Creative Writing MA
Year of entry: 2025
Course length: 12 Months Full-Time | 24 Months Part-Time
About the course
Study on our MA Creative Writing master's course and you'll be part of the prestigious Centre for New Writing, where we bring together world-famous writers to teach people how to produce novels, short stories, creative non-fiction, poems and screenplays.
It's a place where talented writers and critics can meet to exchange ideas and opinions. The Centre is founded on the simple but important principle that good writing and good reading go together.
There are no mandatory units as part of this course. Students are required to choose a combination of workshops and seminars based on their individual focus in poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. Workshops and seminars cover topics to support your writing and contextual knowledge, such as:
- 21st Century Literature and the Contemporary Literary Industry
- Workshop in Fiction
- Writing Poems
- Creative Non-Fiction Workshop
These are example course units based on 2023/24 options and are subject to change each year.
In the second semester there is a diverse programme of speakers from the UK publishing industry with whom the students will have the opportunity to talk directly. Throughout the year there are also regular visits from writers from throughout the world.
The University of Manchester is ranked in the top 10 for English Language and Literature programmes in the UK
(QS World Rankings 2023)
Learn from novelists including Jeanette Winterson, Ian McGuire and Beth Underdown, poets John McAuliffe, Jason Allen-Paisant and Frances Leviston, Luke Brown and non-fiction writer Horatio Clare, among others.
Our graduates are among the most targeted by top UK employers
(High Fliers 2024)
Where will your degree take you?
Some students pursue their literary careers and go on to become published writers, while others follow their passion through publishing, journalism and careers in the arts sector. Other graduates undertake PhD study or follow careers in law, librarianship and teaching.
Our alumni include Rebecca Perry, Sophie Hannah, Alys Conran, Emma Jane Unsworth, Beth Underdown, Alex Allison, Jenn Ashworth, Thomas Lee, Joe Carrick-Varty, Uche Okonkwo, Christine Roseeta Walker, Joey Connolly, Saba Sams and Gurnaik Johal.
Upon successful completion of their course, many postgraduates go on or return to jobs as teachers or librarians, continue their research, or go on to academic jobs. Career paths are extremely varied, and other fields include law, publishing and retail.
As an MA student at the Centre for New Writing, you will also get the opportunity to have a piece of fiction or poetry published in The Manchester Anthology when you graduate.
Marli Roode
MA Creative Writing
‘’Since I finished the MA, I finished a book, I got an agent and I had the book published. My relationship with the staff at the Centre for New Writing was a big part of how much I enjoyed the course and how successful I was to go on to be. Those who continue to work and really take as much from the course as they can, are in such a good position to achieve the success that they're after.’’
Lily Beck
MA Creative Writing | Deputy Head of Department (English and Humanities), Independent Secondary School
‘’The course really cemented my love of English Literature and made me want to take this knowledge further and pass it on to others. The amazing tutors and teachers within the English department were also a source of inspiration. It really helped deepen and extend my knowledge of my subject area. I also took part in various spoken-word nights around the city of Manchester, which really helped to give me more confidence with public speaking, which has become a vital part of my job."
Similar courses:
School of Arts, Languages and Culture
Faculty of Humanities
The University of Manchester