This Creative Writing MA program equips students with the skills and confidence to engage in literary discourse and develop their unique writing voice. Through workshops, one-on-one tutorials, and critical analysis, students explore various genres, specialize in one, and produce a creative dissertation and critical essay.

You will learn in workshops, one-to-one or in small groups, with support from practising and published writers and fellow students. The course encourages you to develop your writing 'voice' through engagement with fellow students across a range of genres (in fiction or creative non-fiction), while the Special Study module enables you to specialise in one genre, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry or drama.

Outline:

Core Modules:

• Creative Writing Dissertation (60 credits): This module focuses on your own creative writing and research into your chosen form or genre, developed in consultation with your supervisor.
You learn via one-to-one tutorials with your personal supervisor. You produce two pieces of writing:
• A creative dissertation – a portion of a novel, a body of poetry, a play screenplay or other creative form of no more than 15,000 words; and
• A critical essay of approximately 3,000 words – considering the relationships between your own writing and the literary contexts/theoretical concerns that inform published writing in your chosen genre or form.
• Special Study: Workshop in Popular Genre Writing (30 credits): This module offers a regular and intensive review of your writing in one of the following genres: poetry, crime writing, prose fiction, biography, drama, scriptwriting or writing for children.
• Ten Critical Challenges for Creative Writers (30 credits): The module is designed to introduce students to some issues of critical and literary theory.
The module is also designed to make students more aware of how their work impacts upon wider literary, cultural, political and philosophical issues.
• Writers' Workshop (30 credits): In this module you will present and discuss your own and each other's work in a weekly workshop.
The draft work presented may include several genres and forms, such as crime writing, fantasy fiction, children's literature, historical fiction, science fiction, romance and autobiography. Practical criticism of student writing will be accompanied by discussion of the scope or constraints of the various genres, as well as the implications of particular forms.

Optional Placement Year:

Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course.

Assessment:

• 100% coursework.

Teaching:

• The course is taught by a combination of:
• Appointed staff - many are published authors or active researchers, which keeps your learning dynamic.
• As part of Kingston School of Art, students benefit from joining a creative community where collaborative working and critical practice are encouraged.
• You'll study in workshops, learning one-on-one or in small groups with experts in your chosen area.

Careers:

• Some of the departmental graduates have achieved notable successes, having published short stories and novels which were started as part of their degree and attracted good literary agents.
• Other former students have gone on to work in editorial posts in the publishing industry.

Other:

• The course is designed in collaboration with industry professionals, keeping you up to date with the latest developments.

Home 2025/26 MA part time distance learning £5,665 MA full time (distance learning) £10,300 International 2025/26 MA part time distance learning £9,680 MA full time (distance learning) £17,600 Home 2024/25 full time £9,900 part time £5,445 International 2024/25 full time £16,900 part time £9,295 This is a two-year full-time course with the published full-time fee payable in each year of study. If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years. If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase. Postgraduate loans Scholarships and bursaries Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including: Alumni discount Progression Scholarship

Kingston University

Overview:

Kingston University London is a UK-based university recognized for its high-quality teaching and student experience. It features in the QS World University Rankings league table of the world's top universities.

Services Offered:

Kingston University offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Guidance and resources for academic success.

Career Services:

Support in finding internships, jobs, and career development.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options for students.

Wellbeing Services:

Mental health support, counseling, and other resources.

International Student Support:

Dedicated services for international students, including visa assistance and cultural integration programs.

Library and Learning Resources:

Extensive library facilities and online learning resources.

Student Union:

A vibrant student union with clubs, societies, and social events.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Kingston University provides a dynamic and engaging campus experience. Students can expect:

Active Student Union:

Opportunities to join clubs, societies, and participate in social events.

Vibrant Campus Life:

A lively campus environment with a range of activities and events.

Supportive Community:

A welcoming and supportive community of students and staff.

Location Advantages:

Located in Kingston upon Thames, a historic town with excellent transport links to London.

Key Reasons to Study There:

TEF Gold Rating:

Recognized for its high-quality teaching and outstanding student experience.

Future Skills Focus:

Emphasis on developing future-ready skills through embedded modules in all undergraduate courses.

Strong Industry Links:

Close connections with businesses and industries, providing opportunities for internships and career development.

Diverse and Inclusive Environment:

Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Academic Programs:

Undergraduate Study:

A wide range of undergraduate programs across various disciplines.

Postgraduate Study:

Master's and doctoral programs in various fields.

Research:

Active research programs with a focus on areas like healthcare, technology, and the arts.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships:

Opportunities to combine work and study through apprenticeships.