MA Creative Writing

• Develop your confidence and writing skills in an environment supportive of creative work.
• Produce a substantial writing project which you can submit to publishers and agents.
• Benefit from the depth of experience and knowledge shared by our staff, including several award-winning writers, and visiting writers.
• Expand your own writing experience through submitting work to student publications such as Ink, and the University press published literary journal, Short Fiction. Get involved with professional organisations such as The Arts Institute.
• Increase your critical self-awareness on a programme designed to round you as a writer.
• Enrich your learning experience through workshop-based seminars that allow you to explore the diverse strands of creative writing, from stories to screenplays.

• Programme overview

• You’ll attend four workshop-based seminars, detailed below. Throughout the term you’ll submit your best work in an environment dedicated to writing success. Writing is complemented by the reading of established authors in order to give you that all-important sense of literary context. Experienced tutors lead small seminars exploring the nuances of craft and the compositional process. We believe that all kinds of writing can inform each other, and ensure you study fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and dramatic writing (for stage and screen), before settling down to write your dissertation in a singular mode. Your dissertation will comprise a collection of poems, a stage or screen-play, or 20,000 words of prose from a story collection, novel or creative non-fiction. The ultimate goal is to help you to take your private writings to the public sphere. Full-time students take two modules per term, while part-time students take one module per term.

  Core modules

  • Fiction: Stories and Novels (CWMA701)

    This module aims to benefit student fiction writing via workshop methodology (whereby students submit and receive feedback on their fiction from tutor and peers). Weekly reading of published authors will be discussed as a way to further student understanding of the art and craft of fiction writing.

  • Poetry and Creative Non-Fiction (CWMA702)

    This module aims to benefit student poetry and creative non-fiction writing via workshop methodology (whereby students submit and receive feedback on their fiction from tutor and peers). Weekly reading of published authors will be discussed as a way to further student understanding of the art and craft of poetry and creative non-fiction.

  • Dramatic Writing: Stage and Screen (CWMA703)

    This module aims to benefit student writing via workshop methodology, whereby students submit and receive feedback on their dramatic writing. We will also be reading published authors and viewing productions as a way to further understand the art and craft of dramatic writing.

  • The Business of Writing: Before and After Dissertation (CWMA704)

    Students will develop and submit a 'dissertation project' over the course of this module, including a 'description of project', 'research methods', 'research context', 'ethics statement' (if applicable), 'publishing outlets', and a bibliography of primary and secondary sources. They will also develop and submit a sample of work-in-progress, i.e. work which will inform or constitute part of their dissertation.

  • Creative Writing Dissertation (CWMA705)

    Students will undertake and complete an approved creative writing project such as a collection of poems or stories, a play or film-script, a non-fiction narrative, a section of a novel, a digital project, or an 'artist's book'. Projects requires 15,000 new words; i.e. words which have been previously unassessed, or equivalent if written in form more economical with words (such as poetry).

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MA Creative Writing programme specification 2810

Applicants are required to attend an informal interview with the Programme Leader. Further details will be communicated once an application has been received.  

Evidence of your writing ability is required. A sample of no more than ten pages of original writing must be submitted with all applications.

For entry to postgraduate level, you should normally possess:

first or upper second (2:1) degree with honours or professional qualification, recognised as being equivalent to degree standard;

or

an ordinary degree, foundation degree, higher national diploma, or university diploma, accompanied by substantial experience in an appropriate field.

If you have overseas qualifications you can check your comparability with Ecctis, who provide an advisory service.

English language requirement 

If English is not your first language then evidence of English proficiency is required. The level of proficiency that is required can vary with the type of programme you’re applying for. We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. For further advice on the relevance of overseas qualification and proficiency in English, please contact our International Office.

The minimum IELTS score for acceptable English proficiency for entry is normally 7.

View our English language requirements.

When to apply

Most of our taught programmes begin in September. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full. 

Before you apply

• evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  
• evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  
• a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
  
• your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  
• proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
  

Disability services

If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services website. 

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply now' icon on this page).

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail.

If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:

Telephone: +44 (0)1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced by downloading our Student Admissions Policy Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.