The Master of Studies (MSt) in Creative Writing is designed for those who wish to develop high-level skills in creative writing both in fiction and non-fiction literatures. The MSt is taught over two years in short, intensive study blocks. It has been designed to be accessible to those in full or part-time employment and to international students.
Progression for students who have completed this course is provided in a number of ways: some students may use this course as a progression route into a PhD in Creative Writing or in English Literature at other Universities, or they could go on to study the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing at University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE).
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key Features
Watch the recording of our MSt Creative Writing Information Session recording from our MSt Open Week 2024.
Watch our MSt students talk about their experience of the course.
You will be guided in the production of creative work in a range of genres and styles, and also in critical reflection on your own work and that of other writers. The course tutors and guest speakers are all established literary professionals.
Who is the course designed for?
The MSt aims to facilitate students' creative practice, whether for their own personal creative development as writers or because their professional work impinges on these areas.
Aims of the programme
By the end of the course students should have:
- developed their own writing and self-editing skills in a range of fiction and non-fiction genres
- developed a solid and substantial understanding of the history (in terms of innovative developments) of fiction and non-fiction writing and of critical, analytical and narrative theory
Student support
Depending upon your needs, a variety of support opportunities are available to you including wellbeing support sessions, short-term counselling, and study skills support sessions. Find out more in our student support webpages.
Expected academic standard
Applicants for this course will normally have achieved a UK 2.1 honours degree or overseas equivalent.
If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
We are able to consider 'non-standard' applicants who do not meet the standard academic criterion. In such cases, you will need to produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience, and your suitability for the course.
Language requirement
If English isn’t your first language, you will be required to submit evidence that you meet the University’s English language requirement before you are admitted.
Please see full details on the University Language Requirement webpage.
Language requirements for this course are below:
- IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
- TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)
- C1 Advanced: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element), plus a Language Centre assessment.
- C2 Proficiency: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200, with no element lower than 185)
There are no exceptions to this requirement and, if you are offered a place on the course, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement.
Visa information
Students registered on a part-time Master of Studies (MSt) will be able to attend the short teaching sessions with a visitor status in the UK. Entry to the UK as a visitor has a number of expectations and restrictions which you should consider carefully.
Further information is provided on the International Students website and prospective students are advised to read this in full.
Students attending sessions taking place at intervals across the year with a visitor status are expected not to remain in the UK for extended periods. The majority of study must be undertaken outside the UK and generally students will be required to leave the UK at the end of each session and return for the next. As a visitor on a course of more than 6 months, it is not possible to make the UK your main study location or residence, or make frequent or successive visits to stay in the UK for extended periods.
Teaching
The MSt in Creative Writing is structured around four modules taught during year 1 of the course and a presentation module during year 2, each of which students must attend. In the first year, each of the four modules is preceded by guided preparatory reading and other activities, and followed by two writing assignments: one critical and one creative.
A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) offers learning support to students while they are on the programme, including learning resources, and peer-to-peer and student-to-tutor discussion between modules to build a virtual community of practice.
Year 1
The first year is characterised by variety. Students will engage and experiment with a wide variety of genres, building on existing strengths and exploring unfamiliar territories.
Module 1: Writing for Readers: The Art of Poetry and the Craft of Criticism (22 - 25 September 2025)
This module will combine close critical reading of selected examples of poetry and autobiographical prose with the writing of both by students.
Module 2: Writing fiction: Imagined Worlds (8 - 11 December 2025)
This module focuses on prose fiction, examining the relationship between memory, imagination and research and exploring the essential concerns of the fiction-writer, including plot and narrative, voice and character and the importance of place.
Module 3: Writing for performance: Monologue and Polyphonic Scripts (9 - 12 February 2026)
This module explores various forms of writing for an audience, encompassing writing for radio, theatre, television, cinema and other forms of scripted public address and performance.
Module 4: Writing life: Creative Non-Fiction (11 - 14 May 2026)
This module explores the concept of creative non-fiction and examines examples drawn from a range of sub-genres. These are likely to include biography, memoir, travel-writing and writing about the environment. Sessions on study and research skills will prepare students for Year 2. Visiting speakers for this module will include those from the world of publishing.
Year 2
The second year is characterised by focus on a specialist genre. Students will work independently to explore further and develop their own literary and critical skills, resulting in an extended piece or portfolio of writing. They will work under the supervision of an expert in their chosen field with whom they will have regular contact.
Students will have five supervisions in the second year. Supervision dates will be arranged between students and supervisors (these can be face-to-face or via remote software). The fifth and final supervision will usually take place at around the time of the only module in the second year, the Presentation and Discussion of Portfolios to be held over two days in April 2027 (dates to be confirmed).
It is essential that students attend all modules on the dates given above as their ability to complete the course will be severely compromised by missing any of these.
Assessment
Year 1
Following the first module, students will produce 750 words of poetry and a critical commentary of 3,000 words. For each of the following three modules students will produce 4,000 words of creative prose and a critical commentary of 3,000 words.
Year 2
Students will produce a portfolio consisting of 15,000 words of creative prose (or an equivalent quantity of poems) and a 3,000-word critical commentary.
Feedback
Students are given formal written feedback on their assignments and informal feedback throughout the course, including during tutorials and supervisions. Tutors produce a report for each student at the end of Year 1 and supervisors produce termly reports for each student during Year 2.
Fees
The fees for 2025 will be £9,817.50 per annum for Home students (total Home course fee across the 2 years being £19,635) and £19,635 per annum for EU/Overseas students (total EU/Overseas course fee across the 2 years being £39,270). The combined graduate fee includes college membership. The fee can be paid in eight equal instalments.
Students will be expected to cover the application fee (£50 online), accommodation whilst in Cambridge and any costs of travel to Cambridge. Please note that, although you will be a member of a college, you will not be entitled to college accommodation.
Funding
Please see our bursaries page for information about the Joy Brandon bursary which is available for this course.
We recommend that you explore any potential funding well in advance of the application deadline. See our External funding page for more information.
Applications will be accepted online until Wednesday 15th January 2025. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held in late February/early March either in person or by remote software if candidates are unable to attend in person. Candidates will be contacted to arrange convenient times during the previous week.
You are required to provide supporting documents as part of your application.
Please ensure that you have your CV, writing sample, research proposal and personal statement ready before you start your application, as they will be submitted as part of the application form and cannot be submitted later.
Apply online when you are ready to start the application process.
College membership
Students on this course can apply to Downing, Lucy Cavendish, Selwyn, St Edmund's, or Wolfson. Please note there are only a limited number of college places available for this course at Downing and Selwyn Colleges so please indicate a second choice of college on your application form if you are selecting either as your first choice.
