Creative Writing MA

Why choose this course

Surrey’s MA Creative Writing is about more than just words. It’s a pathway to finding your own unique literary voice.

Drawing on the experience of our published writers and academics, you’ll discuss intriguing literary theories and writing techniques, discover how to find your niche and engage with the publishing world. As part of our School of Literature and Languages, you’ll share ideas within a diverse, creative community and be able to attend a calendar of events that will broaden your thinking and develop your writing skills – this includes the annual Surrey New Writers’ Festival and Morag Morris Poetry Lecture.

As part of our commitment to further enriching our students’ skills in creative writing, we host a Distinguished Writer-in-Residence and a Poet-in-Residence in the School. They run workshops, masterclasses and one-to-one surgeries for our students. On this course, you will have the chance to collaborate with and be inspired by internationally acclaimed figures.

What you will study

Whether you are an aspiring writer of prose or poetry or both, our MA in Creative Writing encourages lateral thought and will sharpen your research and writing abilities.

You may join us as a relatively new writer, wanting to experiment with a range of forms and discover your voice and genre. Alternatively, you may arrive with a more advanced project you want to develop further.

Either way, the extensive experience of our published writers and academics will help you hone your technical ability, and deepen your understanding of the cultural, literary and theoretical history of text production.

Careers and graduate prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.

As a creative writing student, you’ll build a network of industry contacts by working alongside published writers and editors. Our courses are a launch pad for a career in writing, communications, publishing, marketing, advertising, journalism and teaching.

Applicants should have a first or 2:1 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.