English Literature and Creative Writing MA

The MA English Literature and Creative Writing is a rewarding degree taught by published writers and leading researchers. The course provides you with the perfect opportunity to combine your love of studying literature with the ambition to write your own.

Our English Literature modules take you on an exhilarating literary journey from the sixteenth century to the present day. Taught by leading scholars, our MA draws on research expertise which ranges from Shakespeare to contemporary prize-winning authors. Our modules explore diverse literary forms and delve into subjects such as literary adaptation, the politics of genre fiction, the depiction of landscape, the representation of gender and sexuality, and the city as a literary space.

Our Creative Writing modules aim to support the development of your creative and critical writing skills. While the MA covers a range of literary forms, the focus is on developing students’ skills and knowledge of narrative techniques, writing place, as well as writing for change. To add to this, a substantial portion of the Creative Writing content is dedicated to professional practice, helping students in preparing and submitting manuscripts, as well as giving them opportunities to learn from practitioners in the creative industries. English Literature and Creative Writing content is supported by two skills modules, Research Methods and Literary and Critical Theory, which give you the tools needed to make the leap to postgraduate study and encourage your development as a critical thinker and researcher. The dissertation, which can focus on either English Literature or Creative Writing, gives you the flexibility to pursue your own creative project and research interests with the support and encouragement of a supervisor.

Our wider academic community is dynamic so you will also have the chance to take part in additional activities which can include, but are not limited to, open mics, cross-discipline collaborations, archive and museum visits, writing retreats, poetry readings, visits from industry experts, and more.

You can take our MA English Literature and Creative Writing to prepare your work for publication or to enhance your career in industries such as the creative arts, education, and heritage. This degree will also develop your research skills and help you specialise in an area of literary study or creative practice which can pave the way for doctoral study.

The MA English Literature and Creative Writing is designed to be inclusive and flexible. It can be studied either full or part-time and classes are scheduled in the evenings and select weekends, allowing you to combine study with other commitments.

You may also be interested in our MA English Literature or MA Creative Writing programmes.