creative writing at cambridge university

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7 courses offered in the Faculty of English

Creative writing - mst.

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Creative Writing is designed for postgraduate students who wish to develop high-level skills in creative writing both in fiction and non-fiction literature. Students will be guided in the production of creative work in a range of genres and styles and also in critical reflection on their own work and that of other writers. The MSt aims to facilitate students’ creative practice, whether for their own personal creative development as writers or for professional development. Students could include teachers of English at the primary or secondary level and those working in areas such as journalism, broadcasting, publishing and editing. The programme’s administration and teaching are undertaken by the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) and its academic standards are monitored and assured by a subcommittee of the Degree Committee of the Faculty of English.

More Information

Digital Humanities - PhD

The PhD in Digital Humanities, run by Cambridge Digital Humanities and based in the Faculty of English, is a research-intensive programme that will enable students to engage at doctoral level with projects demanding the use of digital methods and tools or adopting critical/theoretical orientations. The programme expands the humanities offering at research postgraduate level at Cambridge by offering a route for cross-disciplinary engagement, responding to the growth of the field of Digital Humanities as a research area. 

The programme is designed to enable students from many areas of the arts and humanities to develop practical skills and knowledge and to generate the necessary critical literacy to understand and engage with digital research, and digital cultures, and to respond to questions that arise around the ethics of automation, algorithmic analysis, privacy/surveillance, virtual cultures, data sharing, intelligent agency and creativity, archival justice and digital histories, and to explore work in relation to collections and heritage issues. Through supervisions and technical support from a research software engineer, contextualised by a research culture providing research-led seminars and lectures, guest seminars, and practice-driven workshops, Cambridge Digital Humanities provides the conditions for original PhD research in DH or in other arts and humanities/social science disciplines that make a significant intervention into shaping the field. 

Digital Humanities - MPhil

The MPhil in Digital Humanities is directed by Cambridge Digital Humanities, a research centre with links across a wide range of faculties and units at Cambridge.  The course is administered by the Faculty of English. 

This exciting MPhil explores the ways in which the humanities engage with digital futures, digital research, and digital cultures, as questions arise around the ethics of automation, algorithmic analysis, privacy/surveillance, virtual cultures, data sharing, intelligent agency and creativity, archival justice and digital histories, collections and heritage issues. 

The course gives students critical/theoretical orientations and delivers a structured form of engagement with digital methods, tools, and approaches while enabling flexibility in terms of specialism.  Students may come from multiple disciplines and the course caters to different skill levels in DH methods. Students take two broad core courses – Approaches and Methods, and Data and Algorithmic Analysis – and follow two courses from a basket of more specialist options. The course is assessed through shorter essays and a year-long dissertation or portfolio project. 

The MPhil in Digital Humanities runs from October to June.  

English - PhD

The PhD is a research degree examined, usually after three or more years of research, by a thesis of 60,000–80,000 words. The criteria for obtaining the degree are that the thesis represents a 'substantial contribution to knowledge' and a realistic amount of work for three years of study.

English Studies - MPhil

The Cambridge English Faculty's collaborative MPhil in English Studies is a nine-month taught course which offers a uniquely wide-ranging and innovative approach to the study of literature, criticism, and culture in the Anglophone world. Our versatile modular structure provides a choice of 'Specialist Seminars', which cover, between them, all the major periods of English literature, as well as addressing a range of different regional, national and international fields of Anglophone writing and diverse theoretical, conceptual and philosophical concerns. There are also specific 'Textual Studies' courses for those wishing to develop research expertise in either Medieval or Renaissance literature. In addition, 'Research Frameworks' seminars cut across these specialist emphases, encouraging students with otherwise differing interests to work collaboratively on cross-period methodological and inter-disciplinary topics. In the MPhil as a whole depth, diversity, the historical, and the conceptual are thus each available in equal measure. The course provides a truly distinctive context in which to develop as a thinker, writer, and researcher.

The course is supported by first-class teaching delivered by a Faculty with a distinguished international reputation, and because that teaching is research-led, we are also able to offer a cutting-edge view of the discipline. Both small-group teaching and one-to-one supervision are established strengths here, having been foundational to the Faculty's identity since its inception a century ago. Our lively, supportive seminars will allow the students to learn from people with very different interests. At the same time, an individual Supervisor will help the student plan a coherent programme of personal study and will oversee both their research for and writing of their dissertation (the student's unique research project). In addition, a programme of focused training on research methods will assist the students in developing practical study skills.

These qualities make our MPhil in English Studies an ideal preparation for further research in English and associated disciplines. Equally, the course can serve as the basis for success in a wide range of non-academic careers.

Writing for Performance - MSt

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Writing for Performance is designed for postgraduate students who wish to develop high-level theoretical skills, and a vibrant and innovative creative practice within writing for a range of performance mediums. Writing for Performance is defined as making scripts for theatre, film/TV, radio drama, or text for performance art, podcasts, digital platforms or stand-up comedy. 

Students will develop skills initially in all mediums and then be guided to choose a specific genre of script-making for their final project. They will develop the capacity to critically reflect on their own work, the work of their peer-group, and that of other professional writers.

The MSt. aims to facilitate a high standard of creative practice, in order that students may develop their professional practice in several areas. For example, they may wish to develop as dramatists in order to have a professional career in the entertainment industry as writers or directors, or to enhance their skills as dramaturgs/script editors to allow them to follow a career in literary management, publishing, or agenting. The programme would also be of interest to applicants wishing to enrich their creative writing/drama teaching practice at GCSE or on A-level English Language and Literature courses. 

Writing for Performance (EdX) - MSt

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Writing for Performance is designed for postgraduate students who wish to develop high-level theoretical skills, and a vibrant and innovative creative practice within writing for a range of performance mediums. Writing for Performance is defined as making scripts for theatre, film/TV, radio drama, or text for performance art, podcasts, digital platforms, or stand-up comedy.  Students will develop skills initially in all mediums and then be guided to choose a specific genre of script-making for their final project. They will develop the capacity to critically reflect on their own work, the work of their peer-group, and that of other professional writers. 

2 courses also advertised in the Faculty of English

Anglo-saxon, norse and celtic - phd.

From the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic

This research degree is usually examined after three years of research by a thesis of up to 80,000 words. The department can offer doctoral supervision on topics in a variety of early medieval languages and literatures, in the history of a comparable range of geographical areas, and palaeography.

Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic - MPhil

This unique programme allows students to achieve an understanding of early Insular culture as a whole while also specialising in aspects of particular interest. Although 50% of the overall assessment is an independently researched dissertation, formal teaching is offered in the form of weekly text seminars.

Students also follow two undergraduate courses of their choice, in order to acquire or enhance disciplines appropriate to their individual research subject (e.g., history, palaeography, languages, philology, textual criticism). In addition, each student will have regular meetings with the allocated  MPhil supervisor.

Department Members

Professor nicolette zeeman head of department.

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http://www.english.cam.ac.uk/

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creative writing

Topic description and stories.

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MSt in Creative Writing

University of cambridge, cambridge, united kingdom, # 2 qs subject rankings, 24 months program duration, 15,630 gbp tuition fee/year, 17 jan, 2024 application deadline, program overview, main subject.

English Language and Literature

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Admission requirements, exam scores, important dates, tuition fee and scholarships, tuition fee, scholarships, domestic students, international students.

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and political sciences, ba (hons) land economy, ba (hons) law, ba (hons) theology, religion and philosophy of religion, arts and humanities (6), mphil in american history, mphil in anglo-saxon, norse and celtic, mphil in archaeological research, mphil in archaeological science, mphil in archaeology, mphil in architecture and urban studies, mphil in architecture by thesis, mphil in asian and middle eastern studies (classical islamic history and culture), mphil in asian and middle eastern studies (hebrew and pre-modern jewish history and culture), mphil in asian and middle eastern studies (hebrew and semitic studies), mphil in asian and middle eastern studies (japanese studies), mphil in asian and middle eastern studies (modern middle eastern studies), mphil in asian and middle eastern studies (muslim-jewish relations), mphil in asian and middle eastern studies by research (japanese studies), mphil in assyriology, mphil in classics, mphil in digital humanities, mphil in early modern 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University of cambridge: creative writing.

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Creative Writing is designed for those who wish to develop high-level skills in creative writing both in fiction and non-fiction literatures. The MSt is taught over two years in short, intensive study blocks. It has been designed to be accessible to those in full- or part-time employment and to international students.

Progression for students who have completed this course is provided in a number of ways: some students may use this course as a progression route into a PhD in Creative Writing or in English Literature at other Universities, or they could go on to study the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing at ICE.

Part-Time, 2 years starts Sep 2025

Part-Time, 2 years started Sep 2024

Part-time, 2 years started sep 2023.

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We have 3 university of cambridge masters degrees in creative writing.

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University of Cambridge Masters Degrees in Creative Writing

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Postgraduate certificate in teaching creative writing, university of cambridge institute of continuing education.

The course is aimed at: published writers who wish to teach or offer writing workshops; existing creative writing tutors who want to improve or develop a more cohesive and defined pedagogy; graduates of postgraduate level Creative Writing programmes who wish to become teachers of creative writing;. Read more

MSt in Creative Writing

University of cambridge faculty of english.

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Creative Writing is designed for those who wish to develop high-level skills in creative writing both in fiction and non-fiction literatures. Read more

MSt in Crime and Thriller Writing

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Crime and Thriller Writing is designed for those who wish to develop high-level skills in this particular genre. Read more

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Anglia Ruskin University

Degree level: postgraduate, creative writing and publishing (taught), course options.

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

Course summary

Be both a creative writer and a publisher. Customise your studies and prepare yourself for work in these increasingly entwined growth industries. Whether you want to join the traditional publishing industry, establish your own small press or set up a single-author imprint for your own novels, this Masters degree will help you meet your ambitions. Taught in Cambridge, our MA is the only Creative Writing and Publishing course in the East of England and has been taken by many successful published writers. It offers you an opportunity to develop your fiction writing in a supportive environment, while gaining key insights into publishing practice and international and digital rights. Our fully customisable postgraduate course reflects the reality that authors are no longer insulated from business concerns. Even the biggest publishers expect authors to build their own platforms and audiences, manage their own social media and interpret sales. As a student on ARU’s MA Creative Writing and Publishing you’ll benefit from our wide-ranging industry connections, as well as talks, workshops and masterclasses featuring publishers and established fiction writers. You’ll also be able to attend our publishing short courses for free. You can also attend events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre, including guest talks and live lit jams, where you can showcase your own creative writing and make new contacts in the industry. In our Creative Writing workshops, you’ll get feedback on your writing from other students as well as from our experienced teaching team, including specialist lecturers and our Royal Literary Fund Fellows. This will give you a unique perspective on how your work is read by different audiences. Offered full- or part-time, this Masters course in Cambridge is a great way to study a subject you love and prepare for your future career. Teaching times 2023-24 (subject to change for 2024-5): Monday 6-8pm, Thursday 6-8pm. Careers Our Masters degree in Creative Writing and Publishing will prepare you for employment in whichever aspect of the writing and publishing industries most interests you. You’ll develop transferable academic and professional skills, including self-reflection, critical analysis and working to briefs and deadlines. You’ll also gain the research skills needed to produce creative work, professional publishing documents and critical writing. MA Creative Writing graduates with successful writing careers include Costa Short Story Award winner Caroline Ward Vine, Guinevere Glasfurd, Penny Hancock and Natalya Anderson. Our publishing graduates also have a track record of success, with most now in careers at companies such as Bloomsbury, Wiley Capstone, Pearson, Cambridge University Press and Macmillan. Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a research programme at ARU such as our PhD Creative Writing or PhD Publishing. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and save £400 on your fees. If you studied for the Postgraduate Certificate initially, you can choose to complete further modules and top-up to a full Masters degree.

Core modules: Readers and Reading Culture; Majot Project in Publishing or Creative Writing. Optional modules: Creativity and Content in Publishing; The Business of Publishing; Making Books and Producing Content; Patterns of Story: Fiction and its Forms; Workshop: the Novel; Workshop: the Short Story; Special Topic in Creative Writing/English Literature.

Assessment method

You will be assessed using methods that allow you to demonstrate the learning outcomes essential for your professional development. Depending on the module, these could include traditional essays, creative work (usually accompanied by a critical commentary) or publishing-specific forms such as book proposals and marketing plans.

A good honours degree (or equivalent), normally in a related subject. Applicants with professional experience are also encouraged to apply. If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 7.0 ( Academic level), or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University. See website for more details.

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

Provider information.

Visit our website

Anglia Ruskin University East Road Cambridge CB1 1PT

Course contact details

2 course options.

Please select a course option to view the information for the course

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Cambridge Creative Writing Competition

• Collaboration

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/11/2023 - 12:30

The Psychometrics Centre is pleased to announce the winners of the second Cambridge Creative Writing Competition. Each entra

First Prize winner (£500):

• Jess Thomas from Cambridgeshire

Second Prize winners (£100 each):

• Liam Etheridge
• Charlotte Crawley
• Rachel Ngai
• Nicholas Chan
• Tommy Higgins/Jeremy Wang/Rachel Lindsay (sharing the last 2nd Prize)

The competition received several hundred submissions and was supported by a CJBS Behavioural Small Research Grant. All participants were asked to write three short stories in 40 minutes, sometimes alone and sometimes with the assistance of artificial intelligence. This was the first time that AI was explicitly permitted. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who participated.

In the first edition of the competition, held in June 2022, a total of 58 prizes (in the form of Amazon gift cards) were awarded. This included 9 first prizes, 15 second prizes and 34 third prizes.

The above image was generated by the Psychometrics Centre using Midjourney

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• 2025 COURSES
• Creative and Professional Writing BA Hons

Creative and Professional Writing BA (Hons)

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Course Summary

Why you'll love it, what you'll study, how you'll learn, study a common first year, entry requirements, fees and funding, who you'll learn from, your future career, where you'll study gateway house, chester.

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Creative and Professional Writing offers students the opportunity to develop an in-depth and sophisticated understanding of the role of effective storytelling in today’s world. It provides students with a wide range of experiences and skill sets relevant to a range of disciplines within the creative industries. This includes different forms of creative and journalistic writing, creating content for various platforms like publishing, editing, production, broadcast and social media.

Central to our approach is the emphasis we place on thinking critically about your practice and its relationship to key theoretical concepts throughout. The different ways of telling stories and engaging with audiences are constantly changing, which is reflected in our degree.

Consequently, you will develop a wide range of relevant skills throughout your time with us,  with a particular focus placed on becoming adaptable and sustainable communicators. To this end, the skills we teach include research, story construction and production in both visual and audio formats, such as podcasting.

Furthermore, key transferable skills, such as written and oral communication form the foundational basis of the course. This means that, upon graduation, you will not only be a fully-rounded creative professional but one who can make an instant and lasting impact on whatever area of the industry you choose to pursue a career in.

This course will provide you with skills that will prepare you for the role of:

• a journalist
• content creator
• or freelance professional writer.

All members of our team have an extensive range of experience in professional storytelling and creative media, including journalism, copywriting and creative writing. 

Gain creative and technical skills

Our focus on digital and technical skills enables you to develop the fundamental skills required to tell stories effectively before progressing on to discovering new and imaginative ways of doing so.

Opportunity to challenge yourself

We believe that every challenge is an opportunity to become better. We help you to develop the skills and ability to practice beyond your comfort zone and become more versatile at what you do.

New experiences

Here, experience extends beyond what you do but is also about the people you encounter and the places you explore. Experience is central to what we do because it is the foundation on which a fully-rounded graduate is built.

The Creative & Professional Writing pathway contains a combination of core and specialist modules at each level of study.

At Level 4, students are introduced to industry-embedded practice, including basic storytelling techniques, digital production skills and critical reflection.

Level 5 builds on these further with more developed applications integrating advanced critical thinking around relevant issues.

At Level 6, students will integrate expertise in practice, theory and real-world experiences ensuring they achieve industry-standard competencies and are curious and prepared for employment.  

The course contains several optional modules which include areas such as publishing, digital media skills, social media, design, sustainability, opportunities to explore the broader socio-political and cultural contexts that creative and professional writing operates within. 

By the end of each year the student will have completed 120 credits of learning.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways

This course is designed around in-person study

There may be some online learning activities

Collaborate with students from related courses on a common first year

This course is delivered in three terms of 10 weeks each. Students will gradually gain greater independence in their learning throughout the three years with a view to students achieving positive graduate outcomes. This course is delivered predominantly in person. Students can expect to take part in lectures, workshops, seminars and a range of experiential activities both on and off campus – in the UK and abroad to locations such as Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid and Prague. Activities on these trips include visits to a range of media, cultural and political institutions. Students should expect to undertake about 40 hours per week of study in total which comprises of scheduled sessions, independent study including engaging with learning material on the University’s VLE, tutorials with staff, researching and producing stories, using the University’s library and other resources, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so that students are exposed to the different types of tasks they might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of portfolios, essays, presentations, digital productions and online tasks. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare students for graduate-level employment. Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

This course shares a common first year with students on Journalism, Music Journalism and Sports Journalism courses .

This means that you’ll learn alongside students studying a similar discipline, helping to broaden your knowledge and exposure to other concepts, perspectives and professions in the first year of your degree.

As you learn and collaborate with students from other courses, you'll not only widen your social and professional network but also learn new skills that will set you up for success in your industry.

In your second and third years, you will progress to studying more specialist modules within creative and professional writing, developing your skills to become a World Ready graduate.

• Home Students
• International Students
• Foundation Year

104 UCAS Points

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
• Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements .

72 UCAS points

• Additional Costs

£9,250 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £13,950. 

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.  

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the   Fees and Finance section of our website.

Ato Erzan-Essien

Prof Alan Wall

Dr Graham Atkin

Dr Mark Duffett

Mark Hannaby

Dr Simon Morrison

Dr Peter Blair

Job Prospects

Students have the potential to embark on careers in a range of areas within the creative industries, including online platforms, advertising agencies, production companies, international and national news agencies and many more. Some of you could go freelance, forging careers in niche areas such as gaming, lifestyle, culture and the arts. Others have gone into roles such as publishing, social media management, copy-writing and public relations. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study .

Central hub in Chester city-centre

Our central hub in Chester city centre provides easy access to shops, bars, restaurants, and the Storyhouse Theatre. We are located within a short walking distance to the bus and train stations, and many halls of residence.

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Creative Writing with Foundation Year

The goal of our Creative Writing course at Winchester is simple: we want you to become the best writer you can be. To help you achieve this our department of passionate and supportive lecturers runs a practice-based programme with workshops designed to encourage you to evolve as a writer in new and individual ways.

Course overview

As one of the most successful creative writing programmes of its kind in the UK, you are encouraged to see all types of writing in relation to wider literary, cultural and professional contexts. Whether you are crafting novels, poems or scripts our widely published academics help you to demonstrate a high level of technical skill, an aptitude for self expression, and a commitment to hard work and personal development.

A Foundation Year is the perfect way to boost your academic skills, build your confidence and develop your wider subject knowledge so you can succeed at Winchester. This course offers an extra year of study at the start (Year 0) which leads onto a full degree programme (Years 1, 2 and 3).

A Foundation Year is ideal if you are returning to education after a break; haven’t quite achieved the entry qualifications required; are wanting more support during the transition to studying at university; or are unsure about which subject you wish to pursue.

In Year 0, you will study a set of modules from across the Faculty of Arts which are designed to develop your academic and practical skills. This broader focus in your first year introduces you to studying at university level and provides you with a better understanding of Creative Writing and related subjects.

You will experience a variety of teaching methods including lectures, discussion-based seminars and independent study. You will also receive support to boost your academic skills to prepare you for the rest of your time at Winchester. 

The course seeks to move you progressively through a structured series of writing assignments and exercises, working on all genres of writing in the first year, and then allowing you to specialise in Years 2 and 3. Your work develops in a workshop environment bolstered by positive critical encouragement and direction throughout. Additional guidance is given on audience (for example, editor, agent or publisher) where appropriate.

What you need to know

Course start date.

Winchester campus

Course length

• 4 years full-time

Typical offer

From £9,250 pa

Course features

• Study the craft of writing through a multi-genre approach
• Set yourself up to flourish in your degree and beyond with our Foundation Year
• Move progressively through a structured series of writing assignments and exercises, enhanced by a workshop environment
• Immerse yourself in an independent creative project in your final year
• Attend the University of Winchester Writers' Festival – an opportunity to meet authors, publishers and agents

Course details

In Year 2, the focus becomes more specific with a choice of modules that concentrate on elements of different genres such as writing for children, media writing, poetry, song and play, film and TV script.

In Year 3, the modules look increasingly at the relationships between writing and the world beyond the University, exploring publishing, producing, community audiences, writing and teaching. There is also an opportunity to work on an extended creative project in your chosen genre with one-to-one supervision from an expert in this field.

The course arms you with some fantastic transferable skills, such as confident and compelling storytelling, critical thinking and articulate expression. These abilities are valued in a variety of employment contexts including arts and entertainment as well as business and commerce.

Work placements

We offer the chance to conduct a work placement in Year 2.

Study abroad

Our BA (Hons) Creative Writing (with Foundation Year) course provides an opportunity for you to study abroad in the United States of America (USA). For more information see our .

Learning and teaching

Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.

You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.

In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc.), you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.

Independent learning

Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.

While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.

Year 0 (Level 3): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 288 hours Independent learning: 912 hours

Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 300 hours Independent learning: 900 hours

Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 300 hours Independent learning: 900 hours Placement learning: 0

Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 240 hours Independent learning: 960 hours

*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.

Key areas of the student experience include:

Opportunities to have work published in the student writing magazine. Students have the chance to attend the Winchester Writers Festival so they can meet authors, publishers and agents who attend Location

Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.

Teaching hours

All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during . Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes.

Further details on assessment types used can be found  by attending an  or contacting our teaching staff.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.

The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:

Year 0 (Level 3)*:

100% coursework 0% written exams 0% practical exams

Year 1 (Level 4)*:

Year 2 (Level 5)*:

Year 3 (Level 6)*:

99% coursework 0% written exams 1% practical exams

*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions

This module is designed to support students with the transition to university, the development of the academic skills and attributes necessary for successful future study and the foundations of a developing sense of vocation.  Through a carefully structured and scaffolded series of seminars and workshops, students will be supported in building their self-awareness of, and confidence in, themselves as active learners.  Delivered in the context of their subject area and aligned with the development of academic skills and attributes required across all Foundation Year modules, workshops will focus on academic skills such as referencing, selecting and using valid academic resources, reading/researching for academic purposes, using feedback constructively and gaining confidence in contributing to discussions and debates.  Coordinated assessment points across the Foundation Year experience enables this module to provide students with ongoing support and opportunities to practice and develop their skills and confidence with a range of written and oral assessment types relevant to their subject area as they progress through the year.

This module introduces students to invaluable meanings and understandings that are gained from being at university and participating in wider intellectual discussions and debates. Within the context of each Discipline foundation year, students are introduced to a range of thinkers and questions that have important in various ways across the discipline. Designed to further encourage the foundations of intellectual curiosity and critical thinking within and beyond their own subject, students will come to understand that inter and cross disciplinarity has an essential role to play in the academy and to their own intellectual progression.

This module introduces students to the study of film production, language, reading, writing and media and communication as academic disciplines through exploring a range of platforms and by putting various forms of communication into practice. Students will be introduced to general and specialist fields of their subject areas including different media platform, creative texts, and film. Across a range of contexts including personal experience, and contemporary issues in literature, film production and media and communication the meaning of these subjects in their broadest sense will be explored. Students will be introduced to a range of film production, media and communication and reading and writing techniques, strategies and concepts and begin to understand the ways in which wider social, cultural, and political issues are entwined with, and impact upon literature, media and film.

On this module you will begin to develop essential skills for writing creative prose (semester one) and poetry (semester two). Seminars introduce you to the idea of writing and storytelling with a focus on point of view, characterisation, setting, pace, themes, structure, dialogue, research, planning, revising and editing.

You will explore some of the key issues in the drafting of poetry including its oral, aural and visual performative aspects. You will engage with selected short stories and novels (along with authors and their processes) and develop techniques and tips to use throughout your degree. The module encourages experimentation and innovation, develops an understanding of a range of writing craft techniques and introduces the complex idea of the 'writer's voice.'

On this module you will explore all aspects of nonfiction writing. The first semester focuses on persuasive writing, including the use of rhetoric. This involves reflecting on and experimenting with the ways in which writing can be used to influence an audience. It also focuses on the importance of short form writing for digital publishing, for example, social media and blogs, with a close look at how online platforms allow writers to publish work, establish a presence and appeal to different audiences.

In the second semester you will focus on creative nonfiction and what this means, while exploring a variety of creative/literary devices to engage a range of audiences. The emphasis in both semesters will be on clarity of expression, accurate presentation, and the use of story and description and other narrative and rhetorical techniques to create stylish, compelling prose.

What does it mean to be a writer? In this module you will engage with ideas and theories of criticality and creativity. You will develop an understanding of contemporary culture and society and examine how this can be applied to creative work. This involves writing processes and how they are informed and influenced by theories such as modernism and post-modernism, by belief, by experience, by ideas about sex and gender, by cultural impact and notions of originality. How do we read texts, as writers? What are our influences? Classes will be team-taught by practising writers and will offer you the opportunity to consider your creative self in relation to the theories, ideologies, cultures, and inspirations discussed.

On this module you will develop an understanding of writing techniques linked to creating scripts for screen, stage and spoken word. You will be introduced to the conventions, forms and techniques of scriptwriting, along with the particular demands associated with writing for the stage. As you develop skills with script, particular attention will be paid to the language of script narrative, story development, and analysis of story in relation to authorial and cultural contexts.

On this module you will develop a more sophisticated understanding of key craft aspects and techniques, including the further exploration and development of the writer's voice and what this can mean. You will explore a challenging variety of genres and literary forms, including but not limited to, contemporary literary fiction, metafiction, Post Colonial writing, and interactive and experimental writing across all the main forms of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and script. The module content will reflect the specialisms of the teaching team.

This module develops a sophisticated understanding of different forms of creative nonfiction and media writing. In semester one the focus is on developing your media writing skills including copywriting within the wider context and constraints of media forms. You will explore ‘long read’ features, shorter ‘filler pieces’ and press releases and learn what it means to write to a professional standard.

In semester two you will develop your creative nonfiction skills by focusing on turning lived experience into narrative. This includes travel writing, biography, family history or memoir, along with the opportunity to write about contemporary issues such as migration, the environment, and other aspects of sustainability. Classes will address various ethical issues, including the blurring of lines between factual and fictional writing. You will delve into research methods, learn how to use sources both private and public, and examine the many challenges involved in writing compelling true stories.

What is ‘Strange Fiction'? The term is deliberately broad and encompasses fiction that moves beyond realism and what we ‘know’ about our world. You will learn to identify and utilise key structures, symbols and archetypes within genres such as horror, fantasy, science fiction, myth, fairy stories, ghost stories and speculative fiction. Also, you will understand how such stories have shaped and inspired us, and how their ideas and patterns continue to be reimagined and reappropriated through time.

During semester one you can choose between the following options: 

Writing for Young People This module encourages you to develop an understanding of the writing techniques required when creating either fiction or creative nonfiction for young people. You will learn to examine the main modes of nonfictional writing, both narrative and non-narrative. As well as develop an awareness of the current contemporary children’s fiction market. You will utilise this awareness when considering where (and why) your own age-appropriate work ‘fits’ within the spectrum of children’s fiction or creative nonfiction. 

Writing for Comics and Graphic Novels This module will enable you to demonstrate a creative and critical understanding of the techniques required when creating either a comic or a graphic a novel. You will be introduced to a wide range of comic book and graphic novel forms and genres. Studying examples of early super-hero comics, and of the underground comix and punk-zine movements which rebelled against them. You will also look at newer forms of traditional comics aimed at the growing female audience – such as fantasy/romance and comics with female central characters.

During semester two you can choose between the following options: 

Writing Historical Fiction Thinking of Bridgerton to Wolf Hall and Goodnight Mister Tom . What is historical fiction? What genres can it encompass? On this module you will be encouraged to engage creatively and critically with historical fiction and the debates surrounding it. You will get to master the basic techniques involved in producing an historical narrative. You will be introduced to a range of relevant historical novels, with the main emphasis on the modern and evolving form. There will be the opportunity to experiment while producing fiction that uses history as its subject matter, after first considering the various challenges facing authors working in this area – including the deliberation around historical accuracy versus entertainment.

Composing Song Lyrics On this module you will have the opportunity to engage creatively and critically with a range of song lyrics including interpretation and fundamental techniques. The module will introduce you to the basics of song lyric composition, focusing in particular upon the nature of the relationship between form, voice and rhythm. You will be introduced to a broad history of the song lyric, from early oral forms up to and including pop lyrics and more recent developments in such writing as rap and hip hop. As well as offering you an opportunity to master the basics of songwriting in its various forms, you will be involved in discussing the changing nature of the content of this traditional form as it has developed over time.

In this module you will have the opportunity to plan and produce a substantial creative piece which could take the form of prose, poetry, creative nonfiction or a script or potentially a combination. It will consist of an 8,000 word creative element supported by a 2,000 word contextualising rationale. This is an independent study. You will be supported by an allocated supervisor who you can meet with to discuss your project and progress.

‘If you want the truth read fiction!’ This has been asserted by both Ali Smith and Neil Gaiman in the past. Storytelling can make a difference and empower. In this module you will consider the fiction, films, poetry and creative nonfiction that have made people think and potentially have changed the world (most recently Mr Bates v Post Office to as far back as Harriet Beecher-Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin) . It will enable you to demonstrate a practical understanding of social ideas and 'ideas in action' through the creation of your own creative piece. The module will encourage experimentation and innovation as you continue to hone your craft while using your ‘writer’s voice’ potentially for good.

Creative Industries - 30 credits On this module you will be encouraged to explore and understand the importance of the creative industries. This module has two threads, the first thread focuses on publishing and includes all aspects of publishing from traditional to digital and self-publishing, as well as alternative ways of disseminating your work such as publication in literary magazines. The second thread enables you to explore entrepreneurship and consultancy while reflecting upon how you can use writing to make a living. In the second semester you can choose to have a placement, set up your own business or to continue to focus on the publishing industry.

Life on Earth - 30 credits On this module you will consider the key environmental and social challenges of the time and how these can be represented through language. The world is changing and many people are asking what our lives will be like in 2050 and beyond. This module tackles that question head-on. It asks you to engage with some of the most challenging and thought-provoking issues of our time (such as new technologies, body image, conspiracy theories, ecology, climate change) and imagine what our future might look like.

This module is not just about the future, it is also about the here and now, taking in our current environment. During the module you will have the opportunity to study and respond to the environment around us. Reading examples of all the major forms of contemporary environmental writing: poetry, fiction and non-fiction. But you won’t simply sit in the classroom and write – you will have a chance to actively engage with your environment, from fields and forests to shopping centres. Be prepared to go outside!

Writing for Games - 15 credits On this module you will be encouraged to develop an understanding of the opportunities and constraints when writing for games. The module focuses on the appreciation and construction of narratives for video/computer games, beginning with an exploration of the concerns involved in writing for a range of common game genres. You will study and practise constructing the overall narrative for a video game, taking into account the need to make efficient use of costly art assets, voice work and animation. You will also consider the individual items that would get this story and world across to the player such as cinematic scripts, interactive dialogue and spreadsheets of “barks” or item descriptions. Finally, you will create a portfolio of game writing, representing the sort of material that a writer might be expected to produce for a commercial video game.

Creative Teaching for Creative Writing - 15 credits On this module you will consider how creative writing can be taught in different ways. This module prepares you for teaching and creative practice beyond the confines of university/academia. It explores teaching techniques through practical sessions and discussion and suggests a range of approaches that you can adopt and adapt as they evolve creatively stimulating lessons that are also mindful of inclusive approaches that connect to gender, equality and good-practice in teaching.

Write Yourself Well: Creative Writing as Therapy - 15 credits On this module you will be able to develop an awareness of how creative writing can be used as a therapy. The benefits of writing for health and wellbeing have long been recognised. In an age where wellbeing is causing major concerns both nationally and internationally, writing is a free resource accessible by anyone. The module explores how to apply it professionally and use it to guide and support others in most need.

This module has its focus on the value of engagement with the process in a variety of forms and you will explore a range of activities that link writing with beneficial outcomes. Additionally, you will reflect on your own writing practices and the ways you yourself benefit from, and through, writing. You will explore specific groups within the community that have been seen to benefit from reflective writing as therapy.

Writing Crime Fiction: Dial M for Murder - 15 credits On this module you will engage creatively and critically with crime fiction and the debates surrounding it. Crime fiction, murder mystery, cosy crime, detective story and police novels continue to be popular as do ‘true crime’ TV programmes. This module explores the history and great practitioners of the form up to and including contemporary texts. Also, you will understand how such stories have shaped and inspired us, how their ideas and patterns continue to be reimagined and reappropriated. Studying text, film and TV shows, you will learn to identify and utilise key structures, symbols, tropes and archetypes within the genres enabling you to create your own piece of crime or detective fiction, whether prose or script.

Entry requirements

Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:

A-Levels: EEE from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations

BTEC/CTEC: PPP from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications

International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 1 Higher Level certificates at grade H4

Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.

In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE’s are required:

GCSE English Language at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.

If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.

If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:

• IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
• We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT.

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by contacting our International Recruitment Team via our International Apply Pages. 

2025 Course Tuition Fees

Additional tuition fee information

If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2025, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.

Remember, you don’t have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year.

UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.

International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.14 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.

* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

Additional costs

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:

Optional Field trip

In students second year of study, there may be a field trip dependending on module choices. Indicative cost is £20.

Disclosure and Barring Service

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check may be required if you undertake a placement, volunteering, research or other course related activity where you will have contact with children or vulnerable adults. The requirement for a DBS check will be confirmed by staff as part of the process to approve your placement, research or other activity. The indicative cost is £40.

Mandatory Core texts

Copies of core texts are held within the library and e-books are identified where possible, however often students wish to purchase some books for their own use. It is possible for students to buy second-hand copies. Indicative cost is £160 per academic year.

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduates become professional writers or follow careers in publishing, advertising, marketing, teaching or other professions that require advanced communication skills. Recent graduates have successfully set themselves up as freelance writers.

Many of our graduates choose to go on to further study, both at Masters and Doctoral level. Recent graduates have also successfully set themselves up as freelance writers, or else gone into a variety of areas of employment including public service, charitable and community work, administration, teaching, publishing, banking, law, PR, marketing, copywriting, estate agency, sales authorship, recruitment, optometry.

The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023, HESA.

Pre-approved for a Masters

If you study a Bachelor Honours degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree.

I love the freedom you get, you can basically do whatever you want to do. You can be really expressive and creative. You get a lot of help through workshopping and it gives you a chance to read different forms of writing that I never thought existed. Laura, BA (Hons) Creative Writing

How to apply for this course

We want your application process to be as simple as possible. Find out everything you need to know about the application process, how to apply, your offer and how to secure your place.

Programme Leader: Gordon McKelvie

I am Senior Lecturer in Medieval History. I am a graduate of the Universities of Glasgow (MA and MLitt) and Winchester (PhD) and have more than a decade's experience of teaching in Higher Education. I have also worked on various research council funded projects relating to inquisitions post mortem and the Victoria County History in Hampshire and Wiltshire.

View our related courses in English, Creative Writing and Journalism

Take a look at all our courses within the subject areas of English, Creative Writing and Journalism

Information for International Students

Our International students come from all over the world and we understand that some things are a little different when applying and then arriving at the University. We have therefore provided a list of some of the countries we work in with specific information included on entry requirements, funding opportunities, visas and other useful information.

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Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing

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Calling writers who teach, teachers who write, and those interested in applying creative writing (or its theory) within their professional field!

The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing is structured around 3 modules that are designed with a focus on a different area of teaching creative writing. By the end of the course you will have an enhanced knowledge of relevant existing pedagogical theory, acquired new practical skills for teaching, assessment and planning and you will have developed reflective awareness and innovation in your own teaching practice. 

Watch the recording from our Open Morning on 10 February 2023.

Who is the course designed for ?

The course is aimed at:

• published writers who wish to teach or offer writing workshops;
• existing creative writing tutors who want to improve or develop a more cohesive and defined pedagogy;
• graduates of postgraduate level Creative Writing programmes who wish to become teachers of creative writing;.
• Healthcare or industry professionals who wish to offer creative writing classes;
• professional development for qualified teachers interested in exploring the theory of teaching creative writing or who include creative exercises as part of their teaching of core subjects (e.g. History or English).

Aims of the programme 

The programme aims to enable participants to: 

•  develop their skills as a teacher of creative writing and strategies for their intended teaching contexts;

• develop and or extend their knowledge of the theories and practices of the teaching of creative writing;

• develop their repertoire of teaching, course design and assessment methods appropriate to creative writing in their context;

• develop a reflexive and critical awareness of their own teaching practice and to transmit what they have learned from their own experience of being a writer into a classroom setting.

Teaching and Learning

The course is taught over three modules, each of which students must attend. A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) offers learning support to students while they are on the programme, including learning resources and peer-to-peer and student-to-tutor discussion between modules to build a virtual community of practice.

Module 1: The Philosophy and Context of Teaching Creative Writing

3 - 5 October 2025

This module will introduce students to the Postgraduate Certificate and will address:

• the background and history of teaching creative writing;
• the concept of ‘creativity’ and the arguments surrounding whether or not creative writing can be taught;
• the methodologies surrounding teaching creative writing;
• how teaching creative writing may vary within different settings such as schools, higher education and prisons.

Module 2: Designing a Creative Writing Course

16 - 18 January 2026

This module will address:

• different models of creative writing courses and the advantages and challenges of each;
• the pedagogical theories behind different types of courses;
• the use of close reading in different settings and what makes a good extract;
• the quality assurance aspects of designing a creative writing course;
• the emotional and psychological impact of teaching creative writing for tutors and students.

Module 3: Assessment and Feedback in a Creative Writing Course

27 - 29 March 2026

• different ways of providing feedback in different contexts;
• the pedagogical theories behind different types of feedback;
• the challenges of providing written feedback to a range of students;
• the historical roots of the workshop and its appropriateness in different settings. 

You will be awarded a course grade on the basis of a portfolio of three summative assignments totalling 10,000 words. 

Please note that this course does not lead to a formal teaching qualification.

Find out more

If you have any questions about this course, would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, or would like to know more about the admissions process, please complete this enquiry form with your questions .

Applicants should hold a good undergraduate degree (good 2.1 or overseas equivalent) and would need to be competent in the English language. There is provision to accept non-standard applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criterion. Such applicants must produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their suitability for the course.

Language requirement

• IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
• CAE: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a language centre assessment
• CPE: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 in each individual element)
• TOEFL iBT: Overall score of at least 110 with no element below 25

Applicants might come from an existing teaching environment, (primary, secondary or tertiary), be practising writers or postgraduate students who wish to develop the skills to lead workshops, those looking to improve or develop a more cohesive or defined creative writing pedagogy, or professionals in other industries who would like to explore using creative writing as a development tool within their field.

International Students : If you are not a UK resident please visit our international students' page to read about visas for part-time students. Please make sure you have investigated your visa requirements in advance of booking as we cannot offer a refund if you find you are unable to take up the place due to visa constraints after you have booked your place on the course.

The fee will be £5225.00 for Home and for EU/Overseas students the fee is £10,340.00. Students will be expected to cover the application fee (£50 online), accommodation whilst in Cambridge and any costs of travel to Cambridge. 

You can pay in one of two ways:

• In full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)
• in four instalments (credit/debit card only)

ICE fees and refunds policy

Sources of funding

Sources of government funding and financial support  - including Professional and Career Development Loans.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by September 2025 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy) . 

Applications close on the 5th June 2025  and interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held in late June/early July. Interviews will take place either in person or via remote software if candidates are unable to attend in person.  Candidates will be contacted to arrange convenient times during the previous weeks.

Applicants will be required to apply online and will need to provide a CV and a personal statement of around 500 words in addition to:

• Copies of relevant qualification certificates and transcripts
• Language proficiency if required
• Contact details of two referees who will be contacted on your behalf

We welcome learners of all backgrounds and abilities at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), and for this reason we have robust learning support in place for any student who needs it.

The Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) provides advice, guidance, and resources to disabled students on ICE award-bearing undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

If you have a disability or medical condition including a mental health condition, then please indicate this on your application form so we can work with you on supporting your studies. If you would like to access support from the ADRC please complete their online Student Information Form as soon as possible. If you are able to, please upload your evidence (written in English) within the Student Information Form where prompted. The following links to guidance on medical evidence or diagnostic evidence will help to answer any questions you may have. 

If you have any questions concerning disability support then please contact the ADRC NMS team via [email protected] or view their website via https://www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/non-matriculated-students

You can also disclose a disability at any time during your course by contacting either the ADRC NMS team, or ICE’s Student Support team via [email protected]

Student wellbeing is a key priority at ICE, and we have a dedicated Student Support team who can provide wellbeing support and guidance. Please contact the team via [email protected]

How often does the Postgraduate Certificate run? The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing course currently has an annual intake. Is the course taught online, or is it possible to complete the course by distance-learning? This is not a distance-learning course. You will be required to attend teaching sessions in Cambridge.

Are there any sources of funding available? Please view the "Fees and Funding" tab for further details. 

How many references are required? We require two references. References need to be submitted from professional e-mail addresses, so please ensure that you enter the relevant details into the online application form. What kind of references should I provide? We prefer academic references from people who, if at all possible, are able to comment on your writing skills and experience, and your ability to study at Postgraduate level. 

What happens if I am not able to provide academic references? We can accept professional references.

Can I nominate an ICE tutor as my referee? Yes, you may nominate an ICE tutor to act as your referee. 

How long should the Personal Statement be? As a guide, we suggest that the Personal Statement is about 500 words in length.

Course dates

Course duration, course director.

Academic Directors, Course Directors and Tutors are subject to change, when necessary.

Qualifications / Credits

Course code.

Institute of Continuing Education Madingley Hall Madingley Cambridge CB23 8AQ

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