Creative Writing

Entry requirements

You should have the equivalent or above of a 2.2 UK bachelor’s honours degree, with evidence of an ongoing writing practice.

If you have other professional qualifications, industry experience or you don’t have the equivalent of a UK bachelor’s honours degree but can evidence an ongoing writing practice we will consider your application on an individual basis.

Interview and writing sample

Applicants with relevant qualifications will be asked for a sample of creative work and a study proposal.

Non-standard applicants will also be invited to attend an interview.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Creative Writing MA is a practice-led programme, giving you the chance to develop your writing in chosen areas, or experiment with new forms and genres through exploratory writing exercises and craft challenges. The programme is designed to develop your writing practice in both research and professional contexts and so you will follow both craft and writing industry-focused modules. You will have the opportunity to graduate with an advanced understanding of the professional landscape and how to use the skills you have acquired to forge a career in a range of contexts.

The taught modules are divided into three areas. Researching as a Writer involves exploring practice research methodologies and research skills, giving you a toolbox for discussion of your practice from a theoretical perspective. Developing Writing covers a range of genre opportunities and exploratory writing tasks, while Writing Ecosystems focuses on networking, performance, manuscript presentation and publishing advice.

The programme culminates in a dissertation in which you will work independently on an extended creative writing project in a form or genre of your choice, with tutor guidance and feedback. You will shape and grow projects to a professional standard, while also learning how to provide a theoretical basis to discuss and conceptualise your practice.

You will also be encouraged to participate in the Leicester Centre for Creative Writing research culture and public engagement events, such as independent book festival States of Independence. Our diverse community of writers work in a wide range of forms and genres including long and short fiction, science fiction, autobiographical, crime, literary and experimental, as well as performance, poetry of all kinds, digital work and scripts for radio, independent film and graphic novel.

Key features

• Join the diverse community of the Leicester Centre for Creative Writing, where you’ll be taught by academics with experience across different aspects of creative writing, pedagogy and industry.
• We will help you to push your current practice in new directions and explore a variety of genres including TV sitcom, speculative fiction, working-class fiction, memoir writing, crime fiction and the poetry sequence.
• We aim to equip you with skills for a range of careers by exploring opportunities to submit work for publication, applying for grants, writing as a business, the publishing industry, self-publishing and indie filmmaking.
• Learn how to confidently present your work and articulate your processes and practice for a variety of audiences, helping to enhance your employability and develop your professionalism.
• Benefit from collaborative teaching in workshops with fellow students, as well as individual learning experiences and receive personalised feedback to help you achieve your independent writing goals.
• The focus on individual research and fostering your skills as an independent learner provides ideal preparation for  progression to PhD.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band, or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Fees and funding

Please visit our website for more information about course fees and available funding.