Creative Writing - MA
Creative writing at Keele is a thriving, close-knit and passionate community of academics, published writers, students and researchers who share the same goals: to develop our creative practice and professional skills into a writing career, building connections, networks, and inspiring each other throughout. Many of our graduates have gone on to become successful novelists, publishers, biographers and poets, including Stoke’s first poet laureate, the Staffordshire poet laureate and winner of the Roy Fisher Prize. They’ve helped set up community-based literary festivals, artist in residence initiatives and even brought poetry to the masses as ‘the Emergency Poet'.
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
Fees for 2026/27 academic year
- UK - Full time £9,400 per year. Part time £5,200 per year.
International - £17,100 per year.
Fees
Duration of study
- Full time: 1 year | Part time: 2 years | Modular: Up to 5 years
This course is no longer accepting applications from international students for the 2026/27 academic year.
Why study Creative Writing at Keele University?
About the course
In our modern, uncertain and ever-changing world, words – written or spoken – are needed perhaps now more than ever to help us share experiences, process thoughts and feelings, and fuel our imagination.
MA Creative Writing at Keele brings together a vibrant community of published and aspiring writers in fiction, nonfiction, script, poetry and storytelling who, like you, appreciate the potential power of words and have embarked on a journey of self-expression.
If you are looking to write, publish or share creative material, this course is designed to advance your writing abilities and boost your confidence. The course will help you to learn more about the critical and intellectual context in which your work is situated to understand the business of writing, and build a professional portfolio that aims for publishable standard. For those with the beginnings of book in mind, it can help you refine your manuscript and even set you on your path to publication.
You’ll be taught and mentored by published writers, prize-winning poets and novelists, both from here within the University and from the active participation of invited guests who host masterclasses and readings. Previous masterclasses and guest readings for this programme have included Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, Kit De Waal, Melvin Burgess, Andrew Macmillan, Rachel Seiffert, Noreen Masud, Casey Bailey and Robin Ince.
You’ll also have the option to participate directly in a wide range of on campus, online and local events, publications, workshops and short courses. This provides experience in event management, curation, reading, presenting and even teaching, as well as the reviewing and editing that is often a writer’s secondary source of income.
Graduates of this course include: Chris Prendergast, whose debut novel was published to high acclaim by Salt in 2014; Deborah Alma, whose ‘Emergency Poet’ project has received international press coverage; and Liz Lefroy, who won the first Roy Fisher Prize in 2001, an award for new poetry endorsed by the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
The MA provides an excellent foundation for further doctoral (PhD) training or academia, here in the UK, Europe or the rest of the world. The excellent communication skills you develop can doors to careers in publishing, culture, heritage, marketing, public relations or copywriting.
Course structure
The underlying aim of this course is to provide a nurturing, supportive creative space to hone your craft, where you can collaborate with like-minded individuals, explore new ideas, experiment with language and learn to arrange words in new and exciting ways.
Teaching and extra-curricular activities are focused on improving your writing to bring it up to a publishable standard – from the 1:1 feedback from your portfolio supervisor to seminars, workshops, writing competitions and open mic nights. You’ll be able to listen to others and present your own work, giving and receiving constructive criticism from a friendly community of writers who are learning alongside you.
The MA Creative Writing can be studied as either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course. You will complete 180 credits, comprising four compulsory modules (totalling 90 credits), and a selection of compulsory optional modules (totalling 90 credits).
The compulsory optional modules include the substantive portfolio modules, which provide an exciting opportunity to work under the supervision of an expert in your chosen genre (poetry, prose, script, drama or life writing). You will be allocated your appropriate supervisor towards the end of semester 1 upon delivery of your creative brief, allowing regular consultation and feedback throughout the duration of your studies.
What you will study
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Compulsory modules
The Working Writer: Practices and Contexts (30 credits)
This module introduces you to the idea that there are always current and emerging themes and trends in contemporary writing and explores to what extent your own practice might be affected by this. You will study alongside your fellow writers from other disciplines (poets, fiction writers, screen and scriptwriters) to consider the question 'what is contemporary?' in your field of writing, and how this compares with other forms of creative practice. As a 'working writer', it is also important to have some understanding of how the world of publishing is affected by these issues.
Research Methods in the Humanities, Media, and Creative Arts (15 credits)
This interdisciplinary module equips you with the skills that you need to conduct advanced research in your discipline. Taught by staff from across the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the module introduces you to concepts that are integral to successful research: research ethics, diversity in research, research methods, bibliographic and information skills, writing and performing for different audiences, managing large research projects, applying for research funding, and more!
Workshops and Masterclasses (30 credits)
Working writers have always sought out ways of getting inspiration for new work from peers and mentors, and testing that work in a variety of feedback, review and editing strategies. The Workshops and Masterclasses module offers you a broader insight into how these different strategies work and provides an extensive range of opportunities to generate and shape your writing under the guidance of, and in collaboration with, a range of writers who have something to teach you.
Reflective Practice in the Humanities, Media, and Creative Arts (15 credits)
In this research training module you will be exposed to a variety of approaches to Humanities research, and you will be encouraged to reflect on how those approaches might enhance your own research. What are the Humanities? Who are they for?
Optional modules
Portfolio (60 credits)
For this portfolio module, you will be individually supervised by a tutor who is either a poet or a novelist, depending on your choice of focus. You will engage with initial meetings to establish your choices about the kind of writing you will produce. In time, you will prepare drafts of work that will be read by supervisors ahead of meetings, providing written and oral feedback. You will have opportunities to present your work in progress during 'open mic' readings organised by the Creative Writing team. You are guided towards the completion of your work in later supervision meetings.
Creative Writing Portfolio (90 credits)
The 90-credit Creative Writing Portfolio is an option for your portfolio/dissertation element of the Creative Writing MA and is designed to allow you to focus on a more extended piece of writing or a more extended suite of creative materials. You may choose a complete piece of written work or a substantial part of a written work such as, a collection of poetry; a collection of short stories; a short novel; a substantial part of a longer novel; or a screenplay or script. You will also write a reflective commentary to accompany your portfolio.
Professional Practice in Creative Writing (30 credits)
Elevate your career in the creative writing sector through this Professional Practice module. This module offers insights into the dynamic landscape of creative writing and creative industries - from arts and design to media, film, music and cultural heritage. You’ll gain hands-on experience in project management, networking, and self-promotion, alongside strategies for navigating freelance, entrepreneurial, and collaborative work. This module features workshops, industry talks, and real-world case studies and offers the chance to collaborate with an industry/external partner on building a portfolio, preparing you to thrive in a competitive field with the skills to turn your creative passion into a sustainable career.
Work Placement for Humanities Postgraduates (30 credits)
This module is designed to give postgraduate students studying the Humanities the opportunity to contribute to the world beyond the University, in any workplace where the research, analytical, and communication skills developed as part of a postgraduate Humanities degree can be used. The chosen workplace may be, for example, a local museum, theatre, library, school or education provider, marketing company, local newspaper, local radio, or another suitable opportunity identified by the student and approved by the module leader. While on the placement, you will produce a theoretically-informed portfolio critically reflecting on and giving evidence of the activities/outputs completed at your chosen workplace.
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Algeria
12/20 or Assez Bien in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bahrain
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.7/4.0 in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a public university
or
CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a private university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in any subject or 65% in a degree in any subject from a '211' university or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Egypt
Bachelor degree from a Public or Private University with 65%/CGPA = 2.7/Good degree in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Hong Kong
Bachelor's Honours degree with 2:2 or CGPA of 2.5 OR Bachelor Ordinary degree with a CGPA of 3.4 in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in any degree of three years or longer
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kuwait
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.75/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Oman
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.5/4.0 in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
Qatar
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.75/4.0 in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Turkey
A CGPA of 2.5/4.0 in a Bachelor degree (Lisans Diplomasi) in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
UAE
Bachelor's degree with a CGPA of 2.5/77%/B- in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
USA
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.6 in any subject or demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
and
a portfolio of 10 to 15 poems and/or around 5,000 words of prose
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
A portfolio is required once you have applied. If you have a very high quality portfolio but do not otherwise meet the entry requirements, we may be able to accept this in lieu of entry requirements as part of the RPL process (see below). The portfolio should consist of 10-15 poems and/or 5,000-6,000 words of prose.
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application. For international students, find out how we work with approved agents as part of our admissions process.
Postgraduate funding and scholarshipsFees, funding and scholarships
Fees
2027/28 academic year
For start dates between September 2027 and July 2028.
| Type of study | Fees (per year) |
|---|---|
| UK - full time | £9,800 |
| UK - part time | £4,900 |
| International - full time | £20,700 |
This is a Band A course. For modular fees please refer to the modular tuition fees.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Funding
Whether you're continuing from undergraduate study or returning to education, our dedicated financial support team is here to help.
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2026 start date falls in the 2025/26 academic year. Please see the tuition fees archive for the 2025/26 fees.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our financial support team.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Scholarships
We know that understanding what support is available for postgraduate students is an important step in planning your future and we are committed to rewarding excellence and potential.
Visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage to find out more about our scholarships, including:
- Keele Global Scholarship – up to £5000 tuition fee discount for international students (2027/28)
- Keele Graduate Scholarship – up to £3000 tuition fee discount for home students (2027/28)
Terms and conditions apply.
Additional costs
Optional costs
There may be optional costs that students can choose to incur to enhance their learning experience. These are not required to complete the course. Details of these optional costs are outlined below to help you plan accordingly.
Students may also incur general expenses related to university study, such as for printing, textbooks and other materials. Students who undertake a placement may be responsible for additional costs, such as travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs. For further information, please refer to the additional costs information.
Optional 4-week US Summer School trip:
Estimated maximum total cost (after taking into account Turing scheme funding): £820 for Widening Access students; £1675 for other students. Estimated maximum cost of £2220 (£950 for flights; £1250 for accommodation; £20 for visa waiver application) to be sourced by student, in addition to usual subsistence costs. Based on 2025 figures, Turing funding is expected to reimburse student costs to a value of approximately £1400 for Widening Access students, and approximately £545 for other students.
Teaching, learning and assessment
How you'll be taught
MA Creative Writing at Keele takes an interdisciplinary approach offering taught classes, lectures, seminars, individual and group workshop alongside guided independent study. Visiting authors deliver exclusive masterclasses and career talks offering personal insight into their writing journey.
A core component of teaching is the supervision you receive as part of your portfolio preparation. This provides an important opportunity to discuss your ideas and guide your research and writing. While our vibrant (in person and online) reading programme and lecture series gives you multiple opportunities to network and learn from the experiences of a range of guest lecturers. Last year, this featured Rob Hopkins, an activist, founder of the Transition Movement and author of six books on environmentalism and activism, and former Keele alumni Mike Jackson sharing his decades of activism experience since The Miners' Strike in 1984.
How you’ll be assessed
As is to be expected from a creative writing programme, the assessment of writing assignments lies at the core of our assessment. This is done through a variety of different methods: written assignments in a specified literary genre; verbal presentations; written assignments in the form of a critical essay; and a portfolio of writing in a specified literary genre. Creative writing assignments are used to judge your progress in terms your knowledge and understanding of form and subject matter, grammar, originality, control of literary form and control of voice, style, idiom and register.
