Creative Writing (Taught)

The global book market, valued at £121 billion in 2024, is set to grow 4.2% yearly through 2030 (Grand View Research, 2024). Digital platforms have opened new paths for creative work, giving writers worldwide access to audiences (Tales Journal).
MLitt Creative Writing combines intensive writers’ workshops, creative writing techniques and one-to-one tuition with distinguished writers to support your creative journey. You’ll have the opportunity to produce a body of work – poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction - as you develop your writing talent.

Master creative writing skills
Our creative writing Masters course teaches you to write in many forms and genres. You'll learn to write for the stage, screen, and radio, as well as creative non-fiction, fiction, poetry, prose, memoir, journalism, documentaries, and more. You’ll build a strong portfolio during your studies, to share with literary agents and publishers.

Expert teaching
You’ll learn from published writers Lorna Gibb, Kevin MacNeil, and Natalia Liebnitz. Working in small groups for focused feedback, you’ll get one-to-one guidance from industry professionals. Recent visiting speakers have included authors Lesley McDowell and Cailean Steed, who shared their insights into publishing.

Professional opportunities
You’ll have the opportunity to join writing courses and workshops that connect you with the literary world. Take part in events, readings, and festivals to build your network. You can gain experience working on real publications, such as the Stirling Art Collection and Publishing Annual Anthology Showcase.

Join a writing community
Our Masters degree helps you grow as a writer. Share your short stories and creative work with peers who understand the craft and gain valuable tailored feedback in our supportive workshops.

Assessment for each module you take will vary, but may include a critical essay, a journal or a creative project.

Assessment for the workshops will depend on the literary form you’ve chosen (e.g. prose or poetry), but will be based on reading journals and/or working notebooks, book reviews and completed pieces of creative work.

The most significant piece of work in the course is the creative dissertation, due at the end of the summer. This should be approximately 15,000 words of prose, or a collection of around 15 poems. A dissertation may be a portfolio of shorter texts – stories, personal essays, poems – or part of a novel. It’s expected to be revised and polished original work, written and presented to professional standards.

If you don’t embark on the dissertation you may be awarded a Diploma. The work of the best students completing the course may be deemed worthy of an MLitt with Distinction.