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Course overview
Everyone has a novel in them - or a screenplay - or a sonnet - but if you want to refine your writing and prepare it for publication, our Creative Writing MA offers you the chance to dedicate time to your craft and learn from acclaimed authors.
Get ready to develop your practice further, whether you're interested in short fiction, novels, poetry, plays, screenplays or hybrid and digital forms. Work with writers, editors and publishers and learn how to get published.
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take two modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, with an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your creative portfolio dissertation during term one.
Course highlights
At Birmingham, you'll elevate your writing abilities and build on your experience writing creatively. You’ll explore how different forms of writing intersect and you’ll experiment with your writing style. You'll learn how to think like a writer and editor, increasing your confidence by analysing contemporary writing and reflecting on your own work. Our writing workshops are complemented by professional skills training plus real-world insights from published authors, editors and publishers.
- Take your writing beyond the classroom and participate in departmental readings and creative writing competitions.
- Experiment and enhance your writing, testing out different forms in the taught modules. You can choose screenwriting, playwriting, prose fiction or poetry for your dissertation.
- Understand the craft of writing so you can critique your work to professional standards.
- Join a diverse writing community - we welcome writers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re starting your writing journey or have lots of experience already, we’ll help you nurture your craft.
Expand your creativity: explore different forms and genres of writing.
Expert guest lectures from industry professionals.
Our links to local presses and literary activity in Birmingham.
Challenge conventions
Study with inspirational writers who challenge the conventions of form.You’ll be taught by award winning writers such as: Luke Kennard, Forward-prize winning poet and novelist; Ruth Gilligan, who won the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize for her novel The Butchers; and Isabel Galleymore, who won the John Pollard Foundation International Poetry Prize for her poetry collection Significant Other.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. You'll have the opportunity to learn from published authors, offering valuable expertise in Creative Writing.
You'll study four core modules plus your dissertation. The dissertation is made up of a creative portfolio, worth 75%, and a critical essay, worth 25%. The 10,000 word portfolio of creative work can be a screenplay, excerpt from a novel or collection of short fiction or poetry (600 lines for poetry).
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars and workshops – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching with practical writing opportunities.
- Dissertation - you’ll undertake a 10,000-word creative portfolio and produce a critical essay.
Module information
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a weekly seminar or workshop which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 session
The following must be taken:
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
in English or Creative Writing
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in English or Creative Writing. We'll also consider other subjects.
Regardless of your academic background, you'll need to have considerable experience writing creatively.
You'll need to include a sample of your writing in your online application. This will be a creative writing portfolio of approximately 3,000 words.
The portfolio can be short stories, an excerpt from a novel, play, or film script or a selection of poems. If you submit a portfolio of poetry, each line of poetry equates to approximately 20 words per line, so you'll submit approximately 150 lines of poetry.
We welcome all forms of writing, but encourage you to submit multiple works if possible, such as a short story and an excerpt from a novel rather than a longer passage from a novel. Please contact the course admissions tutor if you have any queries about the writing sample.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification. For this course we ask for IELTS 6.5 overall with no less 7.0 in writing and 6 in all other bands.
IELTS 6.5 no less 7.0 in writing and 6 in all other bands is equivalent to
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 23 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 76 in writing and 64 in all other bands
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 185 in Writing and no less than 169 in any other component.
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
- £5,450
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Film or Creative Writing at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include critical thinking skills, the ability to think creatively and generate new ideas and teamworking skills.
Our Film and Creative Writing graduates enter many roles, including:
- Online Content Editor
- Video Editor
- Editorial Assistant
Employers our Film and Creative Writing graduates have worked for include:
- 3Wise Entertainment
- BBC
- Fremantle Media
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report.
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.