This MA allows you to develop your work as a creative writer, going beyond the merely personal and writing with an engaged sense of society and an understanding of the location of your work in relation to contemporary practices. You will take one of three distinct pathways: Fiction Writing, Poetry Writing, and Poetic Practice. In addition, all students take modules in Supplementary Discourses and Reading as a Writer, and all students undertake a Practical Project and a Dissertation. Fiction This course encourages you to develop and reflect on your work as a creative writer. While you learn to stretch your imagination, you'll be motivated to develop your technical and analytic skills, and in the process, sharpen your self-criticism. Poetry If you choose the poetry strand, you'll benefit from the strong focus on individual creative pactice fostered in weeklly workshops, critical classes and tutorials. As with all the Creative Writing pathways, poetry is taught by writers practising at the highest level and the emphasis is on your own needs as a developing poetry student. Poetic practice Poetic Practice is a unique, practice-based pathway that draws upon the Department of English's expertise in contemporary experimental poetry and writing within an expanded field of creative practice. These modules are designed to help you develop your work as a creative writer, against the backdrop of literature through history. Choosing the Fiction or the Poetry strand, you'll make the most of your existing experience, stretch your imagination, develop analytic skills, and in the process sharpen how you think about your own work. The Poetic practice pathway draws upon our expertise in contemporary experimental poetry across a wide range of ideas and practices. You will learn how to develop your practice and how to situate your practice in relation to recent and contemporary trends in experimental poetry, including visual poetics, sound and conceptual writing.
Master of Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London
The Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London is a Master program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus across its Royal Holloway and campuses in United Kingdom, the program is taught in English Course and takes 1 year to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on September 1, 2026.
About Master of Creative Writing
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London
Entry Requirements
2:1
Single or combined honours English.
Normally we require a UK 2:1 (Honours) or equivalent in relevant subjects but we will consider a high 2:2 or relevant work experience. Candidates with professional qualifications in an associated area may be considered. Where a ‘high 2:2’ is considered, we would normally define this as reflecting a profile of 57% or above.
Applicants with degrees in other subjects or with relevant publications are also encouraged to apply. Past students have come from a range of first-degree backgrounds.
You will be required to submit an example of your writing; either a piece of fiction or non-fiction prose of up to 5,000 words in length or at least 12 pages of poetry.
You will also be required to submit 1,000 words of critical writing in support of your application.
Undergraduate essays and reviews are acceptable.
Suitable applicants will be invited for an interview.
Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London
United Kingdom, Egham