MA Creative Writing Non-Fiction

Course Overview

Do you have a story to tell? A memoir you want to write? Biography? Travel? Autofiction? Consider a career as a creative non-fiction writer with an MA that gives you the best grounding possible in an exciting literary field.

This is one of the only dedicated creative non-fiction writing courses in the UK. You’ll be taught by award-winning authors who will support your development as a writer. You’ll think from day one about where you might publish your own work.

You’ll experiment with your writing and develop your skills through reading your peers’ non-fiction in workshop groups. Each week in the seminar room, with its lively, collegiate atmosphere, you’ll analyse a celebrated work of non-fiction by Joan Didion, for example, or Zadie Smith, Primo Levi or Zora Neale Hurston – to see how it’s done. In one-to-one tutorials with your supervisor, you’ll be encouraged to explore new ways of storytelling and to experiment with different subjects and voices. You’ll write a dissertation under the supervision of a faculty member; the dissertation might contain the seed of a future book.

You’ll be based in UEA’s world-famous Creative Writing department, which is part of the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing (you can follow our activities on Instagram!). You’ll also take part in Norwich’s vibrant literary culture, from regular readings and events to the well-established programme at the National Centre for Writing. You'll benefit from UEA’s connections in the publishing industry and pitch ideas for books to visiting publishers and literary agents. You’ll meet established non-fiction authors and quiz them about their craft. Recent guest speakers include Marina Warner, Olivia Laing, Julia Blackburn, Lea Ypi, and Colin Grant. At the end of each year, we publish an anthology of our students’ writing and distribute it to a key list of editors, agents and critics.

Graduates from the course, such as Andrew Kenrick (winner of the 2023 Tony Lothian Prize), Ike Anya, Caroline Davison and Pyae Moe Thet War, have gone on to publish acclaimed and diverse works of non-fiction. If you want to join them and become a biographer, nature writer, essayist, memoirist or travel writer, this MA programme is for you.

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

Please note that those candidates offered a place on the course will not be able to defer their offer to the next year if they are unable to take up the offer of a place, however they are welcome to reapply the next year.

Typical International Entry Requirements

Degree classification

UK Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalent

Degree Subject

Any subject acceptable

Additional Entry Requirements

Candidates are required to submit a sample of biographical writing or creative non-fiction of around 3000 words with their application.

English Foreign Language

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

• IELTS:  7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in writing with 6.0 in the others)

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

 If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.

Interviews

Promising candidates will be invited for an online interview with a member of the Creative Writing faculty and we aim to inform candidates of the outcome within five working days. Unsuccessful candidates are welcome to re-apply, though not within the same academic year. Successful candidates will either be offered a place for the forthcoming academic year or a place for the following academic year (if it is felt that they need more time to develop as a writer). Once the forthcoming year is ‘full’ candidates will be offered a place on our reserve list with the option of a place for the following academic year if a place does not become available.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.

Employability

Our students’ publication record is impressive; many have gone on to have their work published, some with large publishing houses including Random House and Bloomsbury, others with smaller presses.

There is a strong alumni network. Often students stay in touch after graduation and continue to read and comment on each other’s work. A significant number go on to take a PhD as they value the supportive atmosphere UEA offers its creative writers.

Example of careers that you could enter include:

• Non-fiction author
• Journalist
• Art critic
• Essayist
• Editor

Discover more on our Careers webpages.