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.

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.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service 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 £21,000.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get 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

Applications for the Maureen Taylor Scholarship are open to all students, but with the specific aim of encouraging black and minority ethnic (BME) women writers.

To be eligible to apply, you will need to confirm your place on the MA Creative Writing programme. Applications are open to all, but we will particularly welcome these from students who meet at least two of the following criteria:

• BME background
• Female
• 25 years old or older

Please list the Maureen Taylor Scholarship on your application form.

If you have any questions, please email Carole Burns, Head of Creative Writing: c.burns@soton.ac.uk.

Deadline: To be considered for the scholarship, please apply to MA Creative Writing by 1 June of the year in which you wish to study.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

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.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. 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, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. 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 also need to send 2 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 may also be asked to provide:

• a sample of written work

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.

What happens after you apply

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

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

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