creative writing short courses manchester

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Writers in Manchester

Novels, plays, flash fiction, poetry, spoken word, non-fiction, novellas, street art, comic books – whatever your literary bag, manchester has got you covered..

From supportive short courses for those who are ready to tentatively dip their toes into the world of literature, to creative writing degrees offered by two world-class writing schools, there are opportunities available at every level to develop your practice in Manchester.

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s an overview of what’s on offer…

For those looking for a higher education qualification in their discipline, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in English and Creative Writing. In both cases, their academic staff is second to none and you’ll find yourself being taught by some of the most well-known and respected names in the industry, including authors and poets whose books may well already line your shelves.

If you’re not in the market for a degree, then there are plenty of short courses on offer. Manchester Metropolitan University has several of these available, ranging from a scriptwriting masterclass to a course on how to build a children’s story. Away from the city’s academic classrooms, Comma Press offers short story courses and Commonword regularly run creative writing workshops.

The Writing Squad offer an excellent free two year programme of workshops and 1-1 support is for writers aged 16-22 who live, work or study in the North of England and go on to support writers through their careers.

Tired of writing on your own? We hear you. We know that writing is one of life’s greatest joys – but we also know it can be a lonely pursuit! Fortunately, Manchester has some fantastic groups to help inspire you and ultimately develop your craft. Commonword is a writing development organisation that provides opportunities for new and aspiring writers. It’s home to the well-established Identity group, which takes part in masterclasses, workshops, seminars, and more.

Commonword also hosted Young Identity for six years of its life. Now a charity in its own right, Young Identity delivers poetry and spoken word workshops for young people and helps to develop some of the most exciting new young performers on the scene. The group has worked with big names such as Lemn Sissay and Kae Tempest, as well as performing all over the UK and internationally.

There are also a number of traditional creative writing groups, where writers of all disciplines can meet up on a regular basis to share their work and give each other thoughtful feedback. The Monday Night Group of Writers is one of the city’s most established groups, Manchester Muslim Writers meet once a month and run sessions for poets, novelists, screenplay writers, playwrights and bloggers, and Manchester Women Writers hold their welcoming weekly writing group once a week in City Library.

Spoken word nights

Call us biased but we think Manchester has one of the best spoken word scenes in the country (if not the world!). There is an undeniable feeling that our city is at the cutting edge when it comes to nurturing spoken word talent – and with more than a dozen regular nights taking place across the city, there’s room for everyone to take their place at the mic stand.

Of those 12+ nights, there’s Word Central hosted by Tony Curry and taking place at Manchester Central Library, Verbose Manchester at The King’s Arms in Salford and Bad Language which has its home in the Northern Quarter’s Gullivers, and Sayin? Manchester usually based at Niamos in Hulme. Plus loads more! Our event page is a great place to keep up to date and if you’re hosting your own spoken word night, please do add it to our calendar .

Competitions

Submitting your work to a competition, whether you scoop the first prize or not, can boost your writing. Competitions can push us to hone our work, give us a newfound focus, and add structure to our writing.

Manchester Metropolitan University hosts the annual Manchester Writing Competition, offering prizes for both fiction and poetry. The competitions are open to both new and established writers and there are some significant prizes to be won, with both offering £10,000 to their respective winners.

Poets & Players, who are known for their programming of poets and musicians at Anthony Burgess Foundation, also host a yearly poetry competition, with past judges including Jackie Kay, Pascale Petit, and Jacob Polley. The winner of the competition receives a cash reward and the chance to read their poem at a Poets & Players event.

Although not based in Manchester, New Writing North supports writing and reading in the north of England. The Northern Writers’ Awards were founded in 2000 and invites writers from across the north of England to submit their unpublished work-in-progress for judging. The scope for the awards is broad, so it’s worth checking to see if your chosen practice fits the bill.

Manchester City of Literature regularly posts about upcoming opportunities and competitions, so be sure to keep an eye on our social media feeds for up to date information.

To learn more about what’s happening in the city or to upload your own upcoming workshop, activity or organised event, visit our Events page and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, where we regularly send out opportunities and updates for writers.

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MA Creative Writing

Manchester metropolitan university, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, university information, similar courses at this uni, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

MA - Master of Arts

Subject areas

Creative Writing

Course type

At the heart of the Manchester Writing School are our masters programmes in Creative Writing, available to study on campus in Manchester and also from anywhere in the world via online distance learning.

On our Master of Arts (MA) Creative Writing programme, you will explore and practise techniques and styles of modern and contemporary writing and apply these through the development of your own creative work. You will undertake a taught element blending writing workshops with reading units and an elective, and then complete their studies through submission of an extended piece of writing from a proposed full-length book or script.

You will specialise in one of the following routes: Novel (including Short Fiction), Poetry, Writing for Children & Young Adults, Scriptwriting (for stage, screen or radio) or Creative Non-Fiction.

The MA is available to complete in one year full-time or two years part-time. The Novel, Poetry and Scriptwriting routes are available to study on campus (full-time or part-time) or online (part-time only). The Writing for Children and Creative Non-Fiction routes are online (part-time) only. We have intakes to the programme in September and January each year.

You can also choose to pursue our MFA Creative Writing masters.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• One of the most successful programmes of its kind in the UK today – with more than 100 students and graduates publishing first books in the past ten years.
• Extensive calendar of events - including The Manchester Children's Book Festival, The National Creative Writing Industry Conference, Manchester Writing Competition Gala, Poetry Festivals, book launches, podcasts, and question and answer sessions with guest writers at Manchester Met and Manchester arts venues.
• Industry links - strong links to the publishing industry with visits from major agents, editors and publishers.
• Flexible learning - core Reading and Workshop units take place in the evenings (6-8pm UK time) during the autumn or spring semesters. Full-time students usually have classes two evenings per week, and part-time students one evening per week.
• Extended piece of writing - all MA students will complete an extended piece of writing from a proposed full-length book or script, supported by a term of one-to-one supervision.
• Gain an MFA – students who successfully complete the MA can continue their studies with an additional year, completing a further 120 credits (which includes writing a full-length book or script) and gaining an MFA.
• Live online teaching - the course can be completed entirely online, with core teaching for distance learning students via weekly online classes in Microsoft Teams.
• Academic expertise - taught by high-profile writers and critics including: Carol Ann Duffy DBE, Susan Barker, Laura Barnett, Andrew Biswell, Malika Booker and Kirsty Bunting.
• Visiting Fellows - our course features contributions from our visiting fellows, including: Ed Caesar, Mandy Coe, Tim Cresswell, Amanda Dalton and Steve Dearden.
• Home to Manchester Poetry Library - Manchester Poetry Library is the North West's first public poetry library and holds over 10,000 books and recordings that can be explored through the online catalogue, in person and through the annual programme of events.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

In order to apply, you will need to submit a completed application form, a sample of creative writing, a critical review and one reference. You can apply online or download an application form. Please visit website for more information. For the creative sample, applicants to the Novel, Children's/YA and Creative Non-Fiction routes should submit up to 2,000 words of prose (a complete piece, or an extract/extracts from a longer work); poetry applicants should submit up to 15 poems; and scriptwriting applicants should submit up to 15 minutes running time of script (a complete piece, or an extract/extracts from a longer work). The critical review should focus on a piece of 21st century work, be up to 500 words long, and show evidence of close reading, explaining what it is about the piece you find useful as a writer. Both the creative and critical samples should be relevant to the specialist route to which you are applying (Novel OR Poetry OR Writing for Children/YA OR Scriptwriting OR Creative Non-Fiction). Your reference can be from anyone of professional standing (e.g. a current/former employer or tutor) who can vouch for your suitability for study at postgraduate level or the quality of your writing, or, if you are unable to obtain a reference from someone who is familiar with your written work, simply verify your identity.

Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met) is a higher education institution that prides itself on providing a warm, engaging and supportive environment to over 6,000 postgraduate students. The university is divided into four distinct faculties, enabling the effective streamlining of expertise, resources and funding to the relevant schools and departments, and enhancing the postgraduate experience. These are: the Faculty of Arts and... more

MFA Creative Writing

Full time | 2 years | SEP-24

PhD in Creative Writing and English Literature

Full time | 3 years | JAN

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4 Best Creative Writing Classes in Manchester

Showing 4 courses that match your search.

Creative Writing Summer School

Manchester Writing School

The Manchester Writing School offers a two-day intensive course, providing a glimpse into one of the UK's leading literary centres. Participants engage in masterclass workshops, seminars, and talks delivered by practicing writers and critics. The program includes fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, and creative non-fiction sessions, offering a supportive environment for both personal and professional writing.

Website: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/english/courses/short/creative/#sum...

Categories: Fiction, Essay, Poetry, Nonfiction, Short Story, and Book

Start date:

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Manchester Writing

Dive into the world of storytelling, mastering both fiction and nonfiction. This course focuses on plot construction, captivating openings, character creation, voice modulation, descriptive richness, sentence diversity, and potent verb usage, all aimed at nurturing skilled storytellers and discerning readers.

Website: https://www.manchesterwriting.com/

Categories: Fiction, Essay, Nonfiction, and Book

Open all year round

Essay and Debate

This course teaches the art of persuasive argument through developing a thesis and using evidence effectively. Students will enhance their writing skills across introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs, and sharpen their public speaking abilities by debating with peers on contrasting viewpoints.

Categories: Essay

How to Write a Novel

Your story matters. Unlock your potential with daily video lessons from bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley, and finish your first draft in just 3 months. Learn more →

South Manchester Writing Workshop

Manchester Writers

A dynamic "work-in-progress" group focusing on getting published. Members critique and discuss each other's works-in-progress, ranging from novels to poetry and plays. Open to both beginners and experienced writers, the group tackles topics from character development to engaging literary agents, embracing a diverse range of genres.

Website: http://www.manchester-writers.org.uk/

So you’re looking for creative writing classes in Manchester

The 1911 children’s book The Secret Garden and the 1971 dystopian The Clockwork Orange might not seem like they have much in common on the surface. But they do share one important similarity: both authors were born in Greater Manchester. If such a city can inspire such disparate works, then you can bet that it would be a good place to take a creative writing class.

This directory of the best writing courses in Manchester is meant to help you locate the right one for yourself.  We’ve included filters for price and genre so that you can quickly sort through the writing classes. And before you commit to any one writing class, consider the following questions:

• Who is the instructor?
• What is the price of the writing course?
• How far away is the writing course in Manchester? Is there a remote alternative?
• How long could the course last?

Got any questions about finding the right writing class in Manchester for you? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . Good luck!

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Our home study courses offer you the flexibility to complete your assignments when it is convenient for you. You can work at your own pace and spend as much or as little time on an assignment as you need.

Our Classroom-based courses cover the same material as home study, either every other Saturday or one evening a week. It’s up to you. Whatever option you choose you’ll receive the guidance and support of our expert tutors.

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Unleash your creativity and begin your journey as a writer. Start writing confidently and creatively! Payment plans available. No minimum qualification.

• 3 Months Duration

Study at your own pace with access to online course materials and full tutor support.

Live Online Classes

Attend virtual classes with access to online course materials and full tutor support.

Classroom-based

Attend in-person classes with access to online course materials and full tutor support.

Elevate your writing to new heights and embark on your creative journey with confidence and advanced skills. Payment plans available. No minimum qualification.

• 6 Months Duration
• £2,095
• £2,195

Achieve professional excellence in creative writing and launch your literary career with a strong, professional foundation. Payment plans available. No minimum qualification.

• 9 Months Duration
• £1,425
• £2,725
• £2,865

I would certainly recommend the Post Grad Dip to friends or other students looking to gain a professional qualification, so many new skills to learn, to support future opportunities in the visual arts field. Mark Powell Student - BAPH

The support I get from the student community and my tutor are essential. It isn't always easy and it's clearly demanding, but the whole experience is extraordinary and one of the best investments I've ever made. Daniel Oliver Student - BAPH

This course has taken me on an amazing journey - there has been a lot of learning with tutors who have given constructive feedback to help with progression. It moreover gave me the opportunity to study from home. Such a worthwhile and enjoyable course! Tiffany Hayes Student - BAPH

Between the forums online and our Facebook page I feel more connected with students and staff and I never feel silly asking my tutor even the most basic of questions! I'm particularly impressed with the feedback I get when I hand in my assignments - it is very detailed, constructive and helpful. Sonya O'Donoghue Student - PAI

The British Academy of Creative Writing is a leading provider of accredited, industry recognised creative writing qualifications in UK.

0161 5246 537

0121 3121 661

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BA English Literature with Creative Writing / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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AAA with A in English Literature or English Language and Literature (i.e. not English Language alone), plus a creative writing portfolio.

AAB, including A in English Literature, or English Language and Literature (ie. not English Language alone), plus creative writing portfolio

36 points overall. 6,6,6 in Higher Level subjects to include 6 in English Literature, or English Language & Literature (ie. not English Language alone).

Full entry requirements

Course overview

• Study at a university ranked sixth in the UK for English language and literature (QS World University Rankings 2023).
• Explore the rich literary history and current creative scene of Manchester, recently designated UNESCO City of Literature.
• Study more than 1,000 years of writing in English, engaging with literary and cultural theory, studying texts in their historical contexts, and reflecting on different cultures and traditions.
• Develop creative writing skills in fiction and poetry through workshops led by some of the most adventurous poets, novelists, and science-fiction writers currently in the UK.

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Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2024 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £25,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Contact details

See: About us

Related courses

• English Literature BA (3 years)
• English Literature and Latin BA (3 years)
• Drama and English Literature BA (3 years)
• History and American Studies BA (3 years)
• English Literature and American Studies BA (3 years)

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

• English Literature, American Studies and Creative Writing

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• BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Creative Writing

If you want to get serious about creative writing, the Manchester Writing School – with a proven reputation for developing gifted students into award-winning professional writers – is the ideal place to start.

Course overview

Embark on our creative writing degree and from the very start you’ll study and practise the art and craft of writing in a wide range of established and new forms, from prose fiction, screenwriting and poetry, to digital art, spoken word and writing for computer games. You'll also focus on how writers read texts, how we can learn from them and how to add your own voice into the ongoing conversation of literature.

You’ll learn from award-winning, leading poets, novelists and scriptwriters at the renowned Manchester Writing School – writers who know what it takes to turn a flash of inspiration into brilliant words on the page. The course also has a strong emphasis on professional development, and in our practical 'Beyond the Page' unit you’ll look at professional prac...

What you need to know

• When does the course start? September 2024 September 2025

3 years full-time

4 years with placement year or study abroad

4-9 years part-time

• How many UCAS points do I need? 104-112
• Where will I study this course? Manchester

Features and benefits

"One of the greatest pleasures of my working life continues to be the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University - a department with a real sense of family, achievement and celebration, and an ethos of nurturing and innovation." Professor Carol Ann Duffy DBE (Poet Laureate 2009-19) Creative Director of the Manchester Writing School

Course Information

In creative writing, students study and practise the art and craft of writing in a wide range of established and new forms, from prose fiction and poetry to screenwriting and writing for computer games. A range of award-winning and internationally celebrated writers teach on the BA programme, including Helen Mort, Andrew McMillan, Andrew Hurley, Kim Moore, Susan Barker, Lara Williams, Rachel Genn, Rachel Lichtenstein, Anjum Malik, Nikolai Duffy, Catherine Fox, Livi Michael, Gregory Norminton, Adam O’Riordan, Joe Stretch, Malika Booker, Antony Rowland and Jean Sprackland.

Accreditations, Awards and Endorsements

National Student Survey 2023 (NSS) 93.8% student satisfaction - In response to: How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027 We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.

You will explore genres and understand these in terms of formal and thematic properties. You will explore the relationships between poetry, prose and drama by familiarising yourself with some of the major works that define each genre. You will also consider the reasons why writers make generic and formal choices, and in your own creative writing, you will be encouraged to experiment in genres and forms, engaging critically with issues raised by each.

You’ll also work on how to read texts as a writer, thinking about what we can learn from existing texts and how we can take those lessons forward in our own work and into professional practice. You’ll be asked to write critically about these texts too, in order to bring greater understanding and depth to your own writing.

Language and Technique

An introduction to writing techniques focussing primarily on the crafting processes of poetry and prose. 

This unit introduces key skills for university study, progressing to research, writing and project development. You will learn skills of close reading and textual analysis, practice on a range of cultural forms and focussed on representations of Manchester as a diverse, international city. You will then develop your own independent project and put into practice the analytical skills developed. 

Story and Structure

An introduction to the conventions of storytelling focussing on forms such as flash fiction, short stories, screenwriting and writing for theatre.

The Writing Life

This unit will introduce students to professional opportunities in Creative Writing and the skills needed to access them. 

Study and assessment breakdown

• Year 1 30% lectures, seminars or similar; 70% independent study
• Year 2 30% lectures, seminars or similar; 70% independent study
• Year 3 100% placement (optional)
• Year 4 10% lectures, seminars or similar; 90% independent study
• Year 1 100% coursework
• Year 2 100% coursework
• Year 4 100% coursework

Placement options

Placement opportunities may be available both in the UK and abroad, in a wide variety of roles and sectors.

Our dedicated placement team have developed excellent links with various industries. You will be offered support through a preparation programme of activities that includes guidance on selection procedures, working overseas, CV preparation, interview and selection techniques.

In your second year, you will begin to specialise by selecting writing workshop modules in poetry, prose, scriptwriting and digital taught by practising writers. You’ll experiment and engage with issues raised by formal choices, such as point of view and diction, and develop your workshop and editorial skills. Distinguished writers from our Manchester Writing School will provide masterclasses on specialist forms of writing to help you shape your own creative practice, alongside studio sessions on intellectual and technical aspects central to your craft.

You will also learn about the history of the literary transmission of texts, focussing specifically on texts and their relation to technologies of the age, and the nature and resources of the literary artist.

Additionally, you will choose option units from the wider English programme so you can learn from the work of a wide range of writers and filmmakers, and develop your critical skills too. The listed option units are indicative of the type of units that will be available.

Creative Workshop 1

Students focus on two literary forms chosen from a list (for example prose, poetry, scriptwriting) and follow an intensive workshop for one semester. 

Creative Workshop 2

Remake/remodel.

Students explore literary adaptation, analysing how texts survive and evolve - how the meanings of stories, characters, poems, songs and ideas change across time and across forms. Students will be supported to make adaptations of material encountered on the unit. Students then explore the artistic process underpinning literary adaptation, examining a range of strategies by which a text or existing cultural artefact might be re-made. Students will make their own literary adaptation of an existing story, character, painting, videogame, piece of music or film, whilst reflecting critically on the process.  

The Writer's Studio

Students focus on one creative writing form chosen from a list (for example creative non-fiction, life writing) and follow an intensive workshop for one semester. 

Option units

Cultures of resistance.

This unit investigates cultures of resistance and their historical conditions. To do so, it places a range of resistant cultural texts in dialogue with relevant theoretical and critical material. 

Engaging the Humanities 2

An innovative unit that applies interdisciplinary methods, approaches and perspectives of humanities and social science disciplines to contemporary socio-economic challenges, complementing Engaging the Humanities 1. Each year the unit will address a different contemporary issue or theme. The unit will give you the opportunity to develop and apply your academic skills in an applied, practical setting by undertaking an individual engagement project. This can include a work placement, volunteering, social/community enterprise, RAH! Project, awareness-raising campaign, multimedia piece, blog, creative writing, poetry or artwork performance/exhibition. Each project will be supervised and mentored by one of the unit tutors. Finding external partners to work with will be supported by the Engagement and Outreach team.

Fit for the Future

The unit will take students through the various stages of recruitment from identifying strengths and skills, to job searching and CVs, using platforms such as LinkedIn, and interview practice. Students will build up a portfolio of tasks related to employability, for instance, CV, video interview, assessment centre and reflect on their learning across the unit.

Global Challenges: Green Literature, Film and Media

This unit will analyse the current climate crisis applying the methodologies of creative writing, English literature, or film and media studies.

Manchester City of Literature

This unit will explore the organisations and activities that make up Manchester’s UNESCO City of Literature network, and assess ways in which literary activity can help cities address contemporary global challenges.

Writing After The British Empire: Race, Nation And Theory

How can literary and cultural texts write back to the former colonial centre, enact the decolonisation of the mind, and unpick the stereotypes and ideologies central to the establishment of the British empire? How do literary and cultural works represent the lingering effects of imperialism in the present day? What does contemporary inequality, nationalism, Islamophobia and racism have to do with Britain’s colonial past? This unit supports students to address the formal, ideological and ethical questions negotiated in postcolonial literature and cinema. The unit offers an introduction to postcolonial theory as it relates to the texts and contexts we discuss. Areas of investigation might include climate change, migration, war, gender and sexuality, race and religion.

If you choose one of our four-year routes, Year 3 will be spent on placement or studying abroad.

In your final year, you will undertake a creative project and also take your work beyond the page into professional contexts; and alongside this you will be able to choose from a range of option units to suit your interests. Please note that the following list of units is indicative and may be subject to change.

Beyond the Page

This unit explores professional practice and the application of creative skills in the wider world. You will encounter practitioners from a diverse range of writing and creative professions and gain perspective on accessing and working within the cultural industry. You will take a literary text of your own - an original piece or something written within another unit - and conceive a strategy for its dissemination, reinvention, publication or performance, whilst reflecting critically on this process.

Creative Project (30 credits)

On this unit, you will be asked to devise, scope, plan, conduct, report and reflect on a creative project of your own choosing. The project should involve a significant stretch from your core work on the programme and explore a new practice. This can be either working in a writing discipline different to your main route through the course, or by adapting or applying your work in a new context.

Study Abroad Semester

The Study Abroad unit will involve study for one semester at an approved partner University overseas.

Escapade: Writing Creative Non-Fiction

This unit teaches you how to tell true stories in a post-truth world, how to narrate real-life events (escapades) through innovations in essay writing, observational fieldnotes, literary journalism, life writing and narrative scholarship in a range of media and to understand the ethical consequences of doing so. 

Introduction to Book Publishing

This unit will introduce students to all parts of the book publishing process and industry. Through practical exercises and interactive lectures, students will learn how the industry developed, specialist genres such as children's publishing and how publishers commission, edit, design and produce books in all formats. 

Introduction to Teaching

The unit will aim to introduce English as a core curriculum subject in secondary schools and as an A-level subject. It will provide students with insight into the application of their subject specialism to teaching in school and colleges in England, covering aspects of both curriculum content and subject pedagogy.

Popular Fiction: Reading and Writing Genre

This unit explores novels and novellas for adults that can be categorised as belonging to recognisable commercial and popular genres. You will be expected to engage both critically and creatively a range of genres.

Reading Children’s Literature

This unit provides an analytical study of a range of classic and modern texts written for children. It also uses these texts as models for the production of new texts. The unit also covers appropriate techniques for writing for children. It provides you with the skills to analyse a range of children's literature, and to use the resulting knowledge to produce original texts suitable for teenagers and children. 

Reading and Writing Games

This unit provides an analytical study of a range of twenty and twenty-first century games, both analogue and digital. Students will be introduced to the critical and historical field of game studies, and given guidance on the appropriate techniques for writing for gaming and the experience of working with pre-determined project briefs.

Reading and Writing Poetry

This unit focuses on reading and analysing a representative range of work by contemporary poets, and introduces students to relevant critical work. It equips students with critical, analytical and writing skills to read and write poetry effectively. Assessment will give students the opportunity to produce written work in critical and creative modes, and to reflect analytically on their own work. The unit will provide students with the opportunity to attend a major poetry event (e.g. the Forward Prize or the T. S. Eliot prize awards) and to visit poetry readings. 

Renegade: Writing Literary Fiction

Students will read and research a range of texts and map the terrain of contemporary literary fiction. Students will engage in current debates around the meaning and vitality of literary fiction and the way it intersects with various political movements. Students will engage and experiment with the formal innovation that defines contemporary literary fiction. Students will ultimately offer their own creative responses to the formal and political concerns of the moment through their own creative writing. 

Writing Series Drama

A creative advanced Scriptwriting course which develops skills in team storylining and individual scriptwriting skills in the context of the study of contemporary professional practice.

Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.

• a virtual experience campus tour
• chats with current students

Taught by Experts

Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.

We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.

Entry Requirements

Ucas tariff points.

GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent

Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM

Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points

UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM

T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer

IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects

Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered. 

A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement. 

AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.

Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.

Specific GCSE Requirements

GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English

International Baccalaureate points

Ielts score required for international students.

There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.

Fees and Funding

Uk and channel island students.

Full-time fee: £9,250 per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.

Part-time fee: £2312.50 per 30 credits studied per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.

EU and Non-EU International Students

Full-time fee: £18,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Part-time fee: £4625 per 30 credits studied per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional Information

A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated masters 480 credits. The tuition fee for the placement year for those courses that offer this option is £1,850, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study). The tuition fee for the study year abroad for those courses that offer this option is £1,385, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Part-time students may take a maximum of 90 credits each academic year.

Additional Costs

Specialist costs.

Compulsory estimate : £300

Optional estimate : £300

On our creative writing course, students must have access to a copy of all set texts. Primary texts are held in the University library but students often prefer to have their own copy. Prices vary but many are cheaply available and set texts are often available online for no cost. Students often buy texts second hand, and there is a book exchange in the atrium of the Geoffrey Manton building. Students often choose to buy their own laptops but computers are available on campus, and laptops and iPads are available for students to borrow (estimated costs are £300 for a laptop). Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents - campus printing costs start from 5p per page.

Some option units include trips to relevant events or venues, theatres, exhibitions and libraries, which are all optional activities.

Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships

First Generation

Dedicated funding and support for first generation students

Career Prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of careers, especially media work and teaching, where their transferable skills are particularly relevant. Recent graduates have become school and college teachers, and some have gained employment in fields as diverse as banking, finance, manufacturing and theatre.

There is also the opportunity to engage in further study and professional training, for example some of our graduates go on to study MA/MFA Creative Writing at postgraduate level at our Manchester Writing School under the creative direction of Professor Carol Ann Duffy DBE (Poet Laureate 2009-2019). More than 100 former students of the Manchester Writing School have embarked upon careers as published writers.

Want to know more

Got a question.

You can apply for the full-time option of this course through UCAS.

Institution code: M40

Apply for other study options:

Please contact our course enquiries team.

Get advice and support on making a successful application.

You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.

Manchester is your city, be part of it

Your new home, your new city, why university, related courses, film and media studies, english and multimedia journalism, english and creative writing.

Programme Review Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our Terms and Conditions .

Important Notice This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most up to date information for your chosen course of study.

Confirmation of Regulator The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk .

All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current Student Protection Plan .

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Content writing course by iim skills, table of contents, top 4 creative writing courses in manchester.

• Ankita Sethy
• April 1, 2024
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Creative writing is a common definition of fiction writing, in which the author constructs events, situations, characters, and occasionally even a whole new world. Creative writing is a form of writing that goes beyond the traditional methods of normal skilled, academic, or technical forms of writing. It includes a variety of diverse writing techniques like fiction and non-fiction writing, storytelling, playwriting, poetry, journalism, and more. If you are interested to take up creative writing courses in Manchester to skill up yourself, keep reading.

Any form of writing that is original and self-expressive can be termed “creative writing.” It is typically distinguished by its “narrative craft,” which emphasizes components like character development, fiction, and storyline while also infusing its framework with creativity, uniqueness, and tale.

Other forms of writing often provide the reader with facts and information instead of evoking emotional excitement in them; however, creative writing employs senses and emotions to build a vivid vision in the reader’s mind. Creative writing courses in Manchester allow you to escape from reality and enter a world created by your mind.

Writing creatively allows you to communicate your feelings and emotions. Creative writing is the imaginative or artistic use of words to express a feeling or emotion. Rather than being limited to academic or technical subjects, creative writing incorporates features like character development, story, and the poetry of words to share the author’s emotion with the reader. Academic writing is distinct from other forms of writing because the author is not permitted to convey emotion.

Types of Creati ve Writing

When we talk about creative writing, fiction and poetry frequently take center stage. There are many other forms of creative writing that we might examine. The purpose of creative writing is to entertain, not educate. It seeks to elicit a response by arousing feelings.

The act of creating settings, scenarios, characters, and even a setting for a story is commonly referred to as “creative writing.” There are many different types of creative writing, including many genres and styles. Numerous types of creative writing fall into the fiction or non-fiction categories. Among the most well-known are:

1. Essays : Essays are usually linked to academic writing. However, there are many other varieties of essays, such as personal essays, descriptive essays, and persuasive essays, all of which can be highly creative and not particularly academic.

2. Poetry : Poetry is undoubtedly the most artistic form of writing, it’s being widely read but less recognized. Poetry is a category of creative writing that may not frequently appear on bestseller lists, but a writer should not disregard it. Any format can be used to write a poem.

If you’d like, you can even compose them in a certain style of prose. Children adore stories that rhyme, if you want to push your imagination, try to come up with rhyming stories. For fun, you can even create a horror rhyming poem for adults to practice your creative skills. To practice your creative skills, you could even create a horror rhyming poem for adults.

3. Storytelling : The most often used type of creative writing is storytelling. It can be both found in fiction and nonfiction. There are many popular formats for fiction, which are flash fiction, short stories, short novels, and full-length novels. Storytelling is a broadly valuable skill, as it can be found in all forms of writing, from poetry to speech writing.

4. Songs : People may argue that song lyrics are essentially just poetry set to music, yet song lyrics have a particular rhythm that is specific to writing. If you enjoy singing or playing any instrument, think about putting your creative writing talents to use in this type of writing.

5. Scripts : Writing stories for the screenplay format is referred to as script writing or screenwriting. Scriptwriting can be said as the process of recording the facial expressions, movements, and language of the characters in a screenplay. A novel, a poem, or an essay is completely different than script writing. Screenplay or screenwriting is work created by screenwriters for a movie, television show, or video game.

6. Free writing : Free writing is the most creative type of writing. Start writing in a notebook or electronic document. Free writing is a technique used by writers to come up with ideas without being constrained by the conventional format of writing. The top form of creative writing is free writing. Free writing is a completely free style of writing.

7. Letters: Writing letters is a useful skill since being able to communicate effectively is becoming more and more valuable. Nowadays, sending letters to someone is a better way to practice your creative writing skills because our ability to interact with one another depends more and more on the written word. You can even have characters write letters to each other within the background of a story you’re creating.

8. Journals:  A journal is a form of writing where you can record your ideas, feelings, and observations. You can write in your journal every day or only when you feel the urge to. Journals are kept by writers as a place to jot down ideas as they come to them, practice writing, and record their thoughts.

A journal and a diary are not nearly the same things. You could keep a notebook for your accomplishments, memories, dreams, or thankfulness. Many authors keep Omni-journals or idea diaries, which are used for everything from daily free writing to project planning and brainstorming.

9. Blogging: The process of blogging involves writing blog posts on the website. Writing, photography, and other forms of self-published web media are referred to as blogging. Blogging initially served as a platform for people to keep diaries in the form of entries, but it has subsequently been incorporated into the websites of many businesses.

10. Speeches:  Essays and speeches share many similarities however, the purpose of a speech is typically more persuasive or inspirational. Speech writing can result in exciting job chances in virtually any profession or industry, whether it be persuasive, inspirational, or educational. In this format, there are length restrictions.

Elements Taught in Creative Writing Courses in Manchester

The creative writing courses in Manchester help you to involve yourself in a variety of steps and components that come together to form a result. Creative writing components are used to help express artistic or symbolic meaning. To get a better understanding of creative writing, you have to understand its elements.

Different types of creative writing use different types of elements. These elements can make or break the writing and are an essential aspect. The amount of each element that should be used in creative writing is the most uncertain.

It’s essential to understand how to use the elements when a situation calls for it for educational purposes. However, these elements are essential for creative writing and are utilized universally throughout their forms. Some of the important elements of writing in a creative way are as follows:

Unique plot:  There must be an exciting plot in every piece of writing. A plot is a series of events that forms a story in creative writing. An incident that urges the main character to act and start a quest is known as the inciting incident, and it marks the beginning of a plot.

It serves as the writing’s backbone and gives everything else in the piece a framework. A good plot is necessary for a writer’s work to be accepted and successful. The writer should always try to think of something original and unique to engage the interest of the audience.

Characters:  The characters of a piece of writing depend on the plot. Characters are individuals who appear in literature or artistic work. The author must convey the character’s growth throughout the writing. This can be accomplished by providing clear details on the changes over time. This is another form of writing that attracts the readers’ attention and keeps them sticking to it.

Dialogue:  Dialogue writing is another form of creative writing. It’s a verbal exchange between characters. It refers to the language that characters use to communicate with one another. Figurative language, such as metaphors and phrases, may be used in this, using such an approach creates a better appeal and leaves room for imagination and explanation. A character’s language choice and dialogue can play a significant role in defining who they are as a person.

Point of View: A writer can express their plot from the first, second, or third person’s point of view. This is not fixed; it is chosen by the writer. When writing a story, it’s important to acknowledge who is telling it and to whom.

The use of an appropriate point of view allows the writer to touch on important points in the storyline. A character who is actively participating in the narrative may tell the tale, or it may be seen and heard from the point of view of someone who is not one of the characters but is familiar with them all.

Setting:  A setting is the location of a work. It serves as the stage on which the characters are presented. It is also possible to mention the location and time in the story. A setting might be a particular geographic location, a period in history, or a made-up place or world.

The setting reveals more about the characters than the setting itself. While some fiction settings might be set in New York City while others might be set in the Sahara desert, both stories have specific settings that help create an atmosphere or the authors’ ideas. Other setting possibilities include the present or an unspecified time and location, like the future.

Scene:  A scene may be said to be a dramatic section in a story within a specific time and place. A scene happens as part of a bigger story. Stories are constructed from scenes. Most stories are made of a series of scenes that differ in setting and advance the plot. A short story is made up of a single scene. Good scenes have conflict and tension and advance the story.

Style:  A writing style is an author’s uncommon way of communicating with words. An author’s voice or personality and general tone help to define their style of writing. A writer’s style can depend on the type of writing they’re doing and their target audience. For example, an author of a children’s book will have a very different writing style than a novelist.

Theme:  A   theme is the central idea of a work of literature or art. A story’s theme is a big philosophical idea the author wants to convey in his writing. It is an underlying emotion that unites the entire work and ties its various components together. The theme of a subject could be moralistic, or it might just be that beauty needs to be conserved by doing something.

Recommended Read: Digital Marketing Courses in Manchester

Techniques Taught in Creative Writing Courses in Manchester

In creative writing, we learn how to describe a scene in a way that will fascinate the reader and make them feel like they are a part of the story. Like elements, creative writing techniques are not global. They are unique to each author and story. When drafting a scene from your tale, various methods can be employed.

Writers often use a variety of literary methods and creative writing strategies to make their writing stand out. Any writer who wants to stand out from the crowd and elevate their writing can use these ways to do so. Here are some incredible methods and advice that will improve your writing experience overall.

Reading Books: When a writer develops the habit of reading frequently, it broadens their perspective and satisfies their mind with a variety of ideas, styles, and ways of presenting any given circumstance. If you want to become a good writer, reading a lot will help you master your craft. The books that aspiring writers read are very valuable for them. The purpose of reading to write will be determined by your goal as a writer.

Plot Development:  Plot development is the story of your piece of writing – how it develops, unfolds, and moves along with time. It is best to create a plot for the piece of material that is being written. While including plot twists and turns, it is possible to take note of the various developments and stages for future reference. This can help in giving the work structure and establishing a bond between the characters.

Write a Strong Opening:  Story hooks are frequently mentioned in creative writing strategies. You must indeed grab the reader’s interest. However, a hook doesn’t always have to be large. The reader only needs to be intrigued to continue reading. In this style of writing, the writer uses language that tells the story to the reader as though they were in the audience. As a writer, you must adopt the role of one of the characters and tell the entire story from their viewpoint.

Dialogue:  Refers to the language and interactions that the characters have with one another. This is an important component of creative writing since it gives the work an emotional feeling and can bind characters together. Including characters, dialogue can help the readers connect with the characters and move the plot forward without relying exclusively on the narrator. A character’s language choices and dialogue can play a significant role in defining who they are as a person.

Twists in the plot:  Great creative writing techniques include using suspense and twists in the plot to keep the reader’s interest. A plot twist is an event in a story that deviates from both the readers’ and the story’s expectations. Twists and suspense in creative writing can come in the form of conflict between characters or hurdles in the plot. To keep readers interested in the plot as they wait for this conflict to be resolved, writers add twists.

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Colleges Providing Creative Writing Courses in Manchester

1. iim skills.

For the past five years, IIM SKILLS has consistently been providing top online writing courses. IIM SKILLS has maintained a distinct position among competitors in the content writing sector in such a short amount of time. It is a well-known institute that teaches students numerous other skills necessary for different careers in the content writing sector in addition to the finest online creative writing course.

The professors at IIM SKILLS are the primary factor in its ranking as the finest online creative writing program. The instructors of this top-rated online creative writing courses in Manchester are pros who have been working in the field for more than ten years. The online Content Writing Course offered by IIM SKILLS can teach you all the skills needed.

• Introduction to Content Writing
• Copywriting
• Script and Sketch Writer
• Web Development
• Keyword Research

2. Manchester 1824 (The University of Manchester)

Manchester 1824 provides an MA in creative writing. Leading authors and poets will be providing specialized instruction throughout this one-year postgraduate course. In the MA Creative Writing master’s course, you’ll be part of the prestigious Center for New Writing, where you will be taught by world-famous writers.

They will teach you how to produce novels, short stories, creative non-fiction, poems, and screenplays. The creative writing courses in Manchester are a place where you will get to meet talented writers and critics and exchange ideas and opinions. The Center is based on the simple but important tenet that good writing and reading go hand in hand.

The creative writing courses in Manchester will see you study literary techniques via reading and discussing the work of other contemporary writers through seminars, and you will have the opportunity to develop your work through regular workshops and individual tutorials.

List of Courses

• Forms of writing I
• Contemporary Fiction
• Anthologizing modern and contemporary poetry
• Workshop in fiction writing I
• Workshop in fiction writing II
• Reading poems: lyric and the Anthropocene
• Writing poems I
• Writing poems II
• Creative non-fiction workshop
• Trans theory

3. Manchester Metropolitan University

The creative writing courses at Manchester Metropolitan University provide a BA (Hons) in creative writing. The Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University is one of the most successful literary centers in the UK and is home to the country’s largest postgraduate English and creative writing community.

You are taught by a team of distinguished practicing writers and critics. They also host some high-profile visiting fellows who contribute to Manchester’s writing school teaching, projects, and public events. Around 100 of their students and graduates have embarked on publishing careers, launching their first book, with many more achieving publication in journals and magazines.

They are also winning writing awards and prizes and setting up small presses and anthologies. The college also plays a leading role in establishing Manchester as a city of writers, with a commitment to finding various new voices and creating opportunities for writer development, enabling new scripting, and building audiences for the next generation of talent.

• Single Honours English degree
• Single Honours Creative Writing degree
• Degrees in English and American Literature
• English and Creative Writing
• English and Film
• English and Multimedia Journalism
• Film and Media Studies
• English Degrees with Foundation Year

4. The Writers Bureau

Creative writing courses in Manchester are the most fulfilling and engaging pastimes. You can also earn a full-time income from your writing if you want to. The writer’s bureau’s creative writing courses will show you how all their writing courses are perfect for beginners.

The course does not require any prior experience or special education. You can earn at the same time while learning. You can study from any location. Their quality of tuition is the same with every course. You will also be working with the same tutor throughout the course.

• Comprehensive creative writing course
• Proofreading and copy editing course
• The complete copywriter course
• Writing for children course
• Novel & short story writing course
• Non-fiction writing course
• Fiction writing course
• Article writing course etc.

Frequently Asked Questions About Creative writing courses in Manchester

1. what are some examples of creative writing.

It’s a form of writing that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of formal and technical writing. Fiction writing is one kind of creative writing. Traditional novels, short tales, and graphic novels are all examples of fiction writing. Fiction is a story that is not true by definition, but it can be realistic and contain real locations and facts.

2. What is the purpose of creative writing?

Creative writing is the process of telling an interesting or entertaining story using written language that will engage, motivate, and excite the reader while arousing emotional feelings. Its goal is to meaningfully and gracefully educate, amuse, or instruct the reader in a way that they will appreciate.

3. Where can I take creative writing courses in Manchester?

Hundreds of students from around the world come to study creative writing courses in Manchester. You can either go in-person to the institute or opt for an online course from anywhere else in the world. The creative writing courses in Manchester give you the chance to be a part of one of the prestigious centers for new writing available there. The colleges bring world-famous writers to teach their students how to write novels, short stories, creative non-fiction, poems, and screenplays.

4. What are the forms of creative writing?

Fiction, journals, poetry, short stories, essays, and scriptwriting are forms of creative writing. Scriptwriting is sometimes called screenwriting or playwriting. Creative nonfiction can take several forms, such as memoirs and personal essays.

Conclusion On Creative Writing Courses in Manchester

Creative writing may be said to be an art form of literature. Which requires you to use your creativity, imagination, and story to portray a specific message, emotion, or plot. It goes against the traditional limitations of other forms of writing and is completely subjective to our preferences and experiences. The created content engages the audience and persuades them to execute an action, whether it be subscribing, clicking a link, liking a post, sharing, or commenting. For creative writers, this is a great chance.

If you want to start creative writing, it’s important to completely immerse yourself in the world of literature. You should read and write as much as you can, and workshop you’re writing whenever possible. Creative writing courses in Manchester are a great way to meet other like-minded students, share knowledge and feedback, and upskill yourself.

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School of Arts, Languages and Cultures

Creative Producing Summer School

Creative producing is the art of making art happen.

Creative producers provide pivotal functions in artistic liaison, participant recruitment, project development, event management and audience experience. With contributions in the programme from  HOME , Manchester Camerata and the Manchester International Festival , this short course provides new and emerging arts managers with a unique opportunity to learn how to produce incredible arts and cultural events through the eyes of expert practitioners and critical reflection on first-hand experience.

Course overview

During this two-week summer school, you will hear about the practices, principles and ethics of creative producing and be introduced to industry tools and tips for planning and managing creative events, culminating in your chance to produce and evaluate your own creative event in a Manchester venue, working with world-class artists and creative partners.

This course is suitable for arts management (and similar subject area) undergraduates and graduates as well as emerging practitioners and is available both in credit-bearing and non-credit bearing versions. It provides an intense and rewarding opportunity for the development of skills and industry profile as well as accredited learning at postgraduate level.

Course details

This summer school will be made up of lectures, seminars, practical sessions and workshops. There will be field trips to local cultural partners included in the course. The draft schedule for 2021 includes (subject to change):

Pre-residential Phase

6 weeks prior to the course you will familiarise yourself with course topics through online resources, reading and assessment schedule to complete prior to arrival, with weekly readings, tasks and online discussion forums.

Residential Phase

During the intensive summer school, you will benefit from hands-on practical sessions, reflective evaluation sessions, workshops and lectures delivered by practitioners from the creative industries. The summer school culminates in the delivery of a showcase creative event, for which you will receive critical feedback from industry specialists and develop an external profile through digital and social media.

Assessment and credits

You will be assessed through continuous assessment, written work, oral presentation and practical participation.

The summer school carries 15 credits for students studying on a credit bearing basis. The course can also be taken on a non-credit basis.

Application Information

Applications for the 2021 Summer school will open in January 2021.

Entry requirements

To apply to the Creative Producer Summer School, we expect the following:

• You will be 18 or over on the first day of the course.
• You will have graduated from an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject area (such as arts management, theatre studies, drama, music) or have the equivalent professional experience working at management level in cultural practice.  The course can be taken as non-credit-bearing for those without a degree or relevant professional experience.
• You will have achieved good academic grades equivalent to GPA 3.0. Please contact us if you are not sure what the equivalent grade would be for your home institution.
• The course is available for credit or non-credited students.

English language

If English is not your first language, you must fulfil one of the following English Language proficiency requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill.
• TOEFL paper-based test minimum score of 583 with a minimum of 53 in all skills.
• TOEFL internet-based test minimum score of 93 with a minimum score of 20 in all skills.
• English Language O-level/IGCSE/GCSE grade C.
• International Baccalaureate Standard Level English, grade 4.
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate grade B.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, grade C.
• Level 4 of Chinese University English test for English majors, or Level 6 of Chinese University English Test.

All transcripts must be authorised by your university and your English language scores must be clearly presented in English and be no more than two years old.

We would be happy to consider your application or offer advice if you do not meet all of our entry requirements – please email [email protected]  to discuss your application.

Fees and finance

Tuition fee.

The tuition fee for students taking the course for 2021 is currently being reviewed. The tuition fee covers the teaching, assessment and field trips. If you are part of a group with more than 10 students from the same institution we can offer a 10% group discount.

Accommodation fee

The accommodation fees are not included in the tuition fee. For further information on availability of accommodation and the associated cost, please see the accommodation section. 

Personal expenses

In addition, you will need to budget for living costs to cover food, travel and personal expenses. Manchester is a relatively affordable place to live in. It is cheaper to cook than eat out. All accommodation provides cooking facilities. Weekly grocery shopping is approximately £30-£50.

All students are required to arrange their own travel and health insurance before arriving in Manchester.

Fees for the course, or part of the course, can only be refunded if cancellation in writing is received at least 20 working days before the published start date of the course. All refunds are subject to a £210 administration fee. The course deposit will only be refunded, less an administration fee of £210, within 20 working days of the course start date in exceptional circumstances e.g. a visa refusal, and upon receipt of documentary evidence. The administration fee is not refundable under any circumstances.

How to apply

Before you apply.

Please browse the course content and entry requirements before applying. 

You need to submit the following documents as part of your application before Friday 7 May 2021:

• an academic transcript from your current university;
• proof of your English language qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL scores;
• a completed  application form  (click to download).

Failure to include all of the required documentation will delay your application. Please see our Entry Requirements for further details.

All applications and accompanying documents should be emailed to  [email protected] . Applications are considered in the order they are submitted. Any applications received after the deadline may not be successful.

The admission process

• All correspondence will be via email so please check for responses regularly.
• After you have submitted your application, you will receive an acknowledgement email within 5 working days.
• A decision will be made on all applications by the end of May 2021, but we may contact you earlier. If you are offered a conditional place we will send you a letter detailing your next steps.
• Your place on the summer school is not confirmed until the course fees are paid in full. This is done via our online store using a credit or debit card. The deadline for payment will be Friday 28 May 2021.
• You will also be asked to pay for your accommodation at this point.
• Upon receipt of full payment, we will issue an unconditional offer letter.

Please note that a minimum number of students is required for the course to run. Confirmation that the course will run as scheduled will be sent out to applicants in May 2021.

Visa requirements

Not all students require a visa to enter the UK – you can  check your eligibility on the Home Office website . 

If you do need a visa, it will usually be a Short-Term Study Visa which allows you to visit the UK for less than six months and undertake some study while here. It is not the same as a Tier 4 (General) student visa which requires a CAS number. You will be sent an unconditional offer letter which you can use for your visa application.

If you have any queries about which visa you should apply for, please visit the Home Office website or  email The University of Manchester's visa office .

University and city life

The University of Manchester is centrally located in the city of Manchester. It is a 30-minute drive from Manchester International Airport and 10 minutes from the main train station by car, from which you can travel to the rest of the UK via an extensive rail network.

The University is within walking distance of the city centre and main attractions like museums, shopping centres, theatres and sports venues. The city offers a wide choice of food outlets and restaurants. We are at the doorstep of the Curry Mile, well known for its Indian/Pakistani food. Manchester's China Town is the largest in the country with a number of Chinese, Korean and Japanese supermarkets.

Within a short distance of Manchester are the beautiful national parks of the Peak District, Lake District, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire. You will find beautiful natural scenery and tranquil spots in these places. They are popular tourist attractions for British families and international tourists.

Find out more

• Visit the main University's webpage on Student Life and the City

Accommodation

Standard accommodation is available at  Whitworth Park , and en-suite accommodation is available at  Denmark Road .

We offer a choice of standard or en-suite rooms in university halls of residence close to the teaching rooms. All rooms are private rooms (no sharing) and are grouped into self-catering apartments which share a living room and a kitchen. Included in the fee are cooking equipment, a weekly clean, and fresh bed sheets on a weekly basis.

Wireless internet is available on campus free of charge to university students, but in some bedrooms there is a wired broadband connection so students are advised to bring a laptop with them to allow a cable connection. There are also study spaces and computers available in  The University of Manchester Library  which students are encouraged to use.

We allocate students to their rooms in each flat to encourage a diverse mix of people from around the world, in keeping with the international experience. Therefore, you may not be placed in a flat with students from your home university.

The university campus is open to the public but patrolled by campus security.

For more information and to check availability please email the Creative Summer Schools team .

What to bring

We recommend bringing the following items:

• An umbrella, as Manchester can sometimes be a rainy city!
• A good waterproof coat, to keep you warm and dry.
• Sturdy footwear as we’ll be walking around the city and sometimes in the countryside.
• A backpack or daypack for carrying your belongings when on field trips.
• Sun protection cream, a hat and sunglasses for good weather. 
• Warm clothes such as jumpers, coats and hats for night time activities, outdoor excursions and bad weather.

If you forget anything, there are plenty of  shops in the city centre  where you can find all of the essential items.

For enquiries about the programme, you can contact the Summer School team:

E: [email protected]

T: +44(0)161 306 3997

Facebook /creativemanchester

Twitter: @creativemanchester

For more information on Creative Manchester see our website .