ma creative writing canada

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Guelph

Our MFA Program, located in Toronto, the most richly diverse city in the country, welcomes and is structured to nurture and support many voices and wide imaginaries. Our distinguished faculty and our many acclaimed graduates recognize the power of language to summon a different world. We offer workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction, drama and poetry. Defining characteristics include innovative plenary courses, a semester-long mentorship with a professional writer, and the opportunity to design and teach creative writing workshops in downtown Toronto schools.

The deadline for consideration for Fall 2025 entry is Monday, December 2, 2024 at 11:59pm. 

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CW MFA: 2022 in Review

We’ve had a fabulous first year with canisia lubrin at the helm of the mfa program and catherine bush continues to supervise mfa students and teach fiction for us and the many writers clamoring into the new creative writing undergraduate program at the university of guelph..

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Graduate Creative Writing

Our Creative Writing program attracts national and international acclaim. UCalgary faculty and students actively enhance the local and national arts communities.

Join us and be part of the journey!

Want to take creative writing at the graduate level?

We offer an MA  or PhD  in English with a Creative Writing thesis or dissertation option. You'll be required to fulfill the same requirements as other graduate students. The program offers a unique mixing of literature courses and writing workshops.

MA with creative thesis

How it works.

Apply to submit a substantial work of poetry or fiction as a creative project for the MA thesis in English.

Note: You'll need department permission for a creative MA. We can't guarantee permission to pursue a creative writing project, even if:

You're admitted to an MA in English, and/or

You've completed creative writing classes at UCalgary or another university.

Even if you're not accepted, we encourage you to continue writing and applying to creative writing graduate courses.

Application components

1. portfolio, submit a substantial portfolio of previous work during your graduate program application.

This may include:

published work

five to eight short poems or one to two short stories

chapters of a novel

or a combination of poetry and prose).

2. Critical approach

Outline your critical awareness of the approach you expect to take..

• Present a critical discussion of the proposed work
• Call attention to elements like: 
• themes, verse-forms, groups of poems, experimental or traditional approaches, etc.
• Present a critical discussion of possible approaches to:
• characterization, theme, point of view, narrative stance, experimental or traditional approaches.

Final product: Thesis

Your thesis must contain an introduction or afterword, normally of 20–30 pages, showing some critical awareness of the approach taken.

Average length

• Poetry project : About 50 pages. 
• Fiction project: About 150 pages.

English prof spreads awareness about migrant challenges through poetry

PhD with creative dissertation

You may be permitted to submit a substantial book-length manuscript of poetry or fiction for the PhD thesis in English.

However, this is a highly competitive option with an expected high standard for your project.

While we would expect you to have writing and publishing experience, it will not guarantee admission to the doctoral program, or approval of a creative dissertation project.

Submit a portfolio of writing and published works during your graduate program application.

Your dissertation essay must show extensive critical awareness of the approach you expect to take. Expect, as part of your studies, to do research within the genre.

Final product: Dissertation

When you present your dissertation for examination, it must be previously unpublished. It must also be accompanied by a critical essay showing a sophisticated critical and/or theoretical awareness of your approach.

Expectations

Quantity and quality cannot be equated but you must present a substantial body of work.

As with the dissertation for a critical Ph.D., it should be original and publishable.

Creative Writing faculty

View profile

Clara A.B. Joseph

Clem Martini

Suzette Mayr

L. Rain Prud'homme-Cranford

Uchechukwu Umezurike

Aritha Van Herk

View profile  

Anna Veprinska

Joshua Whitehead

Expand your writing career.

Master of Arts (MA), thesis-based

Thesis-based programs require that you pursue independent and original research culminating in a thesis. You will work under the supervision of a faculty member whose expertise matches your research area.

Master of Arts (MA), course-based

In a course-based program, all degree requirements are fulfilled by completing courses. These may include courses that involve a project, such as a major research paper or group project.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Department of English offers a PhD degree with one specialization, Literature in English. The Creative Writing option is available within this specialization.

Ready to apply?

Have you made your final decision and you're ready to apply?

What you'll need

The Faculty of Graduate Studies has detailed instructions about the application process.

Read admission steps and requirements

Do you have everything?

You are responsible for ensuring your application is complete and all documents are received by the deadline. 

Graduate supervisor

The Department of English does not require you to confirm a supervisor prior to admission.

Begin your application

First  create an eID . You must have one to access the online application.

Once you begin, remember to click 'Save & Continue' often to ensure your application is saved.

Online application

Graduate program contacts

Contact us for any questions you may have about the programs we offer in the Department of English.

Graduate Program Advisor

Ask me about graduate program advising

Lori Somner

[email protected]

Associate Head (Graduate Program)

Ask me about graduate degree requirements

Morgan Vanek

[email protected]

Creative Writing Coordinator

Ask me about the Creative Writing Program

[email protected]

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English and Creative Writing (MA)

Feed your love of literature and creative writing through our English and Creative Writing graduate programs. Our graduate-level course seminars are guided by the expertise and research of our faculty, letting you become immersed in engaging topics—from the historical reception of the works of William Shakespeare, to the writing of the formal lyric, to the figure of the zombie in contemporary culture—all under the guidance of specialists in the subject. Our programs cultivate not only critical writers and readers, but also accomplished researchers and public speakers.

In our creative writing Master of Arts programs, you can find your voice and hone your craft as a writer of verse, fiction, and creative non-fiction.

Our graduate students have the choice of not only diverse course offerings and accomplished mentors and supervisors, but also of several distinct degree paths, allowing for extensive learning through coursework, for intensive individual study in the project or thesis route, and for the pursuit of one’s own craft as a writer through creative writing projects and theses.

We offer the following graduate programs:

Master of Arts in English (course-based)

The course-based Master of Arts consists of 10 seminar courses. In this program, you will achieve a breadth of knowledge in many areas of English literature and in the most current developments in the subject.

Master of Arts in English (thesis-based)

The thesis-based Master of Arts consists of five courses plus a thesis requiring in-depth research on one area of English literature.

Master of Arts in English (project-based)

The project-based Master of Arts consists of seven courses plus an academic project. In this program, students study English while completing a project the size of a scholarly journal article.  This program includes a public presentation of the completed project.

The Master of Arts in Creative Writing and English (thesis-based)

This program includes a creative writing workshop requirement. Of the five courses required, at least two graduate courses in creative writing must be taken. The remaining courses are advanced seminars in English literature or literary theory. The creative writing thesis takes the form of  a substantial manuscript of poems, short stories, or creative nonfiction, and it must include a critical introduction explaining the aims, methods and contexts for the creative work.

Master of Arts in Creative Writing and English (project-based)

This Master of Arts program has an emphasis on creative writing and requires the submission of an extended creative work (e.g., a chapbook collection of poetry; 1-2 short stories or creative nonfiction pieces; an excerpt from a novel). This program includes a public presentation of the completed project.

Of the seven courses required, at least two graduate courses in creative writing must be taken. The program also requires a substantial amount of work in the subject of English, which is a valuable part of the education of creative writers. It is intended for students who have aspirations in the fields of creative writing and editing but who have not had the extensive professional experience required with gaining admission to a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program.

Regardless of the route you choose, all of our English and creative writing graduate programs offer excellent preparation for graduate studies at the doctoral level or in related fields, or for a wide range of careers.

English Meet Your Faculty

Quick facts, connect with us, why study english and creative writing at the university of regina.

The writing, reading, and research demands of our seminar courses and intensive, self-directed study equip students to be independent thinkers capable of processing complex information, of researching intricate issues, of identifying and solving problems, and of communicating findings clearly and compellingly. This sets them up to succeed in a wide range of workplaces.

By allowing students to cultivate their own voice in both creative and critical writing, and to pursue their passions in readings and assignments, our graduate programs also enrich our students’ lives and empower them to speak and write with eloquence and confidence.

Our faculty is noted for its diversity, its renown, its record of innovation, and is committed to mentoring graduate students.

A choice of routes – thesis, course-based, or project

Graduate students have the choice of five program routes:  coursework, English thesis, English project, Creative Writing and English thesis, Creative Writing and English project. The new project route emphasizes professionalization, while the English department’s ongoing commitment to a thesis degree gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a major independent research project under the supervision of expert professors. This is an experience fewer and fewer graduate programs in the field still offer.

Student support

The English department has a long-standing tradition of professorial availability and mentoring. Since the master's degree is the highest degree offered by the English department at the U of R, we can offer close support of Master's students and high-priority supervision of Master's theses that is often unavailable in departments with doctoral programs. 

Expert faculty members

We have a number of celebrated professors, including the U of R’s Canada Research Chair in Truth, Reconciliation, and Indigenous Literatures, Dr. Michelle Coupal, as well as award-winning creative writers, scholars, and teachers.

Our faculty research interests include:

• Renaissance, Romantic, and Modernist periods
• Post-colonial literature
• Prison writing
• Fantasy literature
• Literary and political theory
• Canadian Indigenous literature
• Creative writing in prose and verse
• Film adaptation
• Creative writing faculty members include novelists, Fantasy writers, short story writers, poets, and writers of memoir and creative nonfiction.

University library

The holdings of the University Library are ample for Master’s research in all traditional areas of literary study, and have particular strengths in the following areas:

• Victorian writers and periodicals
• Romantic poets and novelists
• Literary theory
• American fiction and periodicals 1741-1910
• Hemingway and Fitzgerald
• Canadian Institute for Historical Microproductions archive
• Utopian literature
• Criticism of fantastic literature (science fiction, fantasy, horror)
• North American Indigenous Literature
• Literature and religion, e.g. Patrologiae Cursus Completus

The University Library’s databases include extensive holdings in primary materials, such as:

• Shakespeare in Quarto
• Women Writers Online
• Nineteenth Century Collections Online
• Eighteenth Century Collections Online
• Early English Books Online
• British Library Manuscripts Online
• Gale Primary Sources

The Library’s databases also include substantial secondary materials for literary research, such as:

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
• Artemis Literary Sources
• Literature Criticism Online
• MLA Bibliography

The Dr. John Archer Library houses the University Archives, with archival staff to facilitate primary research using archival materials. Graduate students also have access to hands-on personal research support from the English Librarian, opportunities for digital humanities research supported by the Research & Scholarship Librarian, and more.

English and Creative Writing Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s degree in English with an overall grade point average of at least 75 per cent. Applicants with a strong background in English who hold degrees in other disciplines may be considered for admission as Qualifying students. Applicants must have successfully completed ENGL 399 or an equivalent course in Literary Theory.

You must also submit a writing sample and other supplementary materials (depending on which program you are applying to.)

Creative Writing: Writing Genre

This graduate-level creative writing seminar will focus on popular genres, including fantasy/science-fiction, detective fiction, horror, young adult literatures, and digital genres. Students will workshop their own creative texts while also reading criticism on genre studies and the craft of writing.

Life Writing: Experimental Memoir

This course introduces students to the creative non-fiction memoir and personal, lyric essay. It is a hybrid course; both academic and creative writing students can enroll.

Shakespeare as Cultural Icon

By studying the cultural reception of four popular, contested plays in the Shakespeare canon, this course examines the ways Shakespeare has been used as a national and international icon, both to maintain institutionalized power and to serve as a resistance point for underprivileged groups.

Indigenous Science Fiction and Speculative Storytelling

This course examines Indigenous science fiction and speculative storytelling as an emerging genre. Beginning with its origins in oral traditions and ending with contemporary short fiction and film, this course asks what makes Indigenous science fiction distinct from Western science fiction, and also from historical fiction about Indigenous peoples.

The Rhetoric of Apology in Canada

This course examines the rhetoric of government apologies in Canada as national mythologies or narratives of forgiving and forgetting government policies that defined, “who belongs and who does not belong to the nation.” We will examine ideological underpinnings of apologies and attempts at reconciliation through Canadian tragedies.

Security and Surveillance: The Making of "Bad" Subjects

This course will use Foucault's mid-1970s lectures on security and surveillance as a starting point to discuss how bodies and behaviours are policed. We will discuss how some cultural texts play a role in producing "good" citizens, while others challenge the boundaries that delimit what it is to be human. 

Yes! Once you have been accepted as a fully-qualified graduate student with no conditions or holds on your admission, then you are eligible to apply for our scholarships, awards, or graduate teaching assistant positions.

English Scholarships and Awards

• Dorothy and Leon Goldman Award
• Morris Shumiatcher Graduate Scholarship in English
• Lloyd Person Scholarship
• Lucy Murray Scholarship
• Ken Probert Memorial Scholarship.

The English department also offers support for student travel to scholarly conferences.

Apply for these scholarships, and more, by visiting our Graduate Awards Portal (GAP), the U of R online graduate scholarship application system.

All Graduate Funding Opportunities

Visit our Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research website to learn about all graduate funding opportunities including:

• National Scholarships (including Tri Council funding)
• Awards to Study Abroad
• FGSR Funding/Special Awards
• Funding for Indigenous Students
• Funding for International Students
• Other Awards and Scholarships
• External Scholarship Opportunities
• External Student and Faculty Awards

Yes! Mitacs Globalink is a student mobility and research funding program in Canada with many options for travel for graduate students for the purpose of conducting research. Some programs are open to all countries and applications are accepted throughout the year, while other programs are limited to partner countries and are call-based.

What Can You Do With an English and Creative Writing Degree?

Upon successfully completing your graduate program in English, you will be ready for the next step of your career. Some of our graduates pursue a doctoral degree or other advanced studies. The jobs that graduates go on to include:

• Published author
• Composer of hit pop songs
• Senior policy analysts

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• MA Programs
• MA in English

The MA in English at the University of Toronto is a one-year course based program.

U of T English MAs follow a variety of exciting career paths! Some go on to complete a PhD in English and pursue an academic career, while others enter the fields of education, publishing, journalism, communication, business, social work, and public policy, among many others.

Program Description and Requirements

The MA program typically takes 12 months.

Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

• ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English (1.0 FCE) [please note that students in the MA in Creative Writing program are not required to take this course]
• 3.0 graduate FCEs in English (6 one-term courses)

Students must attain a B standing in each graduate course.

With the approval of the Associate Director, MA, students may take up to 1.0 FCE of relevant coursework (1 full-year course or 2 one-term courses) outside of the Graduate Program in English.

Cross-listed courses (that is, courses taught by English graduate faculty in other units) and courses required for a collaborative specialization are equivalent to English courses and may be taken without special permission from the Department.

Entry Requirements

Please see the Application Information page (under “Programs”) for further information.

Admission to the MA program is based upon the applicant's undergraduate record, references, writing sample, and statement.

Minimum qualifications for entry into the MA program include:

• A minimum of 7 full-year undergraduate courses in English or the equivalent in half-year courses (i.e., 14), or any combination of full-and half-year courses that add up to the equivalent of 7 full-year courses
• An appropriate bachelor's degree (i.e., a four-year undergraduate degree), or its equivalent (preferably in English), with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 / B+ or better and evidence of first-class work in English. The department favours a broad training in the major genres and all periods of English literary history
• Recommendations from two referees
• A statement of purpose
• A writing sample consisting of 12 to 15 pages

Admission to the program is highly selective: These are minimum requirements only.

In considering applications, the Department favours a broad training in the major genres and periods of English literature. While historical coverage is especially important, a strong grounding in the major literary genres is also an asset, as is study of the range of literary writing in English across national cultures and ethnic/racialized, gendered, and sexually diverse communities. 

Fees & Financial Assistance

Although we do not offer teaching assistantships to students in the MA program, we regularly make significant financial awards to our top MA applicants. In addition, many of our incoming MA students are supported by prestigious external awards, including Ontario Graduate Scholarships and Canada Graduate Scholarships. The department also offers unrivalled help to MA students applying for fellowships for further graduate study.

Deadlines for applications for external awards often precede the program application deadline, so your first step should be to consider applying for financial support. For more information, see  Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: Canada Graduate Scholarships - Masters (SSHRC CGS-M) and Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS).

Please see the Department's  Finances & Awards page

Tuition fees for full-time domestic and international students are posted on Student Accounts site.

Further Information

• Please see the Application Information page and the Frequently Asked Questions for prospective students
• To learn more about financing options, see the Finances & Awards page

School of Graduate Studies

• For more information on all of the graduate resources available to future students, please visit the Future Students page on the School of Graduate Studies website
• For ongoing information for current students, start here

Ready to Apply?

• For more information on deadlines and specifics of the application process, see the Application Information  page
• Here are the important dates and course descriptions for the upcoming year
• General Information
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Indigenous Engagement

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We warmly welcome applications from Indigenous students to our BFA and MFA programs.

Undergraduate Programs

Imagine. Create. Find your voice. Hone the fundamentals of craft in a variety of genres in our BFA and Minor Programs.

Graduate Programs

Wherever you’re writing from, our renowned MFA program offers a world-class educational experience either on-campus or online.

Continuing Education

Learn from leading professors and authors without the commitment of a degree program.

Study with our faculty of internationally renowned, award-winning authors in a student-focused program that blends the best of traditional workshop and leading edge pedagogy.

MFA Program

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Featured news, 20% off books by visiting writers and faculty at ubc bookstore until september 30, announcing the 2024 harpercollins/ubc best new fiction prize shortlist, read our latest collection of comics from creative writing students, faculty highlights, see recent publications and productions from our faculty..

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• Graduate Courses

• Degrees Offered: MA in English (streams for Creative Writing, Academic, Gender and Sexuality in Literature), PhD in English (streams for Creative Writing, Academic, Gender and Sexuality in Literature), Direct-Entry PhD
• Application Deadline:  Dec. 1 (for PhD); Jan. 8 (for MA). Late applications cannot be considered for the PhD. MA applications can be considered until May 30 but cannot be considered for funding. International applicants should apply by the relevant deadline in order to have the best chance of meeting immigration requirements.
• Study Options: Thesis, Dissertation
• Duration: Twenty months (thesis-based MA), four years (PhD), five years (Direct-entry PhD)
• Entry Term: Fall only

UNB's celebrated English graduate programs offer both creative writing and academic streams of study, helping students reach both their creative and critical potential. The academic MA and PhD programs now also include the opportunity to earn a degree in Gender and Sexuality in Literature. Students feel particularly welcome because of our small class sizes. They gain personal support and invaluable feedback from nationally-acclaimed professors and have opportunities to work with them on research and creative projects and on departmental publications, including Canada's longest continuously published literary journal, The Fiddlehead , and on the student-run, national literary journal, QWERTY . 

Our cozy, quiet campus is the perfect workshopping environment for creative writers wanting to develop a book-length manuscript. Our PhD in Creative Writing is one of very few offered in Canada. In the academic streams, students examine important works of literature, undertake original research, and build their critical vocabularies. Their research is supported by excellent library resources. Graduate students in English acquire strong research, writing, editing and communication skills and develop connections with other academics, writers and publications across Canada. Doctoral students also gain exceptional applied teaching experience through the Teaching Apprenticeship Program.

Our graduates go on to become professional writers, editors, journalists, marketers, teachers, professors and researchers, amongst other things.

Creative genres

• Poetry, Fiction, & Creative Non-fiction
• Screenwriting & Playwriting

Research areas

• Canadian Literature, including Atlantic Canadian
• American Literature
• Early Modern, Eighteenth-Century, Romantic, and Nineteenth-Century British Literature
• Postcolonial Literature
• Indigenous Literatures of Turtle Island
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Cultural Studies, Film and Popular Culture
• Ecoliterature

Current faculty research

• Creative Writing: Len Falkenstein, Triny Finlay , Rob Gray , Lisa Jodoin ,  Robert Moore , Melanie Simoes Santos , Sue Sinclair , Kasia van Schaik
• American Literature:  Rohan Ghatage ,  Melanie Simoes Santos , Stephen Schryer ,  Kasia van Schaik
• Canadian Literature: John Ball , David Creelman , Rob Gray , Triny Finlay, Tavleen Purewal , Melanie Simoes Santos , Sue Sinclair ,  Kasia van Schaik
• British Literature: Elizabeth Effinger (Romantics, Nineteenth Century), Miriam Jones (Eighteenth Century), Sarah Maier , Lisa Robertson (Nineteenth Century), Melanie Simoes Santos , Edith Snook (Early Modern, Atlantic World)
• Postcolonial Literature: John Ball , Rohan Ghatage ,  Tavleen Purewal , Melanie Simoes Santos ,  Kasia van Schaik
• Indigenous Literatures of Turtle Island: Lisa Jodoin , Tavleen Purewal , Melanie Simoes Santos ,  Kasia van Schaik
• Gender and Sexuality Studies: Elizabeth Effinger , Triny Finlay , Tavleen Purewal , Lisa Robertson,  Melanie Simoes Santos , Edith Snook ,  Kasia van Schaik
• Cultural Studies, Film and Popular Culture: John Ball , Elizabeth Effinger, R.W. Gray, Rohan Ghatage ,  Melanie Simoes Santos , Stephen Schryer , Edith Snook ,  Kasia van Schaik
• Ecoliterature: Elizabeth Effinger , Melanie Simoes Santos , Sue Sinclair ,  Kasia van Schaik

Current graduate courses

For a complete listing of our graduate course offerings please review our extensive list .

Equity Statement

The Department of English is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community. With graduate admissions, curriculum, and hiring, we strive to develop a learning environment that reflects and affirms the complexity of the broader community that we serve.

We recognize the settler-colonial roots of our institution and are committed to an ongoing process of addressing the embedded colonial power structures in our classrooms and infrastructure.

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse and equity-deserving groups, including (but not limited to) those who have been historically disadvantaged because of race, religion, sexual identity, gender identity and expression, age, disability, and/or socio-economic condition. As a department, we recognize that many people face barriers in post-secondary education that may negatively impact opportunities to succeed. We are committed to thoughtfully considering the full context of an applicant’s life experiences and evaluating their application equitably.

Application requirements

All applicants to the MA program (Creative, Academic, GSL) should hold an honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English (or a similar program with intensive specialization) with a minimum 3.5 average. Applicants to the Gender and Sexuality in Literature stream should have a BA in English with introductory coursework in Gender/Sexuality/Women’s Studies. 

The same level of degree with at least B average (North American System) or upper class standing (British System) is normally required for graduates of other universities. 

MA applicants are required to submit the following: 

• A complete application  
• Applicants to the creative writing stream should describe the project, its genre, topic, and approach; you should also address the research you would undertake to complete the project.
• Applicants to the academic or GSL stream should describe the literary texts the project will focus on, the approach, and its contribution to the field.
• in part two (up to one page, single-spaced), explain how your academic or non-academic background and experiences have prepared you to undertake this project and to thrive in the graduate program. How have your life circumstances shaped your academic or creative accomplishments? Is there anything else you want us to know about you? 
• An academic writing sample , ideally a research essay (of at least 8 pages double-spaced) from an upper-level undergraduate English literature course. The writing sample should be a clean (unmarked) essay, involving literary analysis and research, to demonstrate that you have the ability to excel in an academic seminar.
• Creative Writing Stream only: a recent creative writing sample of at least 10 pages (double-spaced for prose, poetry may be single-spaced). The creative writing sample should be in the genre in which you wish to work for your thesis.  You may submit work in other genres, if you have strengths in multiple forms.
• Three references, at least two academic references
• International applicants whose mother tongue is not English are required to demonstrate that they have a sufficiently good command of the English language to enable them to participate fully in the academic life of the university.
• Proficiency in English may be demonstrated through the completion of a minimum of two years of university level education within the past five years, where the language of both instruction and examination was in English. Where this university is not in a country such as Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Australia, or New Zealand, the required documentation to be submitted will be a copy of the official transcript plus a certified (i.e., by Registrar or equivalent university official) letter indicating the specific courses from the transcript in which both the “instruction and examination were in English.”
• Otherwise, international applicants whose first language is not English must submit language scores that meet or exceed: International English language testing system (Academic IELTS) = Band 7, Paper-based TOEFL = 600 TWE = 4.0, Internet-based TOEFL = 100 TWE = 25, Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) = 85%, Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTest) = 4.5, Pearson Test of English = 65
• Students who have questions about English proficiency requirements or who have an alternate means of demonstrating proficiency can contact the English department directly.

All applicants (except for the Direct-entry PhD) should have a GPA of at least 3.7 at the Master’s level.

Academic stream: MA in English is required for admission.

Creative Writing stream: MA in English or MFA in Creative Writing is required. Students with an MFA should have taken a broad range of English courses at either the undergraduate or graduate level. 

Gender and Sexuality in Literature stream: MA in English or MA Gender/Women’s Studies is required. Students with an MA in English should have taken some Gender/Sexuality/Women’s Studies courses at either the undergraduate or graduate level; students with an MA in Gender/Women’s Studies should have taken a broad range of English courses at either the undergraduate or graduate level. 

Direct-entry PhD: A GPA of at least 4.0 in the final two years of the BA Honours English.

All applicants to the PhD program are required to submit the following:

• A complete application
• Applicants to the academic stream should describe the literary texts the project will focus on, the approach, and its contribution to the field.
• in the second part (up to one page, single-spaced), explain how your academic or non-academic background and experiences have prepared you to undertake this project and to thrive in the graduate program. Is there anything else you want us to know about you?
• An academic writing sample , ideally a graduate-level research paper (10-20 pages) or chapter of an MA thesis. The academic writing sample should be a clean (unmarked) essay, involving literary analysis and research, to demonstrate that you have the ability to excel in an academic seminar and in the academic components of the degree.
• Creative Writing Stream only: a recent creative writing sample of at least 20 pages (double-spaced for prose, poetry may be single-spaced).  The creative writing sample should be in the genre in which you wish to work for your thesis. You may submit work in other genres, if you have strengths in multiple forms.
• Three academic references 

Admission to the English Graduate Program is limited and very competitive. Because it is based on human and physical resources available to deliver the program of study, admission to the MA or PhD is not guaranteed for those who meet the minimum academic requirements. 

Applicants are not required to find a supervisor before applying, although PhD applicants may reach out to potential supervisors if they wish.

For information regarding funding opportunities please review the Financial Aid section on our departmental website. 

For more information on our program, contact Lydia Noble , Graduate Program Assistant.

Office: Carleton Hall, Rm. 247

Phone: 1-506-453-4676

Related: Current graduate courses

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Graduate studies

Unique in Canada

UVic's grad program is the only one of three in Canada offering an MFA in writing, rather than an MA in English with a creative-writing option.

We are also the only Canadian institution with an emphasis not only on writing but on the  teaching  of writing, which is a specialized area of education. You'll take on teaching assistantships to gain experience in evaluating and assisting undergrads, and to acquire actual classroom teaching skills in the area of writing (rather than in English literature). Our program is designed so that teaching will be one of the skills you'll graduate with, to better prepare you for the job market.

MFA in Creative Writing

Our MFA program offers you:

• a supportive environment in which to create a publishable or producible body of work in one of five genres (fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, film and poetry), and
• training in the teaching of creative writing at the post-secondary level and for community groups.

You will work closely with internationally known and published faculty who respect and encourage their creative visions and voices. Through participation in workshop classes that simulate an editorial environment of critical feedback and positive reinforcement, you can develop a significant body of work in your genre.

Our department is connected to the lively literary community of Greater Victoria through off-campus readings and events, including the Open Word reading series and the Victoria Festival of Authors .

Find out  how to apply or consult our FAQ .

Deadline for applications: December 1.

Get to know our faculty

Check out our faculty profiles to learn more about the writers you could be working with!

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• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writingm, Distance Education (MFA)
• Graduate School
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Go to programs search

Creative Writers are at the heart of our cultural industries. Poets, novelists, screenwriters, playwrights, graphic novelists, magazine writers: they entertain, inform and inspire. For more than 15 years, UBC's Creative Writing program has been educating writers through distance education in a program which complements our long-standing on-campus MFA program.

A studio program with the writing workshop at its heart, the distance MFA focuses on the work created by students as the primary text. Through intensive peer critique and craft discussion, faculty and students work together with the same goal: literary excellence.

The MFA granted to distance students is the same degree as granted to on-campus students, and the same criteria of excellence in multiple genres of study apply.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

UBC's Optional-Residency (Distance) MFA was the first distance education MFA program in Canada and remains the only full MFA which can be taken completely online. It is designed to be uniquely flexible, allowing students across Canada and around the world to study writing at the graduate level while still living in their local communities and fulfilling career and family obligations.

The program is unique globally for its multi-genre approach to writing instruction: students are required to work in multiple genres during the course of the degree. As a fine arts program rather than an English program, students focus on the practice of writing rather than the study of literature. Students may work on a part-time basis, taking up to five years to complete the degree.

My time in the Creative writing grad program at UBC has given me the discipline and focus I need to complete long-form writing pieces and larger poetry projects.

Kwaku Darko-Mensah Jnr.

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, program instructions.

The optional residency MFA (distance) program only has a July intake.

1) Check Eligibility

Minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 90

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 6.5

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writingm, Distance Education (MFA)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Options

Graduates of the MFA program have found success in varied fields related to writing and communication. The MFA qualifies graduates for teaching at the university level and many graduates have gone on to teach at colleges and universities in Canada, the United States and overseas as well as holding writing residencies. Many publish books and win literary awards. Others go on to work in publishing, and graduates have become book and magazine editors.

Although the MFA is a terminal degree, some graduates go on to further study in PhD programs in the US, UK and Australia.

The Optional-Residency MFA is particularly well suited to teachers: our teacher-students have been able to gain an advanced degree while continuing their careers.

• Research Supervisors

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Belcourt, Billy-Ray (Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry)
• French, Whitney (memory, loss, technology, and nature)
• Hopkinson, Nalo (Creative writing, n.e.c.; Humanities and the arts; Creative Writing: Speculative Ficton, Fantasy, Science Fiction, especially Other Voices)
• Irani, Anosh
• Koncan, Frances
• Leavitt, Sarah (Autobiographical comics; Formal experimentation in comics; Comics pedagogy)
• Lee, Nancy (Fiction; Creative Writing)
• Lyon, Annabel (Novels, stories and news)
• Maillard, Keith (Fiction, poetry)
• Marzano-Lesnevich, Alex (Nonfiction)
• McGowan, Sharon (Planning of film productions from concept to completion)
• Medved, Maureen (Fiction, writing for screen)
• Nicholson, Cecily (Languages and literature; Poetry)
• Ohlin, Alix (Fiction; Screenwriting; Environmental writing)
• Pohl-Weary, Emily (Fiction; Writing for Youth)
• Svendsen, Linda (Script development; Novels, stories and news; Writing for Television; Fiction)
• Taylor, Timothy (fiction and nonfiction)
• Vigna, John (Novels, stories and news; Fiction, Literary Non-Fiction, Creative Writing)

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Same Academic Unit

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Theatre (MFA)
• Master of Fine Arts in Film Production and Creative Writing (MFA)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Further Information

Specialization.

Creative Writing combines the best of traditional workshop and leading-edge pedagogy. Literary cross-training offers opportunities in a broad range of genres including fiction, poetry, screenplay, podcasting, video game writing and graphic novel.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

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Creative Writing in Canada

Why Study Creative Writing in Canada

• Studying Creative Writing in Canada is a great choice, as there are 11 universities that offer Master's degrees on our portal.
• Over 323,000 international students choose Canada for their studies, which suggests you’ll enjoy a vibrant and culturally diverse learning experience and make friends from all over the world.
• We counted 178 affordable Master's degrees in Canada , allowing you to access quality higher education without breaking the bank. Moreover, there are 636 available scholarships you can apply to.

18  Creative Writing Master's in Canada

Study in Canada

Canada is one of the most popular study destinations in the world due to its high focus on the quality of its universities and its emphasis on attracting international students who can later immigrate. Canadians are very welcoming to international students and they invest a lot into making sure students are safe, treated fairly, and enjoy their stay in the country. Study in one of the strongest economies in the world while enjoying a high living standard and a flexible study environment. Classes have smaller student groups ensuring everyone gets the attention they need, and encouraging group assignments and debates.

Is Canada the right place for you?

Take the test and find out which country is your best fit.

Explore your Creative Writing degree

Creative Writing degrees teach ways of building stories by expressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions using the written medium, as opposed to simply presenting written facts. Future creative writers learn to use elements of fiction, character creation, and plot development. Upon graduation, you’ll have the opportunity to work as a play writer, screenwriter, journalist, or fiction writer.

Is Creative Writing the best for you?

Take the test and find out if Creative Writing is the right path for you.

Creative Writing Scholarships and Financial Aid in Canada

Available Options

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Creative Writing (BA)

Saturday, October 26 10 a.m. to 4 p.m

Why study Creative Writing?

Our Creative Writing program, one of the first of its kind in Canada, immerses you in every aspect of the writing life, from the development of ideas to the publication of finished works. As a Creative Writing student, you’ll learn to approach literature from a writer’s point of view as you develop your own craft under the guidance of published writers and fellow students.

Whether it’s through prose, poetry, or drama, our workshops help you find your voice and your subject. Creative writing students also have the opportunity to supplement their regular courses with master classes conducted by internationally renowned writers during the Writers Read at Concordia series. Concordia has hosted writers such as Julian Barnes, Dionne Brand, CAConrad, Roxane Gay, Renee Gladman, Jorie Graham, Ben Lerner, Daniel David Moses, Fred Moten, Claudia Rankine, George Saunders, A.E. Stallings, and Colm Tóibín.

Montreal’s vibrant English-language literary scene offers a showcase for the work of student writers as well as published authors. The skills acquired in our Creative Writing program can help prepare you for a professional life as a writer, editor, or publisher in print or in electronic media. The Honours in English and Creative Writing is a gateway to graduate study in literature or to further study in creative writing.

Program highlights

• Small class sizes enable students to workshop their writing as a group
• Opportunities to develop your writing across numerous genres

Special funding for out-of-province students

Up to  $4000  for undergraduate programs.

Program structure

A Bachelor of Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background .

Program options

• Honours in English and Creative Writing (66 credits)*
• Major in Creative Writing (42 credits)
• Minor in Creative Writing (24 credits)

*Honours is a highly concentrated program, ideal for students planning to continue to graduate studies. If you are interested in Honours, speak with your program advisor in your first year of study at Concordia. Students applying to the University are able to apply to the major or specialization.

United States students : A U.S. Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all U.S. regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.

Admission criteria

Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements.

• Additional information for CEGEP applicants
• ACT or SAT is NOT required 
• Canadian curricula course requirements
• Accepted international qualifications
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma:  26
• Baccalauréat français:  11
• A-levels: At least two A-level exams CD or
• AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
• BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
• Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
• University Transfers (internal/external):  C

Additional requirements for admission

• Letter of Intent

English proficiency Some applicants may be required to write an English language proficiency test with the following minimum scores:

• TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) – a minimum score of 100 with 22 in the writing component
• IELTS – 7.0 overall with a 6.5 in the writing component
• DET score of 120 and above with no subscore under 90

Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.

Application deadlines

March 1 is the deadline to apply for fall term entry. International students are encouraged to apply by February 1 to allow sufficient time for CAQ and study permit application processing.

November 1 is the deadline to apply for winter term entry. International students are encouraged to apply by September 1 to allow sufficient time for CAQ and study permit application processing.

Not all programs are available for winter term entry. Please check program availability for the term, before you start your application.

We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.

After your degree

Graduates of the program have the knowledge and skill for any career that values critical thinking and superior communication skills, including a professional life as a writer, editor or publisher. You will also be prepared to undertake graduate studies in either English or Creative Writing.

Many graduates have fulfilling writing careers.

Student story

Major in Creative Writing Minor in Professional Writing

How Concordia’s creative writing program helped Jade Adams find her own path.

Other programs of interest

English and creative writing (ba) honours.

Immerse yourself in the writing life – and develop a cultural vocabulary – by looking at the human condition through many literary modes, while studying works which include aspects of psychology, history, and philosophy.

Department of English

Faculty of Arts & Science

English Literature (BA) Major Minor Honours Specialization

Immerse yourself in the words of past poets or contemporary thinkers. With every turn of the page you have the opportunity to imagine and reflect on lives and worlds different from your own experience, and challenge your assumptions about the meaning of morality and the world from new and unanticipated perspectives.

English and History (BA) Specialization

Take on the narrative of the human story, through analysis and the re-interpretation of historical events.

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Master of Arts (Creative Writing)

Semester dates for.

Creative Writing

Creative Writing at Winchester offers you the opportunity to evaluate and improve your creative writing in a dynamic, supportive environment. The programme is taught by professional writers and highly experienced practitioner-academics in Creative Writing, with a particular focus on fiction and literary non-fiction. There are opportunities to meet editors and published writers and, as your knowledge of the publishing industry expands, find out where your work fits within the market.

Course overview

You study a diverse range of fiction and narrative non-fiction by acclaimed contemporary writers, which allows you to explore different styles and genres including fantasy, crime, historical fiction and literary fiction and gain a critical foundation for your own writing while increasing your knowledge of the publishing world. Throughout the course, you create new work and discuss it in a supportive group of peers alongside your tutor as you redraft and refine. The structure of the programme enables you to experiment from week to week, hone your craft and develop complete short stories as well as engage with the demands of longer-form prose.

In the first semester you will take modules in contemporary fiction and literary non-fiction, and also develop a project that addresses ways in which writers engage with community audiences. The second semester focuses on genre fiction and preparation for your Independent Study project, which is a substantial creative submission of 20-25,000 words written over the summer months. This could be the first part of a novel, a collection of short fiction, the opening to a work of literary non-fiction or a hybrid submission, completed with tutor support.

What you need to know

Course start date.

On campus, Winchester

Course length

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time (evenings)

Apply online

Typical offer

A first or second-class honours degree

From £9,550 pa

Course features

Refine your writing across a range of styles and genres

Understand where your work fits in the current publishing world

Be inspired and encouraged by guest writers and editors

Course details

Suitable for applicants from:.

UK, EU, World

Learning and teaching

Teaching takes place:  Evenings

Start date:  September

The academic staff are professional novelists, scriptwriters, poets and writers of creative non-fiction, as well as cultural critics and playwrights. They are supported by guest writers, editors and literary agents. This course has long enjoyed a vibrant programme of visiting speakers. 

Students have the opportunity to develop their creative work, give and receive feedback in weekly workshops, and work with lecturers who are all practitioners. 

Location 

Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

Each module typically comes with a creative writing assignment, or an assignment plus rationale (reflective piece) of approximately 4,000 words in total.

Students undertake a Dissertation between 20,000-25,000 words as part of their independent study with full tutorial support.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions

This module allows students to explore a range of different non-fiction genres, including memoir, Travel Writing, and reportage. In each case they will contemplate the ethical dilemmas of so doing, and the psychological dimensions of writing about their own lives and the lives of others. They will consider issues such as perspective, narrative, politics, audience, and editing. The module will focus upon how to use language to achieve certain effects. Much of the work will occur in practical workshops, working towards the submission for assessment of a specific piece prose non-fiction and an essay exploring the world of non-fiction writing (including the media) in relation to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

This module aims to help students develop their own practice as writers of fiction, through a consideration of the form and techniques used by published writers. It will consider plotting and the structuring of texts, as well as the subtleties of characterisation, dialogue and place in short and longer fiction. The module will analyse a selection of works, paying particular attention to more recent work and considering texts that range from Booker and Pulitzer prize winners to mass-market fictions; experimental odysseys to more sentimental journeys. Students will be encouraged to consider how these fictions work as texts, how they develop character, plot story, position the reader etc., and how they relate to audiences.

Students will work individually and in groups to create/develop stories and structures, characters and scenes for or from their own fictions. This module will be the beginning of their journey towards their Independent Study.

This module is designed to enable students to become a successful writer within a community, whether that is through residencies or works celebrating or contributing to a particular neighbourhood, community or group. This may involve responding creatively with site-specific works within an urban or rural environment; working with an online community, or the temporary ‘community’ of a festival; involvement in a collaborative community-based art project; participation in or production of an anthology or collection for publication. Whatever the platform or opportunity – whether it is an existing one that is applied for, or created in a pro-active way – the emphasis here is on community engagement, widening participation, and positive impact. 

This module allows the students to explore a variety of fictional genres, including but not limited to: Horror, Sci Fi/Fantasy, Crime, and Historical Fiction. By looking at texts from leading authors in each field, students will learn about genre conventions in relation to plot, character, and setting, and will use these skills to write a creative piece of their own in a chosen genre. Alongside the creative elements of the module, students will also critically examine genre fiction, with particular attention being paid to the roles of gender and race.

This module is designed to prepare students for the rigour of writing a longer-form creative piece. Issues of structure, sub-plotting, narrative drive, character development and ‘voice’ are considered within the context of the student’s own ideas for their Independent Study and similarly targeted works of contemporary fiction or the specific genre they have chosen. The relationship between experimentation/originality and commercial imperatives/’what has gone before’ will be considered to enable students to locate their own work more fully within current socio-cultural contexts, while workshops and group discussion deepen each student’s interrogation of their own processes and challenge habitual modes of working.

The Independent Study is the culmination of the MA Creative Writing. Students will write, re-write and edit an extended creative piece, 20,000 to 25,000 words of a novel, or a script or poetry collection or work of creative non-fiction to be agreed by the Programme Leader and supervising tutor. They will realise ideas first developed in the Independent Study Preparation module and work under the expert guidance of a supervisor but with an emphasis on self-directed research and writing. The overall outcome will be a demonstration of the student’s creative integrity, confidence and accomplishment in authorship.

Entry requirements

Normally a first or second-class Honours degree or professional experience in the area of study. Applicants are required to submit a sample of their creative writing. 

Continuing students who have achieved a first or upper second-class degree in BA Creative Writing or BA Creative & Professional Writing at the University of Winchester are not required to submit a sample of their creative writing.

If English is not your first language: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in writing or equivalent. 

Applications need to be submitted before the published deadline on our website. Late applications can be accepted throughout the remainder of the application year, for more information see our How to apply (Postgraduate) section.

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at  [email protected] .

2025/2026 Course Tuition Fees 

Additional tuition fee information

If you are a UK student starting your degree in January / September 2025, the first year will cost you £9,550**.

If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

Additional costs

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards .

CAREER PROSPECTS

Many graduates of the course have obtained publishing contracts, while others work in other aspects of publishing, or in teaching, media, the arts and business.

“The MSc programmes at Winchester provide you with an excellent foundation from which to pursue your career.” Steve - MSc Graduate UWin Student Blog

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Dr Judith Heneghan

Dr Judith Heneghan is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, a novelist and the former Director of the Winchester Writers' Festival.

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4. MA Program in English

• Residence Requirements
• Course Work
• General Description
• Qualifying Program - MA Program in English
• Thesis Program
• Non-Thesis Program
• Style and Format
• Creative Writing Thesis Option
• Independent Reading Courses
• Courses Offered in Other Departments or Area Universities

4.1 Residence Requirements

For students entering the Master's Program in English, three terms of full-time resident study at McGill University are required for the degree. "Residence" means that the student is enrolled on a full-time basis during this period (the term is not connected with housing or accommodations). This designated period of residence represents the minimum time requirements in order to obtain the degree. There is no guarantee that the work for the degree will be completed in this time. Students may register for additional terms to complete the Program (see McGill's  Time Limitation Policy ). The Department may permit Master's students to register for a term in the summer to fulfill part of the residence requirements.

4.1.1 Course Work

Newly admitted students sign up for courses in July. (The exact date changes each year, and the Graduate Coordinator sends out an announcement.) Before classes begin, each student meets with an advisor to review the selection of courses. Course selection, when considered alongside the student's previous record, should balance breadth of coverage and specialization. The advisor, a member of the Graduate Administration Committee, will give advice on the structure and aims of the program. This advisor is not to be confused with the thesis or research paper supervisor.

The candidate is required to pass, with a mark of 65% (B-) or better, all those courses which have been designated by the Department as forming a part of her/his program. These are the courses which have been entered on the registration form. A few extra courses may be taken, but it is then the responsibility of the student to see that these courses are clearly marked "not required" on the registration form.

4.1.2 Auditing Courses

Auditing of courses is not permitted at McGill.

4.2 General Description

The Department offers two separate programs towards the MA degree: the thesis option, in which the student takes 5 courses and writes an MA thesis, and the non-thesis option, in which the student takes 7 courses and writes a research paper (MARP). Both programs are designed to be completed in four terms (of 12 credits each), though the thesis option can be completed in three terms (one year). There is no academic difference between the two programs; both are equally appropriate as preparation for doctoral work. For most students, the non-thesis option, which enables them to take more courses, provides the best training before specialization. Students who have a well-defined project may wish to undertake a thesis, either as preparation for further research, or as a means of rounding out their education. Students should consider these options, and be prepared to discuss them with their Graduate Advisor, at the beginning of their program.

4.3 Qualifying Program - MA Program in English

Candidates who have been admitted to a Qualifying Program are registered in Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies but take a number of advanced undergraduate courses chosen in consultation with and approved by an advisor in the Graduate Program. Qualifying year students must take a minimum of 12 credits each term (fall and winter) and must complete this coursework within two terms (fall and winter). If they complete this work successfully (with a minimum B+ average) they are eligible to apply for the MA Program in the following year, but admission cannot be guaranteed.

Qualifying Program status is conferred only on those candidates who have an excellent record and recommendations but are lacking the necessary specialized background in English literature defined in terms of an Honours BA in English or its equivalent (e.g., a history of excellence in a broad range of relevant coursework during the BA).

4.4 Thesis Program

ENGL 694Fall: Bibliography and Research Methods

ENGL 695F/W: MA Thesis Preparation I (Research preparation)

ENGL 699F&W: MA Thesis

Offered in the fall term only, ENGL 694 provides an introduction to graduate-level methods of research and covers a broad range of other practical and theoretical issues related to graduate study and the profession of English literary studies. This course requires students to attend weekly seminar sessions. It is graded on a pass/fail basis.

ENGL 695F/W provides a structure for crediting the student's independent thesis preparation. Because it does not require specific course work, has no lecture or seminar components and no graded assignments, it is graded on a pass/fail basis.

MA Thesis Preparation (695F/W) involves background reading and the preparation of a working bibliography for the thesis. After consultation with her/his advisor and professors interested in the thesis topic, the student selects a thesis supervisor. This should be done as early in the academic year as possible.

The student then prepares the formal thesis proposal under the guidance of the thesis supervisor (see 4.4.1). The proposal and accompanying bibliography are then presented to the Graduate Administration Committee for final approval. As soon as the proposal is approved by GAC, a pass grade is assigned for 695F/W.

The student registers for ENGL 699F&W to complete the thesis (see 4.4.2). The thesis is expected to be approximately 80 pages in length and must not exceed 100 pages, including "works cited." The thesis is evaluated by an internal examiner and an external examiner. The latter may be from McGill or, less usually, from another university. The external examiner is selected by the supervisor, in consultation with the student, and must not present any conflicts of interest,  as stipulated by the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office .

In addition to the courses discussed above, all students take five seminars to be chosen from the list of the Department's 500-, 600/700-level courses. These are chosen in consultation with the student's advisor. Normally they will not include more than two 500-level courses. The course work should represent a breadth of topic and a significant historical and theoretical range. Students are not expected to specialize in their course work; specialization occurs in preparing and writing the thesis.

Taken together with the student's undergraduate studies, the student's record at the end of his/her MA program should include a full range of courses appropriate to the field in question, broadly construed.

Some sample schedules for progress through the program appear below. (Please note that a full load per semester is 12 credits; note also that the three compulsory units are relatively light in work, compared to the regular seminars.)

4.4.1 Thesis Proposal

Before embarking on the thesis, a student must submit a thesis proposal to the Graduate Administration Committee (GAC) for approval. Due dates for submitting the proposal are 15 May (of MA1), 15 September (of MA2), or 15 December (also of MA2). This proposal, prepared in close consultation with the supervisor, details the research to be pursued, defines the particular argument to be advanced, and delineates the approach or methodology to be employed. The proposal should be logical and well organized. It must also include a list of relevant primary and secondary material to be consulted, presented in the appropriate format (MLA or Chicago Manual of Style). The proposal must contain a chapter breakdown.

An MA Thesis Proposal Form (which may be obtained under  Useful Forms for Graduate Students ) must be signed by the student's supervisor and attached to the student's proposal at the time it is submitted for approval. The supervisor will be informed in writing as to whether the proposal has been approved or returned for revision. Further  Guidelines for Graduate Proposals  and examples are available for students to look at in the Graduate Student Affairs Office, Arts 155.

4.4.2 Thesis

Guidelines for the preparation and submission of the thesis can be obtained online.

The thesis does not necessarily have to present an original contribution to scholarship, but should demonstrate familiarity with the field and an ability to work in it. Overall, the MA thesis should demonstrate the ability to conduct scholarly research. Length: approximately 80 pages (100 pages maximum), including notes and bibliography.

A thesis can only be submitted by a candidate, i.e., a student registered for the degree in question. In order to remain a candidate, a student must remain registered. If all requirements are met, including the fulfillment of residence requirements and the  final  submission of the thesis by August 15 (or one of the other  submission deadlines ), no additional fees will be charged for subsequent semesters; otherwise, either a registration fee or the appropriate tuition fee will be assessed through the term of final thesis submission (once students make the initial thesis submission, they remain in "Thesis Examination" status through the term when the  final  version is submitted to GPSO). Candidates should note also that after deposition of the final corrected copy of the thesis, a fee for graduation will be charged by the University. For current registration fees, consult the  fee calculator . Students who intend to submit the final version of their thesis before one of the final submission deadlines (Aug. 15, Dec. 15, Apr. 15) must leave enough time for the thesis to be evaluated and for the appropriate forms to be submitted; students should not expect final submission to take place immediately after initial submission of the thesis. If the initial thesis submission takes place close to one of the deadlines, the student is unlikely to make the final thesis submission within the same term because insufficient time has been left for evaluation. In this case, the student will be required to register under "Thesis Evaluation" status for the subsequent term and to pay the requisite fees.

Please use the myThesis portal for the initial submission, examination, and final submission of your thesis. You may access myThesis through the GPS website: https://www.mcgill.ca/gps/thesis/thesis-guidelines/initial-submission . Detailed instructions, including tutorial videos, can be found here: https://www.mcgill.ca/gps/thesis/thesis-guidelines/initial-submission/next-steps-masters

4.5 Non-Thesis Program

Doing MA Research Paper Preparation I, II and III and the Research Paper in the summer term would make it possible to complete the program in one calendar year.

4.5.1 Research Paper Proposal

Before embarking on the research paper, a student must submit a research paper proposal to the Graduate Administration Committee for approval. Due dates for submitting the proposal are 15 May (of MA1), 15 September (of MA2), or 15 December (also of MA2).

The Research Paper Proposal details the research to be pursued, defines the particular argument to be advanced in the research paper, and indicates the methodology to be employed. Research Paper Proposals should be logical and well organized, and should include a bibliography of primary and secondary material, presented in the appropriate format (MLA or Chicago Manual of Style). Unlike the MA thesis, a chapter breakdown is not required (as the Research Paper is not expected, given its scope and length, to contain chapters.)

A  MA: Research Paper Proposal  Form ( obtainable online via our Useful Forms page ) must be signed by the supervisor and attached to the student's proposal at the time it is submitted for approval. The supervisor will be informed in writing when the proposal is approved or returned for further revision. Further  Guidelines for Graduate Proposals  and examples of proposals are available for students to look at in the Graduate Student Affairs Office, Arts 155.

4.5.2 Research Paper

This paper is the result of an extended research project, pursued under the supervision of a member of the Department. It should be 40 to 50 pages in length (including notes and bibliography). The research paper should focus on a textual or theoretical issue. It should contain a substantive discussion and display mastery of the particular area of research and relevant scholarship. While the theoretical scope may be large, its application is more limited. The paper will be evaluated by two readers: the supervisor, and a second reader from within the Department, agreed upon by the supervisor, the student, and the Director of Graduate Studies. It is the supervisor's responsibility to arrange for a second reader, in consultation with the student. If either the supervisor or the second reader request revisions to the research paper, the student will complete these revisions prior to the assignment of the final grade. The paper will be evaluated by each reader using one of the following grades: excellent, very good, good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory. Assuming satisfactory completion of the work, GPSO will record the grade of P (Pass) on the student's transcript upon graduation. At the same time, a P (Pass) will be assigned to Research Methods (ENGL 693).

All students must take the following courses:

• ENGL 694F: Bibliography Seminar
• ENGL 681F/W: MA Research Paper Preparation I
• ENGL 682F/W: MA Research Paper Preparation II
• ENGL 683F/W: MA Research Paper Preparation III
• ENGL 693: Research methods
• ENGL 684F&W: MA Research Paper

ENGL694 Bibliography seminar  is taken together with students in the MA thesis program. It is offered only in the fall term.

Students enroll in MA Research Paper Preparation I (681F/W), II (682F/W) and III (683F/W) for administrative purposes. These courses provide a structure for crediting the student's research paper preparation. They thus require no specific coursework and have no classroom, lecture, or seminar components. The student selects a supervisor for the research paper in consultation with an advisor, conducts the preliminary background research, and submits a formal proposal as well as a detailed bibliography for the paper. A pass grade is assigned when the proposal is approved by GAC. Having passed MA Research Paper Preparation I, II and III the student will then undertake ENGL693 Research Methods (3 credits) and the research paper, ENGL 684F&W (9 credits).

ENGL693 Research Methods is taken in conjunction with the research paper. This course is for administrative purposes. When the research paper is passed, a Pass grade is submitted for both ENGL684 and ENGL693.

All students in the program take seven seminar courses to be chosen in consultation with their advisor, from the list of the Department's 500- and 600/700-level offerings. Normally students will not take more than two courses at the 500-level. The course work should represent a breadth of topic and a significant historical and theoretical range. Students are not expected to specialize in their course work; specialization occurs in preparing and writing the MARP.

Taken together with the student's undergraduate studies, a student's record at the end of his/her MA program should include a full range of courses appropriate to the field in question, broadly construed.

Some sample schedules for progress through the program:

4.6 Style and Format

The Graduate Program supports the documentation methods of the Modern Language Association of America, as set forth in  MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers , or the documentation methods set out in the  Chicago Manual of Style . Students should consult the current edition of either guide before submitting course work, proposals, theses, or research papers.

4.7 Creative Writing Thesis Option

The Creative Writing Thesis Option is designed to provide Master's candidates with the opportunity to develop as literary artists in the context of graduate-level academic study. The Option is unique in its insistence that candidates demonstrate both academic and creative abilities and synthesize these developing skills in a thesis-length creative project and an accompanying scholarly essay concerned with the thesis's formal and stylistic innovations. The success of this approach is signaled by the number of creative writing theses from McGill that have seen eventual professional publication. Candidates should note, however, that graduation from the Creative Writing Option may reduce their chances of admission to doctoral programs at some universities.

Admission into the Option occurs after a student's acceptance into the Master of Arts program on the basis of academic performance at the undergraduate level. Applicants must therefore articulate, as requested in the application, a program of  scholarly  (not creative) research; applicants are not admitted on the basis of creative proposals or abilities. Once registered, any Master's candidate who fulfills all departmental course requirements and obtains a minimum B+ average may propose an MA thesis in creative writing. Supervisory resources within the department for the Creative Writing Option are minimal; faculty currently involved in the Option are professional academics with experience as creative writers. It is the candidate's responsibility to secure the supervision of one of these faculty members, usually by submitting samples of written work. A thesis proposal agreed upon by the candidate and supervisor should then provide a synopsis of the creative project to be undertaken, indicate the formal and stylistic strategies chosen and the reasons for those choices, and include an outline of a critical introduction or afterward setting forth the candidate's knowledge of the genre chosen. The Graduate Administration Committee reviews all proposals for Master's theses and is therefore responsible for the acceptance or rejection of Creative Writing Thesis proposals. If the proposal is accepted, the candidate will prepare under the supervisor's ongoing direction an acceptable creative work, usually of the length of the standard scholarly Master's thesis (80 to 100 pages), and a developed critical study of its chosen form and style. Once the supervisor has approved a final version of the thesis, it will be examined by the thesis supervisor, an internal examiner, and an external examiner. The candidate will graduate with a Master of Arts in English Literature if all three examiners pass the creative thesis with a mark of "Satisfactory" or better.

4.8 Independent Reading Courses

Independent reading courses (ENGL 687 or ENGL 786) are intended for advanced and/or specialized work. They are arranged with the individual instructor concerned. Permission must be obtained from the Director of Graduate Studies before registering. An independent reading course proposal must be submitted to the Director for approval during the official registration periods. Proposals submitted after the add/drop period cannot be considered.

Guidelines for the general conduct of individual reading courses and for the presentation of individual reading course proposals :

• The independent course of study shall be equivalent in weight to a three-credit course and may be pursued by a student in good standing under the direction of any member of staff in the Department of English.
• The proposed subject matter must lie within the generally accepted boundaries of English studies.
• In general, proposals for such courses may be accepted by the Director of Graduate Studies provided that: (a) the proposed study is extended or particularized from an area of study in which the student is already prepared; (b) the proposed study does not duplicate a course normally to be found among departmental offerings; (c) the student's previous course work is completed.
• It shall be the responsibility of the student to find, contact, and seek the agreement of a member of staff working in an area appropriate to the proposed individual study. The student should note that professors are not compensated for this additional work.
• In the case of each such proposed course of study, the student and staff member concerned shall provide, during the official course registration period, a  proposal  that includes: (a) a course description, indicating the relation to previous work; (b) a detailed schedule of study; (c) a plan of evaluation; (d) a bibliography of primary and secondary material to be covered in the course. The proposal, written by the student and countersigned by a staff member as supervisor, must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. A student will not be permitted to register for an individual reading course without written approval from the Director. Samples of independent reading course proposals are available for students to look at in the Graduate Student Affairs Office, Arts 155.

4.9 Courses Offered in Other Departments or Area Universities

Courses offered by other departments may be taken by students in the Department of English for credit to their programs on an exceptional basis, subject to the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. Under the  Quebec Inter-University Transfer Agreement , students may also, on an exceptional basis, take courses at other Quebec Universities, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. Normally, however, these options are not encouraged: students are expected to take full advantage of the broad range of courses and expertise offered by the Department of English at McGill, and not to specialize at the MA level. No more than one third of a student's total MA seminar coursework may be taken outside of the Department of English (one course for students pursuing the Thesis Option; two courses for students pursuing the MA Research Paper Option).

Department and University Information

Department of english.

• Writer-in-Residence
• Land Acknowledgement

Art and Design MA

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Course overview

This multidisciplinary course engages with the myriad possibilities of a fluid approach to Art and Design. Our course values creative research skills and activities and contextual studies as much as creative practice itself. Through a combination of making, reading, and writing, you'll become a critical and creative thinker and practitioner.

You will experience an innovative approach to Art and Design, working across disciplinary boundaries, combining traditional and contemporary approaches between thinking and making, you will develop into creative and critical artists, designers, or hybrids, who are informed by the past, who challenge the present, and who are prepared for the future. Examples of integrated/hybrid Art and Design practices might include, but are not limited to, participatory and community arts/design projects, digital and physical mapping projects, artist books, publication as practice, interpretation of archival and historical materials, speculative design projects, environmental, landscape and place-based work.

The course encourages making, creativity and innovation in tandem with the opportunity to develop your critical, contextual, and theoretical abilities. You will develop your understanding of research methods relevant to Art and Design research-based practices and whatever, your background, you will have the opportunity to develop your creative practice. By the end of the programme, you will have produced a substantial portfolio of work which will demonstrate a distinct and personalised approach to creative practice and will further your future career

You will be supported by a team of experienced artists, designers, academics and technical staff who will help you develop your skills and maximise your potential. You will be encouraged to make use of the School’s dedicated exhibition spaces, other venues on the University campus and across the city.

The MA in Interdisciplinary Art and Design is designed for students from a range of backgrounds including Graphic and Communication Design, Curation, Fashion, Textiles, Fine Art, Photography, Digital Media and more.

Additional highlights

• teaching led by active Art and Design researchers
• creative research skills are a key component of the course
• opportunity to engage with live briefs and art and design organisations, within and external to the University
• a programme of talks and workshops by practitioners: including artists, designers and researchers

Specialist facilities

The School of Design offers excellent facilities and technical support for developing your creative skills. We have a range of dedicated spaces where you can work independently. We also have several practical workshop studios and specialist facilities: fashion design studio, knit and weave studio, photography studio, digital print workshop, laser cutting and 3D print workshop, printmaking workshop, XLab for Immersive Technologies and 3D workshop. We provide you with access to a team of excellent technicians across the full range of skills who can help you to realise your work to reach its potential.

We have a gallery within the School, as well as other dedicated spaces in which students can show their work.

We also provide a range of other support to enhance the student experience and prepare students for the workplace: free dedicated software, a wide range of technical induction programmes, free access to LinkedIn Learning Tutorials, free camera and video recorder loan, supporting a Degree Show, external promotion, Yorkshire Fashion Archive, visiting speakers from industry or other institutions around the world.

Course details

The School of Design provides a very different educational experience from our competitors. We value research activities and contextual studies and see these as integral to contemporary creative practice . In this interdisciplinary Art and Design postgraduate course you’ll develop a very broad range of creative and critical research skills. ''

There are opportunities to gain deep understanding of the creative and cultural industries. As a creative, whether you end up working in either the cultural or the commercial arena, you will need to create ambitious projects that attract, involve, and engage an audience or users.

In semester 1 you will be introduced to a wide range of creative research skills and simultaneously explore the relation of thinking and making, you will work rapidly in response to a variety of creative challenges. This will start with a lively range of approaches to show within your portfolio. You will also have an opportunity to develop and learn new technical skills in our workshops.

In semester 2 you will develop your personal line of art and design enquiry and will begin to realise your creative voice. You will develop your skills in critical analysis and evaluate your work as you progress. You will develop an awareness of the wider issues within art and design organisations and consider who might be your audience.

In semester 2 you'll also have the opportunity to visit a range of Art and Design organisations within the Yorkshire region.

In semester 3, the Final Major Project module gives you the opportunity to develop a independently driven body of work in tandem with theoretical studies. This semester allows students to create an extensive practice research project that showcases your unique creative skills in relation to their critical and contextual interests for public exhibition.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Art and Design MA in the course catalogue

Compulsory modules

Thinking and Making for Art and Design (30 credits) - This is a key module where synergies and differences between the disciplines are introduced, it will be fast moving and involve making, reading, and acquiring technical skills and reflecting on these. You’ll develop an understanding of art and design thinking, acquire new making skills, and build a portfolio of short projects as a strong foundation for the rest of the course. The module is divided in three main sections: 1) introduction to different models of art and design thinking and making 2) a practice-focused and skills acquisition section; 3) a practice development section

Creative research skills (30 credits) - This module will review current thinking on creative research and explore the integration of research and practice. The module will introduce a range of research principles, skills and methods and discuss the ethical and social considerations for creative research and human-centred design solutions. These approaches form a foundation for the research-led practice students will apply in their specialist projects and projects developed in the specialist modules.

Situating Creative Practice (30 credits) - This is a key module in which you will consider creative practice in its intellectual, social, cultural, economic and aesthetic contexts. This may involve visits to Art and Design organisations, opportunities to work on live briefs both within the university and beyond. This will give you employability and professional practice experience and further your understanding of the cultural and commercial creative industries. The module is divided into three sections: 1) a theoretical introduction 2) a case study 3) a portfolio and report.

Developing Creative Practice (30 credits) -This module focuses on exploratory making and thinking and uses this to develop an independent body of creative work and a contextualised position statement. The module is divided into three sections 1) Positioning your practice: you will establish the area in which your practice is positioned using speculative visual research and consolidating your conceptual concerns. 2) Speculative enquiry: you will develop several creative projects that explore and test your line of enquiry. 3) Making meaning: selecting one of these to develop to confirm the viability within your developing practice.

Final Major Project (60 credits) - As a creative, whether you end up working in either the cultural or the commercial arena, you will need to create ambitious projects that attract, involve, and engage with an audience or users. The Final Major Project module allows you to create an extensive creative practice research project that showcases your unique creative skills. You will be able to show your work in public exhibition. Your work will be developed in relation to your critical and contextual interests and will provide you with material to create a portfolio with which to launch and develop your future career.

Learning and teaching

You will learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars, technical workshops, studio practice feedback clinics and tutorials.

Creative problem solving and Art and Design thinking methods are central our teaching in the School of Design. Your learning will be enhanced by a range of teaching contemporary methods which encourage active learning and are underpinned by inclusive and authentic learning activities, including team working towards exhibitions, mini projects and creative and commercial industry facing scenarios. We follow a campus based blended learning approach ; you’ll have a range of resources in the virtual learning environment which are accessible at all times, including videos and pre-work to help you prepare. You’ll attend lectures which are carefully designed to invite engagement and participation, seminars enable you to delve deeper into key topics, workshops to learn and access to studios for Art and Design making and there will be tutorials and feedback clinics to discuss work in progress. Your module tutors have dedicated office hours, which means there’s always the opportunity to ask questions.

Collaboration with staff and your peers is the foundation of our teaching and learning, giving students input into their learning journey. Some of your core modules may be studied with students from other design disciplines, here you will benefit from our community of learners, to contribute their diverse perspectives, and to encounter those of others, with global industry practices in mind.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

On the MA Interdisciplinary Art and Design programme we embed authentic, diverse and inclusive assessments, and to employ formative assessments for scaffolding students to summative assessments.

Formative feedback will be provided to students through a combination of self-reflection, peer group and tutor feedback in tutorials and feedback clinics. Summative assessments will provide a measure of the extent to which students have achieved the learning outcomes of the modules.

Assessment within each module will vary and include more than one assessment strategy and key strategies include portfolios, essays, reports, verbal presentations, and the Final Major Project portfolio and exhibition.

Authentic assessment means relevant assessment; relevant in terms of contemporary contexts and also relevant to your personal interests and your future aspirations. The authenticity of assessment is an important consideration in how we design assignments and project briefs. This means that we think carefully about the relevance of assessment outcomes; not only in academic terms but also in terms of your chosen career path, skill development needs and the future of work in your chosen discipline. Where appropriate, there will be an element of choice in your assessment. Some projects will allow you to choose the focus and format of your submission

In the School of Design you will be assessed through a variety of methods. For example, these may include visual 2D and 3D responses, portfolios of text and image, blogs, short videos, presentations as well as more traditional essays, reports and exams. Some of your assessments may be based upon collaboration with your peers. This collaboration could be in the development of artefacts, proposals and/or various forms of visual and textual communication in response to problem-based issues.

Entry requirements

You’ll need a bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification in a design or art degree specialising in one the following subjects: art and design, fine art, fashion design, graphic design, visual communication design, information design, branding, design for sustainability, colour design, sculpture, printmaking, textiles.

You’ll be required to submit a portfolio of recent practical work.

You’ll also be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form, including details of the art or design specialism you might wish to study as part of the MA Art and Design.

Please note that meeting the entry requirements of this course doesn't guarantee an offer of a place.

Applying from China Due to the large numbers of applications we receive, we’re only able to offer places to applicants who have attended selected Chinese institutions . With regret, any applications we receive from applicants awarded a qualification in China from an institution that isn’t on this list will be rejected.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications .

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks) .

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals.  Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional .

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses .

How to apply

Application deadline:

We operate a staged admissions process for our courses, with selection deadlines throughout the year.

If you do not receive an offer at a particular stage in the process, you will be either notified that your application has been unsuccessful, or that is has been carried forward to be considered at the next stage.

Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying (please submit an official English translation if necessary)
• Evidence of your English language qualifications, if English is not your first language
• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form, which explains why you wish to study this particular course and your career plans
• An electronic link or pdf to your digital portfolio. The portfolio will demonstrate research, idea development and presentation of final concepts for each project. If any group work is included, the candidate must clearly state this and indicate what their individual role in the project was.
• Applicants from non-design backgrounds must also have a portfolio – this can include a variety of materials which you feel best demonstrates your creative ability

Watch a video giving advice on your application

Applicants may be invited to attend an interview with the programme manager either by phone, Skype or in person.

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures receives very large numbers of high-quality applications and regrets that it cannot make offers to all of its applicants. Some particularly popular schools may have to reject many that hold the necessary academic qualifications.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students . We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Design Faculty of Arts

Postgraduate Administrator

Email: [email protected] Telephone:

UK: £15,250 (Total)

International: £30,250 (Total)

Students will be able to purchase Art and Design consumables through the School of Design shop and should budget for £500.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page .

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview .

Career opportunities

Flexibility, resilience and transferable skills are desirable attributes for future graduates. In the School of Design, as well as providing you with research led, industry informed subject-specific knowledge, we aim to equip you with the best possible skills for a variety of future careers. Design thinking, combined with excellent research and criticality skills are increasingly valued across a wide range of sectors; therefore, your degree from the University of Leeds opens opportunities across disciplines and multiple industries, as well as in your programme related specialism.

On completing this course, you’ll have strong creative skills and critical awareness, as well as an understanding of the creative and commercial cultural industries. You’ll have developed skills that make you an independent thinker and maker able to respond to the needs the of our ever-changing workplaces. All of these qualities are highly valued by employers.