Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing

Watch the recording from our Open Morning on 10 February 2023.

Who is the course designed for ?

The course is aimed at:

• published writers who wish to teach or offer writing workshops
• existing creative writing tutors who want to improve or develop a more cohesive and defined pedagogy
• graduates of postgraduate level Creative Writing programmes who wish to become teachers of creative writing
• Healthcare or industry professionals who wish to offer creative writing classes
• professional development for qualified teachers interested in exploring the theory of teaching creative writing or who include creative exercises as part of their teaching of core subjects (e.g. History or English)

Aims of the programme 

The programme aims to enable participants to: 

•  develop their skills as a teacher of creative writing and strategies for their intended teaching contexts

• develop and or extend their knowledge of the theories and practices of the teaching of creative writing

• develop their repertoire of teaching, course design and assessment methods appropriate to creative writing in their context

• develop a reflexive and critical awareness of their own teaching practice and to transmit what they have learned from their own experience of being a writer into a classroom setting

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 should hold a good undergraduate degree (good 2.1 or overseas equivalent) and would need to be competent in the English language. 

There is provision to accept non-standard applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criterion. Such applicants must produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their 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 

If you are not a UK resident please visit the the International Students website to read about visas for part-time students. Please make sure you have investigated your visa requirements in advance of booking as we cannot offer a refund if you find you are unable to take up the place due to visa constraints after you have booked your place on the course.

Teaching

The course is taught over three modules, each of which students must attend. 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.

Module 1: The Philosophy and Context of Teaching Creative Writing

3 - 5 October 2025

This module will introduce students to the Postgraduate Certificate and will address:

• the background and history of teaching creative writing
• the concept of ‘creativity’ and the arguments surrounding whether or not creative writing can be taught
• the methodologies surrounding teaching creative writing
• how teaching creative writing may vary within different settings such as schools, higher education and prisons

Module 2: Designing a Creative Writing Course

16 - 18 January 2026

This module will address:

• different models of creative writing courses and the advantages and challenges of each the pedagogical theories behind different types of courses
• the use of close reading in different settings and what makes a good extract
• the quality assurance aspects of designing a creative writing course
• the emotional and psychological impact of teaching creative writing for tutors and students

Module 3: Assessment and Feedback in a Creative Writing Course

27 - 29 March 2026

This module will address:

• different ways of providing feedback in different contexts
• the pedagogical theories behind different types of feedback
• the challenges of providing written feedback to a range of students
• the historical roots of the workshop and its appropriateness in different settings

Assessment

You will be awarded a course grade on the basis of a portfolio of three summative assignments totalling 10,000 words. 

Please note that this course does not lead to a formal teaching qualification.

Fees

The fee will be £5,225 for Home and for EU/Overseas students the fee is £10,340 Students will be expected to cover the application fee (£50 online), accommodation whilst in Cambridge and any costs of travel to Cambridge. 

You can pay in one of two ways:

• In full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)
• in four instalments (credit/debit card only)

Funding

Please see our bursaries page for information about the First Story bursary for this course.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by September 2025 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far.

Applications close on the 19th June 2025 and interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held in late June/early July. Interviews will take place either in person or via remote software if candidates are unable to attend in person.  Candidates will be contacted to arrange convenient times during the previous weeks.

Applicants will be required to apply online and will need to provide a CV and a personal statement of around 500 words in addition to:

• Copies of relevant qualification certificates and transcripts
• Language proficiency if required
• Contact details of two referees who will be contacted on your behalf