Masters in Literature and Creative Writing in UK

The UK is renowned for its rich literary heritage and world-class universities offering exceptional programs in Literature and Creative Writing. If you are considering pursuing a master's in literature and creative writing, the UK offers a diverse range of options to suit your interests and career goals.

A Master’s degree in Literature and Creative writing is for someone who wishes to set up a career in writing-intensive roles such as authors, editors, content writers, journalists and professors or for someone who wishes to venture into creative fields like screenwriting, copywriting and so on. The course is also suitable for someone who has a love for reading literature and aims to create their own. For that reason, one must pursue their Master in Literature and Creative Writing at a place which possesses a worldwide reputation for having good literature and creative writing courses. 

A Masters degree in Literature and Creative Writing in the UK does just the same for students. Also, with its rich history in literature and writing fields, a degree in literature and content writing from the UK is recognised and reputable around the world. Let us learn more about this course in detail below. 

MA in English Literature and Creative Writing Course Overview

The master’s degree in English Literature (Creative Writing) in the UK lasts for a year (or two in some universities like Oxford University) for full-time study and 2 years for part-time study in most UK universities. The program comes with a set of core modules (mostly research and reflect modules) and optional modules. Students have to choose from a set of available options to add optional modules to their programme. One can choose to study from a wide range of topics such as Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, Literary Theory and so on.

Why is UK a Good Place for an MA in Literature and Creative Writing?

Check below the reasons why you should get a master’s degree in literature and creative writing from the UK:

• Strong Literary Grounds: The UK has a long and illustrious literary history, producing some of the world's most influential writers.
• Prestigious Universities: Many of the world's top universities are located in the UK, offering high-quality education and excellent facilities.
• Diverse Course Offerings: You can find programs specializing in various literary genres, such as poetry, fiction, drama, and non-fiction.
• Career Opportunities: A UK degree in Literature and Creative Writing can open doors to careers in publishing, editing, teaching, writing, and more.

Top Universities for Literature and Creative Writing in UK

Check out the list of best universities for MA in English language and literature in the UK, ranked among the top 100 universities’ list of QS Rankings by Subjects 2024. 

Best Universities for MA in Literature and Creative Writing in the UK 2024-25
Universities	QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: English Language and Literature
University of Oxford	1
University of Cambridge	2
University of Edinburgh	9
UCL	12
King’s College London	15
University of Manchester	=19
University of Birmingham	26
Durham University	29
University of Warwick	30
University of Glasgow	=31
University of York	34
University of Leeds	36
Lancaster University	38
Queen Mary University of London	=40
University of St Andrews	44
University of Exeter	=46
University of Bristol	62
SOAS University of London	=67
University of Nottingham	=71
Cardiff University	=80
Newcastle University	=80
Birkbeck, University of London	=93
University of Liverpool	=98
University of Sussex	=98

MA Literature and Creative Writing UK: Eligibility Criteria

The postgraduate courses in literature and creative writing in the UK are available at several top universities in the UK such as Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of Essex, University of Sheffield, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester and University of York. Let us check the requirements for a MA in Literature and Creative Writing at various popular universities in the UK. 

MA Literature and Creative Writing Eligibility Criteria in the UK
Universities	Course	Requirements
University of Sheffield	MA English Literature (Creative Writing)	A 2:1* undergraduate honours in Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences subject. IELTS score of 7.5 with a minimum 7.0 band score in each section.
Lancaster University	MA in English Literary Studies with Creative Writing	A 2:1* undergraduate honours in a relevant subject In case students have 2:2* or non-relevant subjects in their bachelor’s degree, their selection will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  A 7.0 score on IELTS with a minimum of 6.5 marks in each section of the test.
University of Manchester	MA Creative Writing	A first-class 3-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60-80% overall marks.  100+ marks on TOEFL or an overall 7.0 in IELTS with no less than 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in each band.
University of Edinburgh	MSc in Creative Writing	A minimum percentage of 60% or 8/10 CGPA score in the relevant bachelor’s degree.  A 7.0 score on IELTS with a minimum of 6.5 marks in each section of the test (IELTS One Skill Retake is not allowed). 100+ marks on TOEFL iBT with a minimum of 23 marks in each segment. Minimum 73 marks on PTE with a minimum of 65 marks in each segment.
University of Essex	MA Literature and Creative Writing	A bachelor’s degree in American Studies, Arts History, History, Journalism, Law, Creative Writing, Film and Media Studies, Literature, Modern Languages, Music, Performance Studies, Politics, Philosophy, Sociology or Theatre/Drama Studies with a minimum of 51-56% marks or 5.4 to 6/10 CGPA or 2.16 to 2.4/4 GPA.  A 7.0 score on IELTS with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in other sections of the test.
University of Oxford	MSt in Creative Writing	A 1st or 2:1 undergraduate degree with honours in a relevant subject.  This comes to a minimum of 65% overall marks in degrees provided by Institutes of National Importance or 70% for degrees pursued from other colleges/universities for a 3-year degree.  For a 4-year degree, 65% overall marks in degrees provided by Institutes of National Importance or 75% for degrees pursued from other colleges/universities are required. In grades, the same can be understood as a minimum of 3.5 out of 4.0, 5.5 out of 7.0, 6.5 out of 8.0 or 8.5 out of 10.0 GPA/CGPA.  An overall score of 7.5 in  IELTS Academic with no less than 7.0 in each section.  110+ in TOEFL iBT and Home Edition with a minimum of 22 marks in Listening, 24 in Reading, 25 in Speaking and 24 in Writing parts of the test.
University of Cambridge	MSt in Creative Writing	A 2:1 UK honours degree or its overseas equivalent in relevant subject. Students who do not meet the above requirement must provide evidence of relevant/equivalent experience. Minimum 7.5 overall scores on IELTS Academic with no less than 7.0 in each section. 110+ scores on TOEGL iBT with no less than 25 in each section.

*The classifications of undergraduate degree in the UK are given below:

• 1st → First Class honours 
• 2:1 → Upper Second Class honours 
• 2:2 → Lower Second Class honours 

Pathway Programme for International Students

Students who do not meet the necessary English language requirements for the course in the given term time now have the option of taking the pathway programme to get an entry into the course. Students can join a pre-master’s programme in Social Science, Business or Humanities subject that will hone their English skills for an academic environment. This programme is available at select universities, make sure to connect with your university’s education advisor before proceeding. 

Masters in English Literature & Creative Writing Course Modules in UK

Here are some general modules that are taught in an MA Literature and Creative Writing degree in the UK:

1. Writing for Readers
2. Writing Fiction
3. Writing for Performance
4. Writing Life
5. Creative Writing: Fiction, Genre, Theory - Bodies and Landscapes
6. Research Methodologies and Reflective Studies
7. Contemporary Gothic
8. Forms of Fiction
9. Literature and Contemporary Literary Industry
10. Writing Poem
11. Trans Theory
12. Dissertations

Masters in English Literature & Creative Writing Fees for Different Colleges in UK

The fees of different colleges and universities providing a postgraduate degree in literature and creative writing are given below. 

Masters in English Literature & Creative Writing Fees 2024-25 in UK
University	Course	Full-time Course’s Annual Fee for International/Overseas Students
University of Sheffield	MA English Literature (Creative Writing)	£24,950
Lancaster University	MA in English Literary Studies with Creative Writing	£23,875
University of Manchester	MA Creative Writing	£27,000
University of Edinburgh	MSc in Creative Writing	£30,500
University of Essex	MA Literature and Creative Writing	£21,700
University of Oxford	MSt in Creative Writing	£15,105
University of Cambridge	MSt in Creative Writing	£19,635.00
Cardiff University	English Literature MA	£23,700 + £2,500 deposit

Scope of Masters in Literature and Creative Writing in UK

On pursuing a Masters in Literature and Creative Writing in the UK, students can establish their careers in fields which require writing as a core skill. Some of the key career paths/scopes after an MA degree in Literature and Creative Writing are given below. 

• Professional Writer: This includes roles like fiction writer, poet, playwright, screenwriter, blogger, content writer, and technical writer.
• Publishing Industry: This includes roles like editor, literary agent, acquisitions editor, copy editor, and proofreader.
• Academic Roles: This includes roles like university lecturer, researcher, postgraduate tutor, and literary critic.
• Journalism: This includes roles like reporter, feature writer, columnist, editor, and online content creator.
• Education: This includes roles like English teacher, creative writing teacher, and secondary school teacher.
• Communications: This includes roles like public relations specialist, marketing copywriter, and communications consultant.
• Arts and Cultural Organisations: This includes roles like arts administrator, program coordinator, and literary festival organiser.

Scholarships for MA Literature and Creative Writing in UK 2024-25

Some of the most prominent scholarships to get a master’s degree in Creative Writing in the UK are:

University Scholarships:

1. Global Futures Scholarship (University of Manchester)
2. Sophie Warne Fellowships (Birkbeck University of London)
3. Joyce Nield Scholarships (Manchester Metropolitan University)
4. William Hunter Sharpe Memorial Scholarship (University of Edinburgh)

Other PG Scholarships to study in the UK:

1. K.C. Mahindra Scholarships For Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
2. JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
3. Narotam Sekhsaria’s Scholarships
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships

This was all about Masters in Literature and Creative Writing in the UK. If you wish to study abroad then, you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.