Overview
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.
Top reasons to study with us
Work placements
There are opportunities for collaboration and to take part in publications with the Stirling Art Collection and the Publishing Annual Anthology Showcase.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second-class honours degree (2:1 preferred) in a relevant subject or equivalent is required. If you don’t have these formal qualifications, but have significant relevant work and life experience, we still encourage you to apply.
We require a sample of creative work as one of the academic requirements for entry. Here are our guidelines for what you need to submit.
Creative work guidelines
If you are choosing to study prose, we require up to ten pages (fiction or creative nonfiction). For poetry, we are looking for approximately eight poems. You can also send us half prose and half poetry as your sample.
Our tutors specialise in literary fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry and scriptwriting, and we welcome applicants who share those interests. Journalistic, professional and children’s writing are not taught on the course – so writing in these forms should not be included in your writing sample.
The personal statement is an opportunity for you to share your background, experiences and, crucially, the types of contemporary literature that you like to read and which you aspire to write.
These are some of the things we’re looking for you to demonstrate in the writing sample, across both prose and poetry. The list is not exhaustive or prescriptive, and should be used as a guide rather than a checklist.
Prose
- A degree of consistency and persuasiveness of setting, character and point-of-view (in creative fiction) and subject matter, theme and tone (creative non-fiction)
- Evidence of essential aspects of technique and form such as narrative point-of-view, dialogue, physical description and narrative time
- Clear and fluent expression, avoiding predictable, clichéd or expositional language
- Good editing and presentation skills, including a command of spelling, grammar and punctuation
Poetry
- A good command of register and tone
- A willingness to engage with aspects of technique and form such as metre, rhyme, imagery, metaphor and simile (although not all of these need to be present)
- Expression that is lucid and focused, without reliance on abstractions
- Clear evidence of editing and presentation skills, including a command of spelling and punctuation.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Our aim as you study the MLitt Creative Writing is to provide a supportive environment for you to develop your writing, allowing you the time and space to fine-tune your creative skills and make connections with your fellow writers and the wider literary landscape of Scotland.
Modules
Teaching
You’ll take part in intensive writers’ workshops, technique-focused modules and have one-to-one tuition by the distinguished writers on staff. There’s also intriguing visits from authors, book agents, publishers, poets and others involved in the literary world.
Workshops, seminars and guest lectures are held on campus. Throughout the course, we encourage our students to embrace the wider literary life by attending – even organising – events, readings, festivals and libraries.
Fieldwork
Staff have strong links to local research and creative networks, including the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival, the Annual Charles Wallace India Trust and the Booker Prize Foundation Universities Initiative, and students are encouraged to attend a wide range of literary related events.
Assessment
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.
Course director
Dr Lorna Gibb
Key staff
This course is taught by Liam Bell Lorna Gibb, Kevin MacNeil and Natalia Liebnitz.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
The full-time option for this course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Career support
Our Faculty of Arts and Humanities has a dedicated Employability and Skills Officer to guide your career path. The University's Careers Service works with academic staff to prepare you for the job market. We'll help you develop the professional skills employers want.
Career opportunities
A creative writing Masters opens doors across many fields. Graduates work in:
- Publishing and editing
- Television and media production
- Marketing and public relations
- Arts administration
- Higher education
- Literary agencies
- Cultural organisations
- Freelance writing and editing
Many graduates combine creative work with teaching in schools or higher education, or other professional roles. The writing skills you gain transfer well to communications, marketing, and content creation.
Earning potential
Creative writing careers offer varied earning potential. UK salary data shows:
- Public Relations Officers: £38,665 average
- Professional Writers: £31,315 average
- Publishing Editors: £35,000-£45,000
- Content Strategists: £40,000-£60,000
Higher salaries are common as careers develop, particularly in senior publishing, media, or communications roles. (Source: Glassdoor).
Graduate success stories
Our graduates have achieved notable success in publishing and media. Published authors include:
- Graeme Armstrong (The Young Team)
- Roseanne Watt (Moder Dy)
- Ross Sayers (Mary's the Name)
- Leonie Charlton (Marram)
- Sandy Winterbottom (The Two Headed Whale)
- Script Editor
- Journalist
- Development Editor
- Lead Bookseller
- STV Online
- ITV Studios
- Waterstones
- Cambridge University Press
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