Lancaster University
Creative Writing (Distance Learning) MA
Lancaster University

Key Course Facts

Course Description

  • Why Lancaster?*

Study from anywhere in the world, whenever it suits you, with our online tutorials and conferences

Sharpen your writing with detailed individual feedback from a published author in your chosen genre

Join us for a summer school on campus to spend time with our friendly community, share your work and learn from brilliant writers

Learn from published writers who specialise in long prose fiction, memoir, short stories, poetry and work for stage and screen

Work towards your ambition of being a published writer – we’ll help you turn your passion into a career path

We believe distance learning should be like a book – you should be able to pick it up and put it down when it suits you. By studying with us, you can benefit from invaluable one-to-one support from one of our published writers and work on your writing project without changing your lifestyle.

A global community

The DLMA Creative Writing at Lancaster has an established track record of success: our list of graduates who have published their work speaks for itself. Studying with us, you’ll become part of our diverse community of students who connect with each other from all corners of the globe, each bringing their unique personal experiences and cultural perspectives to the course.

Supporting your success

To support your writing project, you’ll learn from detailed online one-to-one tutorials and group conferences. We’ll match you with a published writer in your chosen genre who will be your personal tutor throughout the programme. As well as this one-to-one support, you’ll take part in virtual conferences where you’ll share your work with other students and members of our expert team.

Unmissable summer school

In the summer term of your first year, we run a week-long summer school on campus. Past students have travelled to Lancaster from locations ranging from the USA to Singapore. While this is an optional part of the programme, previous participants have said this is a highlight of the programme as they have the chance to meet other students in person, join interactive workshops and review their progress face-to-face.

During this exciting week, you’ll also benefit from interacting with professionals such as agents, publishers and writers who join us from across the UK. You’ll also take part in a field trip to the Wordsworth Trust in the beautiful Lake District.

Assessment is by a portfolio of creative work plus a piece of self-critical reflective writing.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Creative Writing (Distance Learning), MA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

2:1 degree in a related subject is normally required. We will also consider applications on an individual basis where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent result or extensive relevant experience. You should clearly be able to demonstrate how your skills have prepared you for relevant discussions and assessments during postgraduate study.

Please contact us for more information

Additional Requirements:

As part of your application you also need to provide:

  • A portfolio of original writing (no more than 12 poems or 20 pages of prose/scriptwriting) showing potential for publication.
  • An outline (approximately 300-400 words) of your proposed project, which is the single point of assessment and is submitted at the end of the course. This could be a collection of short stories, poems, a script, extracts from a longer fiction, creative non-fiction, or life writing piece.

English Language Requirements:

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.5 in each element of the test.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of Lancaster University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 34 university rankings of Lancaster University

About Lancaster University

Lancaster University was established in 1964 and is located in the rural setting of Lancaster. The campus provides a series of amenities, including banks and a post office. Academically, all of this university’s courses and programmes are accredited and approved by MARP, ensuring that the curriculums delivered here are set at a high standard. In terms of facilities, students have access to a variety of study and recreational spaces intended to improve their wellbeing, such as Meditation and Tai Chi classes, and Woodland walks.

List of 452 Bachelor and Master Courses from Lancaster University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Lancaster University

undergraduates:
12595
postgraduates:
4065
Total:
16660
  • Things to know before you come to Lancaster University
  • Why did you come to Lancaster to study a postgraduate degree?
  • Things I wish I knew before coming to Lancaster University
  • 40 Questions with Lancaster University student Erin
  • My Favourite Spots in Lancaster

Where is this programme taught

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
English with Creative Writing MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen 79% 5% 10% £9250 £21900 £20800 177 Aberdeen On campus Full-time
English and Creative Writing MA (Hons) University of Dundee - - - £9250 £20900 - Dundee On campus Full-time
Creative Writing (Non-Fiction) MA University of East Anglia - - - £9975 £21200 - Norwich On campus Full-time
Creative Writing MA University of Portsmouth - - - £8200 £18100 - Portsmouth On campus Full-time
Creative Writing MLitt University of Aberdeen - - - £11100 £23800 - Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media MFA (PG) Royal Central School of Speech and Drama - - - £11550 £22050 - London On campus Full-time
MA Creative Writing MA University of Reading - - - £10800 £22350 - Reading On campus Full-time
Creative Writing MA Durham University - - - £11750 £24750 - Durham On campus Full-time
Creative Writing MA Bath Spa University - - - £9055 £17645 - Bath On campus Full-time
Art Writing MLitt Glasgow School of Art - - - £8820 £22679 - Glasgow On campus Part-time