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Creative Writing at University of Cambridge - UCAS

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2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

We designed the Master of Studies (MSt) in Creative Writing for those who wish to further their creative writing skills. If you have experience in writing prose, poetry or scripts and wish to take your creative work to the next level, this could be the course for you. You can choose to join the course on one of 4 pathways:

  • fiction
  • poetry
  • creative non-fiction
  • multi-disciplinary
We teach the course part time over 2 years. You’ll attend 3 intensive teaching residentials in each year of study. We’ve crafted the degree so that you can balance your studies with other responsibilities. You’ll be guided in writing creatively in modules taught by published writers. You’ll also learn about the theory and craft of writing and participate in a practical group project to gain professional experience applicable to working in literary and creative fields. If you wish to expand your capabilities as a writer, this course is for you. You may want to:
  • advance a project for publication
  • gain transferable writing skills
  • improve your ability to think creatively
  • increase your capacity to express yourself through writing
By the end of the course, you should have:
  • produced a portfolio of creative writing that demonstrates your skill as a writer and your ability to edit and improve your own writing
  • a comprehensive understanding of the genre (or genres) in which you work
  • the ability to produce creative work that’s original and displays an awareness of the conventions and recent developments of your genre (or genres)
On completing the course, you may go on to use what you have learned in a variety of ways. Some of our graduates are published authors. A number of our alumni have gone on to work in different roles in publishing, film production and professional writing. Many have advanced to PhD study in creative writing.

Modules

In each year of study you'll attend 3 week-long residentials in Cambridge. Over the course of these 3 residentials you'll complete 4 modules: a compulsory core module and 3 genre-specific modules of your choice. The residentials in each year run in September, January and April. You will study two compulsory core modules: 'Theory and Practice of Writing' and 'Professional Practices'. You will also study 6 genre-specific modules based on the four available pathways: 'Fiction', 'Poetry', 'Creative non-fiction' and 'Multi-disciplinary'. Further details about each of the pathways is available on the course website.

Assessment method

Theory and Practice of Writing A 4,500-word essay that engages with an aspect of writing relevant to your own practice and experiences in workshop. 15% of final mark. Professional Practices A 1,500-word reflection that considers the experience you have gained on the module and the way in which that experience relates to your professional ambitions. 5% of final mark. Genre-specific modules A 1,500-word piece of creative prose (or textual equivalent) engaging with the content of the module for which it is submitted. 5% of final mark. You’ll submit 6 of these assignments over the 2 years of the course. 30% of your final mark. Creative dissertation A creative project of 15,000 words (or textual equivalent). 50% of final mark. You’ll receive written feedback on your assignments and informal feedback throughout the course, including during seminars, workshops and supervisions. Your tutor will produce reports for you during year 1 and your supervisor will author reports over the course of year 2.

How to apply

International applicants

Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you'll need to prove you have sufficient fluency before admission. If we offer you a place, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement. As a minimum, you will be required to demonstrate an overall score of 7.5 in IELTS Academic with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component (or equivalent). We welcome applications from international students. If you're coming from overseas, you would attend the in-person teaching sessions for this course with visitor immigration permission. It's important to be aware that entering the UK as a visitor for study purposes comes with certain expectations and restrictions, and you should fully understand the requirements.

Entry requirements

We welcome applications from students with a variety of backgrounds and professional experiences. As part of our admissions process, you’ll need to meet certain requirements and make sure you’re able to attend teaching sessions in the UK. Typically, we expect a good UK undergraduate degree, such as a 2.1, or international equivalent. If your degree is not from the UK, check international qualifications on the University’s postgraduate site to find the equivalent in your country. If you do not meet the standard entry requirements, we still encourage you to apply. You’ll need to show you have relevant, professional experience that makes you a strong candidate, and/or have completed higher-level study. Please include this information when you apply.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £20592 Year 1
England £20592 Year 1
Northern Ireland £20592 Year 1
Scotland £20592 Year 1
Wales £20592 Year 1
International £32436 Year 1

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

There is a £85 application fee.
Creative Writing at University of Cambridge - UCAS