Program Overview

MA Playwriting

Overview

The MA Playwriting programme is designed to prepare students for a writing career in the theatre and performance industries. The course is vocationally-oriented and industry-focused, with a strong emphasis on developing skills in writing for performance across a diverse range of contexts, genres, and themes.

Entry Requirements

The school considers all applications holistically, so exceptional candidates, portfolios, and/or writing experience and potential will be assessed even if the minimum academic entry criteria have not been met.

For recent graduates, we usually require an Upper Second class honours degree or its overseas equivalent in a humanities-based subject area.

Course Options

• Full-time: Y
• Part-time: N
• Full-time distance learning: N
• Part-time distance learning: N

Course Overview

• Prepare for a writing career in the theatre and performance industries.
• Learn from practitioners on our vocationally-oriented and industry-focused master's course.
• Develop skills in writing for performance across a diverse range of contexts, genres, and themes.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MA (full-time)
  • UK students (per annum): £14,000
  • International, including EU, students (per annum): £28,500

Policy on Additional Costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application.

Scholarships/Sponsorships

Please visit the School's funding page.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high-quality education that prepares them for the future, and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

Degree Awarded

• Master of Arts (MA)

Duration

• 1 year

Related Subject Areas

• English Literature, American Studies and Creative Writing
• Drama