Master Creative Writing
Arnhem, Netherlands
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
Blended
Key Summary
Why Creative Writing?
Europe-based. Research-focused. Multi-Lingual
This master's programme is for writers who want to create new and original ways of using language and literature. The programme is hybrid (online and in-person) and built around three annual site-specific residencies. Three times a year, you will travel for two weeks to different European cities, where you will write, research and create together with your cohort. You will develop your own voice and explore how stories work. Sometimes short and to the point, and sometimes extensive and reflective. You will be experimenting with forms and genres and write texts that explore boundaries.
Tailored to your ambitions
Whether you have a bachelor’s degree in creative writing or you’re already a professional writer, this master’s programme brings advanced skills, professional knowledge and an international network. You will work on artistic projects that reflect your voice and vision.
Learn from the best in Europe
Over the course of two years, you will benefit from intensive guidance and instruction from leading European writers, translators, and literary professionals. The programme is linked to a robust network of organisations, such as EACWP and CELA. You will also have the opportunity to work with three prestigious European writing schools - Escuela de Escritores in Madrid, Scuola Holden in Turin and SRH University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg Campus Berlin - where you will participate in residencies.
Learn to make a difference as a writer
The master’s programme is designed for creative writing graduates and professional authors who are looking to further develop their skills. You will refine your knowledge and investigate fresh perspectives while engaging with important literary and social issues.
Year 1: Experiment and research
During the first year, the emphasis is on exploration and gaining deeper insight. You will attend in-person classes, online sessions, and participate in residencies both in the Netherlands and abroad. Altogether, 12 ECTS are for residencies, 26 ECTS for classes and study time, and 22 ECTS for research and writing. You’ll learn how artistic research can enrich your writing, and how to use different literary forms to develop your own voice.
Year 2: Creating your masterpiece
In the second year, the focus is on your growth as a writer. You’ll participate in residencies again (12 ECTS) and have fewer classroom hours (18 ECTS). This gives you more time for independent research and writing (30 ECTS). This is the phase in which you work towards completing your literary work and research. At the same time, you will build a stronger presence in the European literary world. You will train both your writing skills and your ability to reflect critically and showcase your work convincingly.
International collaboration
The Master’s programme is hybrid: classes are held online, and three times a year you take part in a residency to work together with your fellow students in different interesting locations across Europe. This means you don’t need to relocate - you can follow the Master’s programme from your place of residence.
The three renowned writing schools with which we collaborate are:
- Escuela de Escritores in Madrid: the go-to place for Spanish literature. At this school, creative writing is explored in relation to today’s literary and societal context.
- Scuola Holden in Turin: established by author Alessandro Baricco. Renowned for its innovative, cross-media approach to storytelling.
- SRH University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg Campus Berlin in Berlin.
Residencies abroad
During these residencies, you will learn about:
- Deep mapping: exploring hidden local connections through narrative research.
- Community outreach: creating literary partnerships connected to the residency location.
Learn together, write together
You place each other’s texts in a broader context: historical, cultural and political. This will help you develop a more focused, European perspective on literature and on becoming a writer.
What you'll learn
In the master's in Creative Writing, you will:
- take courses such as Artistic Research, Narrative in Digital Spaces, The Body in Writing, Speaking Fiction to Power & Publishing and Sharing Strategies;
- examine the role and impact of literature in a changing society;
- actively engage in current literary and societal debates;
- collaborate with writers, artists, and theorists both nationally and internationally;
- develop your craft through hands-on practice, critical reflection, and interdisciplinary research.
After completing the Master in Creative Writing, you will have developed into a critical writer and storyteller, and possess the skills, insights and network to work as a professional writer. You will be able to take on various roles and work in different contexts, from literary author to writing partner and innovator.
Scholarships, grants and other financial support
There are different ways to get financial support during your studies in the Netherlands. For Dutch and EU/EEA students, this may include student finance from DUO or the lifelong learning credit. If you are an international student from outside the EU/EEA, DUO schemes usually do not apply, but you may qualify for scholarships, grants, or financial arrangements through ArtEZ and other organizations.
Schedule
You’ll attend in-person classes one day a week on Monday, complemented by online evening sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. Additionally, the residency period provides an immersive experience to deepen your craft.