creative writing diploma uk

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Creative Writing courses

Whether you’re looking to develop your own writing skills and editorial practice for your profession or for purely personal interest, our creative writing courses have much to offer you. Choose below from our range of qualifications.

Creative Writing Degrees  Degrees Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree. Internationally respected, universally understood. An essential requirement for many high-level jobs. Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts. Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.

• Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
• One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
• You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
• For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

How long will it take?

Creative Writing Diplomas  Diplomas Widely recognised qualification. Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree. Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject. Study for interest or career development. Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.

Creative writing certificates  certificates widely recognised qualification. equivalent to the first third of an honours degree. study for interest or career development. shows that you can study successfully at university level. count it towards further qualifications such as a diphe or honours degree., why study creative writing with the open university.

Since 2003, over 50,000 students have completed one of our critically acclaimed creative writing modules. 

The benefits of studying creative writing with us are:

• Develops your writing skills in several genres including fiction, poetry, life writing and scriptwriting.
• Introduces you to the world of publishing and the requirements of professionally presenting manuscripts.
• Online tutor-group forums enable you to be part of an interactive writing community.
• Module workbooks are widely praised and used by other universities and have attracted worldwide sales.

Careers in Creative Writing

Studying creative writing will equip you with an adaptable set of skills that can give entry to a vast range of occupations. You’ll learn to evaluate and assimilate information in constructing an argument as well as acquiring the skills of creative and critical thinking that are much in demand in the workplace. 

Our range of courses in creative writing can help you start or progress your career as a:

Looking for something other than a qualification?

The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.

See our full list of Creative Writing modules

All Creative Writing courses

Browse all the Creative Writing courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.

See our full list of Creative Writing courses

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To find out more details about the transfer to The Open University see A New Chapter for OCA .

BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Part-time, online, study creative writing for your degree with oca.

Have you always wanted to write a novel, create a screenplay, or perfect your poetry? Whatever you’re looking to write, our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree will give you the tools to achieve it.

Our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree will empower you with effective practices, insights and skills, encouraging you to write more frequently and with more purpose than ever before. Shared experiences are reflected throughout the course, which is packed full of options so you can develop your writing in your own way and in your preferred genre.

You’ll study the basics of writing, how to remain engaged and will uncover different styles of writing, from poetry and scriptwriting to short fiction and children’s books. You’ll be encouraged to read the best writers, exploring what makes To Kill A Mockingbird so compelling, or why the script of Casablanca works so well, and then apply these techniques to your own writing.

Become the protagonist of your own story. Start writing today.

Unique online Creative Writing courses

Our BA Hons Creative Writing degree is a specialist degree covering scriptwriting, writing for children, life writing, writing a novel, poetry, and more. You can study creative writing online – completely at our own pace – while being supported by OCA’s tutors.

It aims to equip students with skills, confidence, motivation and ambition, through a learning design programme that starts from fundamental writing skills through to the contemporary professional practice in a form or genre of the student’s choice.

Students are equipped with some fundamental writing techniques applicable to all genres, before allowing students to sample poetry, screenwriting or prose writing, and can pursue the poetry or scriptwriting forms at a more advanced level and/or will have the option to try more niche forms of writing, to enable them to gain further skills and expertise.

The programme draws on creative writing pedagogy by utilising the group or workshop activity as well as the individual assignment and close study of others’ work, but accommodates OCA’s distinctive demographic and the desires of lone writers by enabling some to create alternative submissions in the form of traditional writing portfolios.

Course Structure

Our Creative Writing degree covers the full breadth of writing practice, allowing you to take the options that are of most interest to you. As of September 2021, the BA Hons Creative Arts course will deliver 3x 40 credit units in each Level of the course.*

Students are introduced to the basic skills and techniques of creative writing in the initial unit, Essential Writing Skills 1.1. In their second unit, Further Writing Skills, students will choose two options from a choice of three pathways: they can either try basic poetry or screenwriting or the prose option. These choices remain with them for their third unit at Level 1, Developing Your Writing Skills. By the end of Level 1, students will have the skills and knowledge needed to deepen their poetry, prose or scriptwriting craft at Level 2.

Students are supported in the transition from novice undergraduate to knowledgeable and independent learners, putting into practice skills acquired at Level 1 and developing a personal approach to their writing practice. The units at this stage allow students to develop skills from Level 1 in poetry or screenwriting or else to try something new and more specialised, such as writing narrative non-fiction, writing for children or teens or writing short fiction.

Students will begin to understand the iterative and skills-building requirements of creative writing, and will actively consider how their work may become outward-facing. Peer sessions with other writers will inform their writing and raise critiquing skills, with an understanding that in some cases alternative methods are more appropriate.

Level 3 equips students with knowledge, understanding and skills for continuing personal development and professional writing practice. The units provide a framework for the learners to generate projects based on the personal vision and ambition gained throughout Level 1 and Level 2. The aim is to strengthen each individual’s writing practice and inform their creative development through rigorous intellectual enquiry, resulting in a distinctive body of creative work.

*For current students enrolled to a Level of this degree prior to September 2021, existing units across all levels will remain available as ‘teach out’ units to ensure no students are disadvantaged due to the changes. Once enrolled to a new level, students will follow the new degree pathway. 

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available units – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which OCA might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us . This description was last updated on 14 December 2022.

Programme Specification 2023/24 New Curriculum

This Programme Specification is for all units on the new curriculum.

Programme Specification 2023/24 Running Out Curriculum

This Programme Specification details the units and learning outcomes that are being taught out.

Creative Writing Accessibility Statements

Accessibility statements give an indication of the type and format of content, teaching, and learning activities on the course, and how these are ordinarily delivered.

Foundations

Level 1 (he4).

For the level

Level 2 (HE5)

Level 3 (he6), breakdown of costs..., more information.

With the OCA, you can study a BA (Hons) degree in our flexible online learning model at approximately one third the cost of a degree at a traditional physical university.

Students study and pay for the course on a unit-by-unit basis, so you only pay for the course as you enrol to each unit.

This course is eligible for a part-time tuition fee loan from Student Finance England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or you can self-fund the course and break down costs even further through the deposit and instalment option.  Find out more about your funding options  here .

You will require regular use of a computer or laptop and internet access. Most essential reading materials can be accessed through the digital library services and eBooks.

Students are responsible for sourcing and, where necessary, purchasing any additional software and resources specified. These can be around £400 at Level 1, £500 at Level 2, and £550 at Level 3. Where possible, open or freeware equivalents will be discussed alongside industry standard options.

On this course, you’ll need some type of word document software, such as Microsoft Word and a place to keep your learning logs and journals – this could be digital or handwritten, though your assignments will need to be typed. If you choose to study Scriptwriting, you may need some software to support this.

You may be eligible for any student discounts on computer equipment and software by using your student email, and you can find out more information about student discounts  here .

Our courses are designed with open access in mind, meaning you don’t need specific subject qualifications to enrol.

You can review the study requirements  here so you’re prepared for online study at higher education. This will include a good standard of English and IT literacy skills.

We accept enrolments for our BA (HONS) courses in monthly intakes throughout the year.

Review the key enrolment deadlines on the link below.

How to Apply

Our part-time degree courses are completed on average between 6 and 9 years. The degree is structured into three levels (instead of three years) so you’re able manage study around other commitments.

Once enrolled, you’ll have a maximum of 12 years to complete your degree course. There are unit and level timeframes within the overall degree time frame, and you’ll need a minimum of 10 study hours per week to keep on track. To find out more about course duration and managing your time, click here .

Your course materials are accessible online through the virtual learning environment, OCA Learn, where you’ll also have access to student forums, a subject space, the student handbook and the online library. You’ll work primarily from a set text of course materials and resources, but can also sign up to webinars, workshops and study groups in addition to your core learning.

Once you’ve completed the required assignments within a course unit and received tutor feedback, you’ll submit a portfolio of work to an assessment event. This gives you the opportunity to develop your work before you have it formally assessed to achieve credits towards your degree.

Upon completing the BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree, as a fully-fledged creative writer you could embark on being a novelist, a poet, a scriptwriter – you name it, you can do it. Prospects have great tips on what it is to be a professional writer. They also cover the many roles you could take on, freshly equipped with your degree.

While you’re pursuing your dream of becoming a professional writer, you can find a range of options to support your art while you write that amazing script or novel. Some include:

• Marketing Professional
• Communications specialist
• Editor / Copywriter

In May 2022 the Department for Culture, Media, & Sport  estimated there were some 2.3 million jobs  in the UK creative industries, and  post pandemic the Creative Industries are growing faster than the UK economy  as a whole.

The Academic Regulations for Subsidiary Institutions of The Open University are applicable to all taught courses offered by the Open College of the Arts (OCA).

You can review the Academic Regulations on our policy page .

Get started with our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree here!

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About You: Entry Requirements (1/3)

OCA offers open access courses, meaning you can start studying something you may have been interested in for years but haven't been able to pursue. What we are interested in is your aptitude and enthusiasm for your chosen subject.

You don’t need specific subject related qualifications to study with us, however there are minimum entry requirements you need to meet to ensure you have the right tools to get started.

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As your legal nationality features on the majority English speaking countries list or you are a continuing student, you do not need to provide evidence of English Language proficiency. You will still need to confirm that you have a good standard of English to study this course.

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- A Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, taken two years or less before the date of enrolment to the course. IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Academic may be accepted as meeting these requirements, provided the student has achieved a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four elements of language learning. - Have successfully completed an academic course (not professional or vocational) at Bachelors degree level or above from an educational institution in the UK or in a majority English speaking country as listed below. - A passport provided as evidence of nationality of a majority English speaking country as listed above. - TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT taken two years or less before the date of enrolment to the course, with minimum scores in each of the four elements of language learning as follows: reading 18, listening 17, speaking 20 and writing 17. - Cambridge English B2 First qualification with scale range 160-179 taken in the last two years as of the date of enrolment to the course. - An online Duolingo test. You would need an overall score of 90 or above to meet Level B2 of the CEFR, and a minimum score of 85 in each category (providing your overall score is still above 90).

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About You: Entry Requirements (3/3)

Distance learning is great for anyone who wants to be creative, expand their skills and/or gain a qualification on your own terms. A lot of our ­­­students study alongside other commitments such as work, childcare and health issues, adding distance learning to their existing lifestyle.

Self-motivation is key to a successful distance learning student. You will be able to set aside several study hours per week and be comfortable working independently. As a higher education student, you are responsible for your studies and managing your time effectively, and will need a minimum of 10 study hours per week complete within the maximum time frames available.

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• 98 Prefer not to say
• 99 Not available

Learning Difficulty

If you think you may have a SpLD but do not have a formal diagnosis, please take a look at the Adult Checklist on the British Dyslexia Association website: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/screening

This does not confirm a diagnosis itself but may give an indication as to whether you should consider looking into a formal diagnosis.

A full diagnostic test is required for UK students to access support via the Disabled Students Allowance process. For OCA students who need help to pay for a diagnostic test, you may be able to apply for part-funding towards a diagnostic assessment via OCA’s Learner Support Scheme.

If you already have a full (post-16) diagnostic assessment, we would encourage you to apply for additional support via the Disabled Students Allowance process. You will need to get reassessed if you had this done when you were under 16 years old.

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

If you are eligible for Student Finance, you may wish to consider applying for Disabled Students Allowance (Student Finance). This has been invaluable to many of our students. Students may be awarded a mentor which provides regular face-to-face interaction to support you with your planning and motivation, or software and equipment may be awarded to help you study the course depending on your needs. It's all individual - they will look at what the requirements of the course are, where your areas of difficulty may be due to your symptoms and let you know what options there are that could help.

We advise students applying for DSA to enrol to the course when DSA is in place, however you can start before this - the decision is yours. DSA applications can take 14 weeks to process, so please consider this when selecting your start date later on.

You can still apply for DSA even if you are a part through your studies.

• I have reviewed how DSA might be able to support me and do not wish to apply for DSA support.
• Only when DSA is approved
• On a set date regardless if DSA is in place or not
• I have a medical condition or disability meaning I require physical course materials.
• I do not have a medical condition or disability meaning I require physical course materials.
• My residential address
• Please provide a delivery address (Required) If you are have indicated you are studying this course in UK, your delivery address must also be UK address Street Address Address Line 2 City County / State / Region ZIP / Postal Code Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Please tell us about any health issues, disability or caring responsibilities that may affect your learning.

Course Information

Students must achieve 360 credits to complete their BA Hons course, which is structured into three 120 credit levels. Students begin at Level 1, and enrol on a unit by unit basis. Each level is made up of three 40 credit units.

The first number of the unit name indicates the level of study, and the second number of the unit indicates what order they unit should be studied at that level e.g. unit 1.1 is the first unit at Level 1.

• Select which course unit of the degree you are enrolling to (Required) Please select... 1.1 Essential Writing Skills (new students select this) 1.2 Further Writing Skills 1.3 Developing Your Writing Skills 2.1 Investigation and Experiment 2.2 Skill and Proficiency 2.3 Innovation and Challenge 3.1 Practice and Research 3.2 Your Work in Progress 3.3: Reaching Your Audience Writing 1: Writing Skills Visual Studies 1:  Creative Arts Today Writing 1: Starting Your Novel Writing 1: The Art of Poetry Writing 1: Scriptwriting Writing 2: Writing for Children Writing 2:  Writing Short Fiction Writing 2: Poetry – Form and Experience Writing 2: Life Writing Writing 2: Moving on with Scriptwriting Writing 3: Independent Project
• Enrol before progression discussion complete
• Enrol after progression discussion complete

OCA has intake points throughout the academic year between August 2023 and July 2024.

If you are funding through Student Finance, the tuition fee loan application process can take between 4 – 6 weeks. To help keep your study plans on track, we recommend applying for Student Finance at least six weeks before your preferred intake month, but don’t worry if your funding application isn’t approved in time. We’ll keep your enrolment pending until you receive your outcome and then get you to the next available intake.

• Which intake point would you like to join? (Required) 3rd June 2024 (deadline to apply 15 May 2024) 1st July 2024 (deadline to apply 12 June 2024) Please select an intake point to join. Please note that  the cut off to join an intake is two works before the stated start date of the course. If you select a start date after the deadline has already passed, you will automatically be deferred to the following intake.
• I understand that the fee for this unit is £1,650, or a deposit of £495 followed by 6 monthly instalments of £192.50.
• I understand that the fee for this unit is £2,475, or a deposit of £550 followed by 10 monthly instalments of £192.50.
• I understand that the fee for this unit is £1,890, or a deposit of £567 followed by 6 monthly instalments of £220.50.
• I understand that the fee for this unit is £2,835, or a deposit of £630 followed by 10 monthly instalments of £220.50
• Product Name

Funding and Payment

• Student Finance (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)
• Self-funding
• SAAS Part-time Fee Grant
• Learner Support Scheme Bursary
• What is your Student Finance Customer Reference Number? (Required) You'll be given a customer reference number (CRN) when an application to the Student Loans Company for financial support is made. You'll receive this CRN in a letter or email.
• I understand that if applying for funding from SAAS, funding is confirmed after the start date of the course, and if unsuccessful for funding from SAAS I will remain liable for the fees of the course once outside the cancellation period, and that SAAS does not cover the full cost of the tuition fees .

You are responsible for submitting your own Student Finance funding applications. The month you begin your course will mark the start of your personal academic year with Student Finance. For instance, if you begin your course in October, your funding year runs from October to September. This means you need to apply for funding to begin every October for the relevant academic year for as long as you are studying your course.

Mark the month you start your course in your calendar, so you know when your funding the following year needs to begin. We recommend applying for the maximum amount available each year. We will only claim the amount required.

Review the 22/23 Student Finance Guidance Here

• I understand that I will be confirmed as studying 40 credits in my first year when I start my course
• I am applying for a maintenance loan or already receive one (check your eligibility with Student Finance)
• I am not applying or in receipt of a maintenance loan
• Deposit and Instalment
• If paying for the course by instalments, I undertake to pay the full sum once outside of the 14 day cancellation period per the course fees structure , and if relevant, I give my permission for OCA to discuss my progress with a third party funder (e.g. employer, ELCAS).
• Please upload your ELCAS CAN form (Required) Max. file size: 100 MB.

HESA Data Collection

• Have you previously studied at Higher Education Level in the UK before? (Required) A Has had prior HE experience in UK lasting 6 months or more B Has not had prior HE experience in UK lasting 6 months or more C Not known if has had prior HE exp in UK of 6 months or more
• What is your Highest Existing Qualification? (Required) DUK UK doctorate degree DZZ Non-UK doctorate degree D80 Other qualification at level D MUK UK masters degree MZZ Non-UK masters degree M2X Integrated undergraduate/postgraduate taught masters degree on the enhanced/extended pattern M41 Diploma at level M M44 Certificate at level M M71 Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Professional Graduate Diploma in Education M80 Other taught qualification at level M M90 Taught work at level M for provider credit HUK UK first degree with honours HZZ Non-UK first degree H11 First degree with honours leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)/registration with a General Teaching Council (GTC) H71 Professional Graduate Certificate in Education H80 Other qualification at level H JUK UK ordinary (non-honours) first degree J10 Foundation degree J20 Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) J30 Higher National Diploma (HND) J49 Foundation course at level J J48 Certificate in Education (CertEd) or Diploma in Education (DipEd) (i.e. non-graduate initial teacher training qualification) J80 Other qualification at level J C20 Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) C30 Higher National Certificate (HNC) C44 Higher Apprenticeship (level 4) C80 Other qualification at level C C90 Undergraduate credits P41 Diploma at level 3 P42 Certificate at level 3 P46 Award at level 3 P47 AQA Baccalaureate (Bacc) P50 A/AS level P51 14-19 Advanced Diploma (level 3) P53 Scottish Baccalaureate P54 Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers P62 International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma P63 International Baccalaureate (IB) Certificate P64 Cambridge Pre-U Diploma P65 Cambridge Pre-U Certificate P68 Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma (level 3) P80 Other qualification at level 3 P92 Level 3 qualifications of which none are subject to UCAS Tariff P93 Level 3 qualifications of which all are subject to UCAS Tariff P94 Level 3 qualifications of which some are subject to UCAS Tariff Q51 14-19 Higher Diploma (level 2) Q52 Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate Diploma (level 2) Q80 Other qualification at level 2 R51 14-19 Foundation Diploma (level 1) R52 Welsh Baccalaureate Foundation Diploma (level 1) R80 Other qualification at level 1 X00 Higher education (HE) access course, Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) recognised X01 Higher education (HE) access course, not Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) recognised X02 Mature student admitted on basis of previous experience and/or admissions test X04 Other qualification level not known X05 Student has no formal qualification X06 Not known
• Please indicate the grading of that qualification (Required)
• Please confirm the subject of your qualification (Required) Musical theatre Creative writing Textile design Ergonomics Fashion Fashion design Animation Film studies Fine art Graphic arts Graphic design Illustration Photography Music Performing arts Clothing production Footwear production Landscape architecture and design Housing Planning Textiles technology Music technology Audio technology Music production Film production Forestry and arboriculture Architectural design Drawing Landscape studies Painting Garden design Sculpture Fine art conservation Musicianship and performance studies Instrumental or vocal performance Music education and teaching Music and arts management Music marketing Jazz performance Popular music performance History of music Musicology Ethnomusicology and world music Music composition History of photography Cinematography Visual and audio effects Scriptwriting Poetry writing Professional writing Popular music Film music and screen music Jazz Sacred music Community music Sonic arts Electronic music Jazz composition Moving image techniques Film directing Film and sound recording Television studies Radio studies Publishing Electronic publishing Online publishing Research skills Cinematics Music therapy Interior design and architecture Folk music Opera Music theory and analysis Applied music and musicianship Popular music composition Other
• Please confirm the year awarded (Required)
• Last provider attended (Required) Fi4901 UK state school 4911 UK independent school 4921 UK FE college 4931 Any non-UK provider 4941 UK HEP 9999 Unknown
• Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation? (Required) 10 Bisexual 11 Gay or lesbian 12 Heterosexual or straight 19 Other sexual orientation 98 Prefer not to say
• What is your legal marital or registered civil partnership status? (Required) 10 Never married and never registered in a civil partnership 11 Married or in a registered civil partnership 12 Separated (but still legally married or in a civil partnership) 13 Divorced or formerly in a civil partnership which is now legally dissolved 14 Widowed or a surviving partner from a registered civil partnership 15 Co-habiting, with or without a legal contract 98 Prefer not to say
• What do you consider to be your national identity? (Required) B British E English I Irish O Other R Information refused S Scottish U Unknown W Welsh
• What is your ethnicity or ethnic group? (Required) 100 Asian - Bangladeshi or Bangladeshi British 101 Asian - Chinese or Chinese British 102 Asian - Filipino 103 Asian - Indian or Indian British 104 Asian - Pakistani or Pakistani British 119 Any other Asian background 120 Black - African or African British 121 Black - Caribbean or Caribbean British 139 Any other Black background 140 Mixed or multiple ethnic groups - White or White British and Asian or Asian British 141 Mixed or multiple ethnic groups - White or White British and Black African or Black African British 142 Mixed or multiple ethnic groups - White or White British and Black Caribbean or Black Caribbean British 159 Any other Mixed or Multiple ethnic background 160 White - English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish or British 161 White - English, Welsh, Northern Irish or British 162 White - British, Irish, Northern Irish, English, Scottish or Welsh 163 White - Gypsy or Irish Traveller 164 White - Gypsy or Traveller 165 White - Irish Traveller 166 White - Irish 167 White - Polish 168 White - Roma 169 White - Scottish 170 White - Showman / Showwoman 179 Any other White background 180 Arab 899 Any other ethnic background 997 Not known 998 Prefer not to say
• Which religious background were you brought up in? (Required) 20 No religion 21 Buddhist 24 Christian - Roman Catholic 25 Christian - Presbyterian Church in Ireland 26 Christian - Church of Ireland 27 Christian - Methodist Church in Ireland 28 Christian - Other denomination 29 Hindu 30 Jewish 31 Muslim 33 Sikh 80 Any other religion or belief 98 Prefer not to say
• Please indicate your religious belief (Required) 20 No religion 21 Buddhist 22 Christian 23 Christian - Church of Scotland 24 Christian - Roman Catholic 25 Christian - Presbyterian Church in Ireland 26 Christian - Church of Ireland 27 Christian - Methodist Church in Ireland 28 Christian - Other denomination 29 Hindu 30 Jewish 31 Muslim 32 Pagan 33 Sikh 80 Any other religion or belief 98 Prefer not to say
• Is your gender identity the same as the gender you were originally assigned at birth? (Required) Yes No Information refused Not available
• Do you care for someone who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without your support? (Required) 1 Not a carer 2 Carer 98 Prefer not to say
• Please confirm if you are a care leaver (Required) 1 Care leaver (16+) 2 Looked after in Scotland 3 In care in the rest of the UK 4 UCAS defined care leaver 5 Not a care leaver 98 Information refused 99 Not available
• Please indicate your current or last job occupation (Required) Not stated Information refused Retired Unemployed Not known Chief executives and senior officials Elected officers and representatives Production managers and directors in manufacturing Production managers and directors in construction Production managers and directors in mining and energy Financial managers and directors Marketing and sales directors Purchasing managers and directors Advertising and public relations directors Human resource managers and directors Information technology and telecommunications directors Functional managers and directors n.e.c. Financial institution managers and directors Managers and directors in transport and distribution Managers and directors in storage and warehousing Officers in armed forces Senior police officers Senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison and related services Health services and public health managers and directors Social services managers and directors Managers and directors in retail and wholesale Managers and proprietors in agriculture and horticulture Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors Publicans and managers of licensed premises Leisure and sports managers Travel agency managers and proprietors Health care practice managers Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors Property, housing and estate managers Garage managers and proprietors Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors Shopkeepers and proprietors ‰ÛÒ wholesale and retail Waste disposal and environmental services managers Managers and proprietors in other services n.e.c. Chemical scientists Biological scientists and biochemists Physical scientists Social and humanities scientists Natural and social science professionals n.e.c. Civil engineers Mechanical engineers Electrical engineers Electronics engineers Design and development engineers Production and process engineers Engineering professionals n.e.c. IT specialist managers IT project and programme managers IT business analysts, architects and systems designers Programmers and software development professionals Web design and development professionals Information technology and telecommunications professionals n.e.c. Conservation professionals Environment professionals Research and development managers Medical practitioners Psychologists Pharmacists Ophthalmic opticians Dental practitioners Veterinarians Medical radiographers Podiatrists Health professionals n.e.c. Physiotherapists Occupational therapists Speech and language therapists Therapy professionals n.e.c. Nurses Midwives Higher education teaching professionals Further education teaching professionals Secondary education teaching professionals Primary and nursery education teaching professionals Special needs education teaching professionals Senior professionals of educational establishments Education advisers and school inspectors Teaching and other educational professionals n.e.c. Barristers and judges Solicitors Legal professionals n.e.c. Chartered and certified accountants Management consultants and business analysts Business and financial project management professionals Actuaries, economists and statisticians Business and related research professionals Business, research and administrative professionals n.e.c. Architects Town planning officers Quantity surveyors Chartered surveyors Chartered architectural technologists Construction project managers and related professionals Social workers Probation officers Clergy Welfare professionals n.e.c. Librarians Archivists and curators Quality control and planning engineers Quality assurance and regulatory professionals Environmental health professionals Journalists, newspaper and periodical editors Public relations professionals Advertising accounts managers and creative directors Laboratory technicians Electrical and electronics technicians Engineering technicians Building and civil engineering technicians Quality assurance technicians Planning, process and production technicians Science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c. Architectural and town planning technicians Draughtspersons IT operations technicians IT user support technicians Paramedics Dispensing opticians Pharmaceutical technicians Medical and dental technicians Health associate professionals n.e.c. Youth and community workers Child and early years officers Housing officers Counsellors Welfare and housing associate professionals n.e.c. NCOs and other ranks Police officers (sergeant and below) Fire service officers (watch manager and below) Prison service officers (below principal officer) Police community support officers Protective service associate professionals n.e.c. Artists Authors, writers and translators Actors, entertainers and presenters Dancers and choreographers Musicians Arts officers, producers and directors Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators Graphic designers Product, clothing and related designers Sports players Sports coaches, instructors and officials Fitness instructors Air traffic controllers Aircraft pilots and flight engineers Ship and hovercraft officers Legal associate professionals Estimators, valuers and assessors Brokers Insurance underwriters Finance and investment analysts and advisers Taxation experts Importers and exporters Financial and accounting technicians Financial accounts managers Business and related associate professionals n.e.c. Buyers and procurement officers Business sales executives Marketing associate professionals Estate agents and auctioneers Sales accounts and business development managers Conference and exhibition managers and organisers Conservation and environmental associate professionals Public services associate professionals Human resources and industrial relations officers Vocational and industrial trainers and instructors Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists Inspectors of standards and regulations Health and safety officers National government administrative occupations Local government administrative occupations Officers of non-governmental organisations Credit controllers Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks Bank and post office clerks Finance officers Financial administrative occupations n.e.c. Records clerks and assistants Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants Stock control clerks and assistants Transport and distribution clerks and assistants Library clerks and assistants Human resources administrative occupations Sales administrators Other administrative occupations n.e.c. Office managers Office supervisors Medical secretaries Legal secretaries School secretaries Company secretaries Personal assistants and other secretaries Receptionists Typists and related keyboard occupations Farmers Horticultural trades Gardeners and landscape gardeners Groundsmen and greenkeepers Agricultural and fishing trades n.e.c. Smiths and forge workers Moulders, core makers and die casters Sheet metal workers Metal plate workers, and riveters Welding trades Pipe fitters Metal machining setters and setter-operators Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out Metal working production and maintenance fitters Precision instrument makers and repairers Air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians Vehicle body builders and repairers Vehicle paint technicians Aircraft maintenance and related trades Boat and ship builders and repairers Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers Electricians and electrical fitters Telecommunications engineers TV, video and audio engineers IT engineers Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c. Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors Steel erectors Bricklayers and masons Roofers, roof tilers and slaters Plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers Carpenters and joiners Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters Construction and building trades n.e.c. Plasterers Floorers and wall tilers Painters and decorators Construction and building trades supervisors Weavers and knitters Upholsterers Footwear and leather working trades Tailors and dressmakers Textiles, garments and related trades n.e.c. Pre-press technicians Printers Print finishing and binding workers Butchers Bakers and flour confectioners Fishmongers and poultry dressers Chefs Cooks Catering and bar managers Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers Florists Other skilled trades n.e.c. Nursery nurses and assistants Childminders and related occupations Playworkers Teaching assistants Educational support assistants Veterinary nurses Pest control officers Animal care services occupations n.e.c. Nursing auxiliaries and assistants Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics) Dental nurses Houseparents and residential wardens Care workers and home carers Senior care workers Care escorts Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants Sports and leisure assistants Travel agents Air travel assistants Rail travel assistants Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c. Hairdressers and barbers Beauticians and related occupations Housekeepers and related occupations Caretakers Cleaning and housekeeping managers and supervisors Sales and retail assistants Retail cashiers and check-out operators Telephone salespersons Pharmacy and other dispensing assistants Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers Collector salespersons and credit agents Debt, rent and other cash collectors Roundspersons and van salespersons Market and street traders and assistants Merchandisers and window dressers Sales related occupations n.e.c. Sales supervisors Call and contact centre occupations Telephonists Communication operators Market research interviewers Customer service occupations n.e.c. Customer service managers and supervisors Food, drink and tobacco process operatives Glass and ceramics process operatives Textile process operatives Chemical and related process operatives Rubber process operatives Plastics process operatives Metal making and treating process operatives Electroplaters Process operatives n.e.c. Paper and wood machine operatives Coal mine operatives Quarry workers and related operatives Energy plant operatives Metal working machine operatives Water and sewerage plant operatives Printing machine assistants Plant and machine operatives n.e.c. Assemblers (electrical and electronic products) Assemblers (vehicles and metal goods) Routine inspectors and testers Weighers, graders and sorters Tyre, exhaust and windscreen fitters Sewing machinists Assemblers and routine operatives n.e.c. Scaffolders, stagers and riggers Road construction operatives Rail construction and maintenance operatives Construction operatives n.e.c. Large goods vehicle drivers Van drivers Bus and coach drivers Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs Driving instructors Crane drivers Fork-lift truck drivers Agricultural machinery drivers Mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. Train and tram drivers Marine and waterways transport operatives Air transport operatives Rail transport operatives Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c. Farm workers Forestry workers Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations n.e.c. Elementary construction occupations Industrial cleaning process occupations Packers, bottlers, canners and fillers Elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers Elementary administration occupations n.e.c. Window cleaners Street cleaners Cleaners and domestics Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers Refuse and salvage occupations Vehicle valeters and cleaners Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. Security guards and related occupations Parking and civil enforcement occupations School midday and crossing patrol occupations Elementary security occupations n.e.c. Shelf fillers Elementary sales occupations n.e.c. Elementary storage occupations Hospital porters Kitchen and catering assistants Waiters and waitresses Bar staff Leisure and theme park attendants Other elementary services occupations n.e.c.
• Please indicate your occupation type (Required) 01 Modern professional occupations 02 Clerical and intermediate occupations 03 Senior managers or administrators 04 Technical and craft occupations 05 Semi-routine manual and service occupations 06 Routine manual and service operations 07 Middle or junior managers 08 Traditional professional occupations 09 Never been in paid work 90 Not known 98 Information refused
• Please indicate the current or last area of work (Required) 1 Higher managerial & professional occupations 2 Lower managerial & professional occupations 3 Intermediate occupation 4 Small employers & own account workers 5 Lower supervisory & technical occupations 6 Semi-routine occupations 7 Routine occupations 8 Never worked & long-term unemployed 9 Not classified
• Have your parents ever studied in Higher education? (Required) 1 Yes 2 No 97 Not known 98 Information refused 99 Not available
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• Which of the following best describes your ability to speak Welsh? (Required) 1 Fluent 2 Can speak a fair amount 3 Can only speak a little 4 Can just say a few words
• Have you previously undertaken a Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma Course? (Required) 3 Did not undertake Welsh Baccalaureate Advncd Diploma course 1 Undertook Welsh Bacc Advncd Dip - awarded qualification 2 Undertook Welsh Bacc Advncd Dip - not awarded qualification
• Would you consider yourself estranged from your family (i.e. not supported by your family)? (Required) 1 Yes 2 No 98 Prefer not to say An estranged person is someone who no longer has the support of their family due to a breakdown in their relationship which has led to ceased contact. This might mean your biological, step or adoptive parents or wider family members who have been responsible for supporting you in the past. Tick Yes if you feel this description applies to you.
• Where did you hear about us? (Required) Online Search Through the UCA Website UCAS Facebook Twitter Apple News Medium.com Art & Music (Mag) Art in Liverpool (Mag) Art Monthly (Mag) Artist & Illustrator (Mag) BBC Music (Mag) BJP (Mag) Black & White Photography (Mag) Boom (Mag) Cello Print Making Choir & Organ (Mag) Classical Music (Mag) Computer Arts (Mag) Crafts Magazine (Mag) Creative Review Design Week Digital Camera (Mag) DSLR (Mag) Embroidery (Mag) Eye (Mag) Fibre Art Now (Mag) Gramophone (Mag) Illustration (Mag) Link (Mag) Mslexia (Mag) N- Photo (Mag) National Trust (Mag) Outdoor Photography (Mag) Painters Online Photo Plus (Mag) Photoworks (Mag) Practical Photography (Mag) Printmaking today (Mag) Professional Photographer (Mag) RPS (Mag) Selvedge (Mag) SOURCE: Photographic Review (Mag) The Artist (Mag) Varoom (Mag) Writers Forum (Mag) Writing Magazine Other
• Other source (please specify)

Terms and Conditions

• I have read, understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions and Associated Policies for OCA 2023/24 and the Academic Regulations for Subsidiary Institutions of The Open University
• I confirm that I have not been subject to any disciplinary procedures as laid out in either the OCA Student Code of Conduct or the OU Code of Practice for Student Discipline .
• I confirm that I give the OCA my consent to hold my up-to-date details on the OCA databases in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, and providing required information to HESA, Office for Students or their appointed agents, as described in the Student Regulations, and processed in line with with OCA's Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Undergraduate creative writing courses

Part-time study in creative writing at Oxford

Completely new to the world of creative writing? Need an extra push to finish your novel, poem or play? Looking for a low-residency master's programme? No matter where you are in your writing journey, we have a flexible, part-time course for you.

Diploma in Creative Writing

Our two-year, part-time Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing  helps you to strengthen your ability in four major areas of literary activity — prose, poetry, drama and analytical reading — as well as the chance to specialise in the genre of your choice.

There are distance-learning and face-to-face options available. The Diploma is a good foundation for those wanting to progress to a master's in creative writing.

Find out more about the  Diploma in Creative Writing . 

Short courses and the Certificate of Higher Education

Our  weekly classes and flexible online courses in creative writing are taught at undergraduate level and cover all genres – fiction, poetry, memoir, drama, writing for young adults and critical reading. There are courses for beginners as well as those with experience and class sizes are kept small to maximise interaction between you and your classmates and tutor.

Credit earned from these courses is transferable towards our Certificate of Higher Education - a part-time undergraduate course in which you study a main subject discipline but also undertake study in other academic subjects.

Student spotlights

Tahmina maula.

Tahmina worked as a senior manager in education before taking a career break to undertake the Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing.

Charles Bush

Charles Bush published his debut young-adult novel thanks to the skills and experience gained from completing the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education.

Georgia Fancett

Studying on the Certificate of Higher Education led Georgia to writing a prize winning novel.

Short courses and part-time qualifications

Literature, creative writing and film studies

Undergraduate diploma in creative writing, mst in creative writing.

• Schools & departments

Creative Writing MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Creative Writing

The community has been one of my favourite parts. The department has very warm and encouraging staff. Some of my classmates are now close friends, and we still workshop stories across time zones, and complain to each other about writing - and not writing! Bhavika Govil, prize-winning fiction writer MSc in Creative Writing, 2020

Discovery Day

Join us online on 18th April to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh

View sessions and register

Programme description

Based in the first UNESCO World City of Literature, this one-year, full-time taught Masters programme is tailored towards your practice in either fiction or poetry.

There is a strong practical element to the programme, helping you develop your creative skills through:

• presenting your work for peer discussion
• hearing from guest writers and other professionals on the practicalities of life as a writer

You will also sharpen your critical skills through:

• seminars exploring the particulars of your chosen form
• option courses in literature, helping you move from theoretical considerations to practical applications

The programme culminates with the publication of ‘From Arthur’s Seat,’ an anthology of student work.

Why Edinburgh

Literature has been taught here for over 250 years, and today Edinburgh thrives on its designation as the first UNESCO World City of Literature. The city is home to the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Poetry Library, and a number of celebrated publishing outlets, from Canongate and Polygon, to Luath Press, Birlinn and Mariscat. The University hosts the prestigious James Tait Black Awards, established in 1919 and one of the oldest literary prizes in Britain.

There are lots of opportunities to write and share your work, from ‘The Student,’ the UK’s oldest student newspaper (founded in 1887 by Robert Louis Stevenson), to The Selkie, which was founded by Creative Writing students in 2018 to showcase work by people who self-identify as underrepresented.

Around the city, you will find:

• library readings and bookshop launches
• spoken word gigs
• cabaret nights
• poetry slams

Edinburgh isn’t just historic – it’s a modern hub for literature. That’s part of what makes the city great for writing.

Austin Crowley, MSc in Creative Writing, 2023

We team teach our programme so that you benefit from the input of a range of tutors, as well as your fellow students and our Writer in Residence, the poet and author Michael Pedersen, who also co-ordinates a range of student writing prizes and our annual industry and networking event.

The academic staff you will be working with are all active researchers or authors, including well-published and prize-winning writers of poetry, prose fiction and drama. They include:

• Dr Jane Alexander - Fiction
• Dr Lynda Clark
• Dr Patrick Errington - Poetry/Fiction
• Dr Miriam Gamble - Poetry
• Professor Alan Gillis - Poetry
• Dr Jane McKie - Poetry
• Dr Allyson Stack - Fiction
• Kim Sherwood - Fiction
• Alice Thompson - Fiction

Programme structure

Over the duration of the programme, you will:

• take two core courses, both worth 40 credits
• two optional courses chosen from a wide range of subjects, both worth 20 credits

The core activities in Creative Writing are:

• tutor-led workshops, in which you will present your work-in-progress and critique the work of your fellow students
• regular seminars exploring techniques and issues specific to your practice (either fiction or poetry) and the statements and theories of practitioners

Optional courses

We have a large number of option courses to choose from, including preferred courses for fiction and poetry (which will be offered to Creative Writing students in the first instance), and courses from across the Department of English Literature and the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures.

Visiting speakers

Throughout the programme, you will be expected to attend readings and talks by visiting speakers. Early on, these will be from published writers and, later, advisors from the writing business: literary agents, magazine editors and publishers.

Dissertation

The final element of the programme is your dissertation, a piece of creative writing (worth 60 credits) written with the advice and support of a designated supervisor.

Fiction dissertations are between 15,000 words and 20,000 words, and poetry dissertations between 25 and 30 pages.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• identify, conceptualise and define formal elements of craft in your chosen field (poetry or fiction) within published works and within works by your peers
• remain open to criticism and respond effectively and creatively to feedback on your own creative work
• work from initial conception through multiple drafts to the final version of a creative piece within your chosen field (fiction or poetry)
• transfer editorial skills and creative abilities from one context to another
• analyse creative works within your chosen field (fiction or poetry), work with a focus on craft effectiveness, and articulate strengths and weaknesses in a piece of writing in a constructive manner

Career opportunities

Over the course of this programme, you will complete a body of creative work that has been rigorously peer reviewed.

Our students go on to careers in a wide variety of fields, including:

• arts administration
• web and audio book editing
• script and ghost writing
• gaming narrative design

Some decide to extend their studies and take a PhD with us.

Many of our alumni go on to achieve literary success, publishing novels and short story and poetry collections, and winning awards. Our graduates’ recent successes include:

debut novels from:

• Amanda Block (The Lost Storyteller, published by Hodder Studio)
• Karin Nordin (Where Ravens Roost, published by Harper Collins)
• Marielle Thompson (Where Ivy Dares to Grow, published by Kensington Books)
• August Thomas (Liar’s Candle, published by Simon and Schuster)
• Rosie Walker (Secrets of a Serial Killer, published by One More Chapter)
• Mark Wightman (Waking the Tiger, published by Hobeck Books and shortlisted for Scottish Crime Debut of the Year 2021)

debut short story collections from:

• Dayle Furlong (Lake Effect, published by Cormorant Books)
• Dima Alzayat (Alligator and Other Stories, shortlisted for the James Tait Black Award for Fiction)
• a non-fiction debut from Sonali Misra (21 Fantastic Failures, published by Rupa Publications India)

debut poetry collections from:

• Rebecca Tamás (WITCH, published by Penned in the Margins)
• Naomi Morris (Hyperlove, published by Makina Books)
• Aileen Ballantyne (Taking Flight, published by Luath Press)
• the 2022 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award, won by Alyson Kissner
• the 2021 Brotherton Poetry Prize, won by Lauren Pope
• the 2021 Pontas & JJ Bola Emerging Writers Prize, won by Bhavika Govil

Meet our graduates

From Arthur’s Seat – stories from the heart of Edinburgh

Tim Tim Cheng

• Bhavika Govil
• Dima Alzayat

What's the best type of masters programme for you?

Entry requirements.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in any discipline. This will often be in a directly related subject like English Literature/Creative Writing, but we welcome applicants from all academic backgrounds.

Applicants who are entered into selection will be asked to provide a sample of written work to enable their suitability for the programme to be assessed.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

If you are intending to study full time on this Creative Writing programme, you are eligible for a William Hunter Sharpe Memorial Scholarship which will contribute towards your tuition fees.

You do not need to apply for this scholarship – all eligible candidates who apply for the programme by Monday 6 May 2024 will be considered for them and contacted if successful.

• Find out more about the William Hunter Sharpe Memorial Scholarship and other scholarships in literatures, languages and cultures

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
• Contact: College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office
• School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
• 50 George Square
• Central Campus
• Programme: Creative Writing
• School: Literatures, Languages & Cultures
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

MSc Creative Writing - 1 Year (Full-time)

Application deadlines.

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through a competitive process.

Please be aware that applications must be submitted and complete, i.e. all required documents uploaded, by the relevant application deadline in order to be considered in that round. Your application will still be considered if you have not yet met the English language requirement for the programme.

Deadlines for applicants applying to study in 2024/25:

(Revised 27 March 2024 to extend Round 3 application deadline)

• How to apply

You must submit one reference with your application.

The online application process involves the completion of a web form and the submission of supporting documents.

You should supply a portfolio of writing.

• For poetry, this should be six (6) pages of poetry, starting a new page for each new poem of 14 lines or over.
• For fiction, this should be a complete story or stories, or an equivalent amount from a longer work (between 2,500 and 3,500 words).

These are firm limits.

If you are undecided about whether to apply for fiction or poetry, you should send a sample of both, i.e. six (6) pages of poetry and 2,500-3,500 words of fiction (if offered a place it will be for one or the other).

Work in other forms (for example journalism, life writing or advertising) will not be considered.

Personal statement

When writing your personal statement, consider the following questions:

• What do you most hope to learn/gain from a Creative Writing degree, and why is ours the programme for you?
• Tell us about your writing: what are you interested in and why? Are there aspects of your current practice you're particularly proud of? Things you know you need to work on?

What (if any) prior experience do you have of studying Creative Writing?

Guidance on the application process and supporting documents

All supporting documents, including references, must be uploaded to the online application system by the deadline date.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

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Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing: Advanced Fiction and Writing for Performance

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The deadline for booking a place on this course has passed. Please use the 'Ask a Question' button to register your interest in future or similar courses.

A second cohort of our Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing: Advanced Fiction and Writing for Performance is now available.  Apply today!

This one-year part-time course is one of two Diplomas in this discipline offered by the Institute of Continuing Education and is designed for those who have completed a Certificate in Creative Writing or who have appropriate knowledge, experience and enthusiasm in this field.

Our undergraduate courses are now being delivered entirely online , enabling students to study flexibly with the University of Cambridge from anywhere in the world.

We offer a range of tuition fee bursaries to promote access to and participation in continuing education. 

Listen to the Course Directors for the Certificate and Diploma in Creative Writing courses talking about the courses here .

Virtual Open Events

To learn more about the programme and the student experience, and to ask any questions you may have, join us for our virtual open events. To register, follow these links:

Watch the info session webinar recording here

What will I be studying?

Unit 1: introduction to fiction.

7 Saturdays (11am - 4pm with a break 1pm-2pm) starting on Saturday 8 October 2022

This unit focuses on advanced techniques for identifying a potential story, choosing its form, and establishing plot, structure, theme and characterisation. Through close reading of published work, and their own writing, students explore how to construct a coherent sense of time and place, how to keep dramatic control and how to create pace, conflict and mood.

Unit 2: The History of the Novel: with special focus on Fantasy, Tragedy, Comedy and Historical Fiction

7 Saturdays (11am - 4pm with a break 1pm-2pm) starting on Saturday 7 January 2023

This unit will explore the many elements that make up multiple genres and examine how they can be effectively utilised to create original and high-concept fiction. We study the form of the fairy tale, from its first origins to modern-day magical realism and fantasy novels. We will examine the tragic hero and the fatal flaw in relation to shaping character and plot. We will also look at the modern historical novel and explore the most effective ways to bring the past to life.

Unit 3: Writing for performance

6 Saturdays (11am - 4pm with a break 1pm-2pm) starting on Saturday 1 April 2023

This unit studies techniques used in writing for TV, film, stage and radio and examines how they are transferable to other forms of writing. The unit looks at the art of adapting a story from a different medium.

What can I go on to do?

The Institute offers a pair of Certificate (FHEQ Level 4) and Diploma (FHEQ Level 5) level courses in Creative Writing along with a range of postgraduate courses. For further details please visit the subject page.

Credit awarded by the Institute may also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However the volume of credit and the curriculum which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Find out more

If you have any questions about this course, would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, or would like to know more about the admissions process, please complete this enquiry form with your questions. 

Applicants for this course will normally have studied and passed a FHEQ level 4 qualification (or international equivalent) in this or a closely related field. 

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. 

Applicants are also required to submit a short piece of their own writing with their application and this will be reviewed before an offer of a place can be made.  Given the nature of creative writing, it is important that applicants’ use of English is sufficiently fluent to be able to understand nuances of meaning and have a familiarity with the structure and grammar of English.

All applications are reviewed by the Course or Academic Director and acceptance onto the course is at the discretion of the Institute. 

English language requirement : If English is not your first language, you need to be able to prove you meet the University of Cambridge English language requirements on application. Please refer to our English language requirements for Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas pages for further information.

Technical requirements:

For the 2022-2023 Academic Year this course is being taught entirely online. This means there will be no face-to-face teaching and you will not need to be present in person in Cambridge, although there is an expectation that you will attend synchronous teaching sessions. The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through the use of video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

You will therefore need to have access to:

- the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device. 

- speakers or headphones in order to hear any pre-recorded material

- a webcam and microphone for any interactive sessions which may be available

Once you are logged into the VLE you can familiarise yourself with the learning environment. There is also guidance about how to access course materials and activities. 

The content, activities and interaction for each of the three units will be taught remotely using video-based teaching platforms and an online course Virtual Learning Environment. You will have access to resources, discussion forums, and course tasks within ICE's Virtual Learning Environment. Teaching methods will include lectures, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, interactive and experiential learning activities, reading and assignments to be completed by participants outside classroom sessions and online discussion forums.

All students are expected to take an active part in the course and submit work showing evidence of learning. Your learning will be enhanced by:

• engaging with scheduled teaching sessions; 
• participating in class activities and discussion;
• undertaking reading and assignments set by the tutor;
• accessing resources and submitting assignments through the VLE.

Course Timeline

• Course (Unit 1) Start Date: Saturday 8th October 2022
• Unit 1 submission deadline:  Wednesday 4th January 2023
• Unit 2 start date: Saturday 7th January 2023
• Unit 2 submission deadline: Wednesday 22nd March 2023
• Unit 3 start date: Saturday 1st April 2023
• Unit 3 submission deadline: Friday 9th June 2023

During the course you will assessed by a series of assignments. Further details will be provided in the course guide.

In addition to attending the taught elements of the course and submitting assignments you will need to set aside time for independent study. Credit is generally calculated in terms of hours of study and assumes that each credit is awarded for around 10 hours of successful learning; so, by this calculation, a 60-credit course will involve around 600 hours of successful study. Examples of how study may be broken down are: pre-class preparation, classroom time (lectures, seminars, discussion, presentations, debates, case-studies etc.); engagement with the VLE; peer-to-peer interaction, preparations for assignments, assignment writing and feedback and so on.

What is the status of this qualification?

The course is taught and awarded at second-year undergraduate level (FHEQ 5) and offers 60 credits within the Higher Education Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). This is equivalent to half of the first year of full-time undergraduate study.

The fee for the course is £2500  for the year and covers the course tuition.

You can pay in two ways:

• in full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)
• in three equal instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, and the second and final instalment being taken 3 months and 6 months after the course start date. The exact dates will be confirmed in the student’s individual booking details

Please note your place on the course is not secured until payment is received by the Institute of Continuing Education accompanied by any necessary documentation, i.e. proof of English language proficiency.

ICE fees and refund policy

For information on bursaries for this course, please see http://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/bursaries   

For information on a loan from Student Finance England for course fees and maintenance costs, please see http://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 19 September 2022   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 (please see our Cancellation policy ).

Please apply via the link at the top of this page. Your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. Please note that places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis.

Closing date for applications

Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on 5 September 2022.  If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 19 September 2022  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 (please see our Cancellation policy ).

Are sessions recorded? Where teaching is delivered face-to-face, sessions are not normally recorded. Where teaching is delivered remotely (via Zoom, for example), and wherever possible, sessions are recorded. There may be some instances where we are not able to share a recording or part of a recording; for example, for technological, confidentiality or copyright reasons.

It is worth noting that regular attendance is a requirement of the course, whether that be in person or by participating remotely (via Zoom) in the live and interactive teaching sessions.

What if I can't attend a session?   We understand that you may need to miss a session from time to time. We would simply ask that you let your tutor and/or Course Director know, and ideally in advance of the session. We will do what we can to ensure that you are able to catch up on any work missed, and we encourage you to listen to recordings of sessions where available.

Is any financial help available? Details of any bursaries available through ICE are listed on our website .

Information about other sources of funding (including loans, Disabled Students’ Allowance etc.) may also be useful.

Can I apply for/undertake multiple courses at any one time? You are welcome to apply for multiple courses. However, you would not normally be able to undertake more than two Certificate- or Diploma-level courses in any one year.

When considering whether to undertake more than one course, you will firstly need to ensure that there are no date clashes between teaching sessions. We would also advise you to carefully consider the work load of undertaking more than one course - consider any reading you will want to do as well as the time required to attend classes and complete assignments. You may also want to consider what commitments you have beyond your studies.

If you would like to undertake a second course, we would ask you to contact us so that we can liaise with both Course Directors. They will need to approve your application on the understanding that you will be undertaking two courses simultaneously.

If I complete a Certificate/Diploma with ICE, does it guarantee me a place on another course at ICE, including an MSt? We are delighted that many of our students want to return to study with us again and again. Unfortunately, however, completion of one course does not guarantee that you will be offered a place on another.

To ensure quality of teaching, places on courses are necessarily limited, and where an offer is made, places can only be confirmed subject to availability.

A Course Director may also feel that a higher level course is not the best fit for you. In this case, the Course Director may recommend another more suitable Certificate-level course or a non-award bearing short course or online course. This is, by no means, a rejection, but a way for us to help you to prepare more fully for study at a higher level.

Do I need to have completed the Certificate-level course before applying for a place on the Diploma? The Certificate and Diploma courses have been designed to provide a progression path for your studies, and some students on the Diploma will have previously completed the Certificate; however, completion of the Certificate is not a requirement for entry onto the Diploma. It very much depends on your experience in creative writing, the information you provide in your Personal Statement, and on your writing sample.

If you apply for a place on the Diploma, our Course Directors will let you know if they would recommend you complete the Certificate first. Please don’t be deterred – ultimately, we want you to find the course that is the best fit so that you are comfortable and feel a sense of achievement throughout.

Can I transfer credits/CAT points from a course completed elsewhere? For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website .

Do I need to have studied Creative Writing before? At Certificate-level, you do not need to have any prior experience of the subject area. An interest would normally be helpful.

At Diploma-level, some previous experience is expected. To submit the strongest application possible, we recommend you make use of the application form to highlight all relevant interests, qualifications, skills and experience.

Is the course accredited by the University of Cambridge? Many part-time courses offered by ICE are University of Cambridge qualifications. For more details, visit our website .

Will I become the member of a College by undertaking a Certificate/Diploma course? Enrolment on a Certificate- or Diploma-level course does not lead to College affiliation.

Can I pay in instalments? Yes. When you come to confirm your course place with payment, you will be given the option to pay in instalments. Course fees for Certificate and Diploma courses are normally split into three equally weighted instalments spread throughout the year, with the first instalment due by way of deposit at the point of confirming your course place.

How many hours of study are required to complete a Certificate/Diploma course? The course webpage in each case should provide you with an idea of the study hours you can expect - see ‘Teaching and Assessment’ tab.

Certificate and Diplomas equate to 60 credits at FHEQ5. Credit is generally calculated in terms of hours of study and assumes that each credit is awarded for around 10 hours of successful learning; so, by this calculation, a 60-credit course will involve around 600 hours of successful study. Examples of how study may be broken down are: pre-class preparation, classroom time (lectures, seminars, discussion, presentations, debates, case-studies etc.); engagement with the VLE; peer-to-peer interaction, preparations for assignments, assignment writing and feedback etc..

Unless otherwise stated, teaching and assessment for ICE courses are in English. If your first language is not English, please refer to our Information for Applicants pages for further guidance.

Course dates

Course duration, course director, academic director.

Academic Directors, Course Directors and Tutors are subject to change, when necessary.

Qualifications / Credits

Course code.

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