Program Overview

MA Creative Writing

The MA Creative Writing programme at Manchester Metropolitan University is designed to help students develop their writing skills and produce a substantial piece of creative work. The programme is available to study on campus in Manchester or online through distance learning.

Course Overview

The programme is led by established practitioners in the field of creative writing and offers a range of specialist routes, including Novel, Poetry, Writing for Children and Young Adults, Scriptwriting, and Creative Non-Fiction. Students will undertake a taught element, which includes writing workshops and reading modules, and then complete their studies through the submission of an extended piece of writing from a proposed full-length book or script.

Features and Benefits

• One of the most successful programmes of its kind in the UK today, with over 100 students and graduates publishing first books and having work produced.
• Flexible learning, with classes for core Workshop and Reading modules taking place in the evenings.
• Live online teaching, allowing students to complete the course entirely online.
• Option modules, which allow students to choose from a range of creative writing modules or modules from MA English Studies and MA Publishing courses.
• Extended piece of writing, which is supported by one-to-one supervision.
• Gain an MFA, with the option to continue studies with an additional year and complete a further 120 credits.
• Academic expertise, with the programme taught by high-profile writers and critics.
• Home to Manchester Poetry Library, which holds over 12,000 books and recordings.
• Manchester City of Literature, with a thriving live literature scene and a range of author events and networking opportunities.

Year 1

• Classes for core Workshop and Reading units take place in the evenings during the autumn and spring semesters.
• Full-time students take all of their units in a single year, while part-time students spread these units over two years.
• All students also take a 30-credit option module and can choose from a range of Creative Writing modules or modules from MA English Studies or MA Publishing courses.
• The MA concludes with the submission of the Creative Dissertation, completed through independent study with one-to-one support from a Dissertation Supervisor.

Core Modules

• Creative Dissertation: This module will build on and progress material produced during the Workshop modules.
• Reading Unit 1: This route-specific module looks at the forms, themes, styles, and techniques used by a range of writers in literature.
• The Workshop: Workshops are led by established practitioners in the specialist literary field, giving students a committed editorial readership of professionals and peers.

Option Modules

• Green Writing: This module explores how creative writers can engage with ecological emergency during a time of crisis.
• Reading Unit 2: This route-specific module looks at the forms, themes, styles, and techniques used by a range of writers in literature.
• Remaking Games: Creativity, Play and Communication: This module explores the theory and practice of hacking and making games as a research method and mode of creative practice.
• Teaching Creative Writing: This module introduces techniques for developing and delivering creative writing workshops in a range of settings.
• The Industry: This module provides practical information about various aspects of the publishing, literary, arts, and related industries.

Study and Assessment

• Full-time: 34% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 66% independent study.
• Part-time: 34% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 66% independent study.
• Assessment: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination.

Entry Requirements

• Application is by submission of an online form, including a personal statement and a sample of creative work.
• The personal statement should be up to 500 words long and indicate which specialist route the student is applying for.
• The creative sample should be up to 2,000 words of prose for Novel, Children's & YA, and Creative Non-Fiction applicants; up to 15 poems for Poetry applicants; and up to 15 minutes running time of script for Scriptwriting applicants.

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students: Full-time fee £10,250 per year; part-time fee £1,709 per 30 credits studied.
• EU and non-EU international students: Full-time fee £20,000 per year; part-time fee £3,334 per 30 credits studied.
• Additional costs: Compulsory estimate £500; optional estimate £2,500.

Careers Support and Prospects

• 93.7% of UK-domiciled, full-time, postgraduate taught graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• The programme provides opportunities to develop industry experience and network, with strong partnerships and innovative projects.
• Graduates may pursue PhD study or develop a career in bookselling, agenting, publishing, editing, producing, or directing for screen, stage, or radio, or in teaching creative writing.