Creative Writing

The unique combination of creative and practical skills provided on this course will prepare you simultaneously for a career as a publishing writer and an accredited teacher of creative writing.

Admissions to the MFA will be highly selective and based upon the quality of a writing sample as well as an assessment of your publishing potential.

What will you study?

The first year of the course involves writing workshops; modules examining literary genre and texts; the opportunity to take a module designed to prepare you for the world of publishing; and a 15,000-word dissertation, leading to the award of a masters degree. In the second year you progress to even smaller group writing workshops; modules to improve your skills of reading and textual analysis; and the chance to take a suite of modules culminating in the University's postgraduate teaching certificate. The extensive one-to-one supervision for the dissertation leading to the MFA (no less than the equivalent of 40,000 words) will be provided by one of the course's permanent staff, one of our writers in residence or an editor from a leading UK publishing company. There may also be opportunities to earn a PGCE teaching certificate and to gain experience assisting with the Kingston University Press.

Core modules

• Advanced Critical Reading
• Advanced Writers' Workshop
• Creative Dissertation
• MFA Dissertation
• Reading, Genre and Impact
• Special Study: Workshops in Popular Genre Writing
• Structure and Style
• Teaching and Writing Workshop
• Ten Critical Challenges for Creative Writers
• Writers' Workshop

What you need to apply for this courseWe normally expect applicants to have:a good first degree;a sample of creative writing (5,000 words);a personal statement (1,000 words); andreferences.Occasionally, a first degree is not required if the standard of submitted writing is high enough.InterviewsWe normally invite applicants for an interview with the admissions director or another senior member of the teaching team. We will ask you to submit a creative writing sample of up to 5,000 words with your application.Prior learningApplicants with prior qualifications and learning may be exempt from appropriate parts of a course in accordance with the University's policy for the assessment of prior learning and prior experiential learning. Contact the faculty office for further information. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

Discount for Kingston University alumniAll alumni of Kingston University, who have been awarded a bachelors degree are entitled to a 10% discount on their tuition fees.The alumni discount of 10% applies to home, EU and overseas fee payers.Humanities bursariesBursaries are available from the School of Humanities for students working on the Kingston University Press (KUP), Ripple magazine or other related activities (find out more and apply after you have enrolled).Hilary Mantel creative writing awardDesigned specifically with US students in mind, these scholarships, worth £10,000 each over two years, will be given to the two most promising writers, scholars, teachers, as evidenced by:MFA course application;

• writing sample;
• letters of recommendation; and
• possible phone interview.

All applicants from the US who apply for the MFA and meet the criteria will automatically be considered. The application deadline is in May of each year and the successful applicants are notified in June.