creative writing essex

Programme Specifications

Creative writing.

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Professional accreditation

Admission criteria.

A 2.2 degree in Creative Writing, Theatre/Drama Studies, Literature, Media Studies, Art History, Music, Philosophy, History, Performing Arts, Journalism, Politics and Sociology.

You may be asked to provide a piece of creative writing if you do not hold a degree in a relevant field.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Course qualifiers

A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).

Rules of assessment

Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.

Additional notes

Please refer to the full time version of this course for information on Core and Compulsory modules.

External examiners

Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing

External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment. External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course. They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards. External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.

eNROL , the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 27 January 2025 8:59AM , for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Year 1 - 2022/23

Year 2 - 2023/24, exit awards.

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

Programme aims

1. To enhance acquaintance with practice and theory of creative literary production across genres. 2. To provide courses that open paths to fertile areas of creative and literary work. 3. To provide students with a structured introduction to advanced materials and advanced perspectives in their fields of specialisation. 4. To encourage students to work independently as writers and scholars in specific fields of investigation and to formulate and present a reflective and critical view of their work. 5. To enhance student career prospects. 6. To prepare qualified students for progression to doctoral research, with a view to entering the literary or academic professions. 7. To provide students with an introduction to advanced creative and critical material. 8. To encourage students to work independently in the field of creative writing.

Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

A: Knowledge and understanding

A1: A range of literature in special subject areas

A2: Contexts for the study of writers and writing methods

A3: Critical perspective and significant debates on writing practice

A4: The interrelation of the writing studied/practiced with literary and critical thinking

A5: Advanced methods of creative practice

A6: Appropriate research techniques and methodologies

A7: Major cultural domains, literary contexts, and theoretical parameters (e.g. modernism, psychogeography, the novel)

Learning methods

Delivery of A1-7 is through practical workshops and seminars, including reflection on work-in-progress; visiting writers; analysis of key texts, genres and theories of writing; writing workshops and exercises; field trips.

Assessment methods

Formal assessment is by coursework (four pieces) and a dissertation. Written assignments are usually 5,000 words, combining creative writing and a commentary or an essay.

B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

B1-B7 are developed through seminars and practical workshops

B1-7 are assessed through practical writing projects with commentaries, essays and a dissertation.

C: Practical skills

C1: Organise and structure an extended argument, advancing clear critical positions and using theoretical terms correctly

C2: Deploy an advanced array of creative writing skills

C3: Use basic theoretical terms

C4: Compile and present extended bibliographies

C5: Provide references according to accepted conventions

C6: Use libraries and IT to gain access to a variety of creative and critical sources

C7: Work in a creative and professional manner

Students develop C1-7 through independent research, lecturer feedback, peer feedback, and their own critical reflection on writing practice.

C1 is assessed through the submission of an original dissertation. C2-7 are assessed through creative assignments, commentaries and essays.

D: Key skills

D1: Communication

D2: Information Technology

D3: Numeracy

D4: Problem solving

D5: Working with others

D6: Improving own learning and performance

Students develop D1-6 in class discussion and workshops and class preparation, as well as writing and interaction outside the classroom. D3 will be developed through conceits, constraints, referencing, citation prosody and poetics.

Key skills are assessed through practical writing projects, essays and a dissertation.

The University reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University.

The full procedures, rules and regulations of the University are set out in the Charter, Statues and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures .

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing [email protected] , or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing [email protected] .

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department .

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing [email protected] .

• For enquiries contact the Course Records Team
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MA Literature and Creative Writing

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding.

• What's next?

With the expertise of our scholars and creative practitioners, you'll gain a distinctively unique degree which blends together the highly complementary disciplines of literature and creative writing. You will study a broad range of writing, from lyric poetry to contemporary fiction, whilst the flexible nature of our MA Literature and Creative Writing degree allows you to choose a creative-practice pathway or a theoretical pathway. Studying literature and creative writing at Essex means that you can build your degree around your interests.

Explore literature across time, geography and genre, while challenging yourself with our practice-based creative writing modules. Such modules, like our Creative Writing workshop, helps to hone your literary craft and technique, emphasising innovation and experimentation.

You study an eclectic range of topics such as:

Students would usually attend a two-hour seminar for each module each week. Seminar groups would usually have about 10-15 students.

• Join a diverse network of distinguished alumni including Booker Prize and Pulitzer Prize winners
• Publish your own work in our annual creative writing journal, Creel
• Discover innovative practical ways of engaging with texts including theatre visits and archival research

Our expert staff

Our Department is a vibrant conservatoire of scholars and practitioners who are committed to unlocking creative personal responses to literature and creative writing. This distinctive environment is possible because we are a community of award-winning novelists, poets and playwrights, as well as leading literature specialists.

Our academic staff specialise in a range of areas including modernism, comparative and world literature, Shakespeare, the Renaissance, modernism, travel writing, nature writing, translated literature, cultural geography, Irish and Scottish writing, U.S. and Caribbean literatures, and the history of reading.

Specialist facilities

Your future.

A good literature and creative writing degree opens many doors and our students have gone on to work in a number of careers such as writers, editors, publishers, scholars, university lecturers, teachers, journalists, arts administrators, theatre artistic directors, drama advisers, and translators.

We also offer supervision for PhD, MPhil and MA by Dissertation in different literatures and various approaches to literature, covering most aspects of early modern and modern writing in English, plus a number of other languages.

Our University is one of only 11 AHRC-accredited Doctoral Training Centres in the UK. This means that we offer funded PhD studentships which also provide a range of research and training opportunities.

We also work with our Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree in one of the following subjects:.

• American Studies
• Art History
• Creative Writing
• Film and Media Studies
• Modern Languages
• Performance Studies
• Theatre/Drama Studies

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at [email protected]  to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum component score of 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Your dissertation is the culmination of your time at Essex. Focusing on one particular topic in great depth, you formulate an urgent research question to be subsequently addressed, either critically or creatively. Your dedicated supervisor will be on-hand to guide you through the process, and our pre-requisite module on research methods will ensure you are fully prepared for the task at hand.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Are you ready for your dissertation? Examine a variety of research methods and methodologies, building the research skills and understanding needed to complete your postgraduate-level research project.

View Dissertation Preparation: Postgraduate Research and Writing Skills on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

Home/UK fee

£10,500

International fee

£22,750

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

• tour our campus and accommodation
• find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
• meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2024 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

• Saturday 26 October 2024 - October Open Day
• Saturday 16 November 2024 - Mini Open Day

You can apply for this postgraduate course online . Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘ how to apply ' information.

If you are applying to a masters course in the department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies you must provide a piece of critical academic writing (2,500 words) on a topic relevant to your application.

Visit Colchester Campus

Set within 200 acres of  award-winning  parkland - Wivenhoe Park  and located two miles from the  historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Virtual tours

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications . The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Want to quiz us about your course? Got a question that just needs answering? Get in touch with us on live chat!

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