Creative Writing MA
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Clifton Campus
- Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Creative Writing is one of the longest established postgraduate courses of its kind in the UK, with a strong record of publication and related industry success by its graduates, and close links to publishers and the writing industries. Designed for talented, committed writers, the course is taught by a team of award-winning, widely-published tutor-writers, all at the forefront of screenwriting, fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.
You will be joining a lively community of writers and industry professionals, where you will have the opportunity to develop your work. You will receive considerable tutor and peer support in specialisms you will select from a variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, children’s and young adult fiction, and writing for stage, radio and screen. You will also engage with a wide range of industry professionals, and have the opportunity to develop projects, while working in one of England’s four UNESCO Cities of Literature.
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Our tutor-writers really are experts at the forefront of their genre specialisms, and include BAFTA-nominated screenwriters and multiple-award-winning, widely-published novelists, short story writers, poets, editors and other genre specialists. -
73% of NTU’s research in English Language and Literature was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent in REF2021. -
Our close links to the publishing and editing industries provide you with networking opportunities with publishers, editors and agents, and we teach you how to put your best foot forward. -
Study Creative Writing in a UNESCO City of Literature. Nottingham is a place of discovery, exchange, ideas and learning for everyone who loves words and stories. Our vision as a UNESCO City of Literature is for a city where everyone is reading and writing their way to a better life .
UNESCO City of Literature
In 2015, Nottingham was designated a UNESCO City of Literature – one of only 20 in the world – thanks to our long and diverse literary history. From D H Lawrence to Alan Sillitoe and Lord Byron to J M Barrie, many wonderful wordsmiths have called Nottingham home.
The University is also a key partner in the city’s Creative Quarter. Centred around the historic Lace Market and Hockley areas, it’s a hotbed of culture, and home to many of the city’s independent retailers, bars, restaurants, small creative companies, and artists.
Interested in Creative Writing?
Dip your toe in the water with our Creative Writing short course programme for adults that runs throughout the year.
What you’ll study
The course invites you to develop your writing strengths by providing a framework within which you can discuss your own and each other’s work. At the heart of the course are small group workshops in your chosen specialisms, and a series of workshop-lectures given by staff, visiting writers, agents, and other industry professionals. Recent guest speakers have included Gwendoline Riley, Carol Leeming, Michael Schmidt, David Almond, Alan Hollinghurst, Kathleen Jamie, Jackie Kay, Alan Jenkins, Alison Moore, Carrie Etter, Sandeep Mahal and Michèle Roberts, among many others. Establishing important links with the publishing and editing industries, you will work closely with tutors, all experienced and highly active writers with excellent publication and production records, to develop your creative work to an excellent standard and prepare you to navigate the intricacies of the literary industries and literary marketplace.
This course is divided into modules which are separately taught and assessed. You will choose two options, and take two core modules. Most assignments for each module require you to present a piece of original creative writing, accompanied by a critical or editorial discussion.
Core modules
Writing and the Writing Industries (40 credit points)
Through a dynamic series of lectures and workshops by authors in multiple genres, editors, and other professionals, you will develop critically-informed opinions about key issues and trends in contemporary writing, and hone your writing skills across an exciting range of genres. The module includes regular advanced-level practical exercises to improve your technical abilities, as well as a series of short projects to help you to develop high-level skills in writing, editing, researching as a writer, and critique.
Dissertation (60 credit points)
The aim of this module is to help you to produce an extended piece of creative writing ready to take to an agent or publisher, should you wish to do so. You will choose a major writing project (e.g. a film script, longer piece of fiction, portfolio of poems, memoir, etc), then work closely with guidance from a supervisor on developing this to the highest possible standard. Supervisors will advise you on reading and research methods as well as aspects of the precise form you have chosen to pursue, actively supporting your project to completion.
Optional modules
You will also choose two of the following 40-credit optional modules, each taught by widely-published experts currently working in the relevant fields:
- Fiction
- Writing for Stage, Radio and Screen
- Poetry
- Children's and Young Adult Fiction
In each of these option modules, you will work closely with one or more highly-acclaimed and active genre specialists, at the forefront of the discipline, alongside a small workshopping group of peers, learning the intricacies of craft and developing your work to a superb standard. You will also be taught about the writing and publishing industries in relation to these genre specialisms, with a specific emphasis on the work you have chosen to produce.
Full-time students complete the course in one calendar year. Part-time students complete the Writing: Research Methods, Theory and Practice module and their first option in Year One, and the dissertation and their second option in Year Two. (Modules run subject to demand, but it is highly unusual for any of them not to run.)
Further information on what you'll study
Student Anthology
Every year, with support from editing and publishing experts on out staff, MA Creative Writing students have the opportunity to produce and publish their own high-quality anthology of original work. This project gives you an invaluable insight into the editorial and publishing industry, as well as introducing your work to the wider public. Most anthologies go to multiple print runs, and contain the fiction, poetry and other writing of students alongside the work of lecturers, guest lecturers, and other professionals, as selected by you, the editorial team.
Discover the 2022 Anthology - Almost Home
How you’re taught
How will I learn?
The core course consists of a series of lectures and seminars on different aspects of the writing process, with optional modules incorporating practical writing workshops. Students currently choose two options from Fiction, Writing for Stage, Radio and Screen, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, and Poetry.
The core course regularly hosts discursive guest lectures by highly-accomplished guest writers, editors, agents and other literary professionals, which makes up approximately half of the programme of weekly sessions for the core module, Writing: Research Methods, Theory and Practice. Recent guests have included:
- Gwendoline Riley
- David Almond
- Jenny Savill (Director, Andrew Nurnburg Associates)
- Hannah Trevarthen (Director, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature)
- Carol Leeming
- Michael Schmidt
- Naush Sabah
- Michael Eaton
- Alan Hollinghurst
- Jackie Kay
- Jon McGregor
- Alan Jenkins
- Amanda Whittington
Option modules are taught in small workshop groups, led by writer-tutors who are widely published and highly active in the respective option module genres, and are expert teachers with excellent industry links and insights to share with you. In these workshops, you will hone your craft to a high specification, and will engage with lots of exciting writing, as well as with writing exercises that are designed to foster your development. You will also learn about how to approach agents and editors, and about other aspects of the writing industries, including publishing and commissioning.
Dissertation projects receive individual, detailed supervision by a specialist, and are intended to leave you with an industry-ready extended piece of creative writing at the end of the course. We have a regular, long and impressive legacy of helping MA students to achieve significant success in the publishing and writing industries.
Find out more about our Creative Writing community on the Nottingham Creative Writing Hub at NTU site. We regularly organise events with major national and international writers in multiple genres, and provide opportunities for MA Creative Writing students to read alongside them and engage in masterclasses.
Assessment
Students take the core module, two options, and a dissertation. (Part-time students do the second option and dissertation in their second year.) There are two assignments in each optional module, which provide you with opportunities to hone multiple pieces of writing under expert guidance.
Research opportunities
Creative Writing (and Critical and Creative Writing) PhD supervision is available, as are funded routes for PhD study. We have a thriving PhD community, specialisms across creative writing and English literature, and a strong legacy of supporting PhD applications from our MA Creative Writing students.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Learning a new language can: enhance your communication skills, enrich your experience when travelling abroad and boost your career prospects. Find out more about the ULP.
Further information
All MA Creative Writing students are invited to join Nottingham Creative Writing hub at NTU, a portal for creative writing students and staff. Visit the Creative Writing Hub at NTU site to find out about upcoming events and discover more about our thriving community of students and award-winning staff.
Careers and employability
Career development
The unique flexibility of the course enables students to work in a variety of genres including fiction, writing for stage, radio and screen, poetry, and children's and young adult fiction. Advice on getting published, and discursive, incisive lectures on the writing industry, are incorporated into the structure of the course, and there are opportunities to engage meaningfully with publishers, editors and agents. Students are encouraged to build strong links with Nottingham's thriving literature community and are invited to participate in local events, readings and festivals.
Every year, our MA Creative Writing students have the opportunity to edit and publish their own high-quality anthology of original creative writing, with support from editing and publishing specialists in the department. This gives students invaluable insights into the editorial and publishing industry, provides a valuable publishing credit and professional experience, and introduces excellent student work to a wider public.
Graduates from this course have included many highly successful published authors across a wide range of genres, such as Kim Slater, Helen Cooper, Hilary Spiers, Stephan Collishaw, Maria Allen, Di Slaney, and Nicola Monaghan, among many others.
The course is vocationally-focused and many recent graduates have acquired agents and publishing deals, as well as jobs in publishing, editing, copyediting, and other closely related industries. Many have also progressed to doctoral study in Creative Writing, often with full scholarships.
The course also has strong professional links to Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, the Times Literary Supplement, Carcanet Press, Five Leaves Publications, Nottingham Playhouse, and many other institutions. This course will help you to develop a broad spectrum of skills transferable to many job roles.
What our students are doing now
Bryna Graziana Broady
We caught up with Bryna, an NTU alum and current student, who tells us about her journey back into postgraduate study, how her degrees have shaped her career path, and what it’s been like to return to NTU after 20 years.
LD Lapinski
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
- A good honours degree (minimum 2.2); applications are primarily assessed on the quality of the writing sample and statement.
- Submit a 3000-word creative writing sample, OR c. 100 lines of poetry, OR an equivalent mixture of poetry and prose/script.
- Evidence in a personal statement of a commitment to writing.
Applications from candidates with non-standard entry qualifications will be considered on an individual basis if they can demonstrate relevant professional experience.
Recognition of Prior Learning
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
You will need the equivalent to:
- A good honours degree (minimum 2.2); applications are primarily assessed on the quality of the writing sample and statement.
- Submit a 3000-word creative writing sample, OR c. 100 lines of poetry, OR an equivalent mixture of poetry and prose/script.
- Evidence in a personal statement of a commitment to writing.
We accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our courses. If you’re not sure how your international qualification matches our course requirements please visit our international qualifications page.
Pre-masters and foundation courses
If you need to do a foundation course to meet our course requirements please visit Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC). If you’re already studying in the UK at a school or college and would like to know if we can accept your qualification please visit our pre-masters and foundation courses pages.
English language entry requirements
If English is not your first language you need to show us that your language skills are strong enough for intensive academic study. We usually ask for an IELTS test and we accept some alternative English language tests.
- For a list of our language requirements please visit our English language page.
- If you need to do a pre-sessional English language course to meet the English requirements please visit our pre-sessional English course page.
Recognition of Prior Learning
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Help and support
There is lots of advice and guidance about how to apply, fees and scholarships, qualifications, and student life on our dedicated International students website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for September 2024:
Course | Full time Home (UK) tuition | Part time Home (UK) tuition* |
|---|---|---|
MA Creative Writing | £8,600 | £4,300 |
* Please note that if you are considering a part-time route that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for Year One of study. The course fee for Year Two is subject to annual review.
Fees may be subject to change.
Alumni Discount
We’re happy to be able to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. Please take a look at our postgraduates’ guide funding page for information about sourcing grants, bursaries and scholarships, and much more.
Scholarships are available for students who have been offered a place on this course for September 2024
Home (UK) students funding
- Dr Pauline Polkey Postgraduate Bursary - apply
- UK Postgraduate Masters Scholarship - apply
- The Research Pathway Scholarship – School of Arts and Humanities - apply
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. Please take a look at our postgraduates’ guide funding page for information about sourcing grants, bursaries and scholarships, and much more.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service on +44 (0)115 848 2494.
Tuition fees for September 2024:
Course | Full time International and EU tuition | Part time International and EU tuition* |
|---|---|---|
MA Creative Writing | £17,500 | £8,750 |
* Please note that if you are considering a part-time route that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for Year One of study. The course fee for Year Two is subject to annual review.
Please see our international fees page for more information.
We offer prestigious scholarships to new international students holding offers to study at the University.
- For more information on these and other opportunities for funding please visit our international scholarships page.
- For information on how to pay your fees to the University please visit our international fee payment page.
Help and support
There is lots of advice and guidance about how to apply, fees and scholarships, qualifications, and student life on our dedicated International students website.
How to apply
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.
Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow our step-by-step guide. You can apply for this course throughout the year. Most of our postgraduate and professional courses are popular and fill up quickly though, so apply as soon as you can.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates’ guide. Here you’ll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more. Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
Apply as early as you can so that you have time to prepare for your studies. If you need a visa to study here you need to plan this into your application.
- For a step by step guide on making an application to the University please visit our how to apply page.
- For advice on applying for a visa please visit our visa information page.
- For advice on how to write a good personal statement please visit our personal statement page.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Good luck with your application!
Help and support
There is lots of advice and guidance about how to apply, fees and scholarships, qualifications, and student life on our dedicated International students website.