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Creative Writing: Writing and Publishing Fiction MA

Overview

Our MA in Creative Writing: Writing and Publishing Fiction is a stimulating and rewarding course designed to help you develop the craft of excellent writing, enable you to produce original fiction, and equip you with the knowledge to get it published.

Course Structure

The MA comprises four modules:

• Writing Short Fiction for Publication (40 Credits)
• Writing Novels for Publication (40 Credits)
• Getting Your Fiction Published (20 Credits)
• The Major Fiction Writing Project (80 Credits)

Course Details

Writing Short Fiction for Publication

This module is about writing flash fiction and short stories. You will read a wide range of contemporary short fiction and consider key aspects such as: openings; endings; settings; characterization; dialogue; points of view; description; detail; pace; tone; singleness of effect; economy; ambiguity; and implication. From studying exemplary texts, you will gain technical knowledge and an awareness of what makes certain short fictions accomplished and publishable, and you will apply these insights to your own fiction-writing practice.

Writing Novels for Publication

This module is about writing novels. You will read a range and consider key aspects such as: narrative; plot; chapters; pace; settings; description; detail; characterization; dialogue; points of view; the representation of thought; ambiguity; and implication. From studying exemplary texts, you will gain technical knowledge and an awareness of what makes certain novels accomplished and publishable, and you will apply these insights to your own fiction-writing practice.

Getting Your Fiction Published

This module engages with how research into the world of publication is a key part of an aspiring fiction writer’s work. Authors must consider, for example: literary agents; publishers (print and digital); self-publishing; promotion and publicity; websites; social media; literary magazines and other periodicals (print and online); fiction competitions; literary festivals; readings; workshops; other events.

The Major Fiction Writing Project

This module enables you to develop a major work of fictional prose as the culmination of your MA, typically: a collection of flash fictions or short stories; a long short story; a novella-in-flash; an extract from a novel.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or the equivalent, in an appropriate discipline is required (for example, Creative Writing; English Literature; English Language; Drama; Theatre Studies; Communication Studies; Cultural Studies; Film Studies; Journalism; Professional Writing).
• Applicants with lower qualifications, a degree in another discipline or appropriate relevant experience should contact the programme leader for advice.
• Admission to the course is subject to an acceptable entry qualification profile, a sample of creative writing (fiction), and in some instances an interview.

Fees and Funding

• UK fees: £8,775 for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International fees: £15,000 (2025/26)
• The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee.

Career Prospects

• Author
• Literary agent
• Publisher
• Editor
• Copywriter
• Copyeditor
• Proofreader
• Project, publicity, sales, platform manager
• Journalist
• Interviewer
• Researcher
• Bookseller
• Librarian
• Gallery, museum, arts curator
• Literary festival organizer
• Tutor, teacher, lecturer
• PhD student

Related Courses

• English (MRes)
• English Language and Linguistics MA
• Gender Studies (MRes)
• Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture MA
• Storytelling (MRes)