Creative Writing

Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in English. If you are applying for a PhD you also need a master's degree.

Along with your application you will be asked to submit examples of your creative writing, including two short stories, six poems or a script.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our supervision expertise, partnerships and passion for creative writing offers you an energetic, creative and well-resourced research culture to immerse yourself in.

We offer MPhil and PhD in Creative Writing supervision from a diverse range of experienced writers who are recognised specialists in their field. Areas of expertise include:

• poetry
• prose fiction, including fiction for children or young adults
• writing for stage, screen, or radio
• writing creative non-fiction, including:
• memoir
• biography
• narrative non-fiction
• essay writing
• the literature of travel, nature and place

We have strong links with a variety of partners, who all provide a wealth of materials, knowledge and opportunities:

• Seven Stories: The National Centre for the Children's Book
• Wordsworth Trust (Dove Cottage)
• Bloodaxe Books
• Northern Stage
• Live Theatre
• Tyneside Cinema

We are closely linked to the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts (NCLA), which puts you in regular contact with leading national and international creative practitioners. This develops your awareness of the creative, social and cultural issues that impacts and influences creative writing.

Our rich research culture is usually fed by public readings, seminars and workshops by staff, visiting artists and postgraduates. However, this is subject to COVID-19 restrictions. We also jointly sponsor The Newcastle/Bloodaxe Poetry Lectures with Bloodaxe Books. Recent writers include:

• Paul Muldoon
• Marilynne Robinson
• Ali Smith
• Kazuo Ishiguro
• Nuruddin Farah
• Andrea Levy