Program Overview

Introduction to Creative Writing DFA/MFA

The Creative Writing Research degrees are unique and intense programmes for practising writers who wish to complete an ambitious creative project.

Program Overview

Our new research Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA) build on a long history of offering Masters and Doctoral options in the study and practice of Creative Writing. The postgraduate research degrees are based in an independent supervised research context that best supports the student's creative and critical work.

Our Degrees

• DFA: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words
• MFA: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time; Thesis of 40,000-60,000 words
  • Both programmes give students dedicated, supported time to complete a substantial creative work
  • Include opportunities to teach writing to undergraduates and apply to be a graduate teaching assistant for other literature courses
  • The DFA additionally allows students to undertake extended academic research, informed by their creative work and practice, leading to a significant critical essay or output

Support

Students enjoy the guidance of writers including Sophie Collins, Meghan Flaherty, Jane Goldman, Colin Herd, Carolyn Jess-Cooke, Nicholas Melville, Elizabeth Reeder, Zoë Strachan, and Louise Welsh, as well as the support and insights from inter-disciplinary supervisors.

Resources

• Access to the best of new resources and a sense of the context from which their work emerges and into which they are researching and writing
• An ambitious programme of visiting speakers, masterclasses, and public events held by Creative Writing and other subjects throughout the College
• The University Library with its modern collections and archives, including the archive for Edwin Morgan's Papers
• Collaboration with the Mitchell Library, one of the great civic libraries of Europe
• Strong links with literary agents and an impressive history of published graduates
• Home to two literary prizes: the North Literary Agency Prize and the Kayva Prize

Study Options

• DFA: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis length 70,000-100,000 words
• MFA: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time; Thesis length 40,000-60,000 words
  • Or approved equivalencies for poetry or cross-genre work
• Both the MFA and DFA run as campus-based or Low Residency options

Entry Requirements

• First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree or equivalent qualification (2:1 in the case of UK Research Council supported students)
• A Masters qualification or equivalent
• For both MFA and DFA, writers are required to have a preparatory one-year, postgraduate masters in Creative Writing with either Merit or Distinction (MA, MLitt or MPhil) or three publications in respected literary journals or magazines, in the intended genre of study
• A 20-25 page portfolio of writing, including:
  • A one-page proposal for the project intended to undertake on the course
  • A sample of creative work
  • A short sample (5-6 pages) of critical work if applying to the DFA
• Two letters of reference, including an academic and a creative referee where possible

Application Deadlines

• Interested writers can apply to the Creative Writing MFA and DFA degrees throughout the year
• Must apply by the autumn deadline if applying for funding
• Earlier application gives a better chance of securing a supervisor
• Recommended to apply before the summer to allow time to process applications and prepare for the coming year
• Specific deadlines:
  • 28 November 2025: If applying for the Doctoral Landscape Award funding
  • 3 June 2026: Recommended to apply by this date to be able to start in the 2026/27 academic year

English Language Requirements

• For applicants from non-English speaking countries, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online: 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of the start date
• Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
• Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:
  • TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome): 100 overall with Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27
  • Pearsons PTE Academic: 66 overall with no subtest less than Reading 68; Listening 66; Speaking 65; Writing 82
  • Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 185 overall, no subtest less than 185
  • Oxford English Test: 8 overall with no subtest less than 8
  • LanguageCert Academic SELT: 75 overall with no subtest less than 75
  • Password Skills Plus: 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0
  • Trinity College Tests Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEIII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests
• Alternatives to English Language qualification:
  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)

Fees and Funding

• Fees 2026/27:
  • UK: To be confirmed [25/26 fee was Ł5,006]
  • International & EU: Ł27,720
• Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study
• Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee
• Alumni discount: 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes
• Possible additional fees:
  • Re-submission by a research student: Ł540
  • Submission for a higher degree by published work: Ł1,355
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: Ł350
  • Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship: Ł790
• Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs

Support and Resources

• Teaching and research in the Arts and Humanities is supported by the outstanding resources of our University Library with its special collections and our on-campus Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
• Close links and partnerships with Glasgow Life, and the city's many museums, art galleries, performing arts and music venues, international festivals, and creative industry organisations
• Graduate School creates a productive and interdisciplinary collegiate environment for all research students
• Range of services, courses, and skills development opportunities for research students
• Part of the wider Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities, the world's first national graduate school in the Arts & Humanities
• Membership includes 16 Scottish universities, four art schools, and the national conservatoire, with support from the arts, culture, creative, and heritage sectors