Studies & Degrees in Creative Writing
Creative Writing Study Programs
Creative writing is the study and practice of writing literature: fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and scripts for stage and screen. Students learn by writing regularly, reading widely and having their drafts discussed by teachers and other students. York St John University puts the principle simply: good writing always comes from good reading.
The central teaching method is the workshop, a small class in which students read and comment on each other's work. At the University of Washington, graduate workshops usually have 8 to 10 students. Most programmes end with a long piece of original writing, such as a collection of poems or stories, part of a novel or a script.
What students learn
Courses combine three things: craft (plot, character, voice, form and editing), literature and theory, and the professional side of writing. Lancaster University builds its MA around two series of masterclasses and two series of workshops, and also covers redrafting, working with editors, publishing and promotion. The University of North Carolina Wilmington describes its Bachelor of Fine Arts as a studio-academic experience in writing fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction, and offers a certificate in publishing alongside it.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degree. In the United States, creative writing is often an option within the English major or a separate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). At the University of Washington, the Creative Writing concentration consists of 65 English credits. In the United Kingdom it is a degree in its own right: the Creative Writing BA (Hons) at York St John University takes 3 years full time, and can be combined with English literature or media in a joint honours degree.
- Master of Arts (MA). In the United Kingdom, the MA takes 1 year full time or 2 years part time at both York St John University and Lancaster University. York St John asks for a 2:2 honours degree in a related subject and a sample of creative writing.
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA). In the United States the MFA is the main graduate degree for writers. Florida International University describes it as the terminal degree for those who intend to teach creative writing, and its programme leads to a book-length creative thesis. At the University of Washington, candidates present a creative manuscript and a critical essay in their second year, and all students accepted are funded through teaching assistantships and fellowships. MFA degrees also exist elsewhere: at York St John University the MFA follows an MA and consists of a book-length work of 40,000 to 70,000 words.
- Distance learning. The Master of Creative Writing at Massey University in New Zealand has 180 credits, takes 1 year and 6 months full time and is taught by distance and online. It is open to international students studying from outside New Zealand.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 71 active schools for creative writing. The United States has 44, the United Kingdom 13 and Australia 3. Spain, Canada and Mexico have two each, and New Zealand, Italy, Greece, Singapore and Ireland one each. The list includes the University of Washington, Florida International University, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Purdue University, The University of Chicago, the University of Southern California, Lancaster University, York St John University, London Metropolitan University, the University of Wollongong and Massey University.
Almost all of these programmes are taught in English, and the writing itself is done in English. Non-native speakers should therefore expect a high language requirement and check it with the school. Admission to graduate programmes depends heavily on a writing sample: Florida International University selects students on the basis of demonstrated talent and has a single admission deadline, 10 January, for the following autumn.
When you compare programmes, look at the genres taught (not every school covers poetry, screenwriting or non-fiction), the size of the workshops, who teaches them, whether there is a student magazine or anthology, and the funding. Fees differ widely: York St John University, for example, charges international students £11,800 for the full-time MA in 2026-27.
Careers
A creative writing degree does not lead to one fixed job. Florida International University says its MFA graduates have gone on to careers as authors, professors, teachers, editors and arts administrators. The University of North Carolina Wilmington lists writers and content producers, editors, public relations and marketing professionals, and also law school, as paths for its graduates.
Official figures show how the profession works. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors held about 140,300 jobs in the United States in 2025, and 65 percent of them were self-employed. Employment is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Many graduates therefore combine their own writing with work in publishing, teaching, communication or copywriting.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a creative writing degree to become a writer?
No degree is required to publish. A programme offers time, regular feedback in workshops and contact with working writers, editors and publishers. For salaried writing jobs, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that a college degree in English, communications or journalism is generally required.
What is the difference between an MA and an MFA in creative writing?
In the United Kingdom the MA is a one-year taught master's. The MFA is longer or more advanced and centres on a book-length work; in the United States it is regarded as the terminal degree for those who want to teach creative writing at university.
Can I study creative writing online?
Yes. The Master of Creative Writing at Massey University, for example, is taught by distance and online and is open to international students studying from outside New Zealand.
What do I need to apply for a master's in creative writing?
Usually a first degree and a sample of your writing. York St John University asks for a 2:2 honours degree in a related subject and a sample of creative writing for its MA.