The MA Creative Writing with English Literary Studies provides the opportunity to combine creative and critical writing at Masters level. It’s a special chance to learn from prize-winning, practising authors such as Jenn Ashworth, Zoe Lambert and Eoghan Walls who lead the university's long-established Creative Writing scheme and to engage with a vibrant literary culture.

During their studies, students will have the opportunity to develop strategies for initiating new work, explore verbal textures and narrative structures, and enhance their knowledge of literary forms and conventions. Students will be encouraged to hone their critical and creative skills, employ reflective practice, and learn the art of redrafting, revision and close editing. The nature of research within creative writing practice will also be considered as students evolve their own creative and critical portfolio.

‘Research Training and Professional Practice’ is a core module, during which students will examine the professional and ethical issues around creative writing and develop their reflective practice skills. Four elective modules are then split between Creative Writing and English Literary Studies - those on offer explore a wide range of literary fields and genres, and include Psychogeographies, Short Fiction, Poetry, Landscape Writing, the Personal Essay, Radio Drama, Modern, Contemporary, Romantic, Victorian and Early Modern Literature. (Please note: a wide range of modules are offered however not all modules are available every year).

Students will also complete a Creative Writing portfolio, which is a 12,000 creative project (or the equivalent for Poetry or Script Writing) and a 3000 critically reflective essay. All students have the opportunity to perform their creative work at the annual MA Showcase - previous events have been held in partnership with Lancaster LitFest and the Dukes theatre, Lancaster.