Lancaster University
Creative Writing (modular) MA
Lancaster University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Course Description

Why Lancaster?

Study close to the beautiful Lake District, home of the Romantic poets, and inspiration for many writers since

Take part in small-group workshops to develop your novels, stories, poetry, novels, and scripts

Explore the professional dimensions of creative writing, such as reading or performing your work, publishing, and marketing

Get involved with our four student-run literary journals: Cake, Lux, Flash, and Errant

Be inspired by our rich programme of literary events on campus, online, and in the city’s historic Castle Quarter

Lancaster was one of the very first universities to teach creative writing. Today we continue to lead in the discipline with our celebrated novelists, poets and playwrights.

Focused on your growth

We’ve been helping writers reach their potential since 1970. From day one, our focus has always been helping our students hone their own style and sharpen the skills they need for success.

This emphasis continues today so that the focus in all your modules will, ultimately, be your own writing.

With our wide range of optional modules, you can explore traditional forms such as the short story, the novel, poetry, or theatre, as well as digital media, life-writing, place-writing, and writing for young adults.

Support from experts

You’ll work on a core writing project alongside studying the ethical and professional dimensions of publishing and broadcasting your work. This is supplemented by lectures from visiting speakers, as well as one-on-one tutorials, workshops, and lectures with our esteemed visiting professors, currently Paul Muldoon and Mary Talbot.

In the third term, we assign you a genre-specific expert to help develop your final portfolio. This is intended to be suitable for submission to literary journals or agents, setting you on the road to publication.

Your regular small-group workshops will be supplemented by sessions with all the students on the course.

There is plenty of opportunity to meet your tutors face-to-face to discuss your work, and you’ll find they are friendly, interested and encouraging. You’ll also have an academic advisor who will develop an overview of your progress and offer further support.

Combination of coursework, dissertation/portfolio and research methodology portfolio

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 (modular), 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.

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. 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
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