Overview
Creative Writing is ranked 4th in The Guardian Subject Rankings 2024.
Our Creative Writing MA degree is designed to equip you with a broad range of advanced creative writing skills and academic accreditation for your creative work.
Teaching is delivered by some of the most talented and original writers working today. Between them they have published over 100 books, produced countless scripts for TV, radio and film, and won umpteen awards. The team includes Bernardine Evaristo, 2019 winner of the world’s most prestigious prize for the novel, the Booker Prize, for her Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling novel, Girl, Woman, Other. As well as the stand-alone ‘general’ programme, there is the more specialised Novel writing pathway.
- General: Build an advanced knowledge on the current theory and practice of writing in the community and develop an understanding of the role of the writer in arts initiatives and creative industries.
- The Novel: Gain a deeper insight into the structure of a novel and develop the techniques to critically assess a variety of novel forms and genres at a professional industry level.
You have the advantage of Brunel’s close location to London, the literary capital of the UK. You’ll benefit from trips to the British Library, Shakespeare’s Globe and West End theatres. You'll also get to hear from guest lectures covering different aspects of creative writing. Industry expert speakers include book publishers, screenwriters, poets and broadcasters.
Your writing talent can also be showcased at a variety of performances hosted by Brunel including poetry, plays, comedy and film screenings, literary debates, and the popular Brunel Writers’ Series.
Our MA in creative writing can be studied full-time over one year or part-time over two years.
"I chose Brunel due to its Creative Writing programme and impressive staff list" - Shelley Dootson-Greenland
"After I graduated I knew I wanted to work in the charity sector, ideally with children or young people, and the work and volunteering I’d undertaken in the summer break had given me a good set of transferable skills." - Catharine Kyle
"I chose Brunel due to its Creative Writing programme and impressive staff list" - Shelley Dootson-Greenland
"After I graduated I knew I wanted to work in the charity sector, ideally with children or young people, and the work and volunteering I’d undertaken in the summer break had given me a good set of transferable skills." - Catharine Kyle
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
You will study two compulsory pathway-specific modules and two optional modules, plus the dissertation. Your dissertation project involves the production of a substantial and original piece of extended writing.
Compulsory
- Elements of Fiction
For 'The Novel' only.
- Creativity
Creativity focuses on how creativity is manifested in a variety of contexts – the nature and status of creativity; the places, times, mental states in which creativity is most likely to occur; the claim that certain strategies and exercises can increase creativity; the notion that writers must also be critical readers. The module provides students with a critical vocabulary to read their own writing and to contribute to critical conversations about the work of their peers.
- Elements of Fiction
For 'The Novel' only.
- Planning a Novel
For 'The Novel' only.
- Creative Writing Dissertation
Optional
- Writers at Work
- Reviewing and Criticism
- Monologues
- Exploring Human Development
This course can be studied 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, starting in September.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
A creative writing degree from Brunel will prepare you for a professional creative writing career. Our graduates are working in journalism, publishing, advertising, television, radio and the internet.
Many have gone on to have their novels and poetry collections published including: Alarum by Wayne Holloway Smith; Sky Pirates by Liesel Shwartz; Dream on Amber by Emma Shevah; The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri and Careless by Kirsty Capes.
Our academics are well established in the industry, have won many awards and honours and written for major national newspapers and magazines across the country. Their experience, contacts and knowledge of the literary industry can go a long way to putting you on the right track to success as a graduate.
UK entry requirements
- A 2.2 (or above) UK honours degree in English Literature (including where English Literature is a major in the degree) and Creative writing, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification.
Or
- A 2.2 (or above) UK honours degree in any other subject (or equivalent internationally recognised qualification) or other qualification / relevant professional or practical experience. In addition to this, applicants who do not hold a 2.2 degree in English Literature or Creative Writing must also submit a sample of their creative writing. This should be a 2000 to 3000 sample of one of: short stories; a novel-in-progress; poems; film scripts; or articles for newspapers. The writing sample should be relevant to the pathway you are applying for. For example, if you are applying to the Poetry pathway you should submit a college of poems. These should demonstrate appropriate ability and commitment to creative writing and should be submitted with your application.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£11,550 full-time
£5,775 part-time
International
£21,260 full-time
£10,630 part-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Module teaching across the programme (lectures/seminars/tutorials) will take place in person on campus, and will be supported by the provision of asynchronous materials (e.g. lecture recordings etc.).
Other activities, including dissertation drop-ins, personal tutor meetings, assessment workshops, guest speaker events, and one-to-one tutorials may take place in person or online, as appropriate. We will endeavour to take into account student preferences when arranging these activities, as well as other practical considerations, with an eye firmly on providing an excellent student experience at all times.
Students are advised to purchase core texts from module reading lists, although copies are also available via Brunel Library. In addition, academics will share samples of texts in the class so core texts may not be essential for all modules.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Our creative writing courses are delivered by professional writers. This means you’ll be learning from staff who are publishing work and have high-level experience, knowledge and expertise in the creative industry. They'll support, encourage and coach you to become a brilliant writer.
Study will combine lectures, group seminar discussions, tutorials, writing workshops, practical performance sessions, group research sessions, guided independent learning, and field trips.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Your progress will be assessed via writing and research assignments, essays, coursework portfolios, journals, group practical exercises, individual and group presentations, and your dissertation.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.