creative writing newcastle uni

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Creative Writing MA, PGCert

Newcastle university, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, university information, similar courses at this uni, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

MA - Master of Arts

Subject areas

Creative Writing

Course type

Our PGCert and MA in Creative Writing provide a unique opportunity to explore and develop your creative writing skills through practice, revision and discussion.

Our Creative Writing MA develops your understanding of your own writing and your technical writing skills.

You'll further your awareness of:

• writing processes
• professional writing

This PGCert and MA in Creative Writing provide a unique opportunity to explore and develop your creative writing skills. We teach creative writing in three areas:

• prose writing, with an emphasis on short fiction, creative non-fiction and the essay
• poetry with an emphasis on the practice and study of a variety of poetic traditions and contemporary techniques
• scriptwriting, which includes writing for the theatre and screenwriting

Through these areas, we'll introduce you to a wide range of subjects and opportunities with which writers are working professionally.

Members of our Creative Writing staff have received national and international recognition for their writing. You'll work with them to prepare your own writing for submission.

If you complete the Creative Writing PGCert, you can choose to transfer to the second year of our part-time MA.

What you'll learn

Through this Creative Writing Master's you'll be inducted into the habits and inventive strategies of writers in a module dedicated to this process. You'll also begin to concentrate on skills specific to different fields of the writing craft.

You'll go on to test your own writing in one of three workshops dedicated to poetry, prose or script. You'll also take the opportunity to focus on areas of imaginative writing that are specialisms of our staff.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

Usually a 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a related subject such as: creative writing; English literature; drama; screenwriting. We will also consider applicants on an individual basis with lower or non-standard qualifications. Those who complete the PGCert can choose to transfer to the second year of our part time MA.

Newcastle University is a world-leading university renowned for the quality of its teaching and research. The university is recognised internationally for its contributions to global problem solving in innovative and creative ways. Newcastle University is a prestigious founding member of the Russell Group association of research-intensive universities in the UK. The university enjoys an outstanding reputation as an institution at which... more

Creative Writing MPhil, PhD

Full time | 36 months | 16-SEP-24

Writing Poetry MA

Part time | 24 months | 16-SEP-24

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Creative Writing

Entry requirements.

A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in English. If you are applying for a PhD you also need a master's degree.

Along with your application you will be asked to submit examples of your creative writing, including two short stories, six poems or a script.

Months of entry

Course content.

Our supervision expertise, partnerships and passion for creative writing offers you an energetic, creative and well-resourced research culture to immerse yourself in.

We offer MPhil and PhD in Creative Writing supervision from a diverse range of experienced writers who are recognised specialists in their field. Areas of expertise include:

• prose fiction, including fiction for children or young adults
• writing for stage, screen, or radio
• writing creative non-fiction, including:
• narrative non-fiction
• essay writing
• the literature of travel, nature and place

We have strong links with a variety of partners, who all provide a wealth of materials, knowledge and opportunities:

• Seven Stories: The National Centre for the Children's Book
• Wordsworth Trust (Dove Cottage)
• Bloodaxe Books
• Northern Stage
• Live Theatre
• Tyneside Cinema

We are closely linked to the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts (NCLA), which puts you in regular contact with leading national and international creative practitioners. This develops your awareness of the creative, social and cultural issues that impacts and influences creative writing.

Our rich research culture is usually fed by public readings, seminars and workshops by staff, visiting artists and postgraduates. However, this is subject to COVID-19 restrictions. We also jointly sponsor The Newcastle/Bloodaxe Poetry Lectures with Bloodaxe Books. Recent writers include:

• Paul Muldoon
• Marilynne Robinson
• Kazuo Ishiguro
• Nuruddin Farah
• Andrea Levy

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

• Campus-based learning is available for this qualification

Course contact details

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find your perfect postgrad program Search our Database of 30,000 Courses

Newcastle university: creative writing.

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

Full-time, 36 months starts sep 2024.

Our supervision expertise, partnerships and passion for creative writing offers you an energetic, creative and well-resourced research culture to immerse yourself in.

We offer MPhil and PhD in Creative Writing supervision from a diverse range of experienced writers who are recognised specialists in their field. Areas of expertise include:

poetry prose fiction, including fiction for children or young adults writing for stage, screen, or radio writing creative non-fiction, including: memoir biography narrative non-fiction essay writing the literature of travel, nature and place We have strong links with a variety of partners, who all provide a wealth of materials, knowledge and opportunities:

Seven Stories: The National Centre for the Children's Book Wordsworth Trust (Dove Cottage) Bloodaxe Books Northern Stage Live Theatre Tyneside Cinema

Part-Time, 72 months starts Sep 2024

Full-time, 36 months started sep 2023, part-time, 72 months started sep 2023, full-time, 12 months starts sep 2024.

Our PGCert and MA in Creative Writing provides a unique opportunity to explore and develop your creative writing skills through practise, revision and discussion.

Our Creative Writing master's develops your understanding and awareness of your own writing and your technical writing skills.

You'll further your awareness of: writing processes professional writing publishing

This PGCert and MA in Creative Writing provide a unique opportunity to explore and develop your creative writing skills. We teach creative writing in three areas: prose writing, with an emphasis on short fiction, creative non-fiction and the essay poetry with an emphasis on the practice and study of a variety of poetic traditions and contemporary techniques scriptwriting, which includes writing for the theatre and screenwriting

Through these areas, we'll introduce you to a wide range of subjects and opportunities with which writers are working professionally.

Members of our staff have received national and international recognition for their writing. You'll work with them to prepare your own writing for submission.

If you complete the Creative Writing PGCert, you can choose to transfer to the second year of our part-time MA.

What you'll learn Through this Creative Writing master's you'll be inducted into the habits and inventive strategies of writers in a module dedicated to process. You'll also begin to concentrate on skills specific to different fields of writing in craft.

You'll go on to test your own writing in one of three workshops dedicated to poetry, prose or script. You'll also take the opportunity to focus on areas of imaginative writing that are specialisms of our staff. Examples of our specialisms include: The Short Story Poetry and Translation Life Writing Screenwriting

Our Profession of Writing module explores the roles and importance of: agents editors reviewers professional opportunities for creative writers

Delivery and teaching methods You’ll be taught using a range of methods, typically including: taught sessions workshops guided reading individual consultations

The portfolio will see you finely develop your work through one-to-one supervision. Our small seminar groups and one-to-one supervision mean you'll work closely with your tutors, who are all writing practitioners.

All our classes take place in the early evening.

Facilities The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is a lively and diverse community with over 700 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates. We're based in the Percy Building. Our purpose-built postgraduate suite includes: several dedicated computer clusters meeting rooms a kitchen and lounge area

Our award-winning Phillip Robinson Library has an extensive audio-visual collection.

Part-Time, 24 months starts Sep 2024

Full-time, 12 months started sep 2023, part-time, 24 months started sep 2023, master of philosophy - mphil.

Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert

Newcastle University

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About us A Global Top 125 university (QS World University Rankings 2023), Newcastle University is dedicated to excellence, creativity and innovation, pioneering solutions that can change our world.

Through world-class research it tackles some of the biggest challenges facing society globally, leading in its key strengths of ageing and health, data, energy, cities, culture and creative arts. The UK’s Research Excellence Framework 2021 assessed its research as world-leading with outstanding impact.

Through high quality teaching it …

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English Literature with Creative Writing BA (Hons)

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days ?

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Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Discover the literature that has shaped our society and tap into your creative skills on our English Literature with Creative Writing degree.

Course overview

This three-year English Literature with Creative Writing BA Honours degree focuses on expanding your knowledge of literary texts, and developing your critical, theoretical and creative writing skills.

You will learn from subject experts, world-leading literature researchers and internationally acclaimed writers throughout your degree. Our teaching is linked to the programme of the Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts, giving you contact with leading creative artists.

You'll be able to immerse yourself in local culture, at venues such as Seven Stories, The Wordsworth Trust and the Literary and Philosophical Society.

You will have opportunities to work with arts organisations such as the on-campus Northern Stage theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company to support your study of creative writing.

Teaching methods

You can normally expect to spend around 10 hours per week attending lectures, seminars, workshops and film screenings. You also spend around 25 hours per week on class preparation, reading, writing, and other kinds of independent research recommended by your tutor.

Employability

All Stage 2 students take part in the English Employability Challenge, an event run in collaboration with School alumni and the Newcastle University Careers Service. This event gives you the opportunity to take on real-life business situations with a brief set by an employer. You have the option to gain work experience in the cultural industries in Stage 3. These experiences will develop your communication and management skills, as well as your ability to work in a team.

Those interested in developing their enterprise skills or setting up a business, will also have the opportunity to take part in the Developing Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Employability module.

Creative Writing

Average salary, £18,000, literature in english, what students say.

The university has an incredible campus that inspires students, as well as providing places to sit and chat in between lectures. The city is very walkable, making it easy and.. Read more

Best - Gorgeous university with very helpful seminar leaders. Lots of opportunities to get involved even if you’re not part of a society. Wide range of clubs for all different.. Read more

Modules (Stage 1)

Modules (stage 2), modules (stage 3).

AAB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

AAABB Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:36,M:9 Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

D3,D3,M2 Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H1,H1,H2,H2,H3 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

Either including English Literature or English Language and Literature, or including evidence of readiness to begin university-level study in literature (such as A-levels in other arts and humanities subjects).

Including English. Advanced Higher English at grade A is preferred. Combinations of Highers and Advanced Highers accepted.Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.

To include at least 9 Level 3 credits in English Literature at Distinction

Including English or including evidence of readiness to begin university-level study in literature (such as principle subjects in other arts and humanities subjects).

If you offer the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification in a topic relevant to the degree programme, we may take this into account in our consideration of your application.

Either including English Literature or English Language at Higher Level, grade 5, or including evidence of readiness to begin university-level study in literature (such as study in other arts and humanities subjects).

With minimum Grade H2 in English.

Applicants will be considered on an individual basis.

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

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Degree level: postgraduate, creative writing (research), course options.

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our supervision expertise, partnerships and passion for creative writing offers you an energetic, creative and well-resourced research culture to immerse yourself in. We offer MPhil and PhD in Creative Writing supervision from a diverse range of experienced writers who are recognised specialists in their field. Areas of expertise include: poetry prose fiction, including fiction for children or young adults writing for stage, screen, or radio writing creative non-fiction, including: memoir biography narrative non-fiction essay writing the literature of travel, nature and place We have strong links with a variety of partners, who all provide a wealth of materials, knowledge and opportunities: Seven Stories: The National Centre for the Children's Book Wordsworth Trust (Dove Cottage) Bloodaxe Books Northern Stage Live Theatre Tyneside Cinema

Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree or above, or international equivalent, in English Literature or a related field. We also usually expect a master’s degree, or international equivalent, at merit or above in Creative Writing or the equivalent in publications/performances. Along with your application you will be asked to submit examples of your creative writing – for example, two short stories, six poems or a short script. We especially encourage applications from students who feel they may face specific barriers in accessing higher education or who belong to groups who are under-represented in UK Higher Education. These include, but are not limited to, first-generation students, applicants from minoritised ethnic groups, applicants returning to full-time education after a break, applicants with caring responsibilities, or applicants with disabilities. The School is committed to supporting you. If you would like to discuss how we can do so, please contact the Postgraduate Research Director, Professor Michael Rossington: [email protected]

Fees and funding

Tuition fees.

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

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Newcastle University King’s Gate Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU

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Search through undergraduate Communication and Media degree courses to see what’s available from UK universities. Each page should give you an insight into what the course might be like, along with information on entry requirements, UCAS points and university league table performance.A degree in Communication and Media will give you the knowledge and skills required for a career in the media industry. Courses have an interdisciplinary approach where you think critically about the press, film, broadcasting, digital media, advertising and other areas. You’ll learn how to be flexible, adaptable and critical, and potentially gain valuable experience through industry work placements.

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Summer Creative Writing Institute Wraps Up with Showcase of Faculty and Student Talent

The Institute for Creative Writing and Literary Translation wrapped up for the summer on June 20, with its wildly popular Creative Writing Showcase. Students, faculty, and special guests met on a warm evening on the Secchia Terrace to read from the work they produced throughout the semester. They also enjoyed pizza and a drink together while Romero Biagini-Rosenbaum, a participating student of Creative Writing at Johns Hopkins and classical guitar at the Peabody Institute, serenaded all with his spectacular guitar playing.  The event topped a great summer of readings and lectures.

The 2024 Writer in Residence, Rachel Cantor , launched the Institute’s events with a reading on May 21, and the reception that followed on the Secchia Terrace allowed students and faculty to meet and mingle. Rachel Cantor also conducted a Master class with all four Creative Writing classes during the five weeks of the Institute.

In week two, Professor Moira Egan moderated a discussion with Whitbred-winning author Matthew Kneale and JCU professor Silvia Giagnoni about the challenges of writing non-fiction and fiction when positioned as cultural outsiders. Later that same week, students and faculty were entertained by a wonderful reading by former alumnus Jahan Khajavi, who read from his debut poetry collection, Feast of the Ass .

In week three, JCU Professor Allison-Grimaldi Donahue, a writer and translator herself, was in conversation with author and translator Marzia D’Amico to discuss how translation can be an act of activism. Later that same week, multiple award-winning writer, Cynthia Zarin, who teaches at Yale, read from her poetry collections and her first novel, Inverno.

In week four, the Institute welcomed best-selling writer and recipient of a MacArthur Genius award, Ocean Vuong , who gave his first-ever reading in Rome at John Cabot in the Lemon Tree Courtyard. His reading was followed by a stimulating and thought-provoking exchange with the audience about the importance of reading and the craft of writing. Students and faculty had the pleasure of enjoying casual conversation with him after the event during a dinner on the Secchia Terrace.

In the last week of the Institute, Rachel Cantor and Institute Director and Associate Professor of English Literature, Shannon Russell, discussed the Bronte siblings in relation to Cantor’s re-imagining of their lives in her latest novel, Half Life of a Stolen Sister. All events were well attended by both students, faculty, and the general public. If you would like to join our mailing list to hear about next summer’s Institute events, please write to [email protected] .

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Student Highlights Following passions toward a role in urban planning

Michael’s diverse set of professional and personal experiences in Australia and overseas has meant he has developed an extensive network. Michael followed his interests and that led him to a role in the urban planning sector.

What have you been up to since graduating?

Michael took a Goldilocks approach to his tertiary education. After dipping his toes into a few differing degrees, he discovered that the Bachelor of Development Studies hosted a range of courses that really interested him. During his undergraduate degree, Michael went on an exchange year to McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada.

There Michael studied a range of interesting subjects including politics and indigenous studies which complimented his Aboriginal studies courses at part of his degree at University of Newcastle. Whilst on exchange Michael completed a work placement in his Practise of Politics course.

Michael worked on the 100in1Day project with Evergreen which was aimed at facilitating workshops to complete 100 events or ‘urban interventions’ in one day. They helped people instigate their ideas for positive change in the community, no matter the size. This was a wonderful opportunity for Michael to meet people and make new connections.

A hiccup in the paperwork meant that Michael was unable to work whist in Canada during his exchange.

Therefore, one quick bit of advice Michael has for students going on exchange, “Make sure you have the right visa as an exchange student.”

After graduating Michael returned to Canada where he lived for a few years and completed an Economic Development Internship with the Township of Hornepayne. Michael was involved in organising community events. With COVID-19 having an impact, event organising needed to get creative, for example individuals were asked to complete an activity such as ice fishing or participate in a photo competition.

Michael returned to Australia at the end of 2021 and has been employed as a Junior Town Planner with Buildcert Planning, a private consultancy based in Wickham. Clients approach the company seeking support with residential and commercial developments at various stages across NSW.

The planners provide input and advice into the project from the first ideas or concept drawings right up to achieving Council approval. Michael has assisted with work on land feasibility studies, café development, granny flats, dwellings, swimming pools, assisted living accommodation and more.

The assessment process includes interpreting and applying legislation on environmental issues like koala protection and bushfire danger, heritage issues like alterations to dwellings in Hamilton’s ‘Garden Suburb’ heritage area and Aboriginal heritage considerations when disturbing land around Lake Macquarie, interpreting Council’s development controls on various issues, liaising with external bodies like Hunter Water & Ausgrid concerning setbacks, and much more.

Michael found the Junior Town Planner role as it had been exclusively advertised on the Development Studies at UON Facebook site, highlighting the importance of the connections you make whilst at university. If you haven’t already, give the page a like and also join the new Development Studies, University of Newcastle LinkedIn site for ongoing updates, job opportunities and connections.

Michael reflects that his university knowledge paired with his broad range of life experiences, such as travelling and working in hospitality and community development overseas are what made him stand out to get the role.

How relevant has your degree been since you graduated?

Michael now works as a Junior Town Planner, and the transferrable skills that he developed during his undergraduate are essential to his work. Most importantly, are his communication skills. Michael’s clear and concise writing skills are key as he and his team put together reports for their clients that are sent onto councils for approval. These reports need to contain appropriate formats and contain relevant jargon to the field.

More than that, Michael needs to also be able to relay a summary to the client that they can follow and understand. Whilst at UON Michael made a great number of meaningful connections with the staff from various area.

These connections have led to interesting experiences including an amazing and spontaneous opportunity to be involved in research being conducted by Associate Professor Sara Motta in Columbia.

Read more of Michael's story

--> Michael McDonaugh -->

Michael’s diverse set of professional and personal experiences in Australia and overseas has meant he has developed an extensive network. Michael followed his interests and that led him to a role in the urban planning sector.

As a Development Studies student, it is important that you immerse yourself in various experiences. Whether that is through volunteering, internships, or overseas travel, all of these will add to and build upon the foundations you are setting up at university.

Inspired by Michael's story?

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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.

Are you visiting our site from South Asia ? Head to our dedicated page with all the information you need to study at the University of Newcastle. Close

您是否在中国访问我们的网址？ 前往 专属页面 ，查询你在纽卡斯尔大学学习所需的所有信息。 Close