MA Creative Writing

Our webinars, subject masterclasses, question and answer sessions, and student panel talks are a great way to discover what it is like to live and study at the University of Lincoln.

Join our international community of writers at the University of Lincoln.

Our MA in Creative Writing is an innovative and exciting course that provides opportunities to work closely with practising creative writers and professionals from the publishing industry. It is designed to encourage you to improve your craft as a writer, develop your philosophy of composition, and explore contemporary forms of literature and the creative industries. The course has a strong focus on employability and aims to prepare you for a professional writing or publishing career.

You will have the opportunity to learn from an enthusiastic team of professional writers whose work has been widely published, broadcast, and staged. Our academic team includes award-winning poet, essayist, and literary translator Daniele Pantano; award-winning science fiction writer Chris Dows; award-winning novelists Sarah Stovell, Guy Mankowski, and Amy Lilwall; and award-winning playwright and short story writer Sue Healy.

There is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working on The Lincoln Review, an international literary journal edited exclusively by undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Students may benefit from the experience of a range of writers, editors, dramaturges, producers, and directors who visit the University of Lincoln to deliver inspirational talks or masterclasses. Previous speakers include Patience Agbabi, Ann Cleeves, Andrew Graham-Dixon, Visiting Professor Chris Packham CBE, Robert Shearman, and the former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, who became a Visiting Artist at the University in 2015 and regularly visits Lincoln to engage with students and read a selection of her works.

Prioritising Face-to-Face Teaching

At the University of Lincoln, we strive to ensure our students’ experience is engaging, supportive, and academically challenging. Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we have adapted to Government guidance to keep our students, staff, and community safe. All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions in England were lifted in February 2022 under the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19, and we have embraced a safe return to in-person teaching on campus. Where appropriate, face-to-face teaching is enhanced by the use of digital tools and technology and may be complemented by online opportunities where these support learning outcomes.

We are fully prepared to adapt our plans if changes in Government guidance make this necessary, and we will endeavour to keep current and prospective students informed. For more information about how we are working to keep our community safe

"This information was correct at the time of publishing (July 2023)"

How You Study

This course offers the opportunity to work across different genres and formats, including, but not limited to, fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, creative nonfiction, and graphic novel. Teaching takes place in lectures, seminars, and workshops.

A programme of guest lectures and masterclasses gives students the opportunity to learn from published writers and hear from professionals such as literary agents.

A termly symposium enables students to read their work to an audience. There may also be the option to have work published and receive feedback from readers outside of the University.

Modules aim to develop the skills required to become a successful writer and to provide the creative freedom to become proficient through practice in your favoured genre. Please refer to the Modules tab for more detailed information.

Master's Level

• Poetics & Contemporary Literature (Core)
• Publishing & Editing (Core)
• The Business of Writing (Core)
• The Manuscript (Core)
• The Writers' Workshop (Core)

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

How You Are Assessed

Student writers will be continuously assessed through a variety of exercises. These range from writing prose fiction, poetry, and drama, adapting work from one genre to another, editing, writing within the conventions of a specific genre, or undertaking a piece of creative nonfiction. The final piece of work required is a 15,000-word creative project. Submitted works are collated into portfolios, with evaluations on style and technique.

The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to you promptly - usually within 15 working days after the submission date.

Students have the opportunity to serve as editors for The Lincoln Review, an international literary journal edited exclusively by undergraduate and postgraduate students.

"The course hits a great balance between inspiring and supporting creative work and giving practical advice on getting all sorts of things published. I've really got a lot from the knowledge and experience of my tutors and leave with a focused portfolio."

Fee Griffin, MA Creative Writing graduate, winner of the Amsterdam Open Book Prize, and author of For Work / For TV (Versal, 2020)

This programme is designed to provide training for a career in writing, from fiction to screen and radio adaptation. You have the opportunity to develop advanced communication skills which can open up career opportunities across the creative industries in publishing, research, teaching and the media. Some graduates choose to continue their studies at the doctoral level.

The University Careers and Employability Team offer qualified advisors who can work with you to provide tailored, individual support and career advice during your time at the University. As a member of our alumni we also offer one-to-one support in the first year after completing your course, including access to events, vacancy information and website resources; with access to online vacancies and virtual and website resources for the following two years.

This service can include one-to-one coaching, CV advice and interview preparation to help you maximise your future opportunities.

The service works closely with local, national and international employers, acting as a gateway to the business world.