University of Birmingham - College of Arts and Law
MA in Creative Writing
Birmingham, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
28 Aug 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,900 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students | 3July 2026 for international students
** £10,900: full time | £5,450: part time | international: £26,180 full-time
Key Summary
Discover why we are the UK university most targeted by top graduate employers ('Graduate Market in 2024' and 'Graduate Market in 2025' High Fliers reports) at our on-campus Postgraduate Open Day.
Everyone has a novel in them - or a screenplay - or a sonnet - but if you want to refine your writing and prepare it for publication, our Creative Writing MA offers you the chance to dedicate time to your craft and learn from acclaimed authors.
At Birmingham, you'll elevate your writing abilities and build on your experience writing creatively. You’ll explore how different forms of writing intersect and you’ll experiment with your writing style. You'll learn how to think like a writer and editor, increasing your confidence by analysing contemporary writing and reflecting on your own work. Our writing workshops are complemented by professional skills training plus real-world insights from published authors, editors and publishers.
- Take your writing beyond the classroom and participate in departmental readings and creative writing competitions.
- Experiment and enhance your writing, testing out different forms in the taught modules. You can choose screenwriting, playwriting, prose fiction or poetry for your dissertation.
- Understand the craft of writing so you can critique your work to professional standards.
- Join a diverse writing community - we welcome writers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re starting your writing journey or have lots of experience already, we’ll help you nurture your craft.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Explore scholarships and funding on our school website
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student you can take advantage of our wide range of University run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organizations.
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a weekly seminar or workshop which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
2025/26 session
The following must be taken:
Module title
- Creative Writing Masterclass: From Workshop to Bookshop - 40 Credits
- Dissertation (Creative Writing) - 60 Credits
- Intertextuality: Story, Genre, Craft - 20 Credits
- Poem as Story - Story as Poem - 20 Credits
- The Writer's Workshop - 40 Credits
- Top 5 in the UK for Creative Writing (Complete University Guide 2026).
By studying a postgraduate degree in Film or Creative Writing at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include critical thinking skills, the ability to think creatively and generate new ideas and teamworking skills.
Our Film and Creative Writing graduates enter many roles, including:
- Online Content Editor
- Video Editor
- Editorial Assistant
Employers our Film and Creative Writing graduates have worked for include:
- Threewise Entertainment
- BBC
- Fremantle Media
Join a global community and discover a course that matches your interests and aspirations with our huge range of postgraduate programmes in the College of Arts and Law.
Study options
We offer full time or part time study for many of our courses. We're proud to offer many courses by distance learning so you can access our exceptional teaching and resources from anywhere in the world.
Looking to study for a shorter period? Some of our courses offer PGCert and PGDip qualifications.
Innovative postgraduate degrees
Benefit from our interdisciplinary approach with opportunities to develop your skills. Whichever programme you pick, you’ll expand your knowledge and be ready for your next career step.
The University of Birmingham is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 and 2025, High Fliers report.
Ways you can enhance your career prospects include:
- Placement opportunities on the MA Film and Television: Research and Production
- Optional public history placement module on our MA History courses
- Practice-based dissertation options on MA International Law, Ethics and Politics
First-class facilities
Take your learning to the next level at Birmingham. Benefit from our incredible facilities available to College of Arts and Law students including:
- The Film Editing Suite: Access content creation and podcasting studios, professional cameras, and filming equipment with beginner friendly training by media technicians.
- The Barber Institute of Fine Arts: Our on-campus art gallery with paintings spanning seven centuries, from Botticelli to Monet and Van Gogh. The History of Art and Art History and Curating programmes are taught in the Barber for direct access to artwork. [The galleries of the Barber Institute are currently closed due to essential building works. Teaching will recommence in the galleries from autumn 2027.]
- Bramall Music Building and our Music Hub offering state-of-the-art performance, concert and rehearsal spaces.
- Shakespeare Institute: Our Shakespeare Studies students access a wealth of resources and a dedicated library at our Shakespeare Institute, based in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum including over 2,000 archaeological objects and an environmental archaeology collection.
Experts in distance learning
You don’t need to be in Birmingham to make the most of our outstanding teaching and research. Study from anywhere in the world through our range of distance learning options.
With over 25 years’ experience delivering distance learning courses, we’ll make sure you’re supported from day one.
You won’t be alone in your studies – on our taught programmes you’ll connect with your peers through our Virtual Learning Environment. If you choose a postgraduate research degree by distance learning, you’ll access remote research supervision meetings.
“I studied International Heritage Management as a distance learning student. My time at the University of Birmingham had a profound impact on my life, both personally and professionally. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional.” – Josh, MA International Heritage Management by Distance Learning alumnus and Senior Operations and Events Executive at Historic Royal Palaces.
Birmingham Law School
For almost a century Birmingham Law School has led the way in legal education and research. Today, we continue to provide our students with innovative, challenging, and research-driven education.
We are a truly global, civic and diverse community reflected through our staff and students who have important impacts around the world through research, teaching and enterprise.
The Shakespeare Institute
An internationally renowned research institution based in the heart of Shakespeare's beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon. Established in 1951 to push the boundaries of knowledge about Shakespeare studies and Renaissance drama. Study in Stratford-upon-Avon or online.
The University of Birmingham is engaged in an exciting collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). This pioneering project is the result of the longstanding relationship between the RSC and the University of Birmingham which amongst other things has seen the reinstatement of the iconic RSC studio theatre, The Other Place.
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. You'll have the opportunity to learn from published authors, offering valuable expertise in Creative Writing.
You'll study four core modules plus your dissertation. The dissertation is made up of a creative portfolio, worth 75%, and a critical essay, worth 25%. The 10,000 word portfolio of creative work can be a screenplay, excerpt from a novel or collection of short fiction or poetry (600 lines for poetry).
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars and workshops – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching with practical writing opportunities.
- Dissertation - you’ll undertake a 10,000-word creative portfolio and produce a critical essay.