Program Overview

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MA Writing Popular Fiction

Overview

On Edinburgh Napier University’s dual degree collaboration with Seton Hill University, you’ll combine online and on-campus learning between two novel-worthy settings – Edinburgh and Pennsylvania.

You’ll begin Seton Hill University’s MFA in Writing Popular Fiction with a June on-campus residency in the gorgeous Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, where you’ll start writing and connect with a friendly, supportive writing community.

From there, you will spend a year (September to August) studying abroad on the MA Creative Writing programme at Edinburgh Napier University, while remaining an active part of Seton Hill’s online programme.

After satisfactorily completed all Edinburgh Napier University requirements, you’ll receive a Master of Arts in Creative Writing (and be well on your way to completing your novel).

You’ll then re-join your Seton Hill University friends at the next January on-campus residency in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. From this point onwards you will continue in the Seton Hill program.

Having satisfactorily completed all Seton Hill requirements, you will graduate with a complete novel and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction.

Mode of Study

• Full-time

Duration

• 1 year

Course Details

How You’ll Be Taught

The MA Creative Writing programme is taught by a team of industry professionals: David Bishop, a successful working writer and former editor; acclaimed science fiction and fantasy author Laura Lam; award-winning literary thriller author Daniel Shand.

Assessments

Assessments focus on practical creative challenges and achieving professional levels of critical reflection, enabling students to become more self-sufficient as writers and collaborative practitioners.

Tasks include:

• Crafting original short stories
• Creating pre-writing materials for full-length narratives
• Critical self-reflection on your work
• Keeping a learning journal of progress through one-to-one mentoring
• Developing strategies and content for teaching, public engagement events, and digital self-publishing

Study Abroad

This degree programme is split between Edinburgh Napier University and Seton Hill University, Pennsylvania.

Facilities

Our students have access to the Writers' Room, a private workspace with wi-fi. It houses a library of 2,000 hand-picked books, DVDs and graphic novels, for the exclusive use of creative writing students.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Entry Requirements

What Are the Entry Requirements for Writing Popular Fiction?

The entry requirements for this course are an Honours Degree at a 2:2 or above in any discipline with relevant writing experience.

Once your application is received, you may be contacted by the Programme Leader with an invitation to submit a sample of writing: this is the second stage in selection. Please do not send writing samples with your initial application, as a detailed brief and deadline will be provided. The final stage in the selection process is an interview: for international applicants, this is conducted by telephone.

English Language

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test. The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0 with no individual component score of less than 7.0.

International Students

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Admissions Policies

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees for 2024/25

• Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £7,280
• Overseas and EU: £18,800

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next.

Discount for Edinburgh Napier Alumni

The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes.

Careers

• Book deals
• Bookselling
• Editing
• Representation by literary agents
• International and national competition wins
• Collaborations with comic artists
• Publication in magazines and anthologies
• Edinburgh International Book Festival appearances
• Marketing
• Paid editing and writing commissions
• Performances and teaching
• Publishing
• Working for national literary organisations