MA Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London

Programme overview

This MA Creative Writing gives you the chance to better understand the craft of writing and gain valuable constructive criticism from other writers and experts who are as serious about developing your work as you are. It is ideal if you want to develop your practice as a writer and work toward publication and/or sustaining a career in the industry.

Faculty: School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication | Duration: One year full-time, on campus; Two years part-time, on campus | Study mode: full-time, part-time | Intake: October 2027 | January 2028 | Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

On this MA Creative Writing you will deepen your knowledge of reading and writing and the possibilities of literature across all forms and genres, as well as developing critical and professional skills relevant to the workplace. You will take core modules which focus your attention on the fundamentals of writing and then choose option modules which give you the opportunity to diversify your practice and experiment in more specialist areas and concerns including: writing for video gaming screenwriting playwrighting memoir writing poetry creative non-fiction genre fiction. Compulsory modules include a 15,000-word dissertation (60 credits).

Career pathways

Graduates can pursue career paths in areas such as: academia, research, teaching, publishing, copywriting, marketing, narrative design, editing.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2 or above, though this requirement may be waived if you can demonstrate exceptional talent), a personal statement (to be submitted with your application form) and a portfolio of prose writing of no more than 3000 words. Your portfolio should be a section of a novel with a synopsis, a couple of short stories or a combination of the two. Please note that poetry, children’s fiction, journalism, screen- or playwriting are not appropriate submissions for this MA. Students are selected on the basis of their portfolio and statement, an interview (selected candidates only) and their degree. Portfolio guidelines: Submit application. Submit writing portfolio (Word or PDF) by logging into your MyBirkbeck profile, then going to the ‘Manage my application’ link and attaching the document. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits, and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners. You must also provide two references, at least one of which should be an academic reference.

Domestic applicants: GBP 6,180 a year (2027/28). Part-time home students; One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2027 Source

International applicants: GBP 10,890 a year (2027/28). Part-time international students; One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2027 Source

Intake: October 2027 | January 2028

Duration: One year full-time, on campus; Two years part-time, on campus

Apply through the official page: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/student-services/admissions/postgraduate/applications

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