University of Southampton

MA in Creative Writing

The 12-month full-time programme is structured in three stages. In semesters 1 and 2 (9 months), you study the taught component, including the Creative Skills Workshop, which is the core module.

This two-semester workshop runs weekly and covers mini-lectures on craft, guided group feedback, and individual mentoring. You also choose from optional modules including Digital Life: Myths, Social Media, and Artificial Intelligence; Adventures in Literary Research; Approaches to the Long Eighteenth Century; Communicating the Cultural Industries; Literature, Publishing and New Media; and Narrative Non-Fiction, among others. From the School of Humanities, you can select additional optional modules to personalise your studies

 In the final three months (summer), you undertake an independent Creative Project, the culmination of your MA, where you conduct sustained creative writing under supervisor guidance, applying skills and insights from the programme.

On completion, you'll be qualified for careers in publishing and arts administration. You'll have developed professional writing expertise, the ability to give and receive constructive, creative feedback, and the skills to sustain independent writing projects.

You'll be prepared to work as a professional writer in fiction, non-fiction, scriptwriting, or children's literature, or to move into roles in publishing houses, arts organisations, literary agencies, and cultural institutions.

Careers in publishing, arts administration, and professional writing. You could work for literary publishers, arts organisations, cultural agencies, broadcasting companies, literary journals, educational publishers, writing centres, or as a freelance writer in fiction, screenwriting, creative non-fiction, or children's literature.

This programme suits you if you hold at least a 2:2 degree in English literature or a related subject and have a genuine passion for writing. You should be committed to developing your craft and be willing to give and receive constructive feedback in a collaborative environment. The course attracts writers of all genres and backgrounds, so whether you aspire to write novels, scripts, non-fiction, or work for young people, you'll find peers with diverse writing traditions and experiences.

You should be ready to think deeply and critically about your own work and engage with contemporary literature. Some students come with professional writing experience, while others are transitioning into writing as a career, so prior publication or industry experience is not required.

Study with practising writers of significant achievement and recognition, including a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. You'll join a supportive, collaborative community with students from around the world. You'll benefit from access to the University's rich arts environment, including Turner Sims Concert Hall and affiliation with Southampton's John Hansard Gallery.

The Centre for Modern and Contemporary Writing hosts regular events and readings by major contemporary authors. You'll have the opportunity to publish your work in the Avenues anthology and participate in the 'Writers in Conversation' reading series. You can personalise your studies with optional modules across the School of Humanities, and you'll receive guidance from experienced supervisors on an independent creative project.

• Full-time taught programme over 12 months (September to September), based at the University of Southampton.
• Semesters 1 and 2 (9 months) consist of weekly taught modules, including the Creative Skills Workshop, with optional modules from the School of Humanities.
• The final 3 months (summer) focus on independent creative project work with supervisor guidance.
• English language instruction.
• Part-time options available for 2 or more years.
• Modules may vary depending on staff availability, research interests, and student demand.