MA Creative Writing: Innovation and Experiment at University of Salford

Challenge yourself to find a new and distinctive voice with an MA in Creative Writing that will help you stand out from the literary crowd

Faculty: English, Drama and Creative Writing  |  Duration: One year; Two years; Overview; How you'll learn; Future careers; Modules; Entry requirements; Fees and funding; How to apply; to this course; Ask a question; Overview; Are you an experienced creative writer looking for new ways to hone their craft? Do you want to establish a professional career as a novelist, publisher or journalist? This forward-thinking MA in Creative Writing will offer a way to stretch your writing muscles, step out of the ordinary and take your writing skills in new and exciting directions.; On our MA Creative Writing programme you will develop work at the cutting-edge of new and evolving practices. You will take your creative writing to the next level so that it really stands out, making it unique and distinctively attractive to the current market.; You will do this by playing to your strengths as a creative writer while engaging with fundamental issues in theories of literature and creative practice. The course offers exactly what the name suggests – it opens your mind, allows you to explore philosophical writing and challenges you to critically reflect upon your own creative work.; This masters in Creative Writing course will be of interest to writers of prose, poetry, scripts, hybrid and visual forms. You will not be required to commit to any one form, and will have the opportunity to move between or mix forms if you wish. As a Creative Writing student at Salford, you will become part of; The Northern School of Writing at Salford; ,; a community of students, writers and researchers bringing together students from across our artistic disciplines, working to enrich lives with literature and support independent publishers.; And whether you choose to study full-time or part-time, as a creative writing postgraduate student studying at Salford, you’ll be surrounded by inspiring creatives from across a range of disciplines. Manchester’s creative hub is a vibrant and exciting place to study, build community and nurture your writing talent.; Pathway to Postgrad; Meet us on campus at our; Open Day; , or; chat to our tutors online; to get a closer look at what studying here could mean for you.; It’s all part of; Pathway to Postgrad; – a series of events designed to give you clear guidance, real support, and opportunities to find out more as you take your next step into postgraduate study.; You can also follow our #EnglishatSalford; Instagram; and; Facebook; accounts, which are led by our English teaching staff so you can find out how we tell our story through English, Creative Writing and Drama.; You will:; Learn from award-winning, internationally-recognised writers and performers; Have the freedom to develop your own projects and inject your writing with the rigour and depth needed to work in the creative industry; Graduate with a strong portfolio of work that can be used to establish your reputation as a creative writer; Winners at the Create Student Awards 2022; On this Film and Stage Design degree you’ll graduate with friends that share your interests; This is an image of our library computer suites; When you study with us, you’ll have access to books, articles, videos and other resources for free through the Library Reading List; Our student was awarded the Leanne Bridgewater Award for Innovation and Experiment; This is for you if...; 1.; You are a humanities graduate or experienced creative writer who is looking to challenge your conceptions of literature and creative practice.; 2.; You are looking for the inspiration to develop your creative writing in new ways.; 3.; You’re looking for the opportunity to build a range of transferable skills that can be used for a variety of careers in writing; Be a part of a creative, supportive community; All our English courses are delivered by the; Salford School of Arts, Media, and Creative Technology; . We are a creative community with a focus on creating a collaborative environment where you can thrive and gain the skills needed to pursue your dreams.; Our Engagement Team coordinates school-wide events such as the; Create Student Awards; , academic conferences, networking and volunteering opportunities, welcoming and wellbeing fairs and exhibitions like our annual Degree Show.; For non-course matters, you will have access to our university-wide support service; askUS; , who will support and guide you to be successful in all aspects of your life.; Throughout your time at Salford, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.; Northern School Of Writing; A collaborative school of novelists, poets, screenwriters, dramatists, journalists, podcasters, video-game and film-makers,; The Northern School of Writing at Salford; is a community of staff and students who read, write, research and innovate in a tradition that is rebellious, risk-taking and brave.; Our teaching, mentoring and nurturing of writers extends beyond the degree courses at the University, to our literary community in the north of Britain and the 24 publishers of the Northern Fiction Alliance.; Find out more about The Northern School of Writing at Salford; How you'll learn; What will I be doing?; Teaching; While you’ll be invited to regular workshops, lectures and seminars covering the theory involved in this creative writing postgraduate course, it is your own creative activity that is the main driver for learning.; Through personal tutorials you will receive feedback and one-to-one support to help unleash your creative potential, alongside masterclasses with visiting contemporary writers who will inspire you to think outside the boundaries of common literary approaches.; Your classes will be based at our Peel Park Campus; .; Both full-time and part-time MA creative writing students will study alongside aspiring artists, musicians, performers and fashion designers, creating a vibrant sense of community and inspirational support network.; Assessment; Writing, Theory, Culture; (30 credits,; joint module with literature students); Two assessments: critical essay, hybrid (creative/critical) or creative piece using theoretical ideas, 3,500 words each; Experimental Practice; (15 credits,; Creative writing students only); A hybrid (creative/critical) essay or creative piece 3,500 words; Story Across Media; (15 credits, joint module with literature students); A 3,000 word proposal for a creative piece — video essay, podcast, prose narrative, script, graphic novel, website/digital storytelling — or 3,000 word essay analysing film or novel and its narratological structure; Writing Workshop; (15 credits, Creative writing students only); A creative piece(s) 2,500 words and 1,000-word poetics statement; Bestsellers and Prizewinners; (15 credits, joint module with literature students); A review of text 1,500 words and 1,500; word pitch for text or creative project; Professional Practice; (30 Credits, joint module with literature students); A presentation (15 minutes) on a proposal for either a journal article, PhD application, Arts Council application or Anthony Burgess Archive-based essay, followed by production of one of the above; Final Creative Project; (60 Credits); Creative work of 12,000 words or equivalent, statement of poetics 2,000 words; Pursuing the Creative Writing MA at Salford transformed my writing. The course charged my creativity like never before.; Haarshini Sivaparanjothi; MA Creative Writing student, 2024; I found the theory elements of the course particularly useful because they challenged me to think critically about my creativity. It helped me look at my writing not just as an artist but as an academic, giving me a better understanding of my own ideas. By the end of the course, I found that my creative work was underpinning theory effortlessly.; Christina Sims; MA graduate 2017, currently working as a University of Salford Wordscope tutor; This MA helped me not only to change the way I write, but to change the way that I think about and approach writing, and the direction that I want to take myself in as an artist.; Stuart Page; Creative writing: innovation and experiment, 2018-2019; A writer should never stay comfortable. The Master's at Salford has enhanced my relationship with writing by challenging my perceptions of it. With the dedication of experienced tutors, I have discovered and developed my writer’s voice and profile.; Akhtar Qudsia; Creative writing: innovation and experiment , 2018-2019; The blend of theoretical and creative modules allowed me to not only establish my identity as a writer but challenge myself to trust my instincts.; Lily-Mae Williams; MA Creative Writing: Innovation and experiment 2018, Marketing Graduate Associate; Future careers; Employment; Whether you aspire to literary greatness or you’re keen to pursue further study, our master’s in creative writing innovation and experiment will give you the tools and training you need to take the first step in your professional career.; While the aim of this course is to encourage you to challenge and develop yourself creatively as a writer, it offers much more besides that. Alongside establishing successful careers as creative writers, many of our graduates go on to secure professional roles in publishing, teaching and fiction writing, as well as arts administration and journalism.; Further study; Postgraduate research in Creative Writing is co-ordinated by the English Literature, Language and Creative Practice Research group in the Arts Media and Communication Research Centre, headed by Dr Scott Thurston. The group explores hybrid and inter-disciplinary ways of working and in our examination of marginal, experimental and emergent practices. We are concerned with looking at the overlooked and teasing out readings of neglected and/or transgressive authors and cultural practices. From looking at writing conflict in Northern Ireland to Victorian Sensation fiction, from discontented minds in Early Modern Drama to the representation of serial killers in film and fiction, from African modernism to experimental poetry, from the hidden meanings of place names to discourse analysis – our work is searching, critically-engaged and culturally relevant.; A key strength of the group is in the practice and study of innovative writing, covering experimental and literary fiction, young adult fiction, innovative poetry, visual text, scriptwriting, devising and directing for stage, performance, adaptation, autobiography and translation.; Recent successes include:; Dan Lovatt’s regular articles for Fourth Floor, and selection of his theatre play for a residency at Kings Arms during Manchester Fringe Festival; Qudsia Akhtar’s first collection accepted with Verve Poetry Press of work written during the MA and success in obtaining AHRC funding for a PhD at Salford; Chrissi Nerantzi’s; blog; , including discussion of her experience of the Creative Writing MA; Jazmine Linklater’s work in the marketing department of Carcanet Press;; Kayleigh McGuire’s apprenticeship with the Arts Council;; John Mansell (writer name John Blakemore) ‘What Love is’ in; Purple Reign; anthology, Erbaccce Press, 2019; Leanne Bridgewater,; Confessions of a Cyclist; , The Knives Forks and Spoons Press:; Richard Barrett,; Hugz; , The Knives Forks and Spoons Press:; Nia Davies’ first full-length poetry collection with high-profile publisher Bloodaxe Books.; Nigel Wood and Joanne Langton co-editing The Dark Would anthology of Language Art with Phil Davenport.; Leanne Bridgewater’s work as a librarian in Coventry and publication of her first full-length collection with The Knives Forks and Spoons Press.; Richard Barrett as widely-published poet and editor of Happy Books.; Stephen Emmerson as a well-published poet with work from the if p then q press and co-editor of the magazine and small press BLART books.; Jazmine Linklater’s first collection for Dock Road Press.; Joanne Langton’s work as editor with The Knives Forks and Spoons Press, and current post teaching English in Mexico (she also published her first collection with KFS).; Many of these writers have performed at The Other Room poetry reading series in Manchester (2008-2018); Career Links; Many of our graduates participate actively in literary culture through organising and entering literary competitions, setting up and editing anthologies, publishing work elsewhere, and taking up internships with publishers of poetry and fiction or in arts administration. Whether our students are writers of experimental prose, poetry or script, mixed-media creators, visual text makers or performance artists, we prepare Creative Writing MA graduates for a life in the creative industries, offering instruction on production and project funding bids, PhD applications, and journal writing.; The course benefits from a programme of visiting writers to the English Subject Group. In addition, at least two workshops per academic year are convened by key figures in innovative writing. Past visitors have included: Lucy Burnett, Robert Sheppard, Phil Davenport, Allen Fisher, Camille Martin, Carrie Etter, Philip Kuhn, Tony Trehy and Christine Kennedy.; Other industry links are Carcanet Press who offer one week’s internship in their marketing department, Arts Council England, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Streetcake experimental writing magazine, Knives Forks and Spoons Poetry Press, Portico Library and Working Class Movement Library.; Previous graduates have gone onto further study and training and participated in literary culture through organizing literary competitions and publishing creative work. Recent successes include: Dan Lovatt's play 'Toxic' winning Write for the Stage and Offset awards at 2021 GM Fringe Festival; Simon Ross publishing in; There is No Guest; ; Qudsia Akhtar publishing a poetry collection with Verve Poetry Press; Lucy Hulton set up Sparkling Tongue press and was shortlisted for Streetcake's 2020 experimental poetry award; James Ward's short story 'Norway Spruce' was published in the Bridge House Anthology; Evergreen;; Sue Sandiland's MA project dissertation 'I Am Lunatic' published by Pegasus Publishers; .; Modules; The November 2024 External Examiners' report on this programme said:; This is an exceptional Creative Writing programme that is sector-leading in many ways. Students are offered a breadth of opportunity to develop their creative writing and professional skills, ensuring all graduates are excellently placed to develop their careers as both writers and in adjacent industries.; Throughout the programme you’ll have the opportunity to challenge your creative habits, strengthen your skills and learn how to conduct yourself as a professional writer – producing work that is profound, interesting and attracts the attention of publishers and directors alike.; In your first semester of study, you’ll be encouraged to push the boundaries of your own creativity and to explore experimental writing from across the ages. This will give you the chance to find what resonates with you most, and to help bring innovation into your own work.; As your course progresses, you’ll take part in stimulating and supportive creative writing workshops that will enable you to explore your social and political positioning in a safe and non-judgmental environment.; Your final project will encourage you to dig deep and complete an ambitious, large-scale creative project using the writing styles you’ve developed, while exploring the fundamental questions that have most fascinated you during the course.; The course timetable is designed to allow students with other commitments to structure their week around teaching sessions. During the 2024/25 academic year full-time students were on campus 3-5pm Tuesday and Thursday and part-time students are on campus 3-5pm on either Tuesday or Thursday. While we cannot guarantee this exact schedule for future years, this provides an example of how we aim to deliver the course each year.; The structure below is for full time study.; Part time students will study:; Year one: Writing, Theory and Culture; Bestsellers and Prizewinners; Writing Workshop; Year two: Experimental Practice; Story Across Media; Professional Practice; Dissertation/Creative Practice; Trimester one; Experimental Practice; This is a 15 credit module. Over a series of weekly sessions, alternating between seminars and practical workshops, this module explores the history of experimental writing techniques over the last seventy years and examines how writers have sought new forms for expression to address rapidly changing realities.; Topics covered may include:; Conceptual Writing; Visual, sound and concrete poetry; The use of mathematical rules and constraints in writing (OuLiPo); Autofiction and new narrative; You can also study Experimental Practice as a standalone single module.; Story Across Media; This interdisciplinary module will explore the ways in which narrative works beyond print on the page as it is utilised across a range of screen, visual and audio media, including film, TV, graphic novels, and digital storytelling. It will feature analysis of structural models for narrative, narrative structures, and conflict as they apply to different genres and technological forms. The module will be delivered by a range of professional writers and creatives from across the fields of creative media and literature, who in turn will bring their expertise to guide you in how to develop an original idea to a professional standard suited to its audience, platform and the market; or to help you develop your thinking about storytelling in media-savvy (for example, via video essay or podcasts).; You will learn how to construct robustly structured and compelling narratives in your chosen genre or output, as well as develop the skills needed to reflect critically on your own practice and that of professionals in the relevant field. Students interested in deepening their understanding of narrative and narratology can apply knowledge gained to analysing texts and/or cultural products, or to expanding their capacity to play with time and narrative in literary, digital or screen forms.; Writing, Theory, Culture; How does writing engage with the world? This module examines how contemporary writers and theorists address pressing social, political and cultural questions through their practice. Students will explore how writing responds to issues of identity, class, environment, gender and power, considering both the ethical dimensions of literary production and the relationship between form and content.; The module draws on a range of theoretical frameworks and creative practices to examine how writers across genres navigate questions of representation, responsibility and intervention, developing as ethical, engaged practitioners and critics capable of producing their own critical or creative responses to these concerns.; Trimester two; Professional Practice; This module offers you the opportunity to explore, extend and develop their creative and research interests in collaboration with a local arts organisation.; This module will be delivered by a mix of lectures, workshops, and site visits. The workshops will be led by experts and visits will be made to a range of arts organisations, local archives, libraries and museums, including: The Arts Council, UoS archive collection; The International Antony Burgess Foundation, Portico Library, Central Library and Working Class Movement Library.; Writing Workshop; This is a 15 credit module. You will undertake a series of workshops in which you share your own creative projects with fellow students and a writing tutor. Work will be submitted regularly in advance to the group and the tutor, who will make detailed preparation for the workshops including annotated material. This workshop provides a context for an ongoing creative exploration of how theoretical ideas can influence and inform creative practice.; You can also study Writing Workshop as a standalone single module.; Bestsellers and Prize Winners; This module introduces you to the contemporary publishing industry and opens up careers in agenting, publishing, marketing and reviewing. We will explore bestsellers and publishing phenomena alongside literary prize-winners and social media marketing campaigns. You will develop a portfolio of work and gain understanding of the publishing process from writing and 'selling' a manuscript through to marketing and reviewing.; The module brings together the perspectives of readers, critics and writers, encouraging you to engage with publishing from multiple angles. Whether approaching the industry as potential authors, reviewers, agents or publishers, students will develop practical skills and critical understanding of how literary culture operates in the contemporary marketplace.; Trimester three; Dissertation: Creative Project; The Creative Project gives you regular one-to-one tutorial support as your pursue your creative vision. You will be encouraged to draw on your knowledge of theory, experimentation and your own developing practice. Reading material will be negotiated on an individual basis depending on your chosen area.; We take a flexible approach to our course delivery that promotes diversity and inclusivity and provides a blended learning experience, which will vary to meet specific programme requirements. This learning time includes formal lectures and interactive activities such as seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, laboratory and studio learning. Smaller classes may be used to support collaborative activities such as project and group work and presentations. A range of different assessments and feedback is offered to meet the needs of both our diverse student body and specific subject needs.; Our postgraduate taught courses are normally made up of 30 credit modules which are equal to 300 hours of learning time, or 15 credit modules which are equal to 150 hours of learning time. A Master’s degree typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, and a PGCert 60 credits.; Please note that exact modules and content offered may vary in order to keep content current and, for courses that offer optional modules, may depend on the number of students selecting particular options. When accepting your offer of a place to study on a programme with optional modules, you should be aware that optional modules may not all run each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you can undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.; Entry requirements; Applicant profile; To gain a place on this MA Creative Writing course, you’ll have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements when you apply.; Within your personal statement (up to 500 words), we’ll want to understand:; What motivates you and what current experiences do you have in terms of creative writing?; How have you been involved and what did you do?; Do you have any knowledge of the communications and literature sector; are there any projects that inspire you?; What are your future goals?; Why is the University of Salford and this course the right choice for your future goals?; We will also need to see a 3-page portfolio of your creative work - which can be comprised of the following: short samples of a range of your creative work OR an extract from a longer creative project AND other relevant non-fiction writing e.g. travel features, autobiography; or academic writing.; Standard entry requirements; Standard entry requirements; Applicants to this course must have a good honours degree - 2:2 or above.; International students; If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5. We accept qualifications from all around the world.; Find your country; to see a full list of entry requirements.; We also accept a range of other; English language qualifications; . If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our; Pre-Sessional English course; .; Alternative entry requirements; Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL); We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.; The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.; Two forms of APL may be used for entry: The Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).; Fees and funding; See fees below; Home students; International students; 2027/28; Type of study; Fees; Full-time; £9,540; per year; Part-time; The part time fee is calculated on a pro rata basis; 2027/28; Type of study; Fees; Full-time; £18,000; per year; Additional costs; You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.; Aziz Foundation Scholarship; The Aziz Scholarship Programme offers 100% tuition fee Masters scholarships to support British Muslims who wish to advance their careers and bring positive change to their communities by studying at one of their partner UK universities. One of the eligible programmes at the University of Salford is MA in Creative Writing: Innovation and Experiment. Find out more about the Aziz Foundation Scholarship.; Scholarships for international students; If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.; How to apply; Enrolment dates; September 2027; Student information; Terms and conditions; How to apply; Popular links; Find a course; Open Days; Virtual tour; Accommodation; Student support teams; Get in touch; Contact us; Course enquiries; Travel to the university; Quick links; Campus accessibility; Data protection and privacy; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Legal and regulatory information; Modern slavery statement; Student complaints; Term dates; Web Accessibility statement; Questions; How do I apply for an undergraduate course?; How do I apply for a postgraduate course?; How much does a course cost?; How do I change my course?; Facebook; Instagram; LinkedIn; TikTok; X; Youtube; Copyright ©; 2026; University of Salford; Manage privacy settings  |  Study mode: full-time, part-time  |  Intake: September 2027  |  Location: Salford, England, United Kingdom

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