Course information
UK fee £10,950
International fee £19,700
Taught by English
Course enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 2620
ArtsPGT@le.ac.uk
Course Director
Dr Jonathan Taylor
jt265@le.ac.uk
Course description
Course description
The MA in Creative Writing is a challenging course, both intellectually and imaginatively. You will be able to develop your writing skills in a supportive and stimulating environment, taught by experienced and professional writers.
The course offers you the opportunity to become involved in a uniquely vibrant literary scene in Leicester, with connections to the Centre for New Writing, the Creative Writing blog, Everybody's Reviewing and many other events and organisations across the city.
Because of the mixture of forms and genres that the course covers - including poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and script-writing - you will be encouraged to experiment beyond your usual experience. In your final dissertation, you'll be able to specialise in a chosen genre, through a sustained piece of work.
The course is highly innovative, in its mixture of creative and academic work and in its vocational elements, that are designed to enhance your employability prospects. It encompasses traditional forms of publishing, along with performance and emerging technologies. Teaching methods are similarly varied, ranging from seminars, to workshops, individual tutorials, computer labs and guest masterclasses and readings.
The degree can also be taken part-time over two years. If you choose to study part-time you will take one module per semester.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Normally a 2:1 degree in Creative Writing, English Language or Literature, or another relevant subject. We also consider applicants with significant writing experience.
Where appropriate, you may be asked to submit an essay as part of our admissions process. We will contact you if this is the case.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2025
- £10,950
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about fees and funding.
Waddington Scholarship
The Waddington Scholarship is an award of £1,000, awarded on the basis of academic merit. It is open to full-time and part-time students from anywhere in the world.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you’re eligible.
International Students
Starting in September 2025
- £19,700
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about fees and funding.
Waddington Scholarship
The Waddington Scholarship is an award of £1,000, awarded on the basis of academic merit. It is open to full-time and part-time students from anywhere in the world.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Individual and personal tutorials also address issues of career management and planning. The course team have many connections with external networks, organisations and employers (e.g. publishers, agents, writing organisations, festivals etc.). This aspect of the course is closely connected with the Career Development Service, who offer relevant support, in the form of workshops, mock-interviews and more.
With its focus not only on writing skills, but also on the practical aspects of working in the Creative Writing field, this degree helps you work towards a variety of related fields, from publishing and e-publishing, editing, literary agency, to teaching the subject at school (with a PGCE qualification), or undertaking a PhD. Graduates in Creative Writing might be employed as author, poet, playwright, screenwriter, storyliner, video game creator, journalist, TV producer, publisher or agent, teacher or lecturer, stand-up comedian, academic research, public relations, advertising and marketing, political research and speech-writing, arts management, content provider, tweet writer, web editor, blogger, franchise creator, branding consultant, literary event manager, or intellectual property adviser. Over the last few years, our students and graduates have published novels, non-fiction, poetry collections, reviews and short stories, and have won or been shortlisted for major awards.
Key transferable skills include:
- Oral communication skills
- Written communication skills: ability to write precisely, concisely and clearly
- Writing for different contexts, outlets, audiences and markets
- Research skills
- Digital skills
- Teamwork and providing feedback
Our Career Development Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Course structure
Modules
Modules
Modules
- Research Methods in Creative Writing
- Styles: Advanced Creative Writing Workshop I
- Applications: Publishing, Teaching and Other Stories
- Substances: Advanced Creative Writing Workshop II
- Creative Dissertation
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Our extensive network of contacts will let you meet professional writers and gain insight into a large array of possible career routes.
The course offers a stimulating and supportive environment in which you can develop your writing skills – with personal support from our teaching staff.
You will be taught by critically acclaimed published authors and academics as well as visiting industry professionals.
You will learn key literary and academic skills as well as relevant vocational and real-world applications.
Teaching and learning
During the course you will be taught by a wide variety of methods, including:
- seminars
- workshops and feedback sessions
- computer lab sessions
- lectures
- readings and talks from external speakers
- individual tutorials and supervisions
- directed and self-directed study, writing and research time
There will be approximately two hours of contact time per week for each module.
Throughout the course, you will have the chance to talk individually to members of staff, and to blog about your on-going experience on a dedicated course blog.
Assessment methods will include Creative Writing portfolios, reflective commentaries, a research project, an oral presentation, and a final dissertation.
Key dates
September 2025 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
- Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
- CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025
Apply now
Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
Course Creative Writing | Qualification MA | Duration 1 year full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
Course Creative Writing | Qualification MA | Duration 2 years part-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
As well as encouraging me to embrace my ideas and have confidence in my writing, the course has improved and strengthened my academic voice. The tutors in the English department are passionate about the subjects that they teach, which always makes our seminars engaging, entertaining and enjoyable.