manchester university creative writing

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MA Creative Writing / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

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Course description

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.

The course will see you study literary technique through reading and discussing the work of other contemporary writers in seminars, and you will have the opportunity to develop your own work via regular workshops and individual tutorials. Writers may choose to work on writing a novel and/or short stories and/or creative non-fiction and/or poems.

You'll benefit from seminars with Jeanette Winterson, workshops in fiction and poetry writing led by published, award-winning writers, and intensive, one-to-one instruction from writers-in-residence.

You will also have access to Literature Live, a fortnightly reading series bringing the best contemporary novelists and poets to Manchester, skills-related sessions delivered by professionals in the publishing industry, and regular visits from literary agents and editors.

We work with talented, committed students - whatever their style or genre - and we pride ourselves on giving students detailed, individual feedback both in writing and face-to-face.

Special features

Literature events

Manchester Literature Festival holds literary events across Manchester throughout the year, many in partnership with the University. The Centre for New Writing also hosts a regular public event series, Literature Live, which brings contemporary novelists and poets to the University to read and engage in conversation.

Find out more about literature in Manchester .

The Manchester Anthology

As an MA student at the Centre for New Writing, you will get the opportunity to have a piece of fiction or poetry published in The Manchester Anthology when you graduate.

Learn from experts

You will have the opportunity to engage in masterclasses and regular events with world-renowned Professor of Creative Writing, Jeanette Winterson. We also host a series of talks by visiting agents from the publishing industry.

Find out more about our people .

Teaching and learning

You will learn through a variety of teaching methods depending on the units you choose, including seminars, lectures and independent study.

Please note that both the full and part-time options are taught between 9am to 5pm. We do not offer evening classes. 

Coursework and assessment

All writing workshops meet for two to three hours per week, and are worth 30 credits. You will also be offered three individual half-hour tutorials per semester to discuss the progress of your writing. Each workshop is assessed by a portfolio of poetry or fiction.

Seminars meet for three hours per week and are also worth 30 credits. They will usually be assessed by one 6,000-word essay or the equivalent.

Over the summer, you will complete a 'dissertation' of 12,000 to 15,000 words of fiction or 15-20 poems. This is worth 60 credits.

Course unit details

You will undertake units totalling 180 credits. Core units combine to make 120 credits, with the remaining 60 credits allocated to the dissertation.

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, either poetry or fiction writing.

You may choose to take two workshops - one in fiction writing and one in poetry - or you may take one workshop and one seminar. Typical seminars will be The Art of Short Fiction and Poetics.

Students wishing to focus on poetry writing will take a poetry workshop and a seminar on Contemporary Poetry.

Students wishing to focus on fiction writing will take a fiction writing workshop and a seminar in Contemporary Fiction.

Dissertation

Your dissertation will comprise 15,000 words of your own fiction writing, or 16 to 25 poems.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Take your inspiration from one of the best university libraries in the country, as well as the Whitworth Art Gallery, the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama and the special collections at the John Rylands Library, which include Shakespeare folios, a Gutenberg Bible and extensive modern literary archives.

Attend lectures and exhibitions at the internationally renowned Manchester Centre for Anglo-Saxon Studies, as well as cutting-edge research talks at the English Research Seminar and Critical MASS: the American Studies research seminar.

Away from campus, the city of Manchester is home to an excellent network of public libraries , as well as a wealth of literary and arts institutions, venues and attractions such as the Portico Library , the International Anthony Burgess Foundation , Elizabeth Gaskell's House , HOME and Chetham's Library .

You will also find independent publishers such as Carcanet Press, Comma Press, Cillian Press and Saraband in Manchester, along with bookshops such as Blackwell's (which is located on campus), Waterstones, Chorlton Bookshop and Chapter 1 Books.

Manchester Literature Festival holds events featuring an array of authors each year, while other literary events also take place around Manchester throughout the year, including talks and spoken word events.

Learn more about our facilities .

Disability support

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This one-year postgraduate course offers access to specialist teaching from leading writers and poets.

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MA Creative Writing / Entry requirements

Year of entry: 2024

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Academic entry qualification overview

We normally expect students to have a First or Upper Second class honours degree or its overseas equivalent in a humanities-based subject area.

English language

An overall grade of IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in writing and no skill below 6.5 is required or 100+ in the TOEFL iBT with a minimum writing score of 25 and no skill below 22.

If you have obtained a different qualification, please check our  English language requirements  to ensure that it is accepted and equivalent to the above requirements.

English language test validity

Other international entry requirements.

School of Arts, Languages and Cultures

Creative Writing Summer School

Develop your writing skills in Manchester, a city with a rich literary heritage, which was recognised by UNESCO as a City of Literature in 2017. Explore a selection of contemporary British and Irish short stories and poems to inspire in-class writing assignments. Critique and improve your own fiction and poetry, become familiarised with the creative writing workshop and develop a useful critical language to support you to engage effectively with your own work and the work of others.

Course overview

The Creative Writing summer school will introduce you to some of the most important techniques of fiction and poetry writing. You will experience the creative writing workshop, helping you to develop a useful critical language with which to engage with your own work and the work of others.

The first half of the summer school will be dedicated to reading a selection of contemporary British and Irish short stories and poems as models which will inspire a variety of in-class writing assignments. In the second half of the summer school, you will begin to write and workshop your own fiction and poetry.

Course details

The course will be made up of a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops and individual tutorials. There is also a field trip excursion (details to be confirmed). The topics included for 2021 (subject to change) are likely to include:

• Course introduction, poetry, language and tone
• Point of view in fiction
• Dialogue in fiction
• Forms of poetry: sonnet and villanelle
• Plot in fiction
• Poetry workshops
• Fiction workshops

Assessment and credits

You will be assessed through continuous assessment, written work and an oral presentation.

The summer school carries 20 credits.

Entry requirements

To apply to the Creative Writing Summer School, we expect the following:

• You will be 18 or over on the first day of the course.
• You will be a registered undergraduate student at a tertiary institution such as a university or college. Mature students, postgraduates and recent graduates are also welcome to apply.
• You will have achieved good academic grades equivalent to GPA 3.0. Please contact us if you are not sure what the equivalent grade would be for your home institution.

English language

If English is not your first language, you must fulfil one of the following English Language proficiency requirements:

• IELTS score of 7.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 7.0 in each skill.
• TOEFL paper-based test minimum score of 590 with a minimum of 55 in all skills.
• TOEFL internet-based test minimum score of 98 with a minimum score of 22 in all skills.
• English Language O-level/IGCSE/GCSE grade B.
• International Baccalaureate Standard Level English, grade 5.
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate grade B.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, grade A.
• Level 5 of Chinese University English test for English majors, or Level 7 of Chinese University English Test.

All transcripts must be authorised by your university and your English language scores must be clearly presented in English and be no more than two years old.

We would be happy to consider your application or offer advice if you do not meet all of our entry requirements – please email [email protected]  to discuss your application.

Fees and finance

Tuition fee.

The tuition fee for students taking the course for 2021 is currently being reviewed. The tuition fee covers the teaching, assessment and field trips. If you are part of a group with more than 10 students from the same institution we can offer a 10% group discount.

Accommodation fee

The accommodation fees are not included in the tuition fee. For further information on availability of accommodation and the associated cost, please see the accommodation section. 

Personal expenses

In addition, you will need to budget for living costs to cover food, travel and personal expenses. Manchester is a relatively affordable place to live in. It is cheaper to cook than eat out. All accommodation provides cooking facilities. Weekly grocery shopping is approximately £30-£50.

All students are required to arrange their own travel and health insurance before arriving in Manchester.

Fees for the course, or part of the course, can only be refunded if cancellation in writing is received at least 20 working days before the published start date of the course. All refunds are subject to a £210 administration fee. The course deposit will only be refunded, less an administration fee of £210, within 20 working days of the course start date in exceptional circumstances e.g. a visa refusal, and upon receipt of documentary evidence. The administration fee is not refundable under any circumstances.

How to apply

Before you apply.

Please browse the course content and entry requirements before applying. 

You need to submit the following documents as part of your application before Friday 7 May 2021:

• an academic transcript from your current university;
• proof of your English language qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL scores;
• a completed  application form  (click to download).

Failure to include all of the required documentation will delay your application. Please see our Entry Requirements for further details.

All applications and accompanying documents should be emailed to  [email protected] . Applications are considered in the order they are submitted. Any applications received after the deadline may not be successful.

The admission process

• All correspondence will be via email so please check for responses regularly.
• After you have submitted your application, you will receive an acknowledgement email within 5 working days.
• A decision will be made on all applications by the end of May 2021, but we may contact you earlier. If you are offered a conditional place we will send you a letter detailing your next steps.
• Your place on the summer school is not confirmed until the course fees are paid in full. This is done via our online store using a credit or debit card. The deadline for payment will be Friday 28 May 2021.
• You will also be asked to pay for your accommodation at this point.
• Upon receipt of full payment, we will issue an unconditional offer letter.
• Please note that a minimum number of students is required for the course to run. Confirmation that the course will run as scheduled will be sent out to applicants in May 2021.

Visa requirements

Not all students require a visa to enter the UK – you can  check your eligibility on the Home Office website . 

If you do need a visa, it will usually be a Short-Term Study Visa which allows you to visit the UK for less than six months and undertake some study while here. It is not the same as a Tier 4 (General) student visa which requires a CAS number. You will be sent an unconditional offer letter which you can use for your visa application.

If you have any queries about which visa you should apply for, please visit the Home Office website or  email The University of Manchester's visa office .

University and city life

The University of Manchester is centrally located in the city of Manchester. It is a 30-minute drive from Manchester International Airport and 10 minutes from the main train station by car, from which you can travel to the rest of the UK via an extensive rail network.

The University is within walking distance of the city centre and main attractions like museums, shopping centres, theatres and sports venues. The city offers a wide choice of food outlets and restaurants. We are at the doorstep of the Curry Mile, well known for its Indian/Pakistani food. Manchester's China Town is the largest in the country with a number of Chinese, Korean and Japanese supermarkets.

Within a short distance of Manchester are the beautiful national parks of the Peak District, Lake District, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire. You will find beautiful natural scenery and tranquil spots in these places. They are popular tourist attractions for British families and international tourists.

Find out more

• Visit the main University's webpage on Student Life and the City

Accommodation

Standard accommodation is available at  Whitworth Park , and en-suite accommodation is available at  Denmark Road .

We offer a choice of standard or en-suite rooms in university halls of residence close to the teaching rooms. All rooms are private rooms (no sharing) and are grouped into self-catering apartments which share a living room and a kitchen. Included in the fee are cooking equipment, a weekly clean, and fresh bed sheets on a weekly basis.

Wireless internet is available on campus free of charge to university students, but in some bedrooms there is a wired broadband connection so students are advised to bring a laptop with them to allow a cable connection. There are also study spaces and computers available in  The University of Manchester Library  which students are encouraged to use.

We allocate students to their rooms in each flat to encourage a diverse mix of people from around the world, in keeping with the international experience. Therefore, you may not be placed in a flat with students from your home university.

The university campus is open to the public but patrolled by campus security.

For more information and to check availability please email the Creative Summer Schools team .

What to bring

We recommend bringing the following items:

• An umbrella, as Manchester can sometimes be a rainy city!
• A good waterproof coat, to keep you warm and dry.
• Sturdy footwear as we’ll be walking around the city and sometimes in the countryside.
• A backpack or daypack for carrying your belongings when on field trips.
• Sun protection cream, a hat and sunglasses for good weather. 
• Warm clothes such as jumpers, coats and hats for night time activities, outdoor excursions and bad weather.

If you forget anything, there are plenty of  shops in the city centre  where you can find all of the essential items.

For enquiries about the programme, you can contact the Summer School team:

E: [email protected]

T: +44(0)161 306 3997

Facebook /creativemanchester

Twitter: @creativemanchester

For more information on Creative Manchester see our website .

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Creative Writing and English Literature

Discover your research degree study options, including areas of expertise for our academic supervisors.

Why you should join us

Our research degrees will help you advance or change your career, deepen your expertise, and expand your research and practical skills.

Work with renowned experts

70% of our research impact is rated as world-leading in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Choose from flexible pathways

Our research degrees can be pursued full-time, part-time or through distance learning.

Tailor your development training

Enjoy our comprehensive personal and professional development programme for research students.

Participate in public engagement programmes

We host innovative public events such as lectures, seminars, and film screenings.

Benefit from our intellectual community

Postgraduate and early career researchers thrive in Manchester, a UNESCO City of Literature.

Join the Manchester Writing School

Be part of a successful literary centre, perfect for established or aspiring writers.

Our research areas

Discover our areas of expertise and browse our experts.  We encourage you to discuss your research ideas with us – even if your topic is not listed.

Doctoral students working on English literature, creative writing and screen studies are attached to dedicated research groups where they work alongside our academic staff.

Our research groups in the Department of English are:

• The Long-Nineteenth Century Network : Looking back at nineteenth-century literature, culture and art to help us understand our present and future in Manchester and beyond.
• Screen Studies Network : A vibrant research community dedicated to screen-based disciplines including film studies, media studies and screenwriting.
• Poetry An area of international excellence that focuses on modern and contemporary poetry.
• Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies : Studying the history and cultural significance of the Gothic aesthetic, from its eighteenth-century British origins through to its contemporary global manifestations.
• Centre for Migration and Postcolonial Studies : Exploring the impact of postcolonialism and migration on the literary and cultural landscape — now and in the future.
• Centre for Place Writing : Exploring the relationship between writing and place to examine major contemporary issues including the climate emergency, urban regeneration and mass migration.
• Manchester Games Centre : Our research emphasises the role of digital and analogue games in social change, and focuses on making games as a creative methodology.

We also have strong expertise in medical humanities, trauma and memory, and in modern and contemporary prose fiction.

Research with real-world impact

Discover our five research missions.

Qualifications you can study

You can do a research degree on campus or remotely through distance learning . Choose from one of these programmes:

• PhD English — three years full-time, six years part-time

Find out about the research degrees we offer.

Start dates

Most of our postgraduate researchers enrol in October. You can also join us in January and April.

Application information

Entry requirements.

To apply, you’ll need a first or 2.1 honours degree, or an equivalent qualification.

International postgraduate researchers must have strong English language skills.

We welcome applicants from non-standard backgrounds. We’ll take subject knowledge, professional experience, publications, or other relevant achievements into consideration.

Find out more about our standard entry requirements.

How to apply for a research degree

Discover the key steps in the application process.

Scholarships, fees and funding

Discover the financial support available to help with study cost

What will your research degree cost?

Postgraduate research funding

Find out how to fund your research degree.

Contact information

About this subject.

For an initial discussion, contact Dr Andrew Moor , the research degrees co-ordinator for creative writing and English literature at  [email protected]

General admissions

For further information on the application process, contact the admissions team at [email protected]