Course summary
At the heart of the Manchester Writing School are our masters programmes in Creative Writing, available to study on campus in Manchester and also from anywhere in the world via online distance learning. On our MFA Creative Writing programme, you will explore and practice techniques and styles of modern and contemporary writing and apply these through the development of your own full-length book or script. MFA students undertake all of the elements of our MA Creative Writing programme (a taught element blending writing workshops with reading modules, option modules, and a dissertation), then take an addition module about the publishing, literary and arts industries and submit a full-length manuscript: a completed novel or short story collection, poetry collection, book for children or young adults, script for stage, screen or radio, or book of creative non-fiction. You will specialise in one of the following routes: Novel (including Short Fiction), Poetry, Writing for Children & Young Adults, Scriptwriting (for stage, screen or radio) or Creative Non-Fiction. The MFA is available to complete in two years full-time or three years part-time. The novel and poetry routes are available to study on campus (full-time or part-time) or online (part-time only). The writing for children and creative non-fiction routes are online (part-time) only. The scriptwriting route is available to study on campus only. We have intakes to the programme in September and January each year.
- One of the most successful programmes of its kind in the UK today – with more than 100 students and graduates publishing first books and having work produced, and many more achieving publication in journals and magazines, winning writing awards and prizes, setting up small presses and anthologies, and finding roles in the publishing industry.
- Flexible learning - classes for core Workshop and Reading modules take place in the evenings (6-8pm UK time) during the autumn or spring semesters. Full-time students usually have classes two evenings per week, and part-time students one evening per week.
- Live online teaching - the course can be completed entirely online, with core Workshop and Reading module teaching for distance learning students via weekly online classes in Microsoft Teams, and some option modules also available online (availability varies each year).
- Option modules - all students take a 30 credit option module and can choose from a range of creative writing modules, or modules from our MA English Studies and MA Publishing courses.
- Full-length manuscript - MFA students submit a full-length manuscript: a completed novel or short story collection, poetry collection, book for children or young adults, feature-length script or book of creative non-fiction, completed over a full year with one-to-one editorial input from a dedicated Manuscript Mentor. Manuscript students also attend The Industry - a semester of weekly seminars with guests from the publishing, literary and cultural industries introducing career opportunities for creative writers.
- Academic expertise - taught by high-profile writers and critics under the direction of Professor Carol Ann Duffy DBE.
- Home to Manchester Poetry Library - Manchester Poetry Library is the North West's first public poetry library and holds over 12,000 books and recordings that can be explored through the online catalogue, in person and through the annual programme of events.
- Manchester City of Literature - Manchester has been designated an international UNESCO City of Literature in recognition of its thriving live literature scene.
- Research power - English at Manchester Met was ranked 8th out of 92 UK universities for the power of our research and students can access world-leading expertise and an exciting collection of community-facing projects, events and activities through our research groups, with strengths in poetry, place writing, game studies and more.
Entry requirements
In order to apply, you will need to submit a completed application form, a sample of creative writing, a critical review and one reference. You can apply online or download an application form here: mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/postgraduate-taught-course. On the application form, you will be asked to give a personal statement and should use this to tell us a bit about yourself and give a good sense of what you have been reading and writing, what has led you to apply for our course, and which one of our specialist routes you are applying for. Personal statements should be up to 500 words long. For the creative sample, applicants to the Novel, Children's/YA and Creative Non-Fiction routes should submit up to 2,000 words of prose (a complete piece, or an extract/extracts from a longer work); poetry applicants should submit up to 15 poems; and scriptwriting applicants should submit up to 15 minutes running time of script. The critical review should focus on a piece of 21st century work, be up to 500 words long, and show evidence of close reading, explaining what it is about the piece you find useful as a writer. Both the creative and critical samples should be relevant to the specialist route to which you are applying (Novel OR Poetry OR Writing for Children/YA OR Scriptwriting OR Creative Non-Fiction). Your reference can be from anyone of professional standing (e.g. a current/former employer or tutor) who can vouch for your suitability for study at postgraduate level or the quality of your writing, or, if you are unable to obtain a reference from someone who is familiar with your written work, simply verify your identity. Please collate and submit the application form, writing sample, review and reference, where possible. It will not speed up the processing of your application if you send some elements now with others to follow. We have intakes into the programme in September and January each year. We normally aim to respond to applications within four weeks of receipt of all four elements: application form, writing sample, review and reference, although it may take a little longer outside of term time. In each application assessed we will be looking for evidence of: A very high standard of written English; Creative talent and potential; Control of form, style and technique; Commitment to the craft of writing and willingness to engage with the editorial process of receiving feedback and redrafting work-in-progress; Experience of the development of writing skills through workshops, supervision, mentoring or previous study; Commitment to the craft of writing and the development of writing skills through workshops and supervision; Substantial reading within the relevant field. Applicants whose first language is not English are required to produce evidence of English Language proficiency. Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 overall, with no sub-component below 5.5, or an equivalent accepted English qualification. If your application meets these criteria, a tutor may contact you to arrange a telephone or face-to-face interview at a mutually convenient time.
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
For further information: https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/
Provider information
Manchester Metropolitan University
All Saints Building
All Saints
Manchester
M15 6BH