Masters in Literature and Creative Writing in UK

The UK is renowned for its rich literary heritage and world-class universities offering exceptional programs in Literature and Creative Writing. If you are considering pursuing a master's in literature and creative writing, the UK offers a diverse range of options to suit your interests and career goals.

A Master’s degree in Literature and Creative writing is for someone who wishes to set up a career in writing-intensive roles such as authors, editors, content writers, journalists and professors or for someone who wishes to venture into creative fields like screenwriting, copywriting and so on. The course is also suitable for someone who has a love for reading literature and aims to create their own. For that reason, one must pursue their Master in Literature and Creative Writing at a place which possesses a worldwide reputation for having good literature and creative writing courses. 

A Masters degree in Literature and Creative Writing in the UK does just the same for students. Also, with its rich history in literature and writing fields, a degree in literature and content writing from the UK is recognised and reputable around the world. Let us learn more about this course in detail below. 

MA in English Literature and Creative Writing Course Overview

The master’s degree in English Literature (Creative Writing) in the UK lasts for a year (or two in some universities like Oxford University) for full-time study and 2 years for part-time study in most UK universities. The program comes with a set of core modules (mostly research and reflect modules) and optional modules. Students have to choose from a set of available options to add optional modules to their programme. One can choose to study from a wide range of topics such as Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, Literary Theory and so on.

Why is UK a Good Place for an MA in Literature and Creative Writing?

Check below the reasons why you should get a master’s degree in literature and creative writing from the UK:

• Strong Literary Grounds: The UK has a long and illustrious literary history, producing some of the world's most influential writers.
• Prestigious Universities: Many of the world's top universities are located in the UK, offering high-quality education and excellent facilities.
• Diverse Course Offerings: You can find programs specializing in various literary genres, such as poetry, fiction, drama, and non-fiction.
• Career Opportunities: A UK degree in Literature and Creative Writing can open doors to careers in publishing, editing, teaching, writing, and more.

Top Universities for Literature and Creative Writing in UK

Check out the list of best universities for MA in English language and literature in the UK, ranked among the top 100 universities’ list of QS Rankings by Subjects 2024. 

MA Literature and Creative Writing UK: Eligibility Criteria

The postgraduate courses in literature and creative writing in the UK are available at several top universities in the UK such as Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of Essex, University of Sheffield, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester and University of York. Let us check the requirements for a MA in Literature and Creative Writing at various popular universities in the UK. 

*The classifications of undergraduate degree in the UK are given below:

• 1st → First Class honours 
• 2:1 → Upper Second Class honours 
• 2:2 → Lower Second Class honours 

Pathway Programme for International Students

Students who do not meet the necessary English language requirements for the course in the given term time now have the option of taking the pathway programme to get an entry into the course. Students can join a pre-master’s programme in Social Science, Business or Humanities subject that will hone their English skills for an academic environment. This programme is available at select universities, make sure to connect with your university’s education advisor before proceeding. 

Masters in English Literature & Creative Writing Course Modules in UK

Here are some general modules that are taught in an MA Literature and Creative Writing degree in the UK:

1. Writing for Readers
2. Writing Fiction
3. Writing for Performance
4. Writing Life
5. Creative Writing: Fiction, Genre, Theory - Bodies and Landscapes
6. Research Methodologies and Reflective Studies
7. Contemporary Gothic
8. Forms of Fiction
9. Literature and Contemporary Literary Industry
10. Writing Poem
11. Trans Theory
12. Dissertations

Masters in English Literature & Creative Writing Fees for Different Colleges in UK

The fees of different colleges and universities providing a postgraduate degree in literature and creative writing are given below. 

Scope of Masters in Literature and Creative Writing in UK

On pursuing a Masters in Literature and Creative Writing in the UK, students can establish their careers in fields which require writing as a core skill. Some of the key career paths/scopes after an MA degree in Literature and Creative Writing are given below. 

• Professional Writer: This includes roles like fiction writer, poet, playwright, screenwriter, blogger, content writer, and technical writer.
• Publishing Industry: This includes roles like editor, literary agent, acquisitions editor, copy editor, and proofreader.
• Academic Roles: This includes roles like university lecturer, researcher, postgraduate tutor, and literary critic.
• Journalism: This includes roles like reporter, feature writer, columnist, editor, and online content creator.
• Education: This includes roles like English teacher, creative writing teacher, and secondary school teacher.
• Communications: This includes roles like public relations specialist, marketing copywriter, and communications consultant.
• Arts and Cultural Organisations: This includes roles like arts administrator, program coordinator, and literary festival organiser.

Scholarships for MA Literature and Creative Writing in UK 2024-25

Some of the most prominent scholarships to get a master’s degree in Creative Writing in the UK are:

University Scholarships:

1. Global Futures Scholarship (University of Manchester)
2. Sophie Warne Fellowships (Birkbeck University of London)
3. Joyce Nield Scholarships (Manchester Metropolitan University)
4. William Hunter Sharpe Memorial Scholarship (University of Edinburgh)

Other PG Scholarships to study in the UK:

1. K.C. Mahindra Scholarships For Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
2. JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
3. Narotam Sekhsaria’s Scholarships
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships

This was all about Masters in Literature and Creative Writing in the UK. If you wish to study abroad then, you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.