Program Overview

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Overview

Our PGCert and MA in Creative Writing provide a unique opportunity to explore and develop your creative writing skills through practice, revision, and discussion. You will further your awareness of writing processes, writing craft, professional writing, and publishing.

What You'll Learn

Through this Creative Writing Master's, you will be inducted into the habits and inventive strategies of writers in a module dedicated to this process. You will also begin to concentrate on skills specific to different fields of the writing craft. You will go on to test your own writing in one of three workshops dedicated to poetry, prose, or script. You will also take the opportunity to focus on areas of imaginative writing that are specialisms of our staff.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

• Creative Writing Process (20 credits)
• Creative Writing Craft (20 credits)
• Creative Writing Masterclass 1 (20 credits)
• Creative Writing Masterclass 2 (20 credits)
• Portfolio of Work/Dissertation (60 credits)
• The Profession of Writing (20 credits)

How You'll Learn

You’ll be taught using a range of methods, typically including:

• Taught sessions
• Workshops
• Guided reading
• Individual consultations

The portfolio will see you finely develop your work through one-to-one supervision. Our small seminar groups and one-to-one supervision mean you'll work closely with your tutors, who are all writing practitioners.

Your Development

Our PGCert and MA in Creative Writing allow you to advance your creative ability through:

• Practice
• Guided reading
• Discussion
• Revision

You will further your awareness of:

• Writing processes
• Writing craft
• Professional writing
• Publishing

Your Future

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.

Follow in Their Footsteps

Name: Oisín Nationality: British Graduated: 2020 Now working as: Software developer, writer, and filmmaker

"I was inspired by the talent and creativity of my peers, and many of them have gone on to be published and recognized. We still support one another, sharing our successes and challenges along the way."

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

Facilities

The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is a lively and diverse community with over 700 undergraduates and 150 postgraduates. We're based in the Percy Building. Our purpose-built postgraduate suite includes:

• Several dedicated computer clusters
• Meeting rooms
• A kitchen and lounge area

Our award-winning Phillip Robinson Library has an extensive audio-visual collection.

The Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts (NCLA) is a world-class centre of excellence in the field of creative writing which contributes to the cultural life of the North East via:

• Readings
• Projects
• Teaching
• Research

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees for 2026 Entry (per year)

• Qualification: MA Full time: £11,400
• Qualification: MA Part time: £5,700
• Qualification: PGCert Part time: £1,900

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

Academic Entry Requirements

Usually a 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a related subject such as:

• Creative writing
• English literature
• Drama
• Screenwriting

We will also consider applicants on an individual basis with lower or non-standard qualifications.

Along with your application, you will be asked to submit examples of your creative writing, either two short stories (up to 2,500 words each), six poems (up to 12 pages), or a script (up to 10 pages).

Those who complete the PGCert can choose to transfer to the second year of our part-time MA.

English Language Requirements

Select your qualification: IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, Other

Admissions Policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills, and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.