university of birmingham creative writing

• Log in
• Site search

Creative Writing

Entry requirements.

The creative and critical elements will entail considered independent research and development. For this reason, we can only consider applications from applicants who have successfully completed an MA in Creative Writing, or candidates who can demonstrate composite professional experience (which includes publishing). This should be clearly demonstrated in your application. For the PhD, you must demonstrate how the research project relates to your current creative practice.

Please note: check the staff profiles prior to application to make sure that your proposal is within an area that we can support. We will be unable to support a research project which falls too far outside of our own field of research and teaching.

For the application we require:

• a detailed outline describing the planned creative project
• an outline of the potential critical enquiry and how it relates to the creative project (this can be less detailed than the description of the creative project)
• a statement about your reasons for considering a research degree
• examples of creative work
• a short resume or CV
• two references from people who are familiar with both your creative and critical abilities

The application will be reviewed by the department in several stages. If there is an interested and available supervisor we will ask you form an interview, which can happen online.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Work with our team of award-winning authors to develop your creative practice and its critique. Creative Writing at Birmingham is part of the Department of Film and Creative writing, and is closely aligned to the Departments of English Literature and English Language and Applied Linguistics, allowing you to benefit from our breadth of expertise.

This practice-based PhD will support you in the development of a long-form piece of creative writing, or a sequence of related works. You will also identify critical concerns and interests related to your creative practice. The final submission is divided between the creative piece and a related critical document.

Your PhD submission will usually entail:

For prose: a creative document (50 – 80%) of either long-form prose/novel, or a collection of short-form prose/stories supported by a critical paper (20–50%) of a similar length to a critical literary PhD submission (around 80,000 to 100,000 words). A novel, for example, should be somewhere between 60,000 to 80,000 words. The critical paper can be between 20,000 to 40,000 words. This would be discussed with your supervisor throughout your study.

For poetry: a creative document of collected poems or a single work with a developed critical thesis (20,000-50,000 words)

For scriptwriting (for film and live performance): a single project or a collection of multiple shorts should be of comparable length and commitment as the prose element, with a critical element between 20-50% of the overall submission.

Other creative formats (for example a script for a graphic novel) will follow the poetry or prose model, with a 20–50% split for the critical element.

The creative document will be an original work of significant, publishable quality which demonstrates an understanding of craft, genre, and form. The critical document will present a structured and developed argument that demonstrates an awareness of context, and discuss, where relevant, critical and creative processes.

You can study our Creative Writing PhD full-time or part-time, on campus or by distance learning.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

• Campus-based learning is available for this qualification
• Distance learning is available for this qualification

Course contact details

Our cookies

We use cookies for three reasons: to give you the best experience on PGS, to make sure the PGS ads you see on other sites are relevant , and to measure website usage. Some of these cookies are necessary to help the site work properly and can’t be switched off. Cookies also support us to provide our services for free, and by click on “Accept” below, you are agreeing to our use of cookies .You can manage your preferences now or at any time.

Privacy overview

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional cookies

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

Performance cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

Creative Writing PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

University of birmingham, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, university information, similar courses at this uni, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

Creative Writing

Course type

Work with our team of award-winning authors to develop your creative practice and its critique. Creative Writing at Birmingham is part of the Department of Film and Creative writing, and is closely aligned to the Departments of English Literature and English Language and Applied Linguistics, allowing you to benefit from our breadth of expertise.

This practice-based PhD will support you in the development of a long-form piece of creative writing, or a sequence of related works. You will also identify critical concerns and interests related to your creative practice. The final submission is divided between the creative piece and a related critical document.

Why Study this Course?

Work with published writers : You will be working with published writers in a thriving research-active environment across a range of disciplines, including poetry; short-story; novel writing; and screen-writing Develop your craft : We also encourage new and diverse forms of writing and aim to develop craft, including research and editing skills, to support your creative project. The course team are experienced in helping you to theorise your approaches to your writing and research processes. Creative community : You will work alongside a community of writers and scholars, which includes active researchers in all areas and disciplines. There are a number of presentations and events staged by the School and by the Creative Writing team, alongside a vibrant arts and writing community in Birmingham and the West Midlands. We encourage our students, at all levels, to be active within the community and to participate in readings, festivals, and events, both regionally and nationally.

Employability

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University's Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events.

You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:

• Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
• Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
• Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
• Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

The creative and critical elements will entail considered independent research and development. For this reason, we can only consider applications from applicants who have successfully completed an MA in Creative Writing, or candidates who can demonstrate composite professional experience (which includes publishing). This should be clearly demonstrated in your application. For the PhD, you must demonstrate how the research project relates to your current creative practice.

The University of Birmingham - part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities in the UK – has been helping to develop the next generation of leaders, push boundaries of innovation and challenge existing thinking for over 100 years. The university has a vibrant and diverse community of students, with over 10,000 international students coming to the city from over 120 countries. Over 40% of students are working on a postgraduate... more

MA Creative Writing

Full time | 1 year | 30-SEP-24

Drama and Theatre Studies Practice-Based PhD (through Playwriting or Performance)

Full time | 3 years | SEP-24

Drama and Theatre Studies Practice-Based MA by Research (through Playwriting or Performance)

Full time | 1 year | SEP-24

• Home »
• University of Birmingham »
• School of English, Drama, and American and Canadian Studies »
• Creative Writing

find your perfect postgrad program Search our Database of 30,000 Courses

University of birmingham: creative writing.

This course is no longer offered.

University of Birmingham also offers courses in:

• Birmingham Business School
• Birmingham Law School
• College of Arts and Law Hub
• College of Life and Environmental Sciences
• Department of African Studies and Anthropology
• Department of Art History, Film and Visual Studies
• Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering
• Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology
• Department of Drama and Theatre Arts
• Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering
• Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics
• Department of English Literature
• Department of Film and Creative Writing
• Department of History
• Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering
• Department of Modern Languages
• Department of Music
• Department of Philosophy
• Department of Theology and Religion
• Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences
• PGCE courses
• School of Biomedical Science
• School of Biosciences
• School of Cancer Studies
• School of Chemical Engineering
• School of Chemistry
• School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
• School of Computer Science
• School of Dentistry
• School of Education
• School of English, Drama, and Creative Studies
• School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
• School of Government
• School of Government and Society
• School of Health and Population Sciences
• School of History and Cultures
• School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music
• School of Mathematics
• School of Medicine
• School of Metallurgy and Materials
• School of Nursing
• School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion
• School of Physics and Astronomy
• School of Psychology
• School of Social Policy
• School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Social Sciences

Browse other courses in Literature or Creative writing , or search our comprehensive database of postgrad programs .

Our high-quality teaching and supervision will help you take your skills and career to the next level.

Here, you’ll feel engaged, motivated and challenged, as part of our inclusive community that has a strong research culture.  At Birmingham, we’ll support your health, wellbeing and personal development. While our professional and academic careers services will help you take the next step. This is your time. This is your place.

With more than 600 taught programmes and a range of research opportunities to choose from, Birmingham is one of the most popular UK universities for postgraduate study.

Your career

As the most …

Not what you are looking for?

Postgraduate Bursary Opportunity with Postgrad.com

Are you studying as a PG student at the moment or have you recently been accepted on a postgraduate program? Apply now for one of our £2000 PGS bursaries.

Exclusive bursaries Open day alerts Funding advice Application tips Latest PG news

Complete Our Destination Survey

Take 2 minutes to complete our Destination Survey for the chance to win a Postgrad Study Bursary worth £2,000.

All we need to know is:

• Your university
• Your PG course

• FindAMasters
• Masters Courses
• Search Masters Degrees

  Creative Writing - MA

University of birmingham     school of english, drama and creative studies, findamasters summary.

Embark on a transformative journey in the field of Creative Writing with the MA programme at the University of Birmingham. Tailored for graduates with a passion for creative writing, this innovative programme offers a platform to define and refine your chosen genre, whether it be short fiction, poetry, plays, or screenplays. Engage in dedicated workshop sessions, receive constructive feedback from peers, and benefit from insights shared by industry professionals. The programme's structure includes modules such as Writer's Workshop, Creative Writing Masterclass, Intertextuality, and Poem as Story, culminating in a dissertation focusing on your preferred genre. Entry requirements include a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent, along with a portfolio of creative writing showcasing your talent. With a focus on combining academic and creative skills, industry insights, and a supportive writing community, this MA programme equips you with the tools and knowledge to excel in the dynamic world of creative writing.

About the course

Short fiction, the novel, poetry, plays and screenplays: define and refine your chosen genre at the University of Birmingham, and explore genres that are new to your writing experience.

If you are a graduate with considerable experience in writing creatively and wish to proceed to a career or further study in this area, then our innovative MA in Creative Writing is for you.

The programme will allow you to develop your own work, your own voice and your own ideas with dedicated workshop time and opportunities to give and receive feedback to and from your peers. You will also benefit from professional skills training to prepare you for your encounters with the writing industry, with insights from industry professional such as editors and publishers.

Entry Requirements

We ask for a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, preferably in English and/or Creative Writing, but other disciplines will be considered. Applicants should also have considerable experience of writing creatively. All prospective students must also submit a sample of written work as part of the online application process. Your sample should be in the form of a portfolio of creative writing of c. 3,000 words. This may be a prose sample (e.g. one or more short stories; part of a novel); a play or film script; or a selection of poems.

Please see the university website for further information on fees for this course.

  Course Content

Postgraduate Open Day at the University of Birmingham

23 November 2024

Where will I study?

University of Birmingham

For more than a century, the University of Birmingham has been pursuing and sharing knowledge through outstanding teaching and research. As a founding Russell Group member and the original ‘redbrick’ university, our high-quality teaching will help you take your career to the next level. We’re the top university for employers according to the 2024 High Fliers report, with our graduates attracting the most attention from the country’s leading industries. With a wealth of opportunities to choose from across study and research, Birmingham has one of the most extensive postgraduate course portfolios in the UK. Hosting an international community of more than 8000 staff and 38,000 students, you’ll work alongside world-leading academics in a diverse community.

Where is University of Birmingham

Student Profile

Moyo abiona.

Graduated in 2020

Why did you choose Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham? “I was excited about the opportunity to study abroad and gain new experiences. As a writer, I think it’s vital and energising to step into novel environments and simply explore. The University of Birmingham’s Creative Writing program is designed for exploration. I’ve written pieces across different genres and styles, from poems and short stories to satirical articles and feature-length screenplays. Sampling various writing styles has helped me hone my own voice and expand the depth of my writing.” What has been the highlight of your course? “The collaborative atmosphere of the program has been incredibly helpful to my growth as a writer. Giving and receiving feedback is central to the course as it helps us improve not only with our writing, but also our editing skills. Having an array of opinions and suggestions has been invaluable for me, especially from the department whose expertise covers a range of writing styles. Our modules also had a great mix of theoretical teaching with writing practice and professional development. Writing, for me, is no longer just a skill or a hobby, but the core of my career path.” What have you learnt from your programme? “The most important skill I’ve learned is how to edit—what to look for in a piece of writing and how to offer useful suggestions. Being able to evaluate my peers’ work has directly impacted my ability to self-edit. I also appreciate the critical focus of the course on research and academic writing. Doing research for my papers has helped to contextualise, bolster and even inspire my creative work.”

Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters

Check out our other Masters Courses in Birmingham , United Kingdom

Check out our other Masters Courses in Creative Arts & Design

Start a new search with our database of over 23,000 Masters Courses

Based on your current search criteria we thought you might be interested in these

Creative Writing MA University of Huddersfield

Creative Writing Edge Hill University

Creative Writing for Marketing MSc Brunel University London

FindAMasters. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved.

Unknown    ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about Masters study?

Select your nearest city

• Aberystwyth
• Beaconsfield
• Bishop Burton
• Bournemouth
• Bridlington
• Chatham Maritime
• Cirencester
• East Malling
• Hemel Hempstead
• High Wycombe
• Huddersfield
• Isle of Man
• Jordanstown
• London Central
• London East
• London South
• London West
• Londonderry
• Loughborough
• Middlesbrough
• Milton Keynes
• Musselburgh
• Northampton
• Potters Bar
• Saffron Waldon
• Scarborough
• Southampton
• St Leonards on Sea
• Stoke on Trent
• Wolverhampton

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAMasters, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

• Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
• Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
• Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, application tips and much more
• Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAMasters.com

or begin browsing FindAMasters.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your FindAMasters account and sign up to our newsletter:

• Find out about funding opportunities and application tips
• Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest Masters news
• Hear about our upcoming study fairs
• Save your favourite courses, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates

Create your account

Looking to list your Masters courses? Log in here .

Let us help you find a Masters

Never miss a course

Enter our ambassador competition

Get funding news, tips and advice

Hear about upcoming events

Sign up to our newsletter today

We've been helping students find the right postgraduate course for over a decade.

Login to your account

Enter your username below to login to your account.

Courses, apprenticeships, information guides and more

University of Birmingham

Degree level: postgraduate, creative writing (research), course options.

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Work with our team of award-winning authors to develop your creative practice and its critique. Creative Writing at Birmingham is part of the Department of Film and Creative Writing, and is closely aligned to the Departments of English Literature and English Language and Applied Linguistics, allowing you to benefit from our breadth of expertise. This practice-based PhD will support you in the development of a long-form piece of creative writing, or a sequence of related works. You will also identify critical concerns and interests related to your creative practice. The final submission is divided between the creative piece and a related critical document. Your PhD submission will usually entail:

• For prose: a creative document (50 – 80%) of either long-form prose/novel, or a collection of short-form prose/stories supported by a critical paper (20–50%) of a similar length to a critical literary PhD submission (around 80,000 to 100,000 words). A novel, for example, should be somewhere between 60,000 to 80,000 words. The critical paper can be between 20,000 to 40,000 words. This would be discussed with your supervisor throughout your study.
• For poetry: a creative document of collected poems or a single work with a developed critical thesis (around 50,000 words)
• For scriptwriting (for film and live performance): a single project or a collection of multiple shorts should be of comparable length and commitment as the prose element, with a critical element between 20-50% of the overall submission.

Entry requirements

Applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees.

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Provider information.

Visit our website

University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT

Course contact details

4 course options.

Please select a course option to view the information for the course

Where do you live?

Sort by furthest to nearest.

Creative Writing PhD University of Birmingham

• On campus - Edgbaston Campus
• Full-time - 3 years
• Part-time - 6 years
• Part-time - 3 years

Key Course Facts

• View programme website
• Admission advice for international students

Course Description

Work with our team of award-winning authors to develop your creative practice and its critique. Creative Writing at Birmingham is part of the Department of Film and Creative Writing, and is closely aligned to the Departments of English Literature and English Language and Applied Linguistics, allowing you to benefit from our breadth of expertise.

This practice-based PhD will support you in the development of a long-form piece of creative writing, or a sequence of related works. You will also identify critical concerns and interests related to your creative practice. The final submission is divided between the creative piece and a related critical document.

Your PhD submission will usually entail:

• For prose: a creative document (50 – 80%) of either long-form prose/novel, or a collection of short-form prose/stories supported by a critical paper (20–50%) of a similar length to a critical literary PhD submission (around 80,000 to 100,000 words). A novel, for example, should be somewhere between 60,000 to 80,000 words. The critical paper can be between 20,000 to 40,000 words. This would be discussed with your supervisor throughout your study.
• For poetry: a creative document of collected poems or a single work with a developed critical thesis (around 50,000 words)
• For scriptwriting (for film and live performance): a single project or a collection of multiple shorts should be of comparable length and commitment as the prose element, with a critical element between 20-50% of the overall submission.

Other creative formats (for example a script for a graphic novel) will follow the poetry or prose model, with a 20–50% split for the critical element.

The creative document will be an original work of significant, publishable quality which demonstrates an understanding of craft, genre, and form. The critical document will present a structured and developed argument that demonstrates an awareness of context, and discuss, where relevant, critical and creative processes.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / english requirements.

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

• Graduate Degrees
• (no subscore less than 6.0)
• Undergraduate Degrees

Applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.

Average student cost of living in the UK

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of university of birmingham in top uk and global rankings., about university of birmingham.

The University of Birmingham is a research university based in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England. The university’s aim is to be at the cutting edge of educational delivery, and to have their curriculum be continually reshaped by new revelations in research. The main campus is situated a reasonable three miles away from Birmingham city centre, which doesn’t take long to get to via bus if the student decides they’d like to spend some of their free time there.

List of 469 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Birmingham - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Birmingham

Where is this programme taught.

Similar courses

Ask a Question to University of Birmingham

Request course information or send a question directly to university of birmingham.

Personalise what you see on this page.

Looking for.

• Undergraduate courses
• Clearing courses
• Postgraduate courses
• CHOOSE ONE OR MORE

Popular universities

• University of Kent
• University of East Anglia UEA
• University of Chester
• Coventry University
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Portmouth
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of Sunderland
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• University of East London
• BROWSE ALL UNIVERSITIES

Course search

Popular undergraduate courses.

• Computer Science
• LLB Bachelor of Laws
• Biomedical Sciences
• Physiotherapy
• Sports Science

Open days search

Upcoming open days.

• Leeds Conservatoire
• Ulster University
• Teesside University, Middlesbrough
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Bath

Article search

Popular topics.

• Clearing advice for students
• Clearing advice for parents
• Clearing advice for teachers
• League tables
• Getting ready for uni

Popular articles

• What is UCAS Extra?
• Applying directly into Clearing
• Clearing success stories
• What's a university open day
• How university rankings can help you through Clearing
• BROWSE ALL ADVICE

Film and Creative Writing BA (Hons) University of Birmingham

Course options

Qualification.

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

• TUITION FEES
• ENTRY REQUIREMENT
• UNIVERSITY INFO

Course summary

Studying our BA Film and Creative Writing will develop your skills as a filmmaker and writer and allow you to explore film, television and writing in their theoretical, critical, industrial and creative contexts. This degree will prepare for life beyond your studies in a variety of careers – in film, TV, writing, editing, publishing, journalism, media, marketing and many more.You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of film, TV and all main genres of creative writing, including:Children’s film and TV Documentary filmmaking Nonfiction writingPlaywritingPoetryProseScreenwritingWorld cinemaWriting for the mediaYou’ll also gain practical filmmaking skills, through hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art editing suite.You can make use of our wide-ranging work-based placements and employability-focused modules, ensuring that you graduate with sought-after experience of the creative industries, including: Editing Film and TVJournalismMarketingMediaPublishingWriting

– including filmmakers, camera operators, screenwriters, film editors and film writers and commentators.

– including 2021 Royal Society of Literature’s Ondaatje Prize winner Professor Ruth Gilligan; 2021 Forward Poetry Prize winner Professor Luke Kennard and one of Granta magazine’s 2023 best young novelists Dr Anna Metcalfe.

– with our diverse range of industry connections, ensuring you enter the workplace with the skills required to shape the creative agendas of the future.

– whether it’s helping you improve your academic writing, organising visiting writers’ sessions, hosting alumni networking events or facilitating wellbeing activities, be assured that Birmingham is committed to your development whilst at university and beyond.

– write for our newspaper, present for our TV and radio stations or join one of our many writing or film societies.

– get involved in the city’s numerous literature and film festivals and explore Birmingham’s many cultural attractions, including the country’s oldest working cinema and Europe’s largest regional library.

Application deadline

Modules (Year 1)

Modules (year 2), modules (year 3), tuition fees.

• Afghanistan
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Congo (Democratic Republic)
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Ivory Coast
• Korea DPR (North Korea)
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Palestinian Authority
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Republic of Ireland
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• Switzerland
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• United States
• Vatican City
• Western Samoa

Information not available

Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

Entry requirements

Choose a qualification.

QUALIFICATION TYPE

• Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
• Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

A level : AAB

We prefer applications from students offering at least one A level from our list of preferred subjects:English Language, English Literature English Language and Literature, Modern Language, History, Law, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Film Studies, Theatre Studies.

Do you need to know more?

Ask a question directly and subscribe to this university

University information

University of Birmingham

University league table, campus address.

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England

Subject rankings

Subject ranking.

3rd out of 50 2

Entry standards

Graduate prospects

Student satisfaction

Is this page useful?

Sorry about that..., how can we improve it, thanks for your feedback.

Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Master of Arts in Creative Writing, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts

Genre Fiction, Nature Writing, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting – an advanced degree in any of our five areas of creative writing provides you the opportunity to hone your craft, elevate your art, and inspire the world. Join our welcoming and inclusive community and become the writer you are meant to be. To learn more about our program directly from our faculty and students, check out our program video .

Program Overview

Pursue your dream of becoming a published author.

If you’re looking to get serious about your writing and you’re eager to join a thriving and diverse community of writers, then you’ll find your niche in Western Colorado University’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing. Our five innovative areas of study—Genre Fiction, Nature Writing, Poetry, Publishing, and Screenwriting—offer cutting-edge courses, and our dedicated faculty of award-winning writers will ensure that you achieve your full potential as a writer.

Our low-residency model makes a graduate education accessible. During the academic year, students work closely with faculty and fellow students through videoconferencing and online courses. Each summer, all students take intensive courses that culminate in a one-week residency on Western’s beautiful campus in late July. These residencies are packed full of exciting courses, inspirational workshops and lively social events.

Sharing work in community

Screenwriting student Tia Phillip giving a reading at the 2023 Open-Mic Night

Faculty & Staff

Kevin j. anderson, mfa.

Director, Publishing Concentration

Byron Aspaas, MFA

Poetry Faculty

Karen Auvinen, Ph.D.

Nature Writing Faculty

Claire Boyles, M.A.

Screenwriting and Nature Writing Faculty

Steve Coughlin, MFA

Professor of English

Julie E. Czerneda

Genre Fiction Thesis Mentor

Amy Fox, MFA

Screenwriting Faculty

CMarie Fuhrman, MFA

Associate Director; Director, Poetry Concentration; Faculty, Nature Writing Concentration

Geoff Geib, MFA

Gwyneth gibby, m.a..

Publishing Faculty

Sarah Goettsch

Graduate Program in Creative Writing Coordinator

Carol D. Guerrero-Murphy, Ph.D.

Tyson hausdoerffer, ph.d..

Director, Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Mitali Jahagirdar, MFA

Tenea d. johnson, m.a., julie kane, ph.d., lindsay king-miller, mfa.

Thesis Mentor

Gary Lilley

Allyson longueira, m.a., js mayank, mfa.

Interim Director of Screenwriting

Cameron McGill, MFA

Candace nadon, ph.d..

Genre Fiction Faculty

Johanna Parkhurst, M.A.

Director, Genre Fiction Concentration

Laura Pritchett, Ph.D.

Director, Nature Writing Concentration

Laura Resau, M.A.

Nature Writing/Genre Fiction Faculty

Ligiah Villalobos Rojas, MFA

Liz sczudlo.

Screenwriting Thesis Consultant

Andrew Sellon, MFA

GPCW Faculty, Performance Coach

Derek Sheffield, MFA

Ana maria spagna, mfa, anna stileski, m.a..

Executive Assistant

Richard Wilber, Ed.D.

Genre Fiction Faculty, Graduate Thesis Coordinator

Maya Jewell Zeller, MFA

Nature Writing and Poetry Faculty

Laura Pritchett

Laura Pritchett, who directs the MFA with a concentration in Nature Writing, has two novels coming out in 2024, and they could not be more different.

Ligiah Villalobos Rojas

Melissa Dalton-Martinez

Lara Richardson

Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth..

Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation.

News & Research

Western’s MFA Director Laura Pritchett’s latest novel is born from a world on fire

Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

Western Poetry Faculty Member Chosen for Prestigious Poetry Prize

Teaching into the Firetower

Western’s CMarie Fuhrman Releases New Anthology & Public Radio Podcast

Nature Writing and Western Press Books to Produce Inaugural Book

Renown Author Karen Auvinen to Join Western Faculty

Western Instructor Named to Top Writer’s Honor

Graduate Program Pushes Caps on Enrollment During Pandemic

Western Professor Named to Authors’ Hall of Fame

Additional resources, admission requirements & application.

Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing considers applications in four waves throughout the year: Early Admissions, from July 1 through November …

Tuition & Fees

Full-time enrollment in the MFA extends over 25 months, spanning four non-residency semesters and three Summer Residencies. Students may also attend half-time or take a leave of …

Scholarships & Financial Aid

The GPCW is deeply committed to raising funds to support our students. Each year we offer substantial direct-funding scholarships. The GPCW is currently …

Summer Residency

The highlight of our academic year is the Summer Residency, held each July on Western’s beautiful campus in Gunnison, Colorado.

How can a low-residency format create a sense of community among students and faculty?…

Publications

Publications in the Creative Writing Graduate Program Explore the publications below to discover the depth and breadth of Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing: Think Journal Christine …

GPCW Mission, Indigenous Commitment and DEIA+ Statements

The Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Western Colorado University seeks to create transformative learning experiences for our students, built from a strong foundation that honors our students’ unique voices and is supported within inclusive environments established both virtually and at yearly residency gatherings.

Learn More about the GPCW

Interested in learning more about the Graduate Program in Creative Writing? There’s no better way to get to know our program than through the voices of our faculty and students. Tune in to watch this informational video about everything you’ll look forward to as a student in our program.

Related Programs

Genre Fiction

Master of Arts | Master of Fine Arts

Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW) 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

Nature Writing

Master of Arts

Screenwriting

Department information, associate director, program coordinator, contact information.

970.943.2014

[email protected]

Campus Location

Western Colorado University Quigley Hall 117 1 Western Way Gunnison, CO 81231

Take the Next Step

Apply to Western

We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.

Visit Western

The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.

Alumni Community

We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

Request Information

Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.

Select your Undergraduate Student Type

• Student Life
• Schools & Colleges
• Centers & Institutes
• Leadership Team
• For Faculty and Staff
• For Researchers
• Request Info
• Give to UWM

Creative Writing Workshop

Student Union

Lyrical Sanctuary & First-Year Writing Program present Creative Writing Workshop with Poet & Filmmaker Jamai Fisher

Previous Event

Undergraduate Film and Creative Writing courses

Study at a university where theory and practice go hand in hand.

As well as studying texts from a variety of critical, theoretical and historical perspectives, you could make films, perform poetry, develop screenplays, write novels and create television programmes. Our students’ work can be found in theatres, libraries, at festivals, in cinemas, on television screens, in newspapers, classrooms, online and in bookshops around the world.

BA Film and Creative Writing

Course details for prospective students on our BA Film and Creative Writing undergraduate degree programme at the University of Birmingham, UK.

• UCAS code: PW38

BA Digital Media and Communications

Course details for prospective students on our BA Digital Media and Communications undergraduate degree programme at the University of Birmingham, UK.

• UCAS code: P390

BA Drama and Creative Writing

Course details for prospective students on our BA Drama and Creative Writing undergraduate degree programme at the University of Birmingham, UK.

• Course type: Joint Honours, Major/minor
• UCAS code: WW48

BA Drama and Film

Course details for prospective students on our BA Drama and Film undergraduate degree programme at the University of Birmingham, UK.

• UCAS code: WW46

BA English Literature and Creative Writing

Course details for prospective students on our BA English and Creative Writing undergraduate degree programme at the University of Birmingham. Ucas code Q3W8.

• UCAS code: Q3W8

BA English Literature and Digital Media and Communications

Course details for prospective students on our BA Digital Media and Communications and English undergraduate degree programme at the University of Birmingham...

• Course type: Joint Honours
• UCAS code: PQ30

BA English Literature and Film

Course details for prospective students on our BA English and Film undergraduate degree programme at the University of Birmingham. UCAS code QW36.

• UCAS code: QW36