Creative Writing

Creative Writing at the University of Cambridge offers an immersive and rigorous programme designed to develop your skills as a versatile and innovative writer. This programme provides students with the opportunity to explore a wide range of literary forms, including fiction, poetry, drama, and creative non-fiction, underpinned by a strong foundation in literary analysis and critical thinking. Delivered by a team of distinguished writers and scholars, the course encourages students to examine both contemporary and traditional literary works, fostering a deep understanding of narrative techniques, stylistic diversity, and thematic richness. Throughout the programme, students engage in intensive writing workshops, individual tutorials, and collaborative projects, allowing for personalized feedback and peer learning. The curriculum emphasizes originality, craftsmanship, and voice, enabling students to refine their craft and develop a distinctive writing style. In addition to craft-focused modules, the programme incorporates sessions on the publishing industry, manuscript development, and the ethics of writing, preparing graduates for careers in writing, editing, publishing, or academia. Students are encouraged to pursue their personal writing projects, participate in literary events, and connect with a vibrant community of writers and literary institutions in Cambridge. The programme aims to cultivate thoughtful, talented, and reflective writers capable of contributing to the literary landscape both within the UK and internationally. Graduates of the Creative Writing programme at Cambridge leave with a comprehensive portfolio of work, enhanced critical faculties, and the confidence to pursue various professional pathways in the literary arts.

The MSt is structured around four modules, each of which includes a residential block at Madingley Hall that students must attend. In the first year, each of the four residential blocks is preceded by guided preparatory reading and other activities, and followed by two writing assignments: one critical and one creative.

A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) offers learning support to students while they are on the programme, including learning resources, peer-to-peer and student-to-tutor discussion between modules to build a virtual community of practice.

Year 1

The first year is characterised by variety. Students will engage and experiment with a wide variety of genres, building on existing strengths and exploring unfamiliar territories.

Module 1: Writing for readers: the art of poetry and the craft of criticism (11 - 14 October 2017)
This module will combine close critical reading of selected examples of poetry and autobiographical prose with the writing of both by students.

Module 2: Writing fiction: imagined worlds (11 - 14 December 2017)
This module focuses on prose fiction, examining the relationship between memory, imagination and research and exploring the essential concerns of the fiction-writer, including plot and narrative, voice and character and the importance of place.

Module 3: Writing for performance: monologue and polyphonic scripts (12 - 15 February 2018)
This module explores various forms of writing for an audience, encompassing writing for radio, theatre, television, cinema and other forms of scripted public address and performance.

Module 4: Writing life: creative non-fiction (14 - 17 May 2018)
This module explores the concept of creative non-fiction and examines examples drawn from a range of sub-genres. These are likely to include biography, memoir, travel-writing and writing about the environment. Sessions on study and research skills will prepare students for Year 2. Visiting speakers for this module will include those from the world of publishing.

Year 2

The second year is characterised by focus on a specialist genre. Students will work independently to explore further and develop their own literary and critical skills, resulting in an extended piece or portfolio of writing. They will work under the supervision of an expert in their chosen field with whom they will have regular contact.

Students will have five supervisions in the second year. The first will take place in October 2017, ideally at Madingley Hall, but Skype can also be used. The dates of this and the next three supervisions will be arranged between you and your supervisor (these can also be face-to-face or via Skype). The fifth and final supervision will usually take place at Madingley Hall at the time of the only residency in the second year, the Presentation and Discussion of Portfolios, on 29 - 30 April 2019.

It is essential that you attend all residential modules on the dates given above - your ability to complete the course will be severely compromised by missing any of these.

Contact time

• Lectures, seminars and classes: 4 x 4-day residential sessions in Year 1; a 2-day residential session in Year 2.
• Supervisions and tutorials: each student has their own tutor to whom they will have several one-to-one sessions during the first year. During the second year students have 5 x 1-hour sessions with their supervisor.

Assessment

Year 1

Following the first residency, students will produce 750 words of poetry and a critical commentary of 3,000 words. Following the other three residencies students will produce 4,000 words of creative prose and a critical commentary of 3,000 words.

Year 2

Students will produce a portfolio consisting of 15,000 words of creative prose (or an equivalent quantity of poems) and a 3,000-word critical commentary.

Feedback

Students are given formal written feedback on their assignments and informal feedback throughout the course, including during tutorials and supervisions. Tutors produce a report for each student at the end of Year 1 and supervisors produce termly reports for each student during Year 2.

Expected academic standard

Applicants for this course will normally have achieved a UK 2.i honours degree or overseas equivalent.

There is provision to accept non-standard applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criterion. Such applicants must produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their suitability for the course.

Language requirement

• IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
• CAE: Grade A
• CPE: Grade A, B, or C
• TOEFL iBT: Overall score of at least 110 with no element below 25

Supporting documents

• References.You will need to provide the details of two referees who can provide academic or professional references. You will be asked to provide e-mail addresses for your referees so that they can submit their reference via the online referencing system, so it is important for you to ensure that your referee is able to provide a reference for you before you submit your application form. If your referees are unable to use the online referencing system, or do not have e-mail addresses, please contact the ICE Admissions office for further assistance.
• Transcripts. A transcript is a list of all the courses you have taken during a programme of study, with the result you obtained, and with the credit value if applicable. If you are currently studying, please provide a transcript listing the courses taken during your programme of study, with the results or grades obtained for each. Current Cambridge students should upload a copy of their unofficial transcript from their Student Self-Service. If you have previously completed degree-level study, please provide a transcript or degree certificate for each degree-level programme you have studied, showing the date the degree was awarded and the final class or grade obtained. The transcript should be uploaded via your Self-Service, using the ‘Academic – pre-decision’ category. Please note that we may also ask you to send the originals via post if we make you an offer of admission and supplying these may be a condition of your offer. If your documents are not in English, you must also upload a full translation of each document, prepared by a registered translator.
• Research Proposal. A proposal of approximately 500 words outlining the work to be carried out in the second year of study; your plans may change over the course of your first year, but we need to see at this stage that you have a viable project in mind. Please tell us what genre you are likely to be writing in (e.g. poetry, prose fiction, playwriting, creative non-fiction) and provide: - an outline of the intended topic; - an outline of ideas related to your project which might form the basis of a commentary on it; - an account of the sources upon which the writing project will draw, if appropriate.
• Personal Statement. Applicants are encouraged to provide information within the application form about their motivation for applying for the course and to outline relevant experience and interests.
• Writing Sample. 1 - Original writing sample consisting of ONE of the following: 1,000 words of prose; OR 1,000 words of script for stage, screen or radio; OR 500 words of poetry. This sample may be on any subject; if it is an extract from a longer piece, please provide a very brief summary showing how the sample fits into the whole work AND 2 - Original prose sample consisting of 1,000 words exploring an incident associated with food. Your exploration may be based on a memory or may be a work of fiction, but in either case we are looking for an original and imaginative approach to the subject. 

The University of Cambridge offers a range of financing options to support students enrolled in the Creative Writing program. Tuition fees for postgraduate students vary depending on the specific course and year of entry, with international students typically paying a higher rate than UK residents. The university provides several scholarships and bursaries specifically aimed at supporting students in the arts and humanities, including those focusing on Creative Writing. These financial awards are highly competitive and are awarded based on academic merit, potential, and financial need. Prospective students are encouraged to explore the Cambridge Trust Scholarships, which offer substantial funding for international students, and the University Hardship Funds, which provide support to students experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties. In addition to institutional funding, students are advised to seek external sources of financial aid, including government loans, private scholarships, and sponsorship programs. The university also offers guidance and resources to help applicants identify suitable funding opportunities and navigate the application processes. Many students combine university-supported funding with part-time work, internships, and research assistant positions to finance their studies. The cost of living in Cambridge should also be considered, as students will need to budget for accommodation, food, books, and personal expenses. The university maintains a dedicated financial aid office that provides personalized advice, application assistance, and detailed information on all available funding options. It is recommended that students apply early for scholarships and financial aid to maximize their chances of receiving support. Overall, Cambridge's comprehensive financial support system ensures that talented students from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue their passion for Creative Writing without undue financial burden.

The University of Cambridge offers a renowned program in Creative Writing within its Faculty of English. This program is designed to provide students with comprehensive training in the craft of writing fiction, poetry, and other literary forms, fostering both creative and critical skills. Throughout their studies, students engage in intensive workshops, individual tutorials, and seminars led by accomplished writers and academics. The curriculum emphasizes developing original voice, understanding literary tradition, and exploring contemporary creative practices. Students are encouraged to produce a diverse portfolio of work, participate in reading groups, and gain exposure to various genres and styles. The program also emphasizes the importance of literary analysis, contextual understanding, and the history of literature to inform and enhance creative practice. Opportunities for public readings, publishing projects, and collaborations with other arts disciplines are integral to the program, aiming to prepare students for professional careers in writing, publishing, or related fields. The degree typically spans three years for an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts or one year for a Master's program, which allows for intensive focus on developing one’s individual style and voice. Graduates of the program have gone on to become published authors, journalists, scriptwriters, and educators. The University of Cambridge's rich literary heritage and access to extensive academic resources provide an inspiring environment for aspiring writers seeking to refine their craft and engage deeply with the literary arts.