Program Overview
Home Study Postgraduate Taught home Courses English Creative Writing MA Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. MA Creative Writing UCAS code 1234 Duration 1 year full time 2 years part time Entry year 2026 Campus Streatham Campus Typical offer View full entry requirements 2:2 Honours degree Contextual offers Why study MA Creative Writing at Exeter? At the University of Exeter, we don’t just teach you how to write to get published. Our team of internationally acclaimed authors understand that your ambitions, and powers of creative writing, are far greater than that Our modules are designed to enable you to write for better futures, to: promote social justice, protect our planet, support child wellbeing, comfort and entertain, and inspire others to action Experiment in new literary genres, and study and respond to diverse contemporary writers Excellent links with the worlds of publishing, literary journalism and broadcasting, book festivals and prizes providing insights into the workings of the literary marketplace Establish the contacts necessary for successful publication Whether you like writing poetry, prose fiction, short stories, film scripts, game narratives, children’s books or young adult (YA) novels, we invite you to join us on our mission to write to make a difference Fast Track (current Exeter students) Open Days Get a prospectus Contact Programme Director: Dr Emily Bernhard Jackson Web: Enquire online Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72 Discover MA Creative Writing at the University of Exeter. 88% of our English research is internationally excellent Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021, submitted to UoA27 English Language and Literature Top 50 in the world for English Language and Literature QS World University Subject Rankings 2026 A thriving and supportive writing community - our team of prize-winning and best-selling authors will help you develop your creative writing skills Top 10 in the UK for English 7th in the Complete University Guide 2026 Entry requirements We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in their first degree in a relevant subject area, such as English Literature, American Studies, Creative Writing, Film Studies, Television and Media, Drama, History, Classics and Ancient History, Cultural Studies and Postcolonial Literatures.
Key Program Features
Why study MA Creative Writing at Exeter?
- At the University of Exeter, we don’t just teach you how to write to get published. Our team of internationally acclaimed authors understand that your ambitions, and powers of creative writing, are far greater than that
- Our modules are designed to enable you to write for better futures, to: promote social justice, protect our planet, support child wellbeing, comfort and entertain, and inspire others to action
- Experiment in new literary genres, and study and respond to diverse contemporary writers
- Excellent links with the worlds of publishing, literary journalism and broadcasting, book festivals and prizes providing insights into the workings of the literary marketplace
- Establish the contacts necessary for successful publication
- Whether you like writing poetry, prose fiction, short stories, film scripts, game narratives, children’s books or young adult (YA) novels, we invite you to join us on our mission to write to make a difference
Career Opportunities
Careers
Whether your ambition is to become a full-time writer, a teacher of writing, or to develop a creative career which includes writing in one of its many forms, we have a strong track record of supporting our students through to publication and doctoral level work.
While at Exeter, our MA students publish their creative work in ENIGMA and in the new postgraduate journal EXCLAMATION .
Alumni
Former University of Exeter students who have gone on to develop a writing career include poets such as Luke Kennard, Abi Curtis, Eleanor Rees, Izzy Galleymore, Jaime Robles, Jos Smith, Sally Flint, and Samuel Tongue; novelists Virginia Baily, Lucy Wood, and Ruth Gilligan; and non-fiction writers such as Miriam Darlington.
Many of our former students now work in film, broadcasting, advertising, journalism, PR, publishing, teaching – including the teaching of creative writing – as well as other careers in the growing number of fields where good writing is an asset.
Careers and employment support
While studying at Exeter you can also access a range of activities, advice and practical help to give you the best chance of following your chosen career path. For more information visit Careers pages .
Program Curriculum
Course content
The MA in Creative Writing is designed for students to develop a longer piece of work during the MA, or find out what their strengths are in the different forms. It is for people, of any age, whether recent graduates or older, who wish to grow their talent quickly by acquiring knowledge and practice in the art of fiction, poetry, life-writing, nature writing or the writing of screenplays.
Our Creative Writing staff are well-published, practicing writers who take great pride in designing and delivering modules in their specialist areas.
Full time students take two modules in term 1, two modules in term 2, and write their dissertations in term 3. Each module has one two-hour seminar per week, with homework set that involves intensive, self-motivated practice and research.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Modules Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change. Stage 1: 120 credits of compulsory modules and 60 credits of optional modules (you may take up 30 credits from the MA English Literary Studies) Compulsory modules Code Module Credits EASM123 Creative Writing Dissertation 60 EASM211 Writing Prose I 30 EASM212 Writing Prose II 30 Optional modules Code Module Credits MA Creative Writing - option modules 2025-6 EASM198 Text and Image: Creative Writing 30 EASM213 Writing Scripts: Stage and Screen(s) 30 EASM209 Writing Poetry 30 EASM208 Writing Nature 30 EASM200 Writing Interactively 30 EASM205 The Contemporary Publishing Industry 30 MA Creative Writing - English Literary Studies options 2025-6 EASM206 Global Victorians: Making the Modern World, 1837-1914 30 EASM109 Bodies Politic: Cultural and Sexual Politics in England, 1603-1679 30 EASM151 Modernism and Material Culture 30 EASM152 Criticism and Theory: Critical and Literary Theory in a Global Context 30 EASM167 World Cinema / World Literature 30 EASM171 Expanding Queerness: Critical Debates in Theory, Literature, Film and Television 30 EASM174 Writing Women in the English Middle Ages 30 EASM179 Translation and Publishing: New Approaches to Literary Activism 30 EASM192 Global Voices: Shakespeare and the Early Modern World 30 EASM197 Global Romanticisms 30 EASM024 Disunited States: Contemporary American Literature, 1970s-Present 30 HASM031 Global Classrooms: Health Humanities and Geographies 30
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in their first degree in a relevant subject area, such as English Literature, American Studies, Creative Writing, Film Studies, Television and Media, Drama, History, Classics and Ancient History, Cultural Studies and Postcolonial Literatures.
Applicants coming from a non-related background will be asked to provide a sample of written work (2-3,000 words of academic or creative prose or three to four poems). This is not mandatory for your initial application, but you are welcome to include a writing sample if you wish. Please also include in your personal statement why you want to study the MA in Creative Writing and why you believe you’re a good fit for the course. Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications . Entry requirements for international students Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements .
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications . Entry requirements for international students English language requirements International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile E . Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 16,500/year (international)
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£ 12,650 full-time; £ 6,325 part-time
International fees per year:
£ 25,550 full-time; £ 12,775 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year , including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships * . We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page .
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year , including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships * . We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page .
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details. .
Find out more about tuition fees and funding »
About The University of Exeter
The University of Exeter
Botswana, Botswana
Visit the university profile page to learn more about this institution.
University Profile- Start Date in 2026
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)
