Creative Writing (MA)

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in English literature or a related subject.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

You also need to provide a sample of written work that we can assess. 

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

We'll consider your application on individual merit and may ask you to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course.

This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, including the Creative Skills Workshop which is the main feature of the programme. You’ll also choose from a list of optional modules from other Humanities MA programmes to personalise the course to your interests.

For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on your final Creative Project, with guidance and support from your supervisors.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

You may be surprised by what you find out about yourself during this course. Experience has shown that students often come to us thinking they want to write prose and end up writing poetry, or vice versa, or discover a gift for scriptwriting or children's literature they never thought they had.

We’ll challenge your preconceptions about yourself, so come prepared with an open mind. We don't promise to get you published outside of our own end-of-year anthology, but we do anticipate that by the end of the course you will have learned enough to make informed decisions about the directions your writing career might take next.

We aim to:

• develop your skills and confidence as a writer in specific genres of your choice
• train you to be articulate in your discussions and coursework
• give you an understanding of the theoretical and conceptual issues involved in writing
• enable you to work independently and productively on extended pieces of writing
• help you explore a range of periods and genres of English literature and culture
• introduce you to performance writing and the range of international literatures in English

Throughout the programme, we’ll develop your skills by emphasising:

• active participation
• independent learning
• creativity
• personal initiative

We teach in small groups, with one or more writing tutors guiding students through the implications and potentials of their own writing paths.

We’ll expect you to read widely and experiment freely with your writing and composition beyond the parameters of individual modules.

Assessment

Depending on the modules you choose, we’ll assess you through a combination of:

• essays
• individual and group presentations
• a creative portfolio
• creative work in fiction
• scriptwriting
• a short story
• critical commentaries reflecting on issues of genre, redrafting, creative influence and your voice
• your final Creative Project

Dissertation

For your final Creative Project, you’ll demonstrate your ability to develop an individual vision, realise it in textual form, and manage any problems that emerge along the way.

You’ll write a 15,000-word piece, working one-to-one with a supervisor in your chosen area. The project will be accompanied by a 3,000-4,000-word critical commentary, which will explore a key practice-based or research-led question raised by your creative work.

Your supervisors will be available to provide regular and supportive advice, guidance and feedback on your progress.

Academic Support

You’ll have access to:

• a personal academic tutor to give you guidance and support with academic or personal issues
• the Creative Skills workshop, which is a weekly forum focused on your own writing
• the annual Litmus project, which pairs creative writers with research scientists
• a final end-of-year anthology launch
• talks from former creative writing graduates

Our graduates go onto careers in:

• writing (from journalism to fiction)
• international PhD programmes
• teaching
• broadcasting
• creative industries

More generally, a master’s degree will help you develop the key skills that employers look for, such as:

• time, deadline and project management
• problem solving
• teamwork, relationship-building and working independently
• cultural awareness
• using your initiative
• critical thinking and research analysis

Above all, you will learn to communicate your ideas and enthusiasm to a wide range of audiences.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £22,136.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

MA Creative Writing Bursary: Maureen Taylor Scholarship

The English department will be offering 2 Maureen Taylor Scholarship bursaries to individuals interested in studying on the MA Creative Writing programme in the 2022-23 academic year.
 
Offered annually, the bursary supports post-graduate creative writing students with an award of £2,500 and is particularly aimed at encouraging black and minority ethnic (BME) women writers.

For full consideration, the deadline for application is 1 July 2022.
 
Applications are open to all, and are particularly welcomed from students who meet at least two of the following criteria:

• Black minority ethnic (BME) background.
• Female.
• 25 years old and older.

To apply for the Maureen Taylor Scholarship, you need to do three things:

• Apply for a place on the Creative Writing MA at the University of Southampton.
• List that you wish to be considered for a Maureen Taylor Scholarship on your MA CW application form.
• Email Carole Burns, the Head of Creative Writing, at C.Burns@soton.ac.uk to inform her of your application.

 Deadline: For full consideration, please apply to MA Creative Writing by 1 July 2022.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

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Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You’ll need to submit two academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You also need to provide:

• a sample of your original creative writing, up to 2,000 words in length. This can be fiction of any genre and in any form (one or more short stories, several flash fictions, a novel excerpt), or non-fiction (autobiography, biography, creative non-fiction). It should not be poetry, a film or play script

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000