , as well as Gboyega Odubanjo and Michael Askew, winners of the Eric Gregory Award.

5. University of Reading

The University of Reading is a 100-year-old institution spread across multiple campuses. It ranks in the top 30 British universities.

Reading offers one of the most diverse and flexible ranges of undergraduate creative writing degrees in the UK. Prospective students can choose to pursue the following BAs:

●  English Literature with Creative Writing

●  Creative Writing and Film

●  Creative Writing and Theatre

●  Creative Writing and Film & Theatre

●  Art and Creative Writing

An MA in Creative Writing is also available and includes modules in the publishing industry and persuasive writing to help students find careers in publishing and journalism.

Reading is home to the Archive of British Publishing and Printing and provides access to collections of rare books and manuscripts that enable students to explore the creative process of famous authors, such as Thomas Hardy. Students also have the opportunity to publish their work in The Canvas , Reading’s online magazine.

6. University of Strathclyde

Based in the center of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, the University of Strathclyde is a multi-award-winning university. And when it comes to creative writing, Strathclyde offers some unique areas of study for undergraduates , including Scottish literature and the Glasgow novel.

Strathclyde also offers postgraduate courses. As the university is Scottish, it offers a Master of Letters ( MLitt ) and a Master of Research ( M. Res .) in place of the more common MA in creative writing. MLitt creative writing students can choose to specialize in a research area and placement of their choice or take a module from other subjects within the School of Humanities.

The University of Strathclyde offers students numerous resources, opportunities, and connections across Glasgow. These include:

●  The Aye Right! Book Festival

●  Blaze , the university’s online creative writing classes

●  Creative Scotland

Strathclyde’s alumni include authors Ali Smith and Andrew O’Hagan . Among the current faculty members are screenwriter Andrew Meehan and poet David Kinloch .

To recap the main points of this post:

●  A creative writing degree will help you develop your writing skills, often in tandem with cultivating critical reading skills.

●  Creative writing degrees offer a variety of modules and allow you to specialize in a particular form or genre.

●  A creative writing degree can open many potential career paths.

●  The most important things to consider when choosing a university at which to study creative writing are location, staff, resources, and professional opportunities.

●  Six of the best universities for creative writing degrees in the UK are the University of East Anglia, the University of Leeds, the University of Birmingham, the University of Warwick, the University of Reading, and the University of Strathclyde.

●  Many of these universities offer lectures, workshops, and seminars delivered by published authors.

Whichever university you decide to attend, make sure it’s the right one for you. Look for modules you’re interested in, writing forms you’d like to explore, opportunities you want to make the most of, and a university atmosphere you’ll thrive in.

And if you’re looking for more options, take a look at the Complete University Guide’s 2023 rankings for creative writing .

What types of degrees can I receive in creative writing?

As an undergraduate, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in creative writing. As a postgraduate, you can earn a Master of Arts (MA) degree or a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD).

If you’re studying in Scotland, the types of degrees may differ slightly.

How do I know whether I have what it takes to pursue a degree in creative writing?

Before accepting you for a creative writing degree, most universities will require that you have certain A-level or equivalent grades. But academic achievements aren’t everything. If you’re looking to pursue a degree in creative writing, it’s helpful to have:

●  An avid interest in reading (and, of course, writing!)

●  A portfolio to demonstrate your writing

●  The ability to meet deadlines

Be prepared to work hard, but remember, the point of a creative writing degree is to help develop your writing skills and style. You don’t have to be a perfect, polished writer to be a creative writing student!

Can I pursue a creative writing degree online?

Yes, many universities now offer online versions of creative writing degrees. This means you will be able to earn the same qualification by studying online as you would if you studied in person.

However, be careful to choose a properly accredited online creative writing degree.

Where can I get feedback on my university application?

A professional proofreader or editor is the best choice for getting feedback on your application.

Our team here at Proofed can help make sure your university application is clear and correct and meets the appropriate academic standards so that you can focus on preparing for university life.

We can even proofread the first 500 words for free – so why not submit a document ?

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MSt in Creative Writing

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

The MSt in Creative Writing is a two-year, part-time master's degree course offering a unique combination of high contact hours, genre specialisation, and critical and creative breadth.

The emphasis of the course is cross-cultural and cross-genre, pointing up the needs and challenges of the contemporary writer who produces their creative work in the context of a global writerly and critical community.

The MSt offers a clustered learning format of five residences, two guided retreats and one research placement over two years. The research placement, a distinguishing feature of the course, provides between one and two weeks' in-house experience of writing in the real world.

The first year concentrates equally on prose fiction, poetry, dramatic writing and narrative non-fiction. There is a significant critical reading and analysis component, which is linked to the writerly considerations explored in each of the genres. In your second year you will specialise in one of the following:

• short fiction
• radio drama
• screenwriting
• stage drama
• narrative non-fiction.

The residences in particular offer an intensive workshop- and seminar-based forum for ideas exchange and for the opening up of creative and critical frameworks within which to develop writerly and analytical skills. There is a strong element of one-to-one tutorial teaching. Tutorials take place within residences and retreats, and relate to the on-going work produced for the course.

You will be required to attend residences in Oxford during the first year as well as a research placement in the second year.

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.

The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.

The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.

The Rewley House Continuing Education Library , one of the Bodleian Libraries, is situated in Rewley House. The department aims to support the wide variety of subjects covered by departmental courses at many academic levels. The department also has a collection of around 73,000 books together with periodicals. PCs in the library give access to the internet and the full range of electronic resources subscribed to by the University of Oxford. The Jessop Reading Room adjoining the library is available for study.

The department provides various IT facilities , including the Student Computing Facility which provides individual PCs for your use. 

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department for Continuing Education and this role will usually be performed by the Course Director. It is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department for Continuing Education.

You will be assigned a supervisor who will work closely with you throughout the development of the year two final project and extended essay. All assessed work throughout the two years of the course is subject to one-to-one feedback and discussion with a tutor. This intensive, one-to-one input, combined with the highly interactive workshop and seminar sessions, is a distinguishing feature of the course.

The MSt is assessed by coursework. In the first year, four assignments (two creative, two critical), one creative writing portfolio and one critical essay are submitted. Work is set during each residence and handed in for assessment before the next meeting. Feedback on work submitted is given during tutorials within the residence or retreat. In the second year, submissions comprise one research placement report, one extended critical essay, and a final project – a substantial body of creative work in the genre of choice. 

You will be set specific creative and critical work to be completed between residences and handed in to set deadlines. Creative submissions in the first year must be in more than one genre. In the second year, submitted work focuses around the genre of your choice.

Graduate destinations

Graduate destinations have included publishing creative work in a chosen field, careers in arts/media, and doctoral programmes in creative writing.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2025-26

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours  in a related field.

For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience 

• Assessors are looking for writers with a proven record of commitment to their craft, whose work demonstrates significant creative promise. You should be a keen reader, and bring an open-minded, questioning approach to both reading and writing. You will not necessarily have yet achieved publication, but you will have written regularly and read widely over a sustained period. You will be keen to dedicate time and energy and staying-power to harnessing your talent, enlarging your skills, and aiming your writerly production at consistently professional standards. It is likely you will have a first degree, or equivalent, although in some cases other evidence of suitability may be acceptable.
• Applicants do not need to be previously published, but the MSt is unlikely to be suitable for those who are just starting out on their writerly and critical development.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process.  

For those applying by the January deadline, interviews are generally held in February and March. For March applicants, interviews are generally held in March and April.

The decision to call an applicant for interview is based on the University Admission Board's assessment of your portfolio, statement of purpose, academic and professional track record and references. Interviews will be conducted in person or by telephone. There are always two interviewers. Interviews usually last up to approximately 30 minutes and provide an opportunity for the candidate to discuss his/her application and to explore the course in more detail.

The interview is designed to ascertain, through a range of questions, the shape and emphasis of the candidate's writing and reading, and general suitability for the demands of the MSt. 

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the About section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Department for Continuing Education

The need for new learning opportunities throughout life is recognised throughout society. An intensive, initial period of higher education is not always enough, or possible, in times of rapid social, economic and technological change. The Department for Continuing Education is known worldwide as a leading provider of extended learning for professional and personal development.

The department provides high-quality, flexible, part-time graduate education, tailored for adults. Students can undertake graduate-level certificates, diplomas and taught master’s degrees in a wide range of subjects. Increasing numbers of courses are delivered in mixed mode, combining intensive periods of residence in Oxford with tutored online study.

The department recruits adult students of all ages on a regional, national and international level. Many courses are offered jointly with other academic departments around the University. Courses are offered in the following areas:

• Mathematical, physical and life sciences
• Medical and health sciences
• Social sciences .

All postgraduate students on the department's courses are members of its Graduate School. The department's  Graduate School aims to provide a stimulating and enriching environment for learning and research. It also supports intellectual and social interaction between graduates of different disciplines and professions from the UK and around the globe. Interdisciplinary research seminars, training opportunities and other events are offered by the Graduate School in support of this goal.

The department's Graduate School will help you make the most of the wealth of resources and opportunities available, paying particular regard to the support and guidance needed if you are following a part-time graduate programme. The department’s graduate community comprises over 600 members following taught programmes and more than 70 undertaking doctoral research.

The department is located in a block of attractive Victorian houses in Wellington Square in central Oxford close to some of the University's major libraries and museums and to the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter. The city's historic sites, colleges, shops and restaurants are only a few minutes' walk away. The modernised and extended site has its own fully equipped seminar rooms, library, reading room, student computing facility, graduate school study/social room, dining-room, common- room, garden seating areas and short-term student accommodation. Depending on the programme you are taking with the department, you may require accommodation at some point in your student career. The department has 35 en-suite study bedrooms , all with high quality amenities, including internet access.

The Rewley House dining room has seating for up to 132 people. A full meal service is available daily. The department operates a Common Room with bar for students.

All masters' and DPhil applicants are considered for Clarendon Scholarships . The department is committed to seeking scholarship support for other students wherever possible.

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For entry in the 2025-26 academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

If you apply by the January deadline shown on this page and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships. For the majority of Oxford scholarships, your application will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria, without needing to make a separate application. There are further Oxford scholarships available which have additional eligibility criteria and where you are required to submit a separate application. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, for which you may be eligible,  use our fees, funding and scholarship search tool  to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply. Alongside Oxford scholarships, you should also consider other opportunities for which you may be eligible including  a range of external funding ,  loan schemes for postgraduate study  and any other scholarships which may also still be available after the January deadline as listed on  our fees, funding and scholarship search tool .

Details of college-specific funding opportunities can also be found on individual college websites:

Select from the list:

Please refer to the College preference section of this page to identify which of the colleges listed above accept students for this course.

For the majority of college scholarships, it doesn’t matter which college, if any, you state a preference for in your application. If another college is able to offer you a scholarship, your application can be moved to that college if you accept the scholarship. Some college scholarships may require you to state a preference for that college when you apply, so check the eligibility requirements carefully.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2025-26

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

This course has residential sessions (residences and retreats) in Oxford. You will need to meet your travel costs in attending these sessions. The tuition fee includes the cost of board and lodging during the residences and retreats (eg for a four day residence, three nights accommodation will be provided). Further, as part of your course requirements, you will need to complete a research placement in the second year. For this placement you will need to meet your travel and accommodation costs, and any other incidental expenses. You may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses. Further information about departmental funding can be found on the department's website. Please check with your specific college for bursary or other funding possibilities.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

Living costs for part-time study

Your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you will still need to cover your cost of living on a full-time basis for the duration of your course, even if you will not be based in Oxford throughout your studies. While the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student living in Oxford is between £1,425 and £2,035 per month, living costs outside Oxford may be different.

Part-time students who are not based in Oxford will need to calculate travel and accommodation costs carefully. Depending on your circumstances and study plans, this may include the  cost of a visitor visa to attend for short blocks of time (assuming that visitor visa eligibility criteria are met).

Further information about living costs

The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. For study in Oxford beyond the 2025-26 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 4% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. For further information, please consult our more detailed information about living costs , which includes a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . 

If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide. 

The following colleges accept students on the MSt in Creative Writing:

• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Harris Manchester College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Oriel College
• Regent's Park College
• St Catherine's College
• Somerville College
• Wadham College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under the January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the information about deadlines and when to apply in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.

If you have any questions about the course, these should be directed to the course administrator via the contact details provided on this page.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents . 

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Referees: Three overall, academic and/or professional

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Your references will support your commitment to creative writing and suitability to pursue a course of this nature at graduate level. Both professional and academic references are acceptable.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

A CV/résumé is compulsory for all applications. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic and writerly achievements and any relevant professional experience.

Statement of purpose: A maximum of 750 words

The statement of purpose should contain sufficient detail to allow it to be assessed against the indicated criteria.

Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or in which you intend to specialise.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English
• commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course
• capacity for sustained and intense work
• reasoning ability and quality of written expression
• capacity to address issues of writerly and critical significance.

Written work: A maximum of 2,000 words of prose fiction or narrative non-fiction or 10 short poems or 15 minutes of dramatic writing (stage, screen, radio or TV)

Your portfolio of creative writing for assessment can be in any of the four genres, or in more than one. It should be clearly indicative of your ability in creative writing.

This will be assessed for excellence in creative writing.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice .

Apply Continue application

After you've submitted your application

Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will  not  be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can  find out more about our shortlisting and selection process  in our detailed guide to what happens next.

Find out how to manage your application after submission , using our Applicant Self-Service tool.

ADMISSION STATUS

Open to applications for entry in 2025-26

12:00 midday UK time on:

Wednesday 29 January 2025

Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

Tuesday 4 March 2025

Applications may remain open after this deadline if places are still available - see below

A later deadline under 'Admission status'

If places are still available,  applications may be accepted after 4 March . The Admission status (above) will provide notice of any later deadline.

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2022-23 to 2024-25)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Department for Continuing Education

• Course page  and blog on  department website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic staff
• Departmental research
• Continuing Education Graduate School
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 280145

Application-process enquiries

Application guide

Visa eligibility for part-time study

We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.

The World-Class Wordsmith: 5 top UK universities for Creative Writing and Literature

“It’s only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style.” – PD James

In 1970, the UK higher education sector unleashed its first ever MA in Creative Writing ; a pioneering programme that sought to teach students the art of words, the craft of language, the undying profession of storytelling. It was the first time prospective students could choose to hone their passion in a formally-taught environment – but boy, did it suffer its fair share of controversy…

Ernest Hemingway, one of the most notable influencers of 20th century fiction, once said that, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” And that soon became a notion that seeped into the pores of every writing highbrow, as well as those deriving from the wider creative arts. “Some thought writing couldn’t be taught,” says Malcolm Bradbury, expert on the modern novel and advocate of the UK’s first, specialised writing MA.

“Some thought, if it could be, it shouldn’t be. Some thought it couldn’t be properly examined. And some thought that even if it could be taught with propriety and examined with rigour it still had no place in a university.”

Image via Unsplash

But now, as we approach the 47th year since the establishment of the first formalised Creative Writing course, prolific writers such as Ian McEwan , Kazuo Ishiguro , Hayley Long , Nathan Filer and Jane Green are paving the way for Creative Writing graduates around the world, and the answer to the million-dollar-question: Can Creative Writing really be taught? Is undeniably: Yes.

The writer is an artist, and therefore writing is an art, making its scandalised entrance into academia not only completely unwarranted, but also plainly hypocritical. After all, it’s okay for an illustrator, an actor, a painter or a dancer to seek proper training. But a writer…

“[A]cademic institutions offer a shelter for literary values, and for those who wish to practise them, in a way that publishing, being increasingly market-driven, does not,” Rachel Cusk writes for The Guardian . “…[I]t is both an entitlement and a necessity for creative people to study and refine their craft,” she adds.

Writing education has unlimited potential to add a great depth of diversity to an already competitive industry, by instilling students with an innovative skillset they can use to progress their careers. On top of this, a curriculum that teaches the process of getting published leaves graduates equipped with a contemporary business acumen, something that’s entirely necessary to succeed in the corporate world. Without these things, as Jennifer Tuckett writes for the Huffington Post , the possibility of diversity devalues and decreases, “because, if you don’t come from a background associated with the arts, how do you know how to be a writer?”

Image courtesy of Aberystwyth University

And for the grumbling-naysayers who maintain that Creative Writing and related subjects are ‘pointless’ and ‘dead end’, it’s a degree that grants a wealth of transferrable skills that are incredibly profitable for global employers. “For positions in marketing and publicity as well as to some extent, editorial, the skills that come from creative writing degrees can be very valuable,” says Ellie Pike, HR Adviser at Penguin .

The saying goes that everybody has a book inside them , and so long as you have passion, drive, commitment, and a deeply-ingrained love of your craft, why shouldn’t you invest in an education guaranteed to help you unleash that internalised best-seller?

So if you think this is the academic path you feel could truly work for you, here are 5 top UK universities for Creative Writing and Literature:

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND CREATIVE WRITING, ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY – WALES

Aberystwyth University  (Aber) provides an education that’s both innovative and informative, encouraging students to develop into critical thinkers, innovative creators and well-rounded individuals. With comprehensive degree programmes in English Literature , Creative Writing , English and Creative Writing , and Joint Honours Programmes , Aber is helping define a generation of eloquent wordsmiths throughout the UK and the world.

Home to a diverse community of students, researchers and teachers, the Department is a vibrant and inspirational place to study. World class teaching from expert faculty enables students’ critical thinking and creativity to flourish, delivering life-long skills that lead them to success in the world of work and far beyond.

The Department of English and Creative Writing delivers a consistently outstanding student experience. In the latest national survey of student satisfaction the Department ranked #1 in Wales for English and Creative Writing, #3 in the UK for feedback and #1 in the UK for learning resources. Overall satisfaction for English was an exceptional 97%. In two recent surveys, Aber was ranked the safest place in the world to be a student – that, coupled with the impressive quality of ECW’s teaching and the unique and breath-takingly beautiful environment of West Wales coastline makes this one of the world’s most attractive English departments.

ENGLISH, UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE – SCOTLAND

The University of Dundee blends cutting-edge intellectual achievement with practical applications, embodying an institution that is both aspirational and down-to-earth.

Dundee’s School of Humanities plays host to the university’s rich array of English courses , a vibrant cultural scene where students are welcomed into an inclusive, creative community.

Courses are developed with a conscious mind of the modern student’s needs and interests, while reflecting Dundee’s commitment to cutting-edge ideas of the field.

With interests that span the mediaeval to the contemporary period, from Classic Literature to Comic Studies, to Creative Writing and the Theatre, Dundee poses a captivating portfolio of English-based degrees.

ENGLISH LITERATURE AND CREATIVE WRITING, UNIVERSITY OF SURREY – ENGLAND

The University of Surrey is one of the UK’s leading professional, scientific and technological universities, boasting outstanding students, dedicated staff, award-winning academics, successful alumni and a whole host of other notable individuals.

Surrey’s English programmes, including Creative Writing and English Literature , have been ranked Number One in the 2016 National Student Survey, and within the Top Ten by The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.

Through Literature and Writing , Surrey’s academics and students dig beneath the surface in search of deeper truths – about ourselves, about our generation, about our increasingly complex world.

SCHOOL OF ENGLISH, UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM – ENGLAND

The University of Nottingham is a campus-based, comprehensive and research-led institution that seeks to recruit top students and staff from all four corners of the globe.

Nottingham boasts a first-rate, international reputation for excellence in its reputed School of English , a faction formally opened back in 1881.

The School hosts a range of undergraduate , masters and distance learning options in areas like Creative Writing, Literature, English Language, Applied Linguistics and beyond, providing a unique combination of English-centred disciplines.

Students come from Spain, Italy, Germany, the USA, China, Japan, Malaysia, Brazil and across the Middle East, just to get a taste of Nottingham’s elite English teachings.

CREATIVE WRITING, UNIVERSITY OF READING – ENGLAND

The University of Reading prides itself in providing everything you need to prepare yourself for professional life and give you the edge in your future career – especially for those with a keen creative eye.

Reading’s innovative Creative Writing courses are taught by practising, published authors known at the highest professional level. As a team that comprises poets, novelists and creative non-fiction writers, Reading poses the tools to give you first-hand, valuable experience into the elusive creative process.

Reading understands that the ultimate task of the writer is to turn meaningful, raw material into something structured, shaped and polished – so the university’s Creative Writing pathway is designed to help you do this.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

Feature image via Unsplash

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We hope to have our undergraduate degree finder back online by Monday 30 September.

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Please check back on Tuesday to browse our programmes.

MA Creative Writing

The MA in Creative Writing at Bristol is designed for writers who would like to begin publishing their work. In warm, supportive workshops, you will be helped to improve your writing and in lectures and seminars you will increase your understanding of the industrial and critical contexts of contemporary literature.

You will be taught by experienced published writers in extended workshop sessions, where you will be supported to experiment, innovate, and improve your work. This is the heart of the degree, where you develop your understanding of readership and how to create immersive writing that is engaging and memorable.

A special unit introduces you to issues in contemporary publishing, where guest writers and experts from industry bring up-to-date knowledge and expertise to the programme. This unit is tailored to student need and designed to help you understand exactly how to begin trying to publish your work.

Welcomed into the University's prestigious Department of English , you'll learn about contemporary critical issues that influence the world of literature. You will be encouraged to read widely and books will be suggested for you by faculty. Over the summer, you'll work with a professional writer to develop your manuscript, just as you would with an agent or editor.

By the end of the programme, you should understand a great deal about the critical and commercial context of your writing. You should be able to speak confidently and intelligently about your work and where it belongs.

Twilight teaching allows people with working or caring responsibilities to study – as do the part-time options. A strong writing portfolio will allow access without a first degree in a related subject – or indeed without a first degree. Times of classes will be announced well in advance, so that students can accommodate study in their busy lives. These elements make for diverse, exciting classroom experiences.

Also diverse is the students' work. Of course, we support literary fiction and poets in the British tradition. But we also support genre – including sci-fi, fantasy, mystery and thriller. We support writing for young readers, romance, comedy, poems of all descriptions, and recently supported a graphic novel script.

On-demand academic talks

Hear directly from an academic giving you a deeper insight into this programme.

Programme structure

For full-time students, in the first term:

• Workshop One (40 credits)
• Critical Issues in Contemporary Literature (20 credits)

In the second term:

• Workshop Two (40 credits)
• Critical Issues in Contemporary Publishing (20 credits)

This is followed by the Creative Dissertation (60 Credits) over the summer period.

Two years part-time study requires attendance at one seminar in the first teaching block (TB1) and one seminar in the second teaching block (TB2). In the second year, the two years part-time study option requires attendance at one seminar in TB1, one seminar in TB2, and tutorials over the summer period.

Three years part-time study requires attendance at one seminar in TB1 and one seminar in TB2 in the first year. In the second year, it again requires attendance at one seminar in TB1 and one seminar in TB2. The third year of study requires the student to attend tutorials only.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MA Creative Writing.

World-leading research

The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK ( Times Higher Education ).

94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in English Literature, Drama, or Creative Writing.

Nonstandard routes are considered as places are primarily offered on the basis of a portfolio of writing. We are looking for writers with potential to soon begin publishing their work.

It is helpful, but not essential, for the applicant to have some idea of the project they hope to undertake during the course of the degree. Evidence of prior study in the area, a long-standing writing practice, workshop experience, and extensive reading can also strengthen the application. However, the most essential element of the application is the writing itself.

We are currently only accepting submissions for fiction, creative non-fiction (for example, memoir), and poetry. The portfolio should be no longer than 10 pages of fiction or creative non-fiction (double spaced, 12-point font) or 4-5 poems.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.

If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

Evidence of significant, relevant work experience:

Work experience duration: Any

Paid/unpaid: Both

Acceptable sectors:

• Social Media/Business Writing
• Scriptwriting
• Public Relations
• Advertising
• Events organisation
• Corporate comms
• A relevant postgraduate qualification

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our  profile level A.

Further information about  English language requirements and profile levels .

Fees and funding

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support .

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.  Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and scholarships

MyWorld Scholarships: UK offer holders for this programme may be eligible for a scholarship of up to £5,000 towards their tuition fees. Information about eligibility and the application process can be found on the MyWorld website .

Creative writing is among the subjects eligible for funding from the Postgraduate Master's Loan . The Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences also offers funding opportunities for taught and research programmes.

International students are encouraged to apply for the Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship .

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA in Creative Writing often enter portfolio careers, where creative writing becomes only one element of their income. Other elements may include:

• workshop delivery
• proofreading

The close-reading skills developed on a master's in creative writing can also prepare graduates for careers in publishing. Advanced skills in understanding nuance and tone have helped graduates secure work in business communications, marketing and corporate social media.

How to apply

Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.

Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025. Home applicants: 8 August 2025.

Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2024 until all places are filled.

Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences

School of Humanities

Department of English

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BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Part-time, online, study creative writing for your degree with oca.

Have you always wanted to write a novel, create a screenplay, or perfect your poetry? Whatever you’re looking to write, our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree will give you the tools to achieve it.

Our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree will empower you with effective practices, insights and skills, encouraging you to write more frequently and with more purpose than ever before. Shared experiences are reflected throughout the course, which is packed full of options so you can develop your writing in your own way and in your preferred genre.

You’ll study the basics of writing, how to remain engaged and will uncover different styles of writing, from poetry and scriptwriting to short fiction and children’s books. You’ll be encouraged to read the best writers, exploring what makes To Kill A Mockingbird so compelling, or why the script of Casablanca works so well, and then apply these techniques to your own writing.

Become the protagonist of your own story. Start writing today.

Unique online Creative Writing courses

Our BA Hons Creative Writing degree is a specialist degree covering scriptwriting, writing for children, life writing, writing a novel, poetry, and more. You can study creative writing online – completely at our own pace – while being supported by OCA’s tutors.

It aims to equip students with skills, confidence, motivation and ambition, through a learning design programme that starts from fundamental writing skills through to the contemporary professional practice in a form or genre of the student’s choice.

Students are equipped with some fundamental writing techniques applicable to all genres, before allowing students to sample poetry, screenwriting or prose writing, and can pursue the poetry or scriptwriting forms at a more advanced level and/or will have the option to try more niche forms of writing, to enable them to gain further skills and expertise.

The programme draws on creative writing pedagogy by utilising the group or workshop activity as well as the individual assignment and close study of others’ work, but accommodates OCA’s distinctive demographic and the desires of lone writers by enabling some to create alternative submissions in the form of traditional writing portfolios.

Course Structure

Our Creative Writing degree covers the full breadth of writing practice, allowing you to take the options that are of most interest to you. As of September 2021, the BA Hons Creative Arts course will deliver 3x 40 credit units in each Level of the course.*

Students are introduced to the basic skills and techniques of creative writing in the initial unit, Essential Writing Skills 1.1. In their second unit, Further Writing Skills, students will choose two options from a choice of three pathways: they can either try basic poetry or screenwriting or the prose option. These choices remain with them for their third unit at Level 1, Developing Your Writing Skills. By the end of Level 1, students will have the skills and knowledge needed to deepen their poetry, prose or scriptwriting craft at Level 2.

Students are supported in the transition from novice undergraduate to knowledgeable and independent learners, putting into practice skills acquired at Level 1 and developing a personal approach to their writing practice. The units at this stage allow students to develop skills from Level 1 in poetry or screenwriting or else to try something new and more specialised, such as writing narrative non-fiction, writing for children or teens or writing short fiction.

Students will begin to understand the iterative and skills-building requirements of creative writing, and will actively consider how their work may become outward-facing. Peer sessions with other writers will inform their writing and raise critiquing skills, with an understanding that in some cases alternative methods are more appropriate.

Level 3 equips students with knowledge, understanding and skills for continuing personal development and professional writing practice. The units provide a framework for the learners to generate projects based on the personal vision and ambition gained throughout Level 1 and Level 2. The aim is to strengthen each individual’s writing practice and inform their creative development through rigorous intellectual enquiry, resulting in a distinctive body of creative work.

*For current students enrolled to a Level of this degree prior to September 2021, existing units across all levels will remain available as ‘teach out’ units to ensure no students are disadvantaged due to the changes. Once enrolled to a new level, students will follow the new degree pathway. 

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available units – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which OCA might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us . This description was last updated on 14 December 2022.

Programme Specification 2024/25 New Curriculum

This Programme Specification is for all units on the new curriculum.

Programme Specification 2024/25 Running Out Curriculum

This Programme Specification details the units and learning outcomes that are being taught out.

Creative Writing Accessibility Statements

Accessibility statements give an indication of the type and format of content, teaching, and learning activities on the course, and how these are ordinarily delivered.

Foundations

Stage 1 (he4).

For the stage

Stage 2 (HE5)

Stage 3 (he6), breakdown of costs....

More Information

With the OCA, you can study a BA (Hons) degree in our flexible online learning model at approximately one third the cost of a degree at a traditional physical university.

Students study and pay for the course on a unit-by-unit basis, so you only pay for the course as you enrol to each unit.

This course is eligible for a part-time tuition fee loan from Student Finance England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or you can self-fund the course and break down costs even further through the deposit and instalment option.  Find out more about your funding options  here .

You will require regular use of a computer or laptop and internet access. Most essential reading materials can be accessed through the digital library services and eBooks.

Students are responsible for sourcing and, where necessary, purchasing any additional software and resources specified. These can be around £400 at Level 1, £500 at Level 2, and £550 at Level 3. Where possible, open or freeware equivalents will be discussed alongside industry standard options.

On this course, you’ll need some type of word document software, such as Microsoft Word and a place to keep your learning logs and journals – this could be digital or handwritten, though your assignments will need to be typed. If you choose to study Scriptwriting, you may need some software to support this.

You may be eligible for any student discounts on computer equipment and software by using your student email, and you can find out more information about student discounts  here .

Our courses are designed with open access in mind, meaning you don’t need specific subject qualifications to enrol.

You can review the study requirements  here so you’re prepared for online study at higher education. This will include a good standard of English and IT literacy skills.

We accept enrolments for our BA (HONS) courses in monthly intakes throughout the year.

Review the key enrolment deadlines on the link below.

How to Apply

Our part-time degree courses are completed on average between 6 and 9 years. The degree is structured into three levels (instead of three years) so you’re able manage study around other commitments.

Once enrolled, you’ll have a maximum of 12 years to complete your degree course. There are unit and level timeframes within the overall degree time frame, and you’ll need a minimum of 10 study hours per week to keep on track. To find out more about course duration and managing your time, click here .

Your course materials are accessible online through the virtual learning environment, OCA Learn, where you’ll also have access to student forums, a subject space, the student handbook and the online library. You’ll work primarily from a set text of course materials and resources, but can also sign up to webinars, workshops and study groups in addition to your core learning.

Once you’ve completed the required assignments within a course unit and received tutor feedback, you’ll submit a portfolio of work to an assessment event. This gives you the opportunity to develop your work before you have it formally assessed to achieve credits towards your degree.

Upon completing the BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree, as a fully-fledged creative writer you could embark on being a novelist, a poet, a scriptwriter – you name it, you can do it. Prospects have great tips on what it is to be a professional writer. They also cover the many roles you could take on, freshly equipped with your degree.

While you’re pursuing your dream of becoming a professional writer, you can find a range of options to support your art while you write that amazing script or novel. Some include:

• Marketing Professional
• Communications specialist
• Editor / Copywriter

In May 2022 the Department for Culture, Media, & Sport  estimated there were some 2.3 million jobs  in the UK creative industries, and  post pandemic the Creative Industries are growing faster than the UK economy  as a whole.

The Academic Regulations for Subsidiary Institutions of The Open University are applicable to all taught courses offered by the Open College of the Arts (OCA).

You can review the Academic Regulations on our policy page .

Get started with our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree here!

Step 1 of 14

BA Hons Creative Writing Enrolment Form

About you: student details, about you: entry requirements (1/3).

OCA offers open access courses, meaning you can start studying something you may have been interested in for years but haven't been able to pursue. What we are interested in is your aptitude and enthusiasm for your chosen subject.

You don’t need specific subject related qualifications to study with us, however there are minimum entry requirements you need to meet to ensure you have the right tools to get started.

English Language

As your legal nationality features on the majority English speaking countries list or you are a continuing student, you do not need to provide evidence of English Language proficiency. You will still need to confirm that you have a good standard of English to study this course.

You have indicated a legal nationality that is not featured on the majority English speaking countries list as provided by the CEFR. You must provide evidence of your English language proficiency equating to B2 of the CEFR.

You can evidence you meet this requirement through one of the following documents:

- A Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, taken two years or less before the date of enrolment to the course. IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Academic may be accepted as meeting these requirements, provided the student has achieved a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four elements of language learning. - Have successfully completed an academic course (not professional or vocational) at Bachelors degree level or above from an educational institution in the UK or in a majority English speaking country as listed below. - A passport provided as evidence of nationality of a majority English speaking country as listed above. - TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT taken two years or less before the date of enrolment to the course, with minimum scores in each of the four elements of language learning as follows: reading 18, listening 17, speaking 20 and writing 17. - Cambridge English B2 First qualification with scale range 160-179 taken in the last two years as of the date of enrolment to the course. - An online Duolingo test. You would need an overall score of 90 or above to meet Level B2 of the CEFR, and a minimum score of 85 in each category (providing your overall score is still above 90).

About You: Entry Requirements (2/3)

As our courses are hosted on the virtual learning platform, OCA Learn, it is essential that you have access to a laptop or computer, and can easily manage a range of basic functions through ICT. This includes being able to;

About You: Entry Requirements (3/3)

Distance learning is great for anyone who wants to be creative, expand their skills and/or gain a qualification on your own terms. A lot of our ­­­students study alongside other commitments such as work, childcare and health issues, adding distance learning to their existing lifestyle.

Self-motivation is key to a successful distance learning student. You will be able to set aside several study hours per week and be comfortable working independently. As a higher education student, you are responsible for your studies and managing your time effectively, and will need a minimum of 10 study hours per week complete within the maximum time frames available.

About You: Issues that may affect your learning

Learning Difficulty

If you think you may have a SpLD but do not have a formal diagnosis, please take a look at the Adult Checklist on the British Dyslexia Association website: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/screening

This does not confirm a diagnosis itself but may give an indication as to whether you should consider looking into a formal diagnosis.

A full diagnostic test is required for UK students to access support via the Disabled Students Allowance process. For OCA students who need help to pay for a diagnostic test, you may be able to apply for part-funding towards a diagnostic assessment via OCA’s Learner Support Scheme.

If you already have a full (post-16) diagnostic assessment, we would encourage you to apply for additional support via the Disabled Students Allowance process. You will need to get reassessed if you had this done when you were under 16 years old.

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

If you are eligible for Student Finance, you may wish to consider applying for Disabled Students Allowance (Student Finance). This has been invaluable to many of our students. Students may be awarded a mentor which provides regular face-to-face interaction to support you with your planning and motivation, or software and equipment may be awarded to help you study the course depending on your needs. It's all individual - they will look at what the requirements of the course are, where your areas of difficulty may be due to your symptoms and let you know what options there are that could help.

We advise students applying for DSA to enrol to the course when DSA is in place, however you can start before this - the decision is yours. DSA applications can take 14 weeks to process, so please consider this when selecting your start date later on.

You can still apply for DSA even if you are a part through your studies.

Course Information

Students must achieve 360 credits to complete their BA Hons course, which is structured into three 120 credit levels. Students begin at Level 1, and enrol on a unit by unit basis. Each level is made up of three 40 credit units.

The first number of the unit name indicates the level of study, and the second number of the unit indicates what order they unit should be studied at that level e.g. unit 1.1 is the first unit at Level 1.

Funding and Payment

You are responsible for submitting your own Student Finance funding applications. The month you begin your course will mark the start of your personal academic year with Student Finance. For instance, if you begin your course in October, your funding year runs from October to September. This means you need to apply for funding to begin every October for the relevant academic year for as long as you are studying your course.

Mark the month you start your course in your calendar, so you know when your funding the following year needs to begin. We recommend applying for the maximum amount available each year. We will only claim the amount required.

Review the 22/23 Student Finance Guidance Here

HESA Data Collection

Terms and conditions.

• Find a course
• Undergraduate study
• Postgraduate study
• MPhil/PhD research
• Short courses
• Entry requirements
• Financial support

How to apply

• Come and meet us
• Evening study explained
• International Students
• Student Services
• Business Services
• Student life at Birkbeck
• The Birkbeck Experience
• Boost your career
• About Birkbeck
• Contact Birkbeck
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• ReciteMe accessibility

Creative Writing

Application options include:

Course Overview

Are you passionate about creative writing and looking to learn how to turn your ideas into texts? If so, Birkbeck’s BA Creative Writing will support you to develop your ideas further, refining your skills and sharpening your craft. You will have opportunities to experiment and explore creative writing across a range of forms, including drama, poetry, fiction, screenwriting and non-fiction. Your studies will be enriched by being based in Bloomsbury in central London, home to some of the most exciting historical developments in literary and artistic production.

Why choose this course?

• Creative Writing at Birkbeck is based in the heart of Bloomsbury, once home to the Bloomsbury Group, an influential group of writers, artists and philosophers including Virgina Woolf. It is here that you will hone your skills supported by internationally renowned writers and researchers based in the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication.
• This course is distinctive for its practical approach to teaching creative writing, which centres around interactive, small group workshops and seminars in the development of your practice. 
• You will be taught by our esteemed faculty, which includes award-winning and published writers, and gain important understanding about the publishing industry to support your future career.  
• The expertise of our faculty staff feeds into our courses. They include some of the UK’s leading writers, such as novelist Luke Williams ( Diego Garcia: a Novel ), playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge ( Beginning ), playwright and screenwriter Daragh Carville ( The Bay ), poet, novelist and non-fiction writer Julia Bell ( Radical Attention ), novelist Wes Brown ( Breaking Kayfabe ), non-fiction writer Richard Hamblyn ( The Sea: Nature and Culture ) and critic and writer Marina Warner. 

What you will learn

On this course, you will learn how to develop the creative writer’s key tools: voice, craft, technique, form, genre and style. You will also work with your peers to gain an understanding of what other creative writers do, to inform your own practice and approach.

In addition to taking compulsory modules offering you key skills development, you will have the chance to select option modules on topics that interest you, including fiction, poetry, experimental writing and scriptwriting of drama, film and TV, while your final dissertation project allows you to specialise in an area of your choosing. 

How you will learn 

In small creative writing workshops you will share your writing and read the writing of your peers, often alongside published works. In these workshops you will learn how to discuss your writing-in-progress and gain regular feedback from faculty members and from fellow emerging writers on your degree. Lectures and seminars from internationally renowned researchers and specialists will complement your learning.

This course is available with full- or part-time study.  It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening.  

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Creative Writing (BA (Hons)).

Key information and modules

Creative writing ba (hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2024.

Central London

Creative Writing BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2024

Creative writing with foundation year ba (hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2024, creative writing with foundation year ba (hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2024, creative writing ba (hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2025, creative writing ba (hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2025.

Applications open in October 2024

Creative Writing with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2025

Creative writing with foundation year ba (hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2025.

Find another course:

• Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
• You will be eligible to submit work to the annual Birkbeck creative writing journal, The Mechanics’ Institute Review . Read an account of how our students created the most recent issue of The Mechanics' Institute Review .
• Birkbeck is located in the heart of literary London, in Bloomsbury, WC1. You could be studying in a building that was once home to Virginia Woolf and frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group. The building houses our own creative hub which includes the  Peltz Gallery , the Gordon Square Cinema and a theatre and performance space .

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

All applicants, whatever their academic background, must submit a sample of 1000 words of creative writing (fiction, poetry, drama, or screenwriting).

For part-time courses, standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

UCAS tariff points

• 3 years full-time: 96-128 points (e.g. A-levels CCC-ABB)
• 4 years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.

Foundation year degrees

Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. 

Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. 

Alternative entry routes

3 years full-time and 4 years part-time: Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 15 credits achieved at Merit or Distinction in the subject area, although we may waive these formal entry requirements and make our own assessment based on the creative writing sample.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.  We also accept other English language tests .

If you don’t meet the minimum English language requirements,  please contact us  or see our  international study skills page  for more details of how we can help.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our  English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country .

Visa and funding requirements

If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

• Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
• Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

For full information, read our visa information for international students page .

Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country .

Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Creative Writing BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

Academic year 2024–25, starting october 2024.

Part-time home students: £6,935 per year Part-time international students : £13,215 per year

Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

Part-time home students: £6,935 per year Part-time international students : £13,545 per year

Creative Writing BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

Full-time home students: £9,250 per year Full-time international students: £17,620 per year

Full-time home students: £9,250 per year Full-time international students: £18,060 per year

Creative Writing with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year Full-time international students, Year 1: £18,060 per year Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,250 per year Full-time international students, Year 2+: £18,060 per year

Creative Writing with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £4,625 per year Part-time international students , Year 1&2: £8,810 per year Part-time home students, Year 3+: £6,935 per year Part-time international students , Year 3+: £13,215 per year

Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £4,315 per year Part-time international students , Year 1&2: £9,030 per year Part-time home students, Year 3+: £6,935 per year Part-time international students , Year 3+: £13,545 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy .

If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

Tuition fee and maintenance loans

Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don’t have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.

Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to assist with covering living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.

Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time and part-time students at Birkbeck.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

International scholarships

We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship .

At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

Methods of teaching on this course

Teaching is varied and interactive and takes the form of lecturer-led sessions on elements of craft, workshopping of students' creative work, class and home exercises, student readings, and individual and group work.

The Foundation Year is composed mainly of interactive lectures for large groups and tutorial-style classes that support the development of knowledge, skills, confidence and self-awareness.

You may be taught by successful, published authors and practitioners, including:

• David Eldridge
• Richard Hamblyn
• Steve Willey
• Luke Williams .

Teaching hours

Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

Indicative class size

Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

Independent learning

On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

Study skills and additional support

Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

• academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
• written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
• numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

Methods of assessment on this course

Assessment is 100% coursework, which may include short creative projects, essays, presentations, a writer's notebook, web publishing and an extended creative work in a specific genre. 

A creative dissertation is also a compulsory requirement of the course in your final year.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BA Creative Writing, you will have attained an array of important transferable skills, including:  

• the capacity to think and communicate creatively and critically
• a sophisticated use of written and spoken English
• an ability to understand and apply complex ideas
• effective organisation and time-keeping skills
• facility and precision in the use of analytical tools
• strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports or fluent critical arguments.

Studying this course will prepare you for a career path in a range of fields:  

• creative writing 
• publishing 
• journalism  

Birkbeck creative writing graduates include:

• Niki Aguirre
• Sarah Alexander
• Laura Allsop
• Iphgenia Baal
• Phoebe Blatton
• Nicole Burstein
• Tray Butler
• Melissa De Villiers
• Liz Fremantle
• A. J. Grainger
• Emma Henderson
• Sally Hinchcliffe
• Heidi James
• Olya Knezevic
• Matthew Loukes
• Karin Salvalaggio
• David Savill

The School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication's specially designed Careers and Employability provision includes opportunities at all levels to support you in developing your career, including modules,  workshops, placements and other resources directly related to employability, in particular in the creative arts and cultural industries. 

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses.

Full-time (UCAS entry)

If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck, you have to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, go to the UCAS website and click on ‘Sign in’. You will have to register, giving UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website . We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (4 or 6 year), you apply directly to Birkbeck by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification .

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link. Please note that online application will open in September.

When to apply

You are strongly advised to apply now , to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

Help and advice with your application

Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

Apply for your course

Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section .

Course structure

Course structure listing, course structure and modules for creative writing ba (hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2024.

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

• Year 1: three compulsory modules
• Years 2 and 3: two compulsory modules and one option module in each year
• Year 4: two compulsory modules, one option module and a dissertation

Year 1 compulsory modules

• Introduction to Playwriting and Poetry
• Storytelling: Narrative Archetypes, Forms and Techniques
• Writing for Film and TV

Year 2 compulsory modules

• Fiction Workshop 1
• Narrative Methods

Year 2 option modules

• Poetry Workshop 1
• Scriptwriting Workshop 1: The Essentials of Stage and Screen (The 30 Minute Script)

Year 3 compulsory modules

• Creative Non-fiction
• The Writing Industry

Year 3 option modules

• Poetry Workshop 2: The Open Page

Year 4 compulsory modules

• Independent Reading Portfolio: Critical Reflection
• The Publishing Project

Year 4 option modules

• Fiction Workshop: The Contemporary Novel
• Scriptwriting Workshop 4: The Television Drama (The 60 Minute Script)

BA Creative Writing dissertation

• Dissertation BA Creative Writing

Course structure and modules for Creative Writing BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2024

• Year 1: four compulsory modules
• Year 2: three compulsory modules and one option module
• Year 3: two compulsory modules, two option modules and a dissertation

Course structure and modules for Creative Writing BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

Course structure and modules for creative writing ba (hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2025, course structure and modules for creative writing with foundation year ba (hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2024.

For the Foundation Year, you undertake three core modules and choose one option module: either The Arts: Questioning the Contemporary World or a language module.

If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our three-year, full-time, evening study BA Creative Writing .

Foundation Year core modules

• Breaking Boundaries of Knowledge
• Fundamentals of Study
• The Arts: Perspectives and Possibilities

Foundation Year option modules

• French 3 (Level 4)
• French 4 (Level 4)
• German 3 (Level 4)
• German 4 (Level 4)
• Italian 3 (Level 4)
• Italian 4 (Level 4)
• Japanese 3 (Level 4)
• Japanese 4 (Level 4)
• Spanish 3 (Level 4)
• Spanish 4 (Level 4)
• The Arts: Questioning the Contemporary World

Course structure and modules for Creative Writing with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2024

Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student you can take 60 credits in each of your first and second years before starting the main four-year BA Creative Writing. This means that you can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.

In Foundation Year 1 you take two core modules and in Foundation Year 2 you take one core module and choose one option module.

If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BA Creative Writing .

Foundation Year 1 core modules

Foundation year 2 core module, foundation year 2 option modules, course structure and modules for creative writing with foundation year ba (hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2025, course structure and modules for creative writing with foundation year ba (hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2025.

Creative Writing MA

Year of entry 2024, sign up for masters updates.

Receive the latest information on events, scholarships, important deadlines and subject information. Sign up now

Course overview

Take a tour of our School

Get a taste for life in the School of English as Masters student Alex takes you on a tour of the School building as well as some campus highlights.

The MA in Creative Writing offers the opportunity to develop your skills in creative writing within the context of a School of English with a long and distinguished history in creative writing. The course appeals both to those who wish to deepen and broaden their creative writing practice, and to those who are working towards a single publishable piece of work.

With expert guidance from teaching staff who are actively engaged in producing and publishing creative writing, you will engage with a wide variety of literary genres, including poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. You will also have the chance to develop your literary and critical skills more broadly.

Throughout the course, you will be able to explore areas of personal interest and participate in workshops to hone your skills in diverse forms of writing.

You will also produce an independent research project, which can be dedicated to a single creative idea, or which might comprise a portfolio of your creative writing, according to your interests.

Our expertise

The School of English has a long and prestigious history in creative writing. Creative Writing at Leeds has a great history of alumni and former staff, including Wole Soyinka, Geoffrey Hill, JRR Tolkien, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Hannah Copley, Luiza Sauma, literary agent Caroline Hardman, and our recent Douglas Caster Poetry Fellows Helen Mort, Anthony Vahni Capildeo and Malika Booker.

Our current staff includes Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, JR Carpenter, Kimberly Campanello, Campbell Edinborough, Zaffar Kunial, Alison Peirse, Sarah K. Perry, Jay Prosser, Jess Richards, Ross Raisin, Caitlin Stobie and John Whale. Our practices and passions run across creative and critical writing. They include: visual and experimental poetry; eco poetics; the contemporary novel and contemporary lyric poem; literature and medicine; disability studies; autofiction; and transgender memoir.

We are home to the University of Leeds Poetry Centre, which brings together the University’s strength and heritage in creative writing. It hosts regular poetry readings by visiting international poets and supports a poetry reading group.

Our creative writing community benefits from partnerships with llkley Literature Festival, Leeds Playhouse and Leeds Grand Theatre. We also support a thriving range of events and workshops with visiting writers.

Specialist resources

The University of Leeds Library is one of the UK's major academic research libraries. It has extensive holdings to support your studies, including English Literature Collections that have been designated of national and international importance.

Our Special Collections offer a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art, as well as the archives of poets like Tony Harrison, Geoffrey Hill and Simon Armitage, and literary publications such as Stand and The London Magazine.

Other highlights include materials relating to novelists like Arthur Ransome, Angela Thirkell, Melvyn Bragg and Sophie Hannah, and critics like George Wilson-Knight and Bonamy Dobrée. The library also holds original manuscripts by the Brontë family.

Take a 360 tour around our libraries:

Brotherton Library Laidlaw Library Edward Boyle Library

Course details

The MA in Creative Writing covers a range of literary forms, including poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction genres.

The course develops your skills as a creative practitioner. It also explores the history, generic conventions and experimental possibilities of creative literary forms. Through the Creative Writing core module you will learn about key practices in and approaches to creative writing, which you will then expand on through optional modules that allow you to tailor your studies to suit your interests and career ambitions. Optional modules include offerings in Creative Writing and English Literature, alongside modules in digital media and performance in the School of Performance and Creative Industries. Your research project will apply and expand upon what you have learned in these core and option modules.

Through your research project you will gain experience of creative practice as research. You will write a creative research project on a subject of your choice with support from a specialist supervisor and with access to the outstanding research resources of the University's Brotherton Library.

Hear from our students

In this student panel our current Masters students discuss why they chose Leeds and what it's like to study a Masters in the School of English.

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions .

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

For more information and a list of typical modules available on this course, please read MA Creative Writing (Full Time) in the course catalogue.

For more information and a list of typical modules available on this course, please read MA Creative Writing (Part Time) in the course catalogue.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

For more information please read MA Creative Writing (full time) or MA Creative Writing (part time) in the course catalogue.

Learning and teaching

You’ll have weekly seminars or workshops in each module where you discuss the themes and issues arising from your reading and writing. You’ll have the opportunity to share your writing and receive feedback on work-in-progress. You’ll be able to enhance your learning by attending the wide range of seminars and talks by visiting speakers and creative writers that we arrange throughout the year.

Independent study is a vital part of the degree, as it allows you to build your skills and explore your own ideas as an academic researcher and a creative writer.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment for this programme includes both creative and critical reflection on your creative practice. Modules are assessed either by a combination of these equivalent to 4,000 words, or by a single essay of around 4,000 words. While formal assessment tends to take place at the end of the module, during term you may also be expected to submit work in progress in order to gain feedback, or give presentations in your seminars.

The research project is typically a 9,000-word (or poetry equivalent) creative writing project with a 3,000-word critical reflection.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in English literature or Creative Writing, or a degree scheme that includes a significant proportion of English Literature or Creative Writing content, or a related subject. You will also submit a Creative Writing sample comprising approximately 1,000 words of prose or 3 pages of poetry (or a portfolio combining both genres). This gives us a chance to get to know some of the writing you have produced so far to help us determine suitability for this course.

Applications from those with degrees in other subjects may be considered on an individual basis, along with the sample you will submit.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office for more information.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications .

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks) .

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals.  Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional .

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses .

How to apply

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines.

You will need to apply for a place before applying for any scholarships, so check the deadlines for available scholarships on our website .

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you need

You’ll need to upload the following documents when completing the online application form:

A transcript of your completed BA degree or grades to date

A personal statement of around 500 words in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form. It is important that you consider and respond to these questions.

A Creative Writing sample comprising approximately 1,000 words of prose or 3 pages of poetry (or a portfolio combining both genres)

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to submit proof of your English language results (eg IELTS).

We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

We will decide whether to offer you a place based on your application form, personal statement, transcripts, predicted or actual degree results and, where appropriate, any additional documentation requested.

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures receives very large numbers of high-quality applications and regrets that it cannot make offers to all of its applicants. Some particularly popular schools may have to reject many that hold the necessary academic qualifications.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students . We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of English

Postgraduate Administrator

Email: [email protected] Telephone:

UK: £12,000 (Total)

International: £25,250 (Total)

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees .

Read more about paying fees and charges .

Part-time fees Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page .

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview .

The School of English also offers a range of scholarships for taught postgraduate study. Find out more on our Scholarships page .

Career opportunities

This course will equip you with advanced transferable skills which are valuable in a wide range of careers.

You’ll be a confident researcher who can work independently as well as within a team. You’ll be a strong communicator, both verbally and in writing, and be able to think critically and analytically. In addition, you’ll have a strong level of cultural and critical awareness, and you’ll be able to look at a situation from different points of view.

All of these qualities are attractive to employers across sectors, and you’ll be well equipped to pursue a career in a wide range of fields depending on your interests. These could include teaching, journalism, publishing, advertising, broadcasting and law. Many of our graduates also progress to PhD-level study and you’ll be in a good position to develop a career in academia. Students from our programmes have gone on to have successful careers as literary agents, journalists and researchers, as well as to become published novelists and award-winning poets.

Careers support

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website .

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support .

Whether you're looking to pursue further study, change career, or stand out in the competitive graduate job market, you'll receive expert support in applying the skills you've developed in your chosen career.

Watch: Careers support at Leeds

Find out more about the careers and employability support that you'll receive as a student in the School of English.

Related courses

English literature ma, postcolonial studies ma, rankings and awards, qs world university rankings by subject.

36th in the world for English Language and Literature

Complete University Guide 2025

13th in the UK for English

Creative Writing

Creative Writing at Winchester offers you the opportunity to evaluate and improve your creative writing in a dynamic, supportive environment. The programme is taught by professional writers and highly experienced practitioner-academics in Creative Writing, with a particular focus on fiction and literary non-fiction. There are opportunities to meet editors and published writers and, as your knowledge of the publishing industry expands, find out where your work fits within the market.

Course overview

You study a diverse range of fiction and narrative non-fiction by acclaimed contemporary writers, which allows you to explore different styles and genres including fantasy, crime, historical fiction and literary fiction and gain a critical foundation for your own writing while increasing your knowledge of the publishing world. Throughout the course, you create new work and discuss it in a supportive group of peers alongside your tutor as you redraft and refine. The structure of the programme enables you to experiment from week to week, hone your craft and develop complete short stories as well as engage with the demands of longer-form prose.

In the first semester you will take modules in contemporary fiction and literary non-fiction, and also develop a project that addresses ways in which writers engage with community audiences. The second semester focuses on genre fiction and preparation for your Independent Study project, which is a substantial creative submission of 20-25,000 words written over the summer months. This could be the first part of a novel, a collection of short fiction, the opening to a work of literary non-fiction or a hybrid submission, completed with tutor support.

What you need to know

Course start date.

On campus, Winchester

Course length

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time (evenings)

Apply online

Typical offer

A first or second-class honours degree

From £9,550 pa

Course features

Refine your writing across a range of styles and genres

Understand where your work fits in the current publishing world

Be inspired and encouraged by guest writers and editors

Course details

Suitable for applicants from:.

UK, EU, World

Learning and teaching

Teaching takes place:  Evenings

Start date:  September

The academic staff are professional novelists, scriptwriters, poets and writers of creative non-fiction, as well as cultural critics and playwrights. They are supported by guest writers, editors and literary agents. This course has long enjoyed a vibrant programme of visiting speakers. 

Students have the opportunity to develop their creative work, give and receive feedback in weekly workshops, and work with lecturers who are all practitioners. 

Location 

Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

Each module typically comes with a creative writing assignment, or an assignment plus rationale (reflective piece) of approximately 4,000 words in total.

Students undertake a Dissertation between 20,000-25,000 words as part of their independent study with full tutorial support.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions

This module allows students to explore a range of different non-fiction genres, including memoir, Travel Writing, and reportage. In each case they will contemplate the ethical dilemmas of so doing, and the psychological dimensions of writing about their own lives and the lives of others. They will consider issues such as perspective, narrative, politics, audience, and editing. The module will focus upon how to use language to achieve certain effects. Much of the work will occur in practical workshops, working towards the submission for assessment of a specific piece prose non-fiction and an essay exploring the world of non-fiction writing (including the media) in relation to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

This module aims to help students develop their own practice as writers of fiction, through a consideration of the form and techniques used by published writers. It will consider plotting and the structuring of texts, as well as the subtleties of characterisation, dialogue and place in short and longer fiction. The module will analyse a selection of works, paying particular attention to more recent work and considering texts that range from Booker and Pulitzer prize winners to mass-market fictions; experimental odysseys to more sentimental journeys. Students will be encouraged to consider how these fictions work as texts, how they develop character, plot story, position the reader etc., and how they relate to audiences.

Students will work individually and in groups to create/develop stories and structures, characters and scenes for or from their own fictions. This module will be the beginning of their journey towards their Independent Study.

This module is designed to enable students to become a successful writer within a community, whether that is through residencies or works celebrating or contributing to a particular neighbourhood, community or group. This may involve responding creatively with site-specific works within an urban or rural environment; working with an online community, or the temporary ‘community’ of a festival; involvement in a collaborative community-based art project; participation in or production of an anthology or collection for publication. Whatever the platform or opportunity – whether it is an existing one that is applied for, or created in a pro-active way – the emphasis here is on community engagement, widening participation, and positive impact. 

This module allows the students to explore a variety of fictional genres, including but not limited to: Horror, Sci Fi/Fantasy, Crime, and Historical Fiction. By looking at texts from leading authors in each field, students will learn about genre conventions in relation to plot, character, and setting, and will use these skills to write a creative piece of their own in a chosen genre. Alongside the creative elements of the module, students will also critically examine genre fiction, with particular attention being paid to the roles of gender and race.

This module is designed to prepare students for the rigour of writing a longer-form creative piece. Issues of structure, sub-plotting, narrative drive, character development and ‘voice’ are considered within the context of the student’s own ideas for their Independent Study and similarly targeted works of contemporary fiction or the specific genre they have chosen. The relationship between experimentation/originality and commercial imperatives/’what has gone before’ will be considered to enable students to locate their own work more fully within current socio-cultural contexts, while workshops and group discussion deepen each student’s interrogation of their own processes and challenge habitual modes of working.

The Independent Study is the culmination of the MA Creative Writing. Students will write, re-write and edit an extended creative piece, 20,000 to 25,000 words of a novel, or a script or poetry collection or work of creative non-fiction to be agreed by the Programme Leader and supervising tutor. They will realise ideas first developed in the Independent Study Preparation module and work under the expert guidance of a supervisor but with an emphasis on self-directed research and writing. The overall outcome will be a demonstration of the student’s creative integrity, confidence and accomplishment in authorship.

Entry requirements

Normally a first or second-class Honours degree or professional experience in the area of study. Applicants are required to submit a sample of their creative writing. 

Continuing students who have achieved a first or upper second-class degree in BA Creative Writing or BA Creative & Professional Writing at the University of Winchester are not required to submit a sample of their creative writing.

If English is not your first language: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in writing or equivalent. 

Applications need to be submitted before the published deadline on our website. Late applications can be accepted throughout the remainder of the application year, for more information see our How to apply (Postgraduate) section.

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at  [email protected] .

2025/2026 Course Tuition Fees 

Additional tuition fee information

If you are a UK student starting your degree in January / September 2025, the first year will cost you £9,550**.

If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

Additional costs

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards .

CAREER PROSPECTS

Many graduates of the course have obtained publishing contracts, while others work in other aspects of publishing, or in teaching, media, the arts and business.

“The MSc programmes at Winchester provide you with an excellent foundation from which to pursue your career.” Steve - MSc Graduate UWin Student Blog

How to Apply for this course

We want your application process to be as simple as possible. Find out everything you need to know about the application process, how to apply, your offer and how to secure your place.

Dr Judith Heneghan

Dr Judith Heneghan is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, a novelist and the former Director of the Winchester Writers' Festival.

View our Related Courses in English, Creative Writing and Journalism

Take a look at all our courses within the subject areas of English, Creative Writing and Journalism

Information for International Students

Our International students come from all over the world and we understand that some things are a little different when applying and then arriving at the University. We have therefore provided a list of some of the countries we work in with specific information included on Entry Requirements, Funding Opportunities, Visas and other useful information.

Come visit us

See our open days.

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Creative writing courses

Short and part-time courses with Oxford University

Need an extra push to finish your novel, poem or play? Want to explore new genres? Whether you're a beginner wondering where to start, or an experienced writer looking to extend your craft, we have a course for you.

Short courses

• Part-time undergraduate and postgraduate study

Summer schools in Oxford

Our  short courses in creative writing  include in person and online live-time weekly classes, day and weekend schools and flexible online courses.

Courses cover all genres: fiction, poetry, memoir, creative nonfiction, drama, writing for young adults and critical reading. There are courses for beginners and options for those with experience. Class sizes are kept small to maximise interaction between you, your classmates and your tutor.

Credit earned from some of our short courses is transferable towards our  Certificate of Higher Education  – a part-time undergraduate course in which you study a main subject discipline, such as creative writing, but also undertake study in other subjects to broaden your knowledge and skills.

• View all short courses in creative writing
• Ways to study: how our short courses work

Part-time Oxford University qualifications

From undergraduate level to advanced postgraduate study.

Certificate of Higher Education in Creative Writing

The  Certificate of Higher Education  is a flexible, part-time programme which lets you study a main subject discipline (such as creative writing) while also undertaking study in other academic subjects. Ideal for lifelong learners, you can study what you want, when you want, how you want. The credits you obtain from taking short online courses, weekly classes and attendance at the Oxford University Summer School for Adults all count towards your final award.

• Certificate of Higher Education
• Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing

The  Diploma in Creative Writing  is a two-year part-time course that helps you to strengthen your ability in four major areas of literary activity — prose, poetry, drama and analytical reading — while letting you specialise in the genre of your choice. Choose from two study options: regular in-person meetings in Oxford or mostly online with a summer school in Oxford.

• MSt in Creative Writing

Delve deeper with our a two-year, part-time master's programme offering a unique combination of high contact hours, genre specialisation, and critical and creative breadth. Delivered in a clustered learning format of five residences, two guided retreats and one placement over two years.

Join us for one of our Oxford  creative writing summer courses , and spend a week or longer immersed in your craft. Accredited and non-accredited options are available and courses take place either at Rewley House or at one of the University's historic colleges.

• Creative writing summer courses

Upcoming courses

Screenwriting: from film idea to pitch.

• Mon 30 Sep 2024 – Mon 02 Dec 2024
• 10 meetings
• 7:00 – 9:00pm

Poets' Workshop

• Tue 01 Oct 2024 – Tue 03 Dec 2024
• 10:30am – 12:30pm

Shakespeare’s Histories

Writing psychological thrillers, film studies: an introduction.

• Wed 02 Oct 2024 – Wed 04 Dec 2024

Student spotlights

Discover how our students have developed their creative writing skills thanks to completing a course at the Department.

Sarah Easter Collins

Charles bush, tahmina maula, daisy johnson.

Creative Writing

Study abroad and semester exchange

Combine your degree with a year abroad in a foreign country. Study across our partner network.

Employability and opportunities

Creative Writing Research

Creative Writing is a practice-based discipline that encourages you to develop your own individual writing style. It helps you cultivate a creative and critical approach to a wide variety of writing, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama (stage and screen). You’ll be taught in small workshop groups, where you get lots of individual feedback from fellow students and lecturers.

You can study Creative Writing as part of a combined undergraduate degree .

Ellie Pilcher

BA (Hons) History and Creative Writing

Student work

Take a look at some of our students' work. Please note that certain pieces may feature language that some may find inappropriate.

• A Herd of Deer
• Beyond The Grave Boy Next Door
• History Lessons
• Needles and Pins
• The Kick-Off

• International

Creative Writing

Why Study Here?

Our Research

We pioneered the teaching of Creative Writing in the United Kingdom and in 2020 we celebrated 50 years of teaching it. We established the first Masters in Creative Writing in 1970 and the first PhD in Creative and Critical Writing in 1987.

Situated in Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature , each of our courses offers an opportunity to develop as a writer in a vibrant and supportive environment. Our year-round programme of literary events includes the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival , the hugely successful UEA Live (previously known as the UEA Literary Festival), and its student-run companion series, New Writing Live.

Our students join us from all over the world and progress to careers across the creative industries. The publishing success of our graduates remains unrivalled, and in 2017 one of our alumni, Kazuo Ishiguro, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Still the UK’s most prestigious Creative Writing programme, we’ve been awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in recognition of our continuing excellence in delivering innovative courses at a world-class level.

Find out more at the  New Writing website .

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• BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Creative Writing

If you want to get serious about creative writing, the Manchester Writing School – with a proven reputation for developing gifted students into award-winning professional writers – is the ideal place to start.

Course overview

Embark on our creative writing degree and from the very start you’ll study and practise the art and craft of writing in a wide range of established and new forms, from prose fiction, screenwriting and poetry, to digital art, spoken word and writing for computer games. You'll also focus on how writers read texts, how we can learn from them and how to add your own voice into the ongoing conversation of literature.

You’ll learn from award-winning, leading poets, novelists and scriptwriters at the renowned Manchester Writing School – writers who know what it takes to turn a flash of inspiration into brilliant words on the page. The course also has a strong emphasis on professional development, and in our practical 'Beyond the Page' unit you’ll look at professional prac...

What you need to know

• When does the course start? September 2025

3 years full-time

4 years with placement year or study abroad

4-9 years part-time

• How many UCAS points do I need? 104-112
• Where will I study this course? Manchester

Features and benefits

"One of the greatest pleasures of my working life continues to be the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University - a department with a real sense of family, achievement and celebration, and an ethos of nurturing and innovation." Professor Carol Ann Duffy DBE (Poet Laureate 2009-19) Creative Director of the Manchester Writing School

Course information

In creative writing, students study and practise the art and craft of writing in a wide range of established and new forms, from prose fiction and poetry to screenwriting and writing for computer games. A range of award-winning and internationally celebrated writers teach on the BA programme, including Helen Mort, Andrew McMillan, Andrew Hurley, Kim Moore, Susan Barker, Lara Williams, Rachel Genn, Rachel Lichtenstein, Anjum Malik, Nikolai Duffy, Catherine Fox, Livi Michael, Gregory Norminton, Adam O’Riordan, Joe Stretch, Malika Booker, Antony Rowland and Jean Sprackland.

Accreditations, awards and endorsements

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027 We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.

National Student Survey 2024 (NSS) 100% of students were positive about teaching staff being good at explaining things.

You will explore genres and understand these in terms of formal and thematic properties. You will explore the relationships between poetry, prose and drama by familiarising yourself with some of the major works that define each genre. You will also consider the reasons why writers make generic and formal choices, and in your own creative writing, you will be encouraged to experiment in genres and forms, engaging critically with issues raised by each.

You’ll also work on how to read texts as a writer, thinking about what we can learn from existing texts and how we can take those lessons forward in our own work and into professional practice. You’ll be asked to write critically about these texts too, in order to bring greater understanding and depth to your own writing.

Language and Technique

An introduction to writing techniques focussing primarily on the crafting processes of poetry and prose. 

This unit introduces key skills for university study, progressing to research, writing and project development. You will learn skills of close reading and textual analysis, practice on a range of cultural forms and focussed on representations of Manchester as a diverse, international city. You will then develop your own independent project and put into practice the analytical skills developed. 

Story and Structure

An introduction to the conventions of storytelling focussing on forms such as flash fiction, short stories, screenwriting and writing for theatre.

The Writing Life

This unit will introduce students to professional opportunities in Creative Writing and the skills needed to access them. 

Study and assessment breakdown

• Year 1 30% lectures, seminars or similar; 70% independent study
• Year 2 30% lectures, seminars or similar; 70% independent study
• Year 3 100% placement (optional)
• Year 4 10% lectures, seminars or similar; 90% independent study
• Year 1 100% coursework
• Year 2 100% coursework
• Year 4 100% coursework

Placement options

Placement opportunities may be available both in the UK and abroad, in a wide variety of roles and sectors.

Our dedicated placement team have developed excellent links with various industries. You will be offered support through a preparation programme of activities that includes guidance on selection procedures, working overseas, CV preparation, interview and selection techniques.

In your second year, you will begin to specialise by selecting writing workshop modules in poetry, prose, scriptwriting and digital taught by practising writers. You’ll experiment and engage with issues raised by formal choices, such as point of view and diction, and develop your workshop and editorial skills. Distinguished writers from our Manchester Writing School will provide masterclasses on specialist forms of writing to help you shape your own creative practice, alongside studio sessions on intellectual and technical aspects central to your craft.

You will also learn about the history of the literary transmission of texts, focussing specifically on texts and their relation to technologies of the age, and the nature and resources of the literary artist.

Additionally, you will choose option units from the wider English programme so you can learn from the work of a wide range of writers and filmmakers, and develop your critical skills too. The listed option units are indicative of the type of units that will be available.

Creative Workshop 1

Students focus on two literary forms chosen from a list (for example prose, poetry, scriptwriting) and follow an intensive workshop for one semester. 

Creative Workshop 2

Remake/remodel.

Students explore literary adaptation, analysing how texts survive and evolve - how the meanings of stories, characters, poems, songs and ideas change across time and across forms. Students will be supported to make adaptations of material encountered on the unit. Students then explore the artistic process underpinning literary adaptation, examining a range of strategies by which a text or existing cultural artefact might be re-made. Students will make their own literary adaptation of an existing story, character, painting, videogame, piece of music or film, whilst reflecting critically on the process.  

The Writer's Studio

Students focus on one creative writing form chosen from a list (for example creative non-fiction, life writing) and follow an intensive workshop for one semester. 

Option units

Cultures of resistance.

This unit investigates cultures of resistance and their historical conditions. To do so, it places a range of resistant cultural texts in dialogue with relevant theoretical and critical material. 

Engaging the Humanities 2

An innovative unit that applies interdisciplinary methods, approaches and perspectives of humanities and social science disciplines to contemporary socio-economic challenges, complementing Engaging the Humanities 1. Each year the unit will address a different contemporary issue or theme. The unit will give you the opportunity to develop and apply your academic skills in an applied, practical setting by undertaking an individual engagement project. This can include a work placement, volunteering, social/community enterprise, RAH! Project, awareness-raising campaign, multimedia piece, blog, creative writing, poetry or artwork performance/exhibition. Each project will be supervised and mentored by one of the unit tutors. Finding external partners to work with will be supported by the Engagement and Outreach team.

Fit for the Future

The unit will take students through the various stages of recruitment from identifying strengths and skills, to job searching and CVs, using platforms such as LinkedIn, and interview practice. Students will build up a portfolio of tasks related to employability, for instance, CV, video interview, assessment centre and reflect on their learning across the unit.

Global Challenges: Green Literature, Film and Media

This unit will analyse the current climate crisis applying the methodologies of creative writing, English literature, or film and media studies.

Manchester City of Literature

This unit will explore the organisations and activities that make up Manchester’s UNESCO City of Literature network, and assess ways in which literary activity can help cities address contemporary global challenges.

Writing After The British Empire: Race, Nation And Theory

How can literary and cultural texts write back to the former colonial centre, enact the decolonisation of the mind, and unpick the stereotypes and ideologies central to the establishment of the British empire? How do literary and cultural works represent the lingering effects of imperialism in the present day? What does contemporary inequality, nationalism, Islamophobia and racism have to do with Britain’s colonial past? This unit supports students to address the formal, ideological and ethical questions negotiated in postcolonial literature and cinema. The unit offers an introduction to postcolonial theory as it relates to the texts and contexts we discuss. Areas of investigation might include climate change, migration, war, gender and sexuality, race and religion.

If you choose one of our four-year routes, Year 3 will be spent on placement or studying abroad.

In your final year, you will undertake a creative project and also take your work beyond the page into professional contexts; and alongside this you will be able to choose from a range of option units to suit your interests. Please note that the following list of units is indicative and may be subject to change.

Beyond the Page

This unit explores professional practice and the application of creative skills in the wider world. You will encounter practitioners from a diverse range of writing and creative professions and gain perspective on accessing and working within the cultural industry. You will take a literary text of your own - an original piece or something written within another unit - and conceive a strategy for its dissemination, reinvention, publication or performance, whilst reflecting critically on this process.

Creative Project (30 credits)

On this unit, you will be asked to devise, scope, plan, conduct, report and reflect on a creative project of your own choosing. The project should involve a significant stretch from your core work on the programme and explore a new practice. This can be either working in a writing discipline different to your main route through the course, or by adapting or applying your work in a new context.

Study Abroad Semester

The Study Abroad unit will involve study for one semester at an approved partner University overseas.

Escapade: Writing Creative Non-Fiction

This unit teaches you how to tell true stories in a post-truth world, how to narrate real-life events (escapades) through innovations in essay writing, observational fieldnotes, literary journalism, life writing and narrative scholarship in a range of media and to understand the ethical consequences of doing so. 

Introduction to Book Publishing

This unit will introduce students to all parts of the book publishing process and industry. Through practical exercises and interactive lectures, students will learn how the industry developed, specialist genres such as children's publishing and how publishers commission, edit, design and produce books in all formats. 

Introduction to Teaching

The unit will aim to introduce English as a core curriculum subject in secondary schools and as an A-level subject. It will provide students with insight into the application of their subject specialism to teaching in school and colleges in England, covering aspects of both curriculum content and subject pedagogy.

Popular Fiction: Reading and Writing Genre

This unit explores novels and novellas for adults that can be categorised as belonging to recognisable commercial and popular genres. You will be expected to engage both critically and creatively a range of genres.

Reading Children’s Literature

This unit provides an analytical study of a range of classic and modern texts written for children. It also uses these texts as models for the production of new texts. The unit also covers appropriate techniques for writing for children. It provides you with the skills to analyse a range of children's literature, and to use the resulting knowledge to produce original texts suitable for teenagers and children. 

Reading and Writing Games

This unit provides an analytical study of a range of twenty and twenty-first century games, both analogue and digital. Students will be introduced to the critical and historical field of game studies, and given guidance on the appropriate techniques for writing for gaming and the experience of working with pre-determined project briefs.

Reading and Writing Poetry

This unit focuses on reading and analysing a representative range of work by contemporary poets, and introduces students to relevant critical work. It equips students with critical, analytical and writing skills to read and write poetry effectively. Assessment will give students the opportunity to produce written work in critical and creative modes, and to reflect analytically on their own work. The unit will provide students with the opportunity to attend a major poetry event (e.g. the Forward Prize or the T. S. Eliot prize awards) and to visit poetry readings. 

Renegade: Writing Literary Fiction

Students will read and research a range of texts and map the terrain of contemporary literary fiction. Students will engage in current debates around the meaning and vitality of literary fiction and the way it intersects with various political movements. Students will engage and experiment with the formal innovation that defines contemporary literary fiction. Students will ultimately offer their own creative responses to the formal and political concerns of the moment through their own creative writing. 

Writing Series Drama

A creative advanced Scriptwriting course which develops skills in team storylining and individual scriptwriting skills in the context of the study of contemporary professional practice.

Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.

• a virtual experience campus tour
• chats with current students

Taught by experts

Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.

We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.

Entry requirements

These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.

UCAS tariff points

GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent

Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM

Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points

UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM

T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer

IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects

Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered. 

A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement. 

AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.

Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.

Specific GCSE requirements

GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English

International Baccalaureate points

Ielts score required for international students.

There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are still being finalised for all courses. You can find information on 2024/25 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students. All fees stated may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year.

Additional costs

Specialist costs.

Compulsory estimate : £300

Optional estimate : £300

On our creative writing course, students must have access to a copy of all set texts. Primary texts are held in the University library but students often prefer to have their own copy. Prices vary but many are cheaply available and set texts are often available online for no cost. Students often buy texts second hand, and there is a book exchange in the atrium of the Geoffrey Manton building. Students often choose to buy their own laptops but computers are available on campus, and laptops and iPads are available for students to borrow (estimated costs are £300 for a laptop). Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents - campus printing costs start from 5p per page.

Some option units include trips to relevant events or venues, theatres, exhibitions and libraries, which are all optional activities.

Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships

First Generation

Dedicated funding and support for first generation students

Career prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of careers, especially media work and teaching, where their transferable skills are particularly relevant. Recent graduates have become school and college teachers, and some have gained employment in fields as diverse as banking, finance, manufacturing and theatre.

There is also the opportunity to engage in further study and professional training, for example some of our graduates go on to study MA/MFA Creative Writing at postgraduate level at our Manchester Writing School under the creative direction of Professor Carol Ann Duffy DBE (Poet Laureate 2009-2019). More than 100 former students of the Manchester Writing School have embarked upon careers as published writers.

Want to know more

Got a question.

You can apply for this course for 2025/26 entry once UCAS applications open in autumn.

Visit UCAS for further details, including deadlines.

Apply for other study options:

Please contact our course enquiries team.

Get advice and support on making a successful application.

You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.

Manchester is your city, be part of it

Your new home, your new city, why university, related courses, film and media studies, english and multimedia journalism, english and creative writing.

Programme review Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our terms and conditions .

Important notice This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most up to date information for your chosen course of study.

Confirmation of regulator The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk .

All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan .

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Creative Writing at King’s

As part of the BA English , students can take introductory courses in poetry, prose fiction, and creative non-fiction in the second year, and progress to advanced modules in fiction or poetry in the third year.  

At doctoral level, we run an innovative, practice-led PhD in Creative Writing Research  programme, designed for talented and committed writers in poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction who wish to complete a book-length project for publication and prepare for a long-term career in the literary world. 

Wild Court is an international online poetry journal based in the Department, named after a nineteenth century Irish slum or ‘rookery’ opposite what is now the Virginia Woolf Building. Wild Court draws on an international community of professional poets, writers and critics, but also includes a section of work from King’s creative writing students. It also supports Poetry And, a series of free public readings at King’s, which highlights poetry’s power to connect with other thought-worlds, disciplines, and areas of life.

Creative Writing Staff

The English department is home to award-winning novelists, poets, essayists, biographers, non-fiction authors, and literary critics, who teach undergraduate modules in a range of disciplines. They also supervise creative projects at doctoral level within their specialisms.

Works by our staff have won or been shortlisted for a number of literary accolades, including: the T.S. Eliot Prize, the Forward Prize, the Man Booker Prize, the Sunday Times / PFD Young Writer of the Year, the Costa First Novel Award, the Costa Poetry Award, the Somerset Maugham Award, the Commonwealth Book Prize, the Biographers’ Club / Slightly Foxed First Biography Prize, the U.S. National Book Critics Circle Award, the CWA Gold Dagger Award, the European Union Prize for Literature, the RSL Encore Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Award, the E.M. Forster Award from the American Academy of Letters, le Prix du Roman Fnac, le Prix du Roman Etranger, and the Kiriyama Prize. Many of the creative writing staff are Fellows of the Royal Society of Literature. 

Their most recent publications are:

• Beethoven Variations: Poems on a Life (Chatto & Windus, 2020) Ruth Padel – Professor of Poetry
• A Station on the Path to Somewhere Better (Scribner, 2018) Benjamin Wood – Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing
• The Invention of Angela Carter (Chatto & Windus, 2016) Edmund Gordon – Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing
• Loop of Jade (Chatto & Windus, 2015) Sarah Howe – Lecturer in Poetry
• Homing: On Pigeons, Dwellings, and Why We Return (John Murray Press, 2019) Jon Day – Lecturer in English 
• The Group (John Murray Press, 2020) Lara Feigel – Professor of Modern Literature and Culture
• Mayflies (Faber, 2020) Andrew O’Hagan – Visiting Professor in Creative Writing

The list of King’s College London alumni not only features many acclaimed contemporary authors—Michael Morpurgo, Alain de Botton, Hanif Kureishi, Marina Lewycka, Susan Hill, Lawrence Norfolk, Ross Raisin, Alexander Masters, Maureen Duffy, Anita Brookner, and Helen Cresswell—it also includes major figures in literature, such as Thomas Hardy, Arthur C Clarke, Christopher Isherwood, BS Johnson, John Keats, W. Somerset Maugham, and Virginia Woolf.

Study for a PhD in Creative Writing or English Research in our world-leading Department.

Study at King’s

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Learn more about the degree programmes on offer at King's. Download or view a prospectus in PDF format.

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Creative Writing (Distance Learning)

• Entry year 2024 or 2025
• Duration Part time 2 years

Top reasons to study with us

Our rich literary connections extend from Lancaster's LitFest and medieval castle to Grasmere's Wordsworth Museum

96% of research world leading or internationally recognised (REF21)

World Top 40 English Language and Literature QS World University Subject Rankings 2024

Why Lancaster?

• Study from anywhere in the world, whenever it suits you, with our one-to-one tutorials and small group workshops
• Sharpen your writing with detailed individual feedback from a published author in your chosen genre
• Join us for a summer school on campus to spend time with our friendly community, share your work and learn from brilliant writers
• Learn from published writers who specialise in long prose fiction, memoir, short stories, poetry and work for stage and screen
• Work towards your ambition of being a published writer – we’ll help you turn your passion into a career path

We believe distance learning should be like a book – you should be able to pick it up and put it down when it suits you. By studying with us, you can benefit from invaluable one-to-one support from one of our published writers and work on your writing project without changing your lifestyle.

A global community

The DLMA Creative Writing at Lancaster has an established track record of success: our list of graduates who have published their work speaks for itself. Studying with us, you’ll become part of our diverse community of students who connect with each other from all corners of the globe, each bringing their unique personal experiences and cultural perspectives to the course.

Supporting your success

To support your writing project, you’ll learn from detailed online one-to-one tutorials and group conferences. We’ll match you with a published writer in your chosen genre who will be your personal tutor throughout the programme. As well as this one-to-one support, you’ll take part in virtual conferences where you’ll share your work with other students and members of our expert team.

Unmissable summer school

In the summer term of your first year, we run a week-long summer school on campus. Past students have travelled to Lancaster from locations ranging from the USA to Singapore. While this is an optional part of the programme, previous participants have said this is a highlight of the programme as they have the chance to meet other students in person, join interactive workshops and review their progress face-to-face.

During this exciting week, you’ll also benefit from interacting with professionals such as agents, publishers and writers who join us from across the UK. You’ll also take part in a field trip to the Wordsworth Trust in the beautiful Lake District.

Your department

• English Literature and Creative Writing Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Master's Programmes in Creative Writing at Lancaster University

Discover the key features of studying a master's degree in Creative Writing at Lancaster University. Our Creative Writing courses offer flexible study options, to allow the opportunity for you learn in the way that suits you best.

The DLMA Creative writing is taught by a dedicated team of award-winning, critically-acclaimed authors of fiction, poetry and script. The staff may change from time to time, but the following gives you a good idea of our current team.

by Professor Jenn Ashworth

by Sarah Corbett

by Tajinder Hayer

by Conor O'Callaghan

by Professor Paul Farley

by Michelene Wandor

by Eoghan Walls

by Professor Emeritus & Course Founder Graham Mort

Being so close to the spectacular Lake District, home of the Romantic poets, the Department has world-class strengths in Romanticism. Our partnership with the Wordsworth Trust, at Grasmere, is long-established, and has a number of new benefits for all our students.

The Castle Quarter is both a wonderful place to enjoy, with many excellent places to eat and drink, and a wonderful resource for literary studies here at Lancaster. Our students in the Department of English Literature & Creative Writing have many opportunities to make the most of this resource.

Many of our past students have gone on to publish their work and make a career out of their passion for writing. So, if you’ve always wanted to get your work published, this course is for you.

We’ll give you the support you need to become the best writer you can be, and our staff will share their own experiences with you to inspire you on your journey.

Other students have combined their writing with careers in teaching. Journalism and the media are also potential career paths.

Published graduates

Many of our graduates have gone on to successful publishing careers. You too might become one of these.

by Amali Rodrigo

by Barbara Schoichet

by Ruth Taaffe

by Nguyan Phan Que Mai

by Jacob Anthony Ramirez

by Helen Taylor

by Liz Monument

by Gail Kirkpatrick

Advance your career with a Master's at Lancaster University - Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Hear from alumni in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University. What did they study and how did their course propel their career?

Entry requirements

Academic requirements.

2:1 degree in a related subject is normally required. We will also consider applications on an individual basis where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent result or extensive relevant experience. You should clearly be able to demonstrate how your skills have prepared you for relevant discussions and assessments during postgraduate study.

Please contact us for more information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Additional Requirements

As part of your application you also need to provide

• A portfolio of original writing (no more than 12 poems or 20 pages of prose/scriptwriting) showing potential for publication.
• An outline (approximately 300-400 words) of your proposed project, which is the single point of assessment and is submitted at the end of the course. This could be a collection of short stories, poems, a script, extracts from a longer fiction, creative non-fiction, or life writing piece.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications .

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email [email protected]

Course structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

core modules accordion

The distance learning MA in Creative Writing is a two-year part-time course. It allows the convenience of study from home, enabling online tutorials with a professional writer who will respond to your work through detailed written reports. The course accommodates a range of writing, from poetry to fictional forms and is mediated through a simple virtual learning environment. Our approach is student-centred and designed to support a writing project that you will outline at the point of application.

Personal online tutorials are held twice a term and you will also participate in termly online conferences, sharing work and critical perspectives with other students. There is a week-long optional Summer school at the end of the first year. This takes the form of an intensive week of workshops, and provides a valuable addition to the course when you can meet your tutors and fellow students as well as industry professionals such as writers, editors and agents.

Fees and funding

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Additional costs.

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

Application fees and tuition fee deposits

For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.

For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.

What is my fee status?

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status .

Fees in subsequent years

If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years .

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities .

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries .

Similar courses

English literature and creative writing.

• Creative Writing PhD
• Creative Writing (modular) MA
• Creative Writing with English Literary Studies MA
• English Literary Research MA
• English Literary Studies MA
• English Literary Studies with Creative Writing MA
• English Literature PhD
• English Literature and Creative Writing PhD
• Gender Studies and English MA

David Craig Memorial Fund

Level of Study: Master's degree

Details of Award: The David Craig Writing Award was set up in David’s memory by his four children, Marian, Peter, Donald and Neil, and his wife Anne Spillard Craig, with the support of Lancaster University. One award is made each year to a student starting a Master’s programme in Creative Writing . The award is made on the basis of the student having applied and received an offer to join the programme, and a short statement about how they would use the award. We look for evidence that the award will help them become a successful writer whose work connects experience, place, and history.

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information .

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We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies .

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Creative Writing courses

Whether you’re looking to develop your own writing skills and editorial practice for your profession or for purely personal interest, our creative writing courses have much to offer you. Choose below from our range of qualifications.

Creative Writing Degrees  Degrees Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree. Internationally respected, universally understood. An essential requirement for many high-level jobs. Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts. Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.

• Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
• One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
• You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
• For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

How long will it take?

Creative Writing Diplomas  Diplomas Widely recognised qualification. Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree. Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject. Study for interest or career development. Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.

Creative writing certificates  certificates widely recognised qualification. equivalent to the first third of an honours degree. study for interest or career development. shows that you can study successfully at university level. count it towards further qualifications such as a diphe or honours degree., why study creative writing with the open university.

Since 2003, over 50,000 students have completed one of our critically acclaimed creative writing modules. 

The benefits of studying creative writing with us are:

• Develops your writing skills in several genres including fiction, poetry, life writing and scriptwriting.
• Introduces you to the world of publishing and the requirements of professionally presenting manuscripts.
• Online tutor-group forums enable you to be part of an interactive writing community.
• Module workbooks are widely praised and used by other universities and have attracted worldwide sales.

Careers in Creative Writing

Studying creative writing will equip you with an adaptable set of skills that can give entry to a vast range of occupations. You’ll learn to evaluate and assimilate information in constructing an argument as well as acquiring the skills of creative and critical thinking that are much in demand in the workplace.

Our range of courses in creative writing can help you start or progress your career in:

• Arts, creative industries, culture and heritage
• Advertising, marketing, communications and public relations
• Journalism and publishing
• Public administration, civil service and local government

Looking for something other than a qualification?

The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.

See our full list of Creative Writing modules

All Creative Writing courses

Browse all the Creative Writing courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.

See our full list of Creative Writing courses

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80 Creative and Fresh Writing Prompts for Students of All Ages (+ Bonus Interactive Tip to Run a Writing Activity in PowerPoint)

Ausbert Generoso

Writing prompts are essential tools for helping students explore their creativity and improve their writing skills, potentially even sparking a love for writing. While there are many instructional methods available, encouraging students to stitch their words together and bring their ideas to life through writing remains superior. Why?

• Writing helps students organize their thoughts clearly. It turns abstract ideas into coherent and structured arguments.
• Regular writing sharpens critical thinking. Crafting essays or stories encourages deeper analysis and problem-solving.
• Writing fuels creativity. Engaging with diverse prompts pushes students to explore new ideas and perspectives.
• Writing builds confidence. Seeing their ideas on paper boosts students’ belief in their own abilities.
• Writing prepares students for the future. Strong writing skills are essential for academic success and professional communication.

As straightforward as it may be, writing prompts need to be directly tailored to students at different levels. Considering their age groups, environment, and how they’re engaged, targeted writing prompts will better connect with their interests and developmental stages.

Fun Writing Prompts

Creative writing prompts, personal writing prompts, imaginative writing prompts, persuasive writing prompts, reflective writing prompts.

• Career-Oriented Writing Prompts

Critical Thinking Writing Prompts

Writing prompts for students in elementary.

• If you could have any superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
• One day, it started raining candy from the sky, and I…
• Imagine your pet could talk. What would they say about their day?
• If you could invent a new holiday, what would it be called and how would people celebrate it?
• You’ve just discovered a hidden treasure map in your backyard. What do you do next?
• Write about a world where kids make all the rules for one week.
• If you could swap places with your teacher for a day, what would you teach?
• If you had a magic backpack that could carry anything, what would you pack for an adventure?
• You’ve just met a friendly alien! What questions would you ask them?
• Describe the best birthday party you could ever have—who’s invited and what do you do?
• The dragon was afraid of flying, so he decided to…
• Imagine you found a door in your room that leads to a magical land. What’s the first thing you see?
• If animals could form their own town, what would it look like? Who’s the mayor?
• You’ve been chosen to design a brand-new theme park. What’s the theme and what rides do you create?
• Every time I sneezed, something strange happened. Suddenly…
• A talking tree asks for your help. What does it need, and how do you help it?
• You’ve just opened a box with mysterious objects inside. Pick one and write a story about it.
• Create a story about a kid who finds out they can jump into books and become part of the story.
• If you could fly anywhere in the world, where would you go first and what would you see?
• One morning, I woke up and realized everything in my house was made of chocolate…

800,000+ educators and professionals use ClassPoint to boost audience engagement right inside PowerPoint.

How to run a Short Answer activity in PowerPoint:

• Create a slide with a writing prompt from this blog as text.
• From the Inknoe ClassPoint tab on your PowerPoint, click on Short Answer to immediately insert a quiz button to your slide.
• Enter slide show mode to get your class code, which your students will use to join your class from their devices.
• Click on the inserted Short Answer quiz button to send the slide to your students’ devices, where they can submit responses back to your PowerPoint real-time.

Writing Prompts for Students in Middle School

• Think about your best friend. What makes them special to you?
• Write about a time when you faced a challenge and how you overcame it.
• If you could travel back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
• The most exciting day I’ve ever had was when…
• What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself in the past year, and how has it changed you?
• What’s something you do that makes you feel proud? Why?
• Imagine your life 10 years from now. Where are you, and what are you doing?
• Write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision. How did it feel, and what did you choose?
• If you could spend a whole day doing anything you wanted, what would it be?
• Write about a moment when you helped someone. How did it make you feel?
• I discovered an old book in the attic. When I opened it, I was transported into…
• Imagine you’re a detective solving a mysterious case in your town. What’s the mystery, and how do you solve it?
• You wake up one day with the ability to talk to animals. What do they say to you?
• Write about a future world where robots and humans live together. How does society work?
• One day, I discovered I had the power to control time. The first thing I did was…
• Imagine you’ve been given the chance to design a new video game. What’s the story, and who’s the main character?
• If you could switch places with any character from your favorite movie or book, who would it be and why?
• You’re the last person on Earth. What do you do first?
• Write about an invention that changes the world. How does it work, and who uses it?
• While hiking in the woods, I found a hidden door in a tree. When I stepped through it…

Writing Prompts for Students in High School

• Do you think school uniforms should be mandatory? Write a persuasive essay on your stance.
• Write about why it’s important to protect the environment. What actions should be taken?
• Convince someone why your favorite book or movie is the best. What makes it stand out?
• Do you believe that social media has a positive or negative impact on society? Support your argument.
• Write a letter to a local government official about a community issue you care about. What solutions do you propose?
• Persuade your reader why a specific hobby or activity should be included in the school curriculum.
• Argue for or against the use of technology in the classroom. What are the benefits or drawbacks?
• Write about why everyone should participate in community service. What are the benefits to individuals and society?
• Should the voting age be lowered? Present your case with compelling reasons.
• Should schools implement more mental health programs? Discuss the potential benefits.
• Reflect on a challenging project or assignment you’ve completed this year. What strategies helped you succeed?
• Write about a time when you had to balance multiple responsibilities, like school, work, and extracurriculars. How did you manage it?
• Think about a recent decision you made about your future (like choosing a college or career path). What influenced your decision?
• Reflect on a class or subject you struggled with and how you improved or overcame the challenge. What did you learn from the experience?
• Write about a moment when you felt proud of your achievements in school or extracurricular activities. What did it mean to you?
• Describe how your goals or interests have changed since you started high school. What events or experiences contributed to this change?
• Reflect on a time when you worked as part of a team on a school project or activity. How did you contribute to the team’s success?
• Write about a mentor or teacher who has had a significant impact on your high school experience. How have they influenced you?
• Reflect on your involvement in a school club or sports team. How has it shaped your personal growth and skills?
• Think about a recent school event or experience that made you see things differently. What did you learn from it?

Writing Prompts for Students in College

Career-focused writing prompts.

• Write about your ideal job and the steps you need to take to achieve it. What skills and experiences are necessary?
• Imagine you’re starting your own business. What is your business idea, and how will you make it successful?
• Reflect on an internship or job experience that influenced your career aspirations. What did you learn from it?
• Write a cover letter for your dream job. Highlight your strengths and explain why you’re the best fit.
• Describe a professional mentor or role model who has impacted your career goals. What lessons have you learned from them?
• Discuss the importance of networking in your chosen field. How do you plan to build and maintain professional connections?
• Write about a career-related challenge you’ve faced and how you overcame it. What did this experience teach you?
• Explore the impact of technology on your desired career field. How do you plan to adapt to these changes?
• Imagine you’re giving a TED Talk about your field of interest. What key points would you cover to inspire your audience?
• Reflect on how your college education has prepared you for your future career. What skills or knowledge have been most valuable?
• Analyze a current event or issue that interests you. What are the key perspectives, and what is your stance?
• Discuss the pros and cons of a controversial policy or practice in your field of study. What are the implications?
• Evaluate the effectiveness of a recent technological advancement. How has it impacted society or your area of study?
• Consider the ethical implications of a major decision or trend in your industry. What are the potential consequences?
• Analyze the role of social media in shaping public opinion. How does it influence your field or area of study?
• Debate the impact of global issues, like climate change or economic inequality, on your future career. What are potential solutions?
• Write about a significant cultural or societal change and its effects on your field. How can professionals adapt to these changes?
• Assess the impact of educational reforms on your academic and career goals. What changes would you advocate for?
• Critique a popular theory or belief related to your field of study. What are its strengths and weaknesses?
• Explore the role of interdisciplinary approaches in solving complex problems. How can combining fields enhance solutions?

More question lists for your next presentation

350+ Insanely Funny Trivia Questions from A-Z that Will Make Your ROFL

261 Versatile Hot Seat Questions from Funny to Philosophical

90+ Truth or Dare Questions for Kids to Unleash Laughter in the Classroom

131 Most Hilarious Family Feud Questions and Answers of All Time  😂

150 Fun Fill in the Blank Game Questions Across Different Categories (Free Downloadable Template Available!)

100+ Short Answer Questions Across Bloom’s Taxonomy Levels

About Ausbert Generoso

Supercharge your powerpoint. start today..

800,000+ people like you use ClassPoint to boost student engagement in PowerPoint presentations.

Home > Blog > How to Create a Writing Prompt (with Examples)

What Is a Writing Prompt?

A writing prompt is a tool to jumpstart your imagination and spark creativity. This can be anything from a single word, image, or thought-provoking question. Prompts act as a launching pad for your creative writing, helping you overcome writer’s block, improve your writing skills, and generate fresh ideas.

While writing prompts are common in educational settings like schools and universities, crafting effective prompts for AI generators like Chat GPT has become increasingly popular, especially since its launch at the end of 2022.

When using AI writing tools like Chat GPT or Google Gemini, a good prompt serves as an instruction that guides and “preps” the AI writer in the direction you want to go with your writing. As mentioned, this can be in the form of a question, statement, or even a single keyword.

For instance, if you’re busy with a blog post about the best beaches in Florida, you could use a writing prompt like this: “Write a list of the top five most scenic beaches in Florida, USA, highlighting unique features and attractions.”

This prompt gives Chat GPT specific details and clear direction, which ultimately leads to more focused, relevant results.

The trick is the more specific your prompts are, the better your outcome will be.

Types of Writing Prompts

There are many different types of writing prompts: some narrative and some descriptive. Let’s take a closer look:

Narrative Prompts

These prompts are designed for storytelling. They often include a scenario, a character description, or an opening line. Cue words and phrases often include “tell me about,” “why,” and “write a story on [X].”

Example : Write a story about a robot that discovers it has human emotions.

Descriptive Prompts

These prompts usually hone in on a particular person, place, or thing. They generally include sensory details such as sights, sounds, and feelings.

Example : Describe the feeling of stepping into a haunted house in the middle of the night in Connecticut.

Informational/Expository Prompts

These prompts aim to inform and explain. They are generally more fact-based, with cited evidence to back up claims. Think along the lines of “how-to guides” or “cause and effect” situations.

Example : Write about Google’s March 2024 Core update, which aims to reduce unhelpful content by at least 40% [ 1 ].

Persuasive Prompts

These prompts encourage action or convince readers of your perspective, as you would in product reviews. Cue words often include “how,” “why,” “convince,” or “persuade.”

Example : Write a persuasive argument about why schools should have longer recess times.

How To Create A Writing Prompt: Step-By-Step

You can create writing prompts by providing AI writers with contextual details, developing a persona, and using Smodin’s AI Rewriter tool.

Writing prompts aim to get writers to think outside the box by introducing and focusing on a certain topic. Educators often use prompts to get students to write creatively, whether they’re tackling history essays or an English short story. The purpose of writing prompts is to generate ideas, improve writing skills, and spark creative writing.

A good prompt should include these two components:

• Situation – introduces the general topic you need to write about and is intended to spark interest in the writer, such as writing a piece on Florida’s beaches.
• Direction – describes how the written piece needs to be executed. For instance, briefly explain what the reader can expect, see, and do at Florida’s top beach spots. It encourages the writer to research the topic and offer their unique viewpoints – and maybe even give the opportunity to sprinkle in their personal experiences.

Do Some Research

Before you start writing prompts, it’s good to start with some research.

• It broadens your horizons as to what the topic is about.
• Most AI writing tools have a limited knowledge base (ChatGPT goes as far as 2021!).
• Helps you produce better prompts.

Let’s say you need to write a blog post on Google’s March 2024 Core Update. Now, seeing this is Google’s latest upgrade, most AI writers won’t have the correct knowledge on the subject. This is where your research becomes invaluable!

Once you’ve got a better idea of the topic, you can prepare prompts for Chat GPT. It’s also a good idea to feed relevant articles, datasets, or research papers into the AI writing tool to give it more context on the subject matter.

Prompt Ideas Include:

• Prompt 1: Hi Chat GPT, please review this document [insert respective link] and give me a bullet list summary of what it entails.
• Prompt 2: From this summary can you give me a list of technical jargon and explain what they mean in layman’s terms?
• Prompt 3: From this attached document, how, in your opinion, is Google’s latest update going to affect future digital content?
• Prompt 4: What would be the best strategy for SEO writers to take if they don’t want to be penalized by Google?

As you can see, these informational prompts (and contextual details) assist you with your educational blog post aimed at informing and educating your reader. Carefully crafting prompts to match your intent and providing specific details to the AI writer will get you better results than if you just asked it to tell you about Google’s March 2023 Core Update.

Be Specific

As mentioned, the more specific the prompt, the better the result will be.

AI writing models thrive on clear instructions, so in this case, the more, the merrier!

Clear direction gives Chat GPT a clear roadmap on the topic, as vague prompts often leave AI wandering, unsure of what angle to take.

This also includes telling AI your:

• Target Audience : Who is your intended target audience? Provide details about this demographic, such as age, interests, level of knowledge (beginner vs expert), and pain points. Example: I need to write a [beginner’s level] guide about [solar panels] for [first-time homeowners].
• Format Style : To write in a specific format (essay vs medical report style). Example: Write about [solar panels] in a [blog post] format.
• Tone of Voice: To use a specific tone of voice (TOV), such as formal, casual, or humorous. Example: Explain what [photovoltaic energy] means, using a [informative] tone of voice.
• Set Parameters: To write within a certain word count – do you want a short, punchy story or a long, drawn-out explanation?. Example: Explain [how solar panels work] in [100] words.

Recap: Tips for Specific Writing Prompts

• Define the format (blog entry/post, how-to guide, medical report, poem, etc).
• Define your target audience (beginners, experts, etc) and TOV (formal, casual, etc).
• Include your primary keyword that AI must use throughout (solar panels, best beaches in Florida, Google’s March 2024 Core Update, etc).
• Set parameters such as word count limits.

Develop a Persona

Similarly to the above, you can get even more specific when you tell AI to take on a particular persona. Chat GPT can be a master storyteller but needs the proper guidance to create engaging content.

And that’s where the concept of a persona comes in.

Personas are essentially a detailed description of a particular writer’s viewpoint you want AI to write from. This provides a blueprint for AI to build upon.

For instance, you need to write about leak detection but haven’t the foggiest clue what it is about or how leak detection specialists converse. You could prompt AI to take on the persona of a professional plumber or leak detection specialist and write from their perspective. Simple.

• I want you to imagine you are a leak detection specialist with over 20 years of experience in detecting, finding, and repairing residential leaks. Please explain what procedures you would follow to detect leaks, what equipment is used, and what the main causes of such leaks are.
• Please explain how a marathon runner would prepare for a race in the style of Lynn Jennings.

Crafting compelling, detailed characters or personas goes beyond basic prompting. A well-defined persona adds depth and dimension not only to your prompts but to the AI-generated text as well!

Other Personas Include:

• A 45-year-old cat-loving woman is living in Kansas with a passion for World War II history.
• A whimsical poet with ginger hair and round spectacles who is fascinated by the art of flying.
• A twice-divorced American abstract artist living off the land in Alaska.

Refine Prompts

Occasionally, Chat GPT might go off-topic and create fabricated answers.

This is quite normal.

Don’t be afraid to rein it back in, though – and keep Chat GPT on track! This also transcends to editing your initial prompt to explain what you’re looking for.

If or when AI writers are not giving you the desired answer, you can prompt them with:

• What evidence supports your answer?
• Can you re-explain that in more detail?
• How does this answer tie back to [primary keyword]?

It’s a bit of a cat-and-mouse game, to be honest. But with practice and patience, you can shape and mold Chat GPT into (almost) anything you want!

Humanize Your Content

Right. so the researching, prompting, and grooming has been done.

Once Chat GPT has generated the answers you want, following the directions you have given it, it’s time to go through the AI-written work with a fine-toothed comb. This includes:

• Tweaking the writing to match the intended TOV.
• Remove jargon and replace it with simpler explanations (if applicable).
• Sprinkle in personal anecdotes to add a unique touch.
• Fact-check your answers. Read that again.
• Break down walls of text with bullet lists and white space.
• Ensure it has enough details to effectively cover the topic.
• Go back and re-edit prompts (if needed).
• Ensure the format maintains a logical flow.

Humanizing AI-generated content will prevent it from being flagged on AI detectors, like Copyleaks or GPTZero . These detection tools are particularly used in educational settings to check for plagiarism.

Top tip: Try Smodin’s AI Rewriter to humanize your content in no time!

If you’re still a bit stuck, we’ve put a list of prompts related to specific industries for you – enjoy!

Best Writing Prompt Ideas

Here are a few writing prompt examples that many writers in different industries can use:

• Create a 150-character max meta description on [topic].
• Give me 5 subheadings for a blog post of [X].
• Give me 20 keyword variations for [X].
• Craft an outline for [topic] within a 1,500-word count limit.
• Create a list of high-authority websites in [industry].
• Generate [X] YouTube video ideas for [company] about [topic].
• Craft a referral program to incentivize existing customers to refer our [product or service] to their networks.
• Craft a catchy slogan for [brand website] using no more than 10 words.
• Create a checklist for conducting market research before launching a new product or service.
• Create a step-by-step tutorial for [insert material] aimed at [target audience].
• Give me 10 marketing ideas on how to sell [product] to [target audience].
• Create a follow-up email to a lead who has shown interest in [product/service].
• Develop a sequence of cold call emails for nurturing partnerships.
• Write a LinkedIn template in [number of words] for reaching out to [target audience] in [industry].
• Create a sales strategy playbook for [product] in [country] for the [industry].
• Create a 10-line telesales campaign targeting [target audience] to generate leads for our [niche] company.

Mastering the art of writing prompts empowers you to tackle any writing task with confidence.

Imagine effortlessly generating engaging blog posts, crafting captivating stories, or even producing research papers with the help of AI tools. Take your creative writing game up a notch with a few of these handy tips!

By following the tips in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking this potential and becoming a more productive and versatile writer.

But remember, before you start writing, do a bit of research on the topic to make the most out of your prompting-making skills.

Humanize your content and bypass AI detection tools with Smodin’s AI Rewriter tool today!

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Qmul english writing competition.

• School of English and Drama
• Writing Prizes

The Department of English at Queen Mary University of London is delighted to announce a new writing competition. Designed to foster and reward the best new writing by students in Years 11, 12 and 13 from across the UK, we will be awarding one prize for an original piece of Creative Writing and one prize for an original Essay.  

Those interested in submitting are welcome and encouraged to attend a writing workshop at Queen Mary in December 2024. At this workshop, you will have the opportunity to meet our award-winning experts in creative and critical writing, work with them on your submission, and experience some of what studying English Literature and Creative Writing at University entails. 

To register your interest for the writing workshop please email us at:

[email protected] .

A shortlist of entries will be drawn up by an expert panel from the Department of English. Winners will be selected by novelist and Queen Mary English graduate Leo Vardiashvili, author of Hard by a Great Forest (2024). Leo was named as one of the Observer’s 10 Best New Novelists for 2024 and shortlisted for the prestigious Wilbur Smith Prize. 

The winners will be announced at an event at Queen Mary in late Spring. They will each be awarded £250. Those short-listed will also receive a certificate of commendation. 

2024/25 Theme: ‘Water’

If you’re submitting creative writing, perhaps you want to reflect on the water that rushes through your street after a heavy downpour? or on the chronic shortage of water elsewhere? What about the threat and, conversely, the opportunities that rivers and seas represent, especially to those seeking to escape somewhere? In recent years, the United Kingdom’s waters have become more and more politicised, whether we are talking about the perils of the English Channel or the toxicity of our rivers. Water often unites people as much as it separates them. At its most fundamental, water is what nourishes and sustains all living things. 

Those submitting an essay should consider the role of water in literature in English, where in some kind of form or another it has played a leading role. Think, for instance, about the sea in Shakespeare’s The Tempest or the storm that rages through King Lear . Poets too, like Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Derek Walcott, and Nathalie Diaz, often find themselves drawn into watery worlds. In responding to this theme, we encourage you to be as creative and inventive as you wish. You are welcome to think about the role of water in literature over time, in different places around the world, or at diverse scales.  

Submissions Guidelines

For our Creative Writing Prize, we welcome original works of creative fiction, poetry, and drama. If submitting, a piece of fiction or drama, submissions must be no more than 1000 words. If submitting poetry, we will accept up to 4 short poems (up to 20 lines each), or 1 longer poem (no more than 80 lines). 

For our Essay Prize, we invite original responses to the theme as it appears in one or more works of fiction, poetry or drama. This work must originally have been written in English. Essays should be no more than 1000 words. We encourage you to engage closely with the form and content of your chosen literary work(s), reflecting on the way they engage with this year’s theme.

Your submission along with your name, year of study, and school name should be sent by e-mail to [email protected] and must be received by midnight on 18 April 2025.