Online Master's Degrees in Creative Writing

Taking a creative writing MA can help you gain recognition as a talented and ambitious writer. By developing your technical skills, style and awareness of approaches to writing, you can build confidence for the script, novel or story you have always dreamed of getting commissioned.

The skills acquired are also transferable to commercial briefs and work in many industries. In fact, copywriting and content creation are more in demand than ever, from large global brands to small independent businesses.

You can stand out by developing your literary techniques and written style. Gaining a master’s in this subject can open up many doorways into competitive sectors and careers.

• Marketing and PR
• Journalist
• Author
• Social Media Manager
• Editor
• Copywriter
• Content Writer
• Proofreader
• Screenwriter

Yes, taking an online distance learning Master’s in creative writing is a popular study option. More and more UK universities are launching online courses designed especially for talented and ambitious writers looking to develop their confidence and writing skills while working full-time.

Completing a creative writing programme can help you push your creative boundaries and develop your unique written style and voice. However, pinning concrete outcomes is difficult, unlike taking medicine with a direct professional pathway. In contrast, creative writing does not directly lead to becoming a successful author.

You can become an accomplished, even a great writer without a MA in the subject, but studying at postgraduate level will help speed up that process and provide a framework to develop with like-minded individuals. Sometimes a deadline can help produce prose worthy of greatness. Taking an MA can also make you face criticism and critical feedback in a safe environment- something that all published writers will have had to go through. All these things can help hone and develop a writer’s craft and increase an individual’s chances of success.

It will take one full academic year to gain a master’s degree. Taking an online distance learning MA can take two to five years part-time, depending on the course structure offered by the university.

From 10 to 15 houses a week, depending on the course completion timeframes. For example, if you are aiming to complete a master’s degree by distance learning in two years, you will need to be able to dedicate around 15 house a week to study during the modules. Each university will have a slightly different course structure, so once you have narrowed down your choice of courses, we strongly advise you to ask about the time commitment recommendations to compare programmes.

Each course will have its own specialisation or focus. It is typical for a taught master’s degree to be made up of a set of compulsory modules with an option to select a specialisation module followed by a substantial price of independent work. During the courses, the modules are designed to challenge and push creative writers and provide in-depth knowledge of various styles and techniques. As students progress through the programme, they build confidence and experience in the writing process and editorial skills.

Postgraduate courses in creative writing are likely to cover a range of styles. For example,

• Literary Fiction
• Short Stories
• Radio Drama
• Travel Writing
• Screenwriting
• Stage Plays
• Poetry
• True Stories- Narrative Non-fiction
• Life writing

Universities generally ask for a 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in a relevant subject. However, most universities will accept an unrelated undergraduate degree as long as you can demonstrate enough writing experience at an appropriate level. It is standard to submit a written sample as part of the application process for most courses. For non-native speakers, the IELTS requirement may be higher than other subjects, with a 7.5 IELTS a typical score needed.

Application Requirements/ Documents

• Creative writing sample
• Personal statement
• Undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above
• IELTS 7.5