Non-Residents: $31,569
What do Shonda Rhimes ( Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal ) and Mindy Kaling ( The Mindy Project, The Office ) have in common? Great writing careers — and the fact that they both studied at Dartmouth College.
The New Hampshire-based school created its comprehensive English and creative writing program with only one thing in mind: to help students become capable writers and build their confidence step by step.
Dartmouth has a nice selection of writing courses that differ each semester and creative writing awards , including the Sidney Cox Memorial Prize and the Academy of American Poets Prize, that undergraduates can compete for.
9.2 percent | |
Hanover, NH |
If you want to learn screenwriting, digital and cross-disciplinary writing, and much more, Brown is the way to go! But apart from having a stellar graduate and undergraduate curriculum , Brown also boasts a vibrant literary community that provides students with a continuous stream of readings, festivals, and performances.
Its strong liberal foundation exposes emerging writers to relevant voices and perspectives in the current literary landscape. On top of that, Brown also has courses tackling new media such as political drama, electronic writing, and innovative narrative.
7.7 percent | |
Providence, RI |
Another excellent option for aspiring writers is to earn a Certificate in Creative Writing or join the MFA program at Washington University. Why? Because you could be taught by National Book Award finalists, Guggenheim Fellows, and National Book Critics Circle Award winners!
Admissions to this college writing program can be pretty competitive since they only accept five students per track (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry). But once you’re in, you’ll become part of a close-knit community that can still be felt even after you graduate.
The campus also has plenty to offer, including a well-known student newspaper and a prime location connecting you to Forest Park and local museums, perfect for when you need a little break from your studies.
15 percent | |
St. Louis, MO |
The writing program at Johns Hopkins is a hidden gem. Sure, the Maryland-based university is known for its STEM-related disciplines, but it also has a great and flexible curriculum for students looking to master storytelling through the written word.
While challenging, courses at Johns Hopkins are designed to squeeze the best out of you. This has been proven by the sea of prolific poets, novelists, and screenwriters produced by the school, namely A Nightmare on Elm Street ’s Wes Craven, Growing Up ’s Russell Baker, and Love Medicine ’s Louise Erdrich.
9 percent | |
Baltimore, MD |
Are you surprised that MIT has a solid writing program on top of its reputation for excellence in engineering and physical sciences? The top-tier school can also offer you the best of both worlds with its graduate program in science writing .
The curriculum introduces students to fundamental research and reporting skills as they learn how to make science accessible to the masses. This highly-selective program gives you a chance to publish science-related works, including documentaries, data visualization projects, radio shows, and long-form content.
What’s even better is that the lively Cambridge campus is a great place to arouse your creativity and quite simply write better. Plus, the 22 institutional libraries found in the city offer a good respite for literature lovers or hard-working science researchers.
4.1 percent | |
Cambridge, MA |
Get ready for an intensive, multi-level approach to writing with Colorado College. Thanks to its innovative block plan structure , where students only face one class for three-and-a-half weeks, you will quickly master each discipline that interests you.
Feeling low on creativity? Take a walk at one of the seven national parks nearby, where you can find secluded spaces perfect for reflection and discussion (even if you’re by yourself).
15 percent | |
Colorado, CO |
If you want to get a handle on creative writing, your work must go through the wringer so it can improve. At Brandeis, you’ll be exposed to a rigorous curriculum and a renowned writing center to help you get started.
As soon as you get into the college’s creative writing program , take advantage of one-on-one sessions with supportive graduate-student consultants. With this peer-to-peer appointment, you can get your work dissected and sort out any writing issues with your structure, style, punctuation, or syntax.
34 percent | |
Waltham, MA |
For writers hoping to concentrate their studies on poetry or prose, the University of Virginia is a great pick. Whether you’re a full-fledged English major or a Science freshman interested in poetry, its undergraduate program can certainly accommodate you.
The college also has a stellar MFA program that accepts five students for poetry and five for prose. Apart from this school having terrific professors, graduate students receive $20,000 in fellowships or income each academic year.
Students also learn from visiting lecturers who take residence in the school for one week and offer craft talks and one-on-one manuscript consultations (where an MFA student’s work is given to visiting writers one week ahead).
23.9 percent | |
Residents: Non-Residents: $48,036 | |
Charlottesville, VA |
At Colby, students are introduced to a strong culture of writing, teaching them to be skillful and effective in multiple genres. The college’s writing program provides students with expository writing workshops, writing labs , and word references forums to build their ability to communicate thoughtfully and skillfully.
Among the impressive resources available at Colby is Farnham’s Writing Center , where great writing is fostered through peer and faculty support. Working with peer writing tutors from the brainstorming phase to the final version is bound to make you a better writer!
13.1 percent | |
(including room and board) | |
Waterville, ME |
Kenyon’s mission is to nurture future poets and fiction writers, and it’s certainly achieved this with notable alumni like The Fault in Our Stars ’ John Green and Seabiscuit ’s Laura Hillenbrand.
This program’s main draw is the Kenyon Review , the college’s world-renowned literary magazine that offers highly coveted workshops and internships for student writers. Each year, a select number of faculty from Kenyon also teach workshops on poetry and prose for students in the English program .
35.8 percent | |
Gambier, OH |
No matter how much you love writing, mastering this craft can be challenging. That’s why Beloit’s writing program is designed to support students of all kinds in their writing journey.
At the college’s writing center , tutors approach their students’ learning with the understanding and consideration that everyone has different strengths and capabilities. With this hands-on mentorship comes a range of other great learning resources, like literary journals and student publications, that give you the chance to gain practical experience outside the classroom.
56.4 percent | |
Beloit, WI |
This university’s three-year MFA program steals the show when it comes to creative writing. Known as the New Writers Project, this graduate-level degree only accepts a dozen students (with full funding) and hosts symposiums to connect them with editors and agents.
The New Writers Project also invites guest writers like Bluets’ Maggie Nelson, Voyager’s Srikanth Reddy, and Notes from No Man’s Land’s Eula Biss to interact with graduate students.
But if you want to spend less time concentrating on fiction, poetry, and short stories? The University of Texas-Austin’s Certificate in Creative Writing or its Honors option is for you!
31.8 percent | |
(both Fall and Spring 2021-22) | Residents: Non-Residents: $56,686 |
Austin, TX |
Goddard College takes the gold when it comes to having a varied creative writing offering! This unconventional college writing program welcomes writers interested in screenplay writing, graphic novels, dramatic writing, libretto, speculative fiction, memoirs, and other hybrid genres.
Trusting its students’ capabilities, Goddard was the first college to offer low-residency BFA and MFA creative writing degrees. This means that students are only required to complete an eight-day residency, where they can attend one-on-one sessions with advisors or participate in literary events on campus, before being able to complete the rest of their education at home.
56 percent | |
Unranked | |
Plainfield, VT |
Although this college also boasts courses on comedy and satire, the human impact on the environment, and prose, Bucknell is renowned for its poetry offering. The Stadler Center for Poetry hosts the annual Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets, which awards deserving students full-tuition scholarships.
It also has the Philip Roth Residence Program named after Bucknell’s famous alumnus himself. Authors writing their first (or second) book are allowed to lodge in the Poets’ Cottage with a hefty $5,000 stipend as they work, but the program only lasts for four months.
33 perccent | |
Lewisburg, PA |
The star-studded core faculty at NYU’s creative writing program should be enough to get you on board with this college! Imagine learning the fundamentals of writing from award-winning poets, novelists, short story writers, and memoirists such as Joyce Carol Oates, Zadie Smith, Darin Strauss, Edward Hirsch, and Katie Kitamura.
Plus, with this program, you also get a shot at Writers in New York, a prized summer program that takes place at a townhouse in Greenwich Village where the likes of E.E. Cummings, James Baldwin, Willa Cather, and Mark Twain lived and worked.
16.2 percent | |
New York, NY |
Tagged as the best public university in the US, Michigan’s fantastic Helen Zell MFA Program exposes graduate students to several top-notch writers through a series taught by critically-acclaimed authors (who wouldn’t want to hear from Kazuo Ishiguro, Alice McDermott, Angela Flournoy, and Edward Hirsch?).
Undergraduates can also apply for admission to a creative writing sub-concentration or a minor and partake in the prestigious Avery Hopwood Awards , one of the country’s most famous student writing prizes.
22.9 percent | |
Residents: Non-Residents: $53,232 – $56,962 | |
Ann Arbor, MI |
For aspiring writers interested in expressing themselves in a language other than English, the creative writing program at the University of Miami’s curriculum is uniquely inspired by nearby multilingual communities. Polyglot writers are encouraged to explore literature in their own languages.
This university also welcomes double majors so that students can pursue their love for the craft on top of their other interests. Miami’s also great because this campus is jam-packed with extracurriculars that students can jump on to hone their skills. Mangrove , the school’s literary magazine, allows students an opportunity to perform their original work through hosting contests and mic nights.
33 percent | |
Coral Gables, FL |
Minnesota residents with a passion for writing consider this small university in Saint Paul a haven for creatives. Why? Because this college is home to the only bachelor’s degree in this field in the entire Twin Cities region (and the only one in the state offered by a private institution).
Hamline has three fine arts degrees for aspiring authors: a BFA and MFA in Creative Writing, plus a low-residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. These courses cover a range of literary genres that enable students to gain a diverse knowledge of the practice.
67.1 percent | |
Saint Paul, MN |
Writing requires dedication, passion, and a conducive environment where your talents can flourish. All the schools on this list have built outstanding creative writing programs but choosing what suits you best is important.
Make sure the school you pick can help you reach your full potential. Good luck!
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Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Degree Program
Unlock your creative potential and hone your unique voice.
Online Courses
11 out of 12 total courses
On-Campus Experience
One 1- or 3-week residency in summer
$3,340 per course
Registration opens November 4, 2024
Through the master’s degree in creative writing and literature, you’ll hone your skills as a storyteller — crafting original scripts, novels, stories, and works of creative nonfiction.
In small, workshop-style classes, you’ll master key elements of narrative craft, including characterization, story and plot structure, point of view, dialogue, and description. Rigorous literature courses, many of them taught by Harvard College faculty members, will deepen your skills as a writer and scholar.
Instructors who are established screenwriters, novelists, and nonfiction writers
A community of writers who support your growth in live online classes
Writer's residency with agent & editor networking opportunities
Personalized academic and career advising
Thesis or capstone options that lead to publishable creative work
Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation
As you work through the program’s courses, you’ll enhance your creative writing skills and knowledge of literary concepts and strategies.
You’ll hone your voice as a writer in courses like Writing the Novel and Advanced Memoir. You’ll explore the possibilities of the screen in courses such as Advanced Screenwriting and Comedy Sketch Writing.
Within the creative writing and literature program, you will choose between a thesis or capstone track. You’ll also experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person.
A 1- or 3-week summer master class taught by a notable instructor, followed by an agents-and-editors weekend
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.
First, you’ll register for and complete 2 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies and count toward your degree, helping ensure success in the program.
Enroll for your first admission course this spring. Course registration is open November 4, 2024–January 23, 2025.
To get started, explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.
Studying at Harvard Extension School means learning from the world’s best. Our instructors are established and award-winning writers and scholars. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.
Playwright and Screenwriter
Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Our community at a glance.
Most of our creative writing and literature students are enrolled in our master’s degree program for either personal enrichment or to make a career change. Over half are employed full time while pursuing their degree and work across a variety of industries.
Download: Creative Writing & Literature Master's Degree Fact Sheet
Average Age
Courses Taken Each Semester
Work Full Time
Would Recommend the Program
Professional Experience in the Field
Pursued for Personal Enrichment
Graduates of our Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Program have writing, research, and communication jobs in the fields of publishing, advertising/marketing, fundraising, secondary and higher education, and more.
Some alumni continue their educational journeys and pursue further studies in other nationally ranked degree programs, including those at Boston University, Brandeis University, University of Pennsylvania, and Cambridge University.
Our alumni hold titles as:
Our alumni work at a variety of leading organizations, including:
Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, employment opportunities, Harvard alumni mentor connections, and career fairs like the annual on-campus Harvard Humanities, Media, Marketing, and Creative Careers Expo.
Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will earn the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Creative Writing and Literature.
As a graduate, you’ll become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).
Harvard is closer than one might think. You can be anywhere and still be part of this world.
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
Our Tuition (2024–25 rate) | $3,340 per course |
---|---|
Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $4,330 per course |
Average Total Cost | $40,080 |
After admission, you may qualify for financial aid . Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.
Learn more about the cost of attendance .
A master’s degree in creative writing and literature prepares you for a variety of career paths in writing, literature, and communication — it’s up to you to decide where your interests will take you.
You could become a professional writer, editor, literary agent, marketing copywriter, or communications specialist.
You could also go the academic route and bring your knowledge to the classroom to teach creative writing or literature courses.
The value you find in our Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Degree Program will depend on your unique goals, interests, and circumstances.
The curriculum provides a range of courses that allow you to graduate with knowledge and skills transferable to various industries and careers.
Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.
For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.
While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.
Harvard Extension School does not require any specific skills prior to applying, but in general, it’s helpful to have solid reading, writing, communication, and critical thinking skills if you are considering a creative writing and literature master’s degree.
Initial eligibility requirements can be found on our creative writing and literature master’s degree requirements page .
The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.
Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.
Extracurriculars.
Writing has been my passion practically since I learned to read in kindergarten. I would write stories about princesses and my family dog, Gansett. When it came time to look at colleges, I was set on attending one with a strong creative writing program. Ultimately, I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars.
Today, colleges across the country offer creative writing as a major. Because writing skills are essential for a wide range of careers, and because most curricula emphasize broad liberal arts competencies, a degree in creative writing can set you up for success in numerous fields, whether you want to be an editor or a lawyer.
Interested in majoring in creative writing? Learn which schools offer the major and what to look for in a program.
Creative writing is about more than spinning tales. For your major, you’ll generally need to pursue a curriculum grounded in literature, history, foreign language, and other humanities courses, along with distribution courses, if the college requires them.
Most creative writing majors must participate in workshops, in which students present their work and listen to peer critiques, usually with a certain number of advanced courses in the mix. In some cases, colleges will ask you to specialize in a particular genre, such as fiction, poetry, or playwriting.
To succeed in creative writing, you’ll need to have a tough spine, in order to open yourself up to feedback from your classmates and instructors. You may need to give readings in public — if not as an undergraduate, certainly during your career. Of course, a passion for creating is essential, too, as is a willingness to revise your work and learn from the greats and your peers.
A creative writing major opens up doors to many careers, including journalism, content marketing, copywriting, teaching, and others. Even careers that don’t center around writing often have a strong writing component: you’ll need to write reports, deliver presentations, and so on.
Some writers go on to earn an MFA, which will help you hone your craft. It’s also often a prerequisite for teaching creative writing at the college level.
Published authors on faculty.
Many world-renowned authors have another claim to fame: professorships. Writers who have taught their craft include (among many others):
Be aware that as an undergraduate, you may not be able to learn from the greats. That’s why it’s important to look into which courses these faculty teach before you have dreams of being mentored by Salman Rushdie — who is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at NYU.
While many schools that have creative writing majors offer fiction and poetry courses and tracks, there are some niche genres that could be more difficult to find. If you’re interested in playwriting, for example, you won’t find that at every school. Before you decide on a program, be sure it includes the genres you’d like to explore further, whether that’s flash fiction, creative nonfiction, or something else.
The core of most quality creative writing curriculum is workshopping. This means sharing your work in your classes and listening to your peers discuss and critique it. While this may sound intimidating, it can do a lot to help you hone your work and become a better writer. Look for colleges that make this the bedrock of their curriculum.
Are there opportunities to present your work, such as college-sponsored readings where undergraduates can participate? Or, perhaps the school has a great literary journal. At my school, students could submit their plays and have them performed by fellow students.
Agnes Scott College | Decatur | Georgia |
Ashland University | Ashland | Ohio |
Augustana College | Rock Island | Illinois |
Austin College | Sherman | Texas |
Baldwin Wallace University | BW | Berea | Ohio |
Beloit College | Beloit | Wisconsin |
Bennington College | Bennington | Vermont |
Berry College | Mount Berry | Georgia |
Bowling Green State University | BGSU | Bowling Green | Ohio |
Bradley University | Peoria | Illinois |
Brandeis University | Waltham | Massachusetts |
Brooklyn College | Brooklyn | New York |
Brown University | Providence | Rhode Island |
Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Pennsylvania |
Butler University | Indianapolis | Indiana |
California College of the Arts | CCA | San Francisco | California |
Capital University | Columbus | Ohio |
Carnegie Mellon University | CMU | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
Catawba College | Salisbury | North Carolina |
Central Michigan University | CMU | Mount Pleasant | Michigan |
Central Washington University | CWU | Ellensburg | Washington |
Chapman University | Orange | California |
Coe College | Cedar Rapids | Iowa |
Colby College | Waterville | Maine |
College of the Holy Cross | Holy Cross | Worcester | Massachusetts |
Colorado College | Colorado Springs | Colorado |
Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | Illinois |
Columbia University | New York | New York |
Dartmouth College | Hanover | New Hampshire |
Eastern Michigan University | EMU | Ypsilanti | Michigan |
Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg | Florida |
Emerson College | Boston | Massachusetts |
Emory University | Atlanta | Georgia |
Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg | Massachusetts |
Franklin and Marshall College | F&M | Lancaster | Pennsylvania |
George Mason University | Fairfax | Virginia |
George Washington University | GW | Washington | Washington DC |
Hamilton College | Clinton | New York |
Huntingdon College | Montgomery | Alabama |
Ithaca College | Ithaca | New York |
Johns Hopkins University | JHU | Baltimore | Maryland |
Knox College | Galesburg | Illinois |
Laguna College of Art and Design | LCAD | Laguna Beach | California |
Lesley University | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
Lindenwood University | Saint Charles | Missouri |
Linfield College | McMinnville | Oregon |
Loyola University Maryland | Baltimore | Maryland |
Loyola University New Orleans | New Orleans | Louisiana |
Macalester College | Saint Paul | Minnesota |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MIT | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
Mercer University | Macon | Georgia |
Miami University | Oxford | Ohio |
Millikin University | Decatur | Illinois |
Millsaps College | Jackson | Mississippi |
New School | New York | New York |
Northwestern University | Evanston | Illinois |
Oakland University | Rochester Hills | Michigan |
Oberlin College | Oberlin | Ohio |
Ohio Northern University | ONU | Ada | Ohio |
Ohio University | Athens | Ohio |
Ohio Wesleyan University | Delaware | Ohio |
Oklahoma Baptist University | OBU | Shawnee | Oklahoma |
Otterbein University | Westerville | Ohio |
Pacific University | Forest Grove | Oregon |
Pepperdine University | Malibu | California |
Portland State University | PSU | Portland | Oregon |
Pratt Institute | Brooklyn | New York |
Principia College | Elsah | Illinois |
Providence College | Providence | Rhode Island |
Purdue University | West Lafayette | Indiana |
Rhode Island College | RIC | Providence | Rhode Island |
Rocky Mountain College | RMC | Billings | Montana |
Roger Williams University | RWU | Bristol | Rhode Island |
Saint Mary’s College (Indiana) | Notre Dame | Indiana |
School of the Art Institute of Chicago | SAIC | Chicago | Illinois |
Seattle University | Seattle | Washington |
Seton Hall University | South Orange | New Jersey |
Simmons College | Boston | Massachusetts |
Southern Methodist University | SMU | Dallas | Texas |
Southern Oregon University | SOU | Ashland | Oregon |
Spalding University | Louisville | Kentucky |
State University of New York at Purchase | SUNY Purchase | Purchase | New York |
Stephens College | Columbia | Missouri |
Suffolk University | Boston | Massachusetts |
Texas Christian University | TCU | Fort Worth | Texas |
Texas Wesleyan University | Fort Worth | Texas |
The State University of New York at Binghamton | SUNY Binghamton | Vestal | New York |
The State University of New York at Buffalo | SUNY Buffalo | Buffalo | New York |
The State University of New York at Stony Brook | SUNY Stony Brook | Stony Brook | New York |
Truman State University | TSU | Kirksville | Missouri |
University of Arizona | Tucson | Arizona |
University of California, Riverside | UC Riverside | Riverside | California |
University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati | Ohio |
University of Evansville | Evansville | Indiana |
University of Houston | Houston | Texas |
University of Idaho | Moscow | Idaho |
University of La Verne | La Verne | California |
University of Maine at Farmington | UMF | Farmington | Maine |
University of Miami | Coral Gables | Florida |
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | Michigan |
University of Nebraska Omaha | UNO | Omaha | Nebraska |
University of New Mexico | UNM | Albuquerque | New Mexico |
University of North Carolina at Wilmington | UNC Wilmington | Wilmington | North Carolina |
University of Pittsburgh | Pitt | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | Washington |
University of Redlands | Redlands | California |
University of Rochester | Rochester | New York |
University of Southern California | USC | Los Angeles | California |
University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) | Saint Paul | Minnesota |
University of Texas at El Paso | UTEP | El Paso | Texas |
University of the Arts | UArts | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
University of Tulsa | Tulsa | Oklahoma |
University of Washington | Seattle | Washington |
Valparaiso University | Valpo | Valparaiso | Indiana |
Washington University in St. Louis | WashU | Saint Louis | Missouri |
Wellesley College | Wellesley | Massachusetts |
Western Michigan University | WMU | Kalamazoo | Michigan |
Western New England University | WNE | Springfield | Massachusetts |
Western Washington University | WWU | Bellingham | Washington |
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Norton | Massachusetts |
Wichita State University | WSU | Wichita | Kansas |
Widener University | Chester | Pennsylvania |
Wofford College | Spartanburg | South Carolina |
Yeshiva University | New York | New York |
Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Ohio |
No matter what major you’re considering, the first step is ensuring you’re academically comparable to students who were previously accepted to the college or university. Most selective schools use the Academic Index to filter out applicants who aren’t up to their standards.
You’ll also want to demonstrate your fit with the school and specific major with the qualitative components of your application, like your extracurriculars and essays. For a prospective creative writing major, the essay is particularly important because this is a way to demonstrate your writing prowess. Activities might include editing your school’s newspaper or literary journal, publishing your work, and participating in pre-college writing workshops.
Want to know your chances of being accepted to top creative writing schools? Try our Chancing Engine (it’s free). Unlike other calculators, it takes your individual profile into account, including academic stats and qualitative components like your activities. Give it a try and get a jumpstart on your journey as a creative writing major!
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Updated: May 16, 2024, 10:45am
Joan Didion once wrote, “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” Her sentiment captures the power of storytelling and the fundamental role it plays in the human experience. Language, writing and literature shape our world and our experiences in remarkable ways. These forces converge within the field of creative writing, allowing us to push the boundaries of language and structure, explore new perspectives and stretch our imaginations to create worlds of our own.
Beyond storytelling, creative writing offers a breadth of tools and skills transferable to many fields and industries, including healthcare, technology, business and education. Pursuing a degree in creative writing online can help you sharpen your written and verbal communication skills, develop robust research practices and enhance your critical thinking abilities.
In this article, we explore all 10 schools with online degrees in creative writing that met our ranking criteria. We highlight each program’s standout features and key considerations to help you narrow down your search.
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education
Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.
We ranked 10 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online bachelor’s degree programs in creative writing in the U.S. using 17 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. Data is accurate as of February 2024.
We scored schools based on the following metrics:
Student Outcomes:
Affordability:
Student Experience:
Credibility:
Application Process:
We listed all 10 schools in the U.S. that met our ranking criteria.
Find our full list of methodologies here .
Should you enroll in an online degree program in creative writing, accreditation for degrees in creative writing online, how to find the right online degree in creative writing for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about degrees in creative writing online, university of central florida, texas tech university, regent university, central washington university, university of iowa, colorado christian university, liberty university, southern new hampshire university, weber state university, savannah college of art and design.
Undergraduate Tuition
$179.19/credit (in-state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
Based in Orlando, the University of Central Florida , offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing. Learners explore communication, rhetoric, literary structure and script writing through poetry, fiction and nonfiction texts.
The curriculum provides a theoretical and practical framework that encourages students to construct sound arguments, develop original creative content across genres and enhance their critical thinking abilities. This program covers topics such as communication, rhetoric and literary structure.
$284/credit (in-state)
At Texas Tech University , based in Lubbock, learners can pursue an online B.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing. The comprehensive curriculum provides a strong foundation in creative writing and rhetoric while delving into a rich array of global, American and British literature.
Through the diverse elective selection, learners can explore genres like drama, film, linguistics, science fiction and fantasy. Students seeking hands-on experience can opt to complete an internship in literature, creative writing and linguistics. This program is designed for aspiring writers, students planning to attend graduate school and those interested in teaching college-level writing or literature.
$450/credit (part time), $395/credit (full time)
Regent University , a private Christian institution in Virginia Beach, Virginia, offers an online B.A. in English with a focus in writing. The curriculum emphasizes the development of creative, professional and technical writing abilities. During the program, students gain a foundational overview of U.S., British and world literature, while honing fundamental writing skills across disciplines, including business, media and web writing.
Students can tailor their studies to their interests with courses like writing for animation, creative nonfiction and feature writing, and writing for strategic communication.
$222/credit (in state)
You can pursue an online professional and creative writing major at Central Washington University (CWU), based in Ellensburg, Washington. This comprehensive program takes a practical and collaborative approach to writing, literary analysis and critical thinking. You’ll explore writing techniques and technologies in the workplace and develop skills for creative, technical, professional and business writing, editing and publishing.
You’ll participate in writing workshops with your peers, providing and receiving feedback to develop your craft. Customize your degree with career-focused electives like freelance writing, screenwriting fundamentals and accessible information design. This program requires students to complete at least two practicum credits.
$376/credit (in-state)
The University of Iowa , based in Iowa City, offers an online Bachelor of Applied Studies with a focus in creative writing. This program is designed for community college grads who want to complete a four-year program. Applicants can transfer 60 college credits from their associate degree. First-year students are not eligible to enroll in this program.
The creative writing track requires learners to complete 18 credits, including three core courses and three electives. Students explore the many facets of written communication, including writing strategies, novel writing and the art of revision. The curriculum covers creative writing across genres, including fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, poetry and professional writing.
$494/credit
Colorado Christian University (CCU), located in Lakewood, offers a 100% online B.A. in creative writing. Through a Christian framework, learners hone their written and verbal communication skills, research practices and critical thinking abilities.
Students delve into the structure and function of publishing entities and their audiences. They also develop the tools to navigate opportunities and challenges in creating, publishing and marketing their work.
You can accelerate your timeline by transferring up to 90 credits toward your bachelor’s degree. CCU also offers credits for life experience.
$390/credit (full time)
Liberty University , a private evangelical Christian college in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in creative writing. Throughout the program, students learn creative writing practices and principles across multiple genres, including memoir, poetry, film and theater. In addition to developing fundamental writing skills, learners study research practices, editing for publishing, and print and digital publishing.
This program offers specializations in English, journalism and Christian literature, allowing students to pursue a degree that matches their career goals.
$330/credit
Southern New Hampshire University , in Manchester, New Hampshire, offers an online B.A. in creative writing and English. This program helps learners develop their writing and storytelling talents through. It features an overview of genre-specific conventions and techniques, approaches to literary analysis and literary form, style and structure. Writers present their work and collaborate with their peers in advanced workshops.
When enrolling in this program, you have the option to choose the general track or select a concentration in fiction, nonfiction, poetry or screenwriting.
$2735.38/term (full time, in state)
Weber State University , based in Ogden, Utah, offers an online B.A. in English with an emphasis in creative writing. This program is designed to help students hone their craft in writing original fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Learners collaborate with their peers in workshops and receive one-on-one mentorship from faculty.
The curriculum overviews American, British, global and contemporary literature, writing forms, and editing and publishing. Students can choose from a variety of courses to customize their coursework to their interests, and the program requires a minor.
$914/credit
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), based in Savannah, Georgia, offers an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in dramatic writing. This program focuses on storytelling for visual and performance-based media.
Students explore the conventions of storytelling for various mediums, including the screen, stage and digital platforms. The workload includes crafting screenplays, scripts and other forms of dramatic writing, honing essential skills for careers in television, theater, film and digital media.
Pursuing a creative writing degree online can be a convenient option for learners seeking more flexibility to meet the needs of their busy schedules or learning preferences. With the freedom to study from anywhere, online learning allows students to access programs they otherwise wouldn’t be able to, allowing them to personalize their education to align with their academic and professional interests.
Still, while online learning offers flexibility in some areas, it also presents unique challenges. Distance learning doesn’t provide the same structured learning environment as in-person instruction; therefore, learners must have strong time management abilities to stay on top of their studies.
Institutional accreditation should be at the forefront of your research as you consider prospective online creative writing degrees. Institutional accreditation is a rigorous evaluation process that colleges and universities undertake to ensure they meet established standards. Accrediting bodies assess a school’s program offerings, faculty, support services and student outcomes.
Enrolling in an accredited institution ensures that your degree is recognized by employers, other higher education institutions and credentialing bodies. Plus, you must be enrolled in an accredited school to qualify for federal student aid. To verify a school’s accreditation status, search the Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, managed by the U.S. Department of Education.
Before enrolling in an online creative writing degree program, consider your academic and professional goals carefully. Each program has its own scope and focus, which can set you up for different writing careers . Some programs offer a broad curriculum, while others specialize in specific genres like poetry, screenwriting, fiction or nonfiction. You might also consider faculty expertise if you’re interested in being taught by someone with experience in a specific area.
Whether you’re planning to enter the workforce immediately or earn a master’s in creative writing , building a solid portfolio of work is crucial. You might prioritize programs that offer publication or professional development opportunities through internships or practicums.
The cost of earning an online creative writing degree can vary significantly by school. The semester-based schools on our list range from $180 to $494 per credit. Over a 120-credit degree, this translates to $21,600 to $59,280.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics , the average undergraduate tuition in the 2022–23 academic year cost $9,750 for public schools and $38,421 for private nonprofit colleges. In comparison, our programs cost between $5,400 and $41,130 per year.
Many financing options are available for distance learners, including scholarships, grants and loans. Submitting the FAFSA® can help you determine your eligibility for federal financial aid.
Yes, it’s possible to earn a creative writing degree online. Every creative writing degree featured in this article can be earned online.
A creative writing degree can be worth it, depending on your interests and career goals. Creative writing degrees can be versatile and equip you with in-demand transferable skills across multiple industries, including business, technology, healthcare and education.
Earning a creative writing degree can be challenging. Producing original work, completing assigned readings and participating in collaborative workshops can create a demanding workload.
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The Creative Writing Major is an undergraduate concentration within the English Department at Northwestern University and one of the first and finest undergraduate Creative Writing programs in the country. Its reputation is based on the accomplishments of its graduates, the generosity of its accomplished professors, and a pedagogy that creates a fruitful symbiosis between close reading and inventive writing. Award-winning authors teach poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as courses that cross genres, guiding students to examine literary works as writers and encouraging them to study the best literary models. Professors and students work in a close-knit community as they write their own stories, novellas, poems and essays within the living tradition of literature.
Most Creative Writing Majors begin taking creative writing courses in their sophomore year and complete the yearlong “sequence” of study during their junior year, and some have the opportunity to complete an additional honors project before graduation (see Recommended Schedule for Prospective Writing Majors below). Students also learn from prominent visiting writers at our annual Festival of Writing in the Spring. Recent graduates of the program include MacArthur “Genius” Award Winner Karen Russell; Veronica Roth, whose bestselling novel “Divergent” was first drafted while she was a student; poet Peter Kline; and award-winning essayist Angela Mears.
Current Creative Writing faculty include Chris Abani , Brian Bouldrey , John Bresland , Averill Curdy , Sheila Donohue , Juan Martinez , Shauna Seliy , Charif Shanahan , Natasha Trethewey , Daisy Hernández , and Rachel Jamison Webster .
The Creative Writing program also offers two minors; the Sequence-based Minor and, for those not pursuing one of the year-long sequences, the non-application based Cross-genre Minor in Creative Writing .
See past and upcoming Creative Writing events.
Undergraduate publication opportunities
Courses for prospective creative writing majors, in a recommended order..
*Denotes courses that are REQUIRED for the Creative Writing Major
ENG 202-Introduction to Creative Writing
(can be taken in Fall quarter of Freshman year. This provides an introduction to all three genres and prepares you for our other CW courses.)
ENG 210-1,2 - English Literary Traditions or ENG 270-1,2 - American Literary Traditions
(While not required for creative writing, these are excellent background courses for writing students, and also serve as prerequisites for the English literature major.)
* ENG 206 - Reading and Writing Poetry
* ENG 207 - Reading and Writing Fiction
* ENG 208 - Reading & Writing Creative Nonfiction
(You may take 206, 207, or 208 in any order. You should have taken or be enrolled in any one of these when you're applying. )
Students may apply to the Creative Writing Program in the Spring of your Sophomore Year or in the Spring of your Junior Year.
Some students fulfill their requirements--of 206, 207 and 208--well before the time of application to the program. If that happens, we recommend that you stay in writing practice and continue building your portfolio by taking one of our 300-level writing courses, English 306, 307, 308, or 309. Please see Juan Martinez , Director of Creative Writing, for further suggestions and help with course planning.
All students interested in the Creative Writing Major must take one introductory course --poetry (ENG 206), fiction (207), or creative nonfiction (208)--and at least be enrolled in another before applying to the major. Students can only apply to the major in any genre for which they've completed (or are enrolled) in its 200-level component; you can only apply for poetry after having taken or enrolling in ENG 206, for fiction after ENG 207, for creative nonfiction after ENG 208.
At the 200-level, no prior knowledge of a genre is required to enroll.
Admission to the next stage of the Creative Writing Major or the Sequence-based Minor in Creative Writing, the year-long 300-level advanced course sequences, is competitive. Admission to the program is granted primarily on the basis of manuscript quality and the student’s promise. An applicant may be admitted to study as a major, a minor, or a sequence-only student.
For fiction and nonfiction applications, your writing sample should be 7-15 pages.
For poetry applications, your writing sample should be 4-5 poems.
No preference in admission is currently given to those who apply to the sequences, though there are later opportunities open only to Creative Writing Majors, including participation in senior honors, one-on-one conferences with visiting writers-in-residence, and the winter senior readings series. Students may apply for admission to the sequence courses no earlier than the spring of their sophomore year.
Theory and Practice of Poetry (ENG 393), Fiction (394), and Creative Nonfiction (395):
These year-long sequences of courses ask students to pursue a rigorous program that includes explication and critical writing, imitation and modeling, close reading of literary texts, and the creation of original creative work. The sequences are arranged in three consecutive quarters.
They begin in the fall with specialized courses in the fundamental technical and rhetorical bases of each genre. Poetry students study the uses of metaphor and mode, and the theory of prosody (including both the major form of poetry in English-accentual-syllabic verse-and the minor forms, accentual, syllabic, and free verse). Fiction students consider the tenets of realism and its alternatives, and practice different approaches to style, characterization, structure, and point of view. Creative nonfiction students focus on essay forms, logical method, authorial tone, and techniques of discourse and description. In all genres, imitations and models of great writers are assigned.
The second half of the sequence in each genre is devoted to intensive writing of a longer original work-a poem of at least 120 lines or an essay or novella of 25 to 35 pages.
Note that in the event further work in fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry is desired outside the year-long sequence, ENG 206, 207, and 208 may be repeated up to two times for WCAS credit. Advanced one-quarter courses in creative writing (ENG 306, 307, 308, 309) are also offered for non-majors.
In addition to the sequences, creative writing majors must take:
“The Situation of Writing,” which is typically offered in the winter quarter, investigates the writer’s relation to the culture, both currently and historically. The course addresses such questions as the relation of criticism to imaginative literature, the rise and fall of specific literary genres, the effect of the university on the production and consumption of literary works, the state of the publishing industry, and international literary contexts.
English 207 or 208, whichever introductory course was not completed before application to the sequences. This requirement ensures that writing majors will have had experience reading and writing in all three major non-dramatic modes of imaginative writing.
These courses must be “pure literature”; that is, courses in which the bulk of the reading is literature and not criticism or theory. They must be selected from English Department offerings ONLY:
These courses, in areas such as history, art, classics, and gender studies, broaden the student’s background for the study of literature. These must be approved by a creative writing advisor.
In addition to the sequences, creative writing sequence-based minors must take:
Other program features.
The Annual Writers Festival gives students the chance to learn from and interact with guest Writers-in-Residence for a three-day celebration of master classes, public readings, and a panel discussion on craft. The festival is situated within the larger Evanston Literary Festival, which hosts a number of literary events throughout the city.
Writing by students at Northwestern is recognized by the award-winning student literary magazine, Helicon, and by the Department of English Annual Writing Competition , held in the spring.
-- Veronica Roth, author of the bestselling Divergent series
“I still believe our program at Northwestern is as good as any graduate program in the country. It was nice to have the opportunity when I was 19 to spend so much time reading and writing with these other writers. There was such a serious sense of purpose. That’s a testament to Brian and Sheila and the rest of the faculty. They really could create a community.” --Karen Russell, author of Swamplandia!, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and winner of a MacArthur Genius Award.
“As a Creative Nonfiction student in the Creative Writing program, I was pushed hard -- by my professors and fellow writers -- to find my voice. Not just my voice as a writer, but as a person and advocate of my life and experiences. More than anything else, I learned that I am still learning. I am still finding that voice, and always will be. I learned that this fact is okay, it is right, it is what makes me write.” --Danielle Littman, 2013 graduate.
"We're not just educating people for professional tracks; we're educating them for their lives." --Professor Mary Kinzie, Founder of the Creative Writing Program and award-winning poet.
Popular undergraduate courses.
Upcoming open days.
Popular topics.
SUBJECT LEAGUE TABLE 2025
A Creative Writing degree will let you flex your storytelling abilities and study the work of literary legends.Our university rankings for Creative Writing include Scriptwriting and Poetry Writing.
The Clearing concierge has the answers
This table was first published on 14 May 2024.
Read the University and subject tables methodology to find out where the data comes from, how the tables are compiled and explanations of the measures used.
All measures used to compile the tables are available on the full table view. Maximum scores for the measures:
Overall score: maximum score of 1000
Entry standards: no maximum score
Student satisfaction: maximum score of 4
Research quality: maximum score of 4
Continuation: maximum score of 100
Graduate prospects – outcomes: maximum score of 100
Graduate prospects – on track: maximum score of 100
The following institutions have courses in this subject but insufficient data to be included in the ranking:
University group, choose a group.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Creative Writing offers a comprehensive learning experience for aspiring writers.
Creative Writing majors develops skills in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. Students have opportunities to study with talented writers on Marshall’s faculty and share their own writing in workshops with other writers.
This degree helps strengthen skills in communication, analysis and critical thinking. These are skills that are valuable for a career in writing—and important to professional work across a wide range of fields.
The Marshall University Writing Center, where students can work with specially trained writing tutors, is a tremendous resource for Creative Writing majors to sharpen their writing skills. Advanced Creative Writing students can apply to tutor at the Writing Center, gaining solid professional experience.
Our curriculum allows you to tailor your studies to align with specific interests and career goals—whether it’s creative writing, editing, publishing, screenwriting or other writing-intensive fields.
Junior and senior level writing workshops help students develop their writing in a collaborative workshop setting.
Through the Creative Writing bachelor’s degree program, students develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, communicating clearly, writing effectively and more, all of which serve as excellent preparation for work in a variety of fields. A Creative Writing major can lead to much more than writing books, although Marshall graduates certainly do this, too.
Undergraduate degree
Discover what it's like to study the BA (hons) English degree at City, University of London.
This programme allows you to take a range of innovative creative writing modules – including screenwriting and writing for gaming - to complement the study of English writing throughout the world. You will graduate with a wide range of creative and applied professional skills.
Institution
City, University of London
Northampton Square
Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept. If your country is not listed please email [email protected] .
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care, attend a low performing school, live in an area where few students go to university, or are the first generation of their family to enter Higher Education.
Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically up to two grades lower for A-levels and one grade (or eight tariff points) for BTEC or mixed qualifications.
Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A Levels and a BTEC qualification.
In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A Level Mathematics at grade B.'
We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.
We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.
The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.
We welcome Access course applications from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits. Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.
A typical offer for an Access applicant would be:
The Zimbabwe GCE A Level is considered on a grade for grade basis with GCE A Levels.
International Students coming to study in the UK may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study. The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:
For more information see our main Visa page .
The School Certificate / General Certificate of Education.
Students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc (Upper Secondary School Graduation Certificate) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Uzbekistan Certificate of Secondary Education.
Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education.
Advanced Certificate in Education (UACE) is considered on a grade for grade basis with GCE A Levels.
Advanced Placements.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the US equivalent required.
The equivalents provided are intended as a guide only and individual applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The following A-level equivalences to Advanced Placements will typically be applied:
Thanawaya (General Secondary Education Certificate Examination)- students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Secondary certificate.
Mathayom Suksa 6 (Senior High School Leaving Certificate) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)
Senior High School Leaving Certificate students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Junior College Diploma
The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Federal Maturity Certificate/Maturitatzeugnis/Cantonal Maturity Certificate. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
International Students from within the European Economic Area (EEA) may need to apply for a Student visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study if they do not have EU Settlement Status.
Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskola. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level).
Considered equivalent to UK A-levels on a like for like basis.
Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE)
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Polish equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) will typically be applied:
Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Korean High School Diploma students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
The National Senior Certificate will be accepted for direct entry to certain undergraduate courses normally
Maturitetno spričevalo (Matura Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Secondary School Leaving Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-levels considered equivalent to UK A-levels on a like-for-like basis.
Polytechnic Diploma students considered for year 1 or year 2 entry on a case-by-case basis depending on subjects taken and CGPA.
Please contact Admissions to confirm your eligibility and the requirements for your course of interest.
Secondary School Leaving Diploma/Matura. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Thanawaya (General Secondary Education Certificate) - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
The Rwanda Advanced Certificate of Education (A-level)
The Attestat o Srednam Obrazov
Diplomă de Bacalaureat. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Diploma/Certificado Nível Secundário de Educação. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the rquirements for your course of interest.
Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura.
The following A-level equivalences to Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura will typically be applied:
Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC).
Thanawaya (General Education Diploma) - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole (VVO). The exact requirements MAY differ between courses.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Norwegian equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to Vitnemal will typically be applied:
Senior School Certificate/West African Senior School Certificate
Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
The Moroccan Diplôme du Baccalauréat/Attestation du Baccalauréat
Titulo Académico de Bachiller / Diploma de Bachiller / Bachillerato General - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
The CIE A Level sat in Mauritius is considered on a grade for grade basis with GCE A Levels sat in the UK.
Advanced Matriculation and Matriculation Certificate Examination are comparable to A Levels with the same grading system as UK A levels.
STPM / UEC.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Malaysian equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to STPM will typically be applied:
The following A-level equivalences to UEC will typically be applied:
Diplôme de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Brandos Atestatas (Certificate of Maturity). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Lebanese Baccalaureate - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
Certificate of Completed Secondary Education.
Thanawaya (Certificate of General Secondary Education) - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Senmonshi (vocational degree), Jun-Gakushi (associate degree) and Tanki Daigaku Shuryo Shoshois (Junior College Certificate of Graduation) considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Diploma di Esame di Stato.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Italian equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to Diploma di Esame di Stato will typically be applied:
Irish Leaving Certificate. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar Sekolah Menengah Umum Tingkat Atas (Senior Secondary School Certificate of Completion) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Diploma III & IV students considered for year 1 entry on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Indian equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to HSC XII will typically be applied:
Stúdentspróf. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Érettségi. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Hong Kong equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to HKDSE will typically be applied:
Greek Apolytirion. Please note that exact requirements may differ between courses.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Greek equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to Greek Apolytirion will typically be applied:
German Abitur.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the German equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to Abitur will typically be applied:
French Baccalaureate.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the French equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to French Baccalaureate will typically be applied:
Gümnaasiumi loputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate with the State Examination Certificate).
Certificate of Nile International Secondary Education
Hojere Forberedelseseksamen (HF). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Vysvědčení o maturitní zkoušce / Maturita (Secondary School Leaving Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses.
Apolytirion. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
The following A-level equivalences to Apolytirion will typically be applied:
Maturalna svjedodzba (Matura Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Bachiller Académico/Technico
Senior High School Certificate students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.
Gaokao students with exceptional grades considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Grade 12 high school graduation certificate / diploma. Please note that exact requirements may differ between provinces.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Canadian equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to Canadian year 12 Diplomas will typically be applied:
The Cameroonian GGCE is normally considered like for like with UK A levels.
Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie.
Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Bulgarian equivalent required.
The following A-level equivalences to Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie will typically be applied:
Brunei-Cambridge GCE A-levels considered equivalent to UK A-levels on a like for like basis.
Botswana National qualifications
Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs/Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur.
General Secondary Education Certificate.
Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.
Titulo de Bachiller.
The Baccalaureat de l'Enseignement Secondaire
Diplome e Matures Shteterore (Diploma of State Matura). Students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course. Alternatively, IB, A Levels, or other European system will be considered.
If you are unable to find your country equivalents in the above list, City will consider other international qualifications on a case by case basis.
Please contact the Admissions team for more details.
If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:
Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.
in London for student satisfaction in English studies three years in a row (NSS Survey 2022-2024)
Study in the heart of London, a global hub of literary creativity.
Explore your artistic side and learn how to write fiction and creative non-fiction, and for films, television and games.
Fees and funding, how to apply, english with creative writing ba (hons) degree course overview.
This course is subject to approval for 2025 entry.
This programme builds on our international reputation in creative writing, media and the creative industries.
Your first year is shared with BA English. Throughout your degree you will study the written word across time and space, from Shakespeare to popular music, comic books to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
By the end of your studies, you will be able to communicate in different professional and critical forms, using the written and spoken word.
You will also develop a set of specialised and applied skills in contemporary forms of creative writing, from short stories and literary journalism to screenplays and game dialogue. You’ll graduate with a compelling portfolio of sample writings.
Develop your own creative and professional skills while immersing yourself in the study of English in this three year-degree.
Year 1: Develop a thorough grounding in reading, writing, academic and creative skills. Encounter a range of texts from around the world, explore how creative writing represents issues like social justice, and develop your own skills in storytelling.
Year2: Take core modules in creative short fiction and screenplay writing. Deepen your understanding of writing in English by choosing from a range of modules focusing on global and English literature, publishing, writing for media and communications, and advertising.
Year 3: Take core modules in writing for gaming and long-form journalism. Choose from a range of options including contemporary approaches to writing in English, media, marketing and publishing. Cap your degree with an optional creative writing project.
As an Undergraduate student you can undertake a period of study abroad whilst completing the programme.
This is possible through the Exchange Programme, a year of study at one of our European and/or international partner universities via a sandwich year, which is undertaken between completing Programme Stage 2 and entering Programme Stage 3, extending the degree to four years.
The resulting degree title awarded would be: BA English with Study Abroad.
We have strong links with Universities such as:
Your modules will be delivered using a combination of:
Lectures will provide you with commentary and explanation of key content areas. Most modules also offer small seminars and workshops, where you can develop your understanding of key texts and ideas through discussion and debate as well as hone your practical and professional skills. This versatility of approach will not only facilitate discussion but allow you to generate your own content, with different readerships, forms and functions in mind.
Your programme will be assessed via a range of coursework and practical assignments, which may include:
To be confirmed
International
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2025/26 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase in the region of 5%.
Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs .
Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses .
You will graduate with a unique blend of intellectual and creative skills.
Our employability-focused curriculum strongly emphasises the practical application of your skills in a professional context. You’ll have the opportunity to take a work placement module or year, apply for a year’s study abroad, or undertake shorter and intensive work placements.
Delivered through world-class teaching dedicated to enhancing your job prospects, this course prepares you for a range of possible career options, including:
More information on the Careers support available at City is available on our website.
As an English student at City, you will have the opportunity to take a second-year elective module, ‘Work Placement’. You may also apply to take a sandwich year between years two and three of your degree. Our careers team will help you secure a placement in the areas that meet your future ambitions.
Previous students have taken their placements in a wide range of sectors, including:
Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website .
You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60 .
Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.
UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.
You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £27.50 application fee.
For enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office
Complete the Admissions enquiry form .
Call: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.
Your application for entry in September 2025 should arrive at UCAS between September 2024 and 31 January 2025. Applications that arrive after 31 January 2025 will be considered only at City's discretion.
Website: www.ucas.com
Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ
For callers with hearing difficulties:
BA (Hons) English student Ruth’s insights
Want to find out more about student life? Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any question you have
Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.
Senior Lecturer in Medieval and Early Modern Literature
Lecturer in English
Nov 06
Join us at our Postgraduate Open Evening to learn more about our postgraduate courses and discover all the benefits of studying at City, University of London.
Wednesday, 6 th November 2024 , 17:00 – 19:00
Location: Northampton Square
Audience: Prospective students
Wednesday, 10 th January 2024
Dr Dominic Davies publishes new book The Broken Promise of Infrastructure, which investigates the cultural politics of infrastructure in Britain.
Friday, 10 th March 2023
Careers-focused module boosts BA English students’ employability at City.
Journalism ba (hons).
Train for a career in journalism with this hands on degree. Develop the skills you need to become a print, broadcast or online journalist, alongside research and critical thinking skills.
Award: Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Duration: 3 years (4 years with placement or study abroad year)
Our fascinating three-year History BA Hons degree invites you to explore the events, force and ideas that have shaped modern and international history.
Undergraduate enquiries.
+44 (0)20 7040 8716
Admissions enquiries
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Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 3.39M citations received by 403K academic papers made by 1,501 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.
The University of Iowa offers top-notch academic programming in more than 100 areas. Students looking to hone their leadership skills have many options, too: They can enroll in the LeaderShape ...
A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall. There were about 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in creative writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
Right out of undergrad, Brown students boasted an exceptional 81% admission rate to med school and an 81% admission rate to law school. Enrollment: 7,639. Cost of Attendance: $84,828. Median SAT: 1530. Median ACT: 35. Acceptance Rate: 5%. Retention Rate: 99%. Graduation Rate: 96%. #3 College for Creative Writing.
Read 1,372 reviews. A+. Overall Niche Grade. Acceptance rate 7%. Net price $26,123. SAT range 1500-1570. Overall, I enjoy being at the University of Pennsylvania. The campus is beautiful and relatively safe. The staff is friendly, intellectual, and encourages creative thinking.
University of Michigan is one of the best state universities in the country and has a top-notch MFA program. This school's undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications give students crucial practice in both building a writing ...
Yes. 2. Columbia University. Columbia is another university that offers a world-class creative writing program and a wide range of course options. Its location in New York City is ideal for internship and job opportunities with major publishers, literary journals, and award-winning authors.
1. Northwestern University. Established in 1851, Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois (just outside Chicago). With approximately 22,000 students, it's a private institution with a six-to-one student-to-faculty ratio. Professors in the creative writing program are award-winning authors.
University of Virginia-Main Campus offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2022, 6 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 6 Master's degrees. Columbia University in the City of New York offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs.
1. University of Iowa - Iowa City, IA. The University of Iowa, known as "The Writing University," is one of the best colleges for creative writing, offering one of the most prestigious creative writing programs in the world. Founded in 1847, it is home to the famous Iowa Writers' Workshop, the first creative writing degree program in ...
Creative Writing. Stanford's Creative Writing Program--one of the best-known in the country--cultivates the power of individual expression within a vibrant community of writers. Many of our English majors pursue a concentration in creative writing, and the minor in Creative Writing is among the most popular minors on campus.
67%. $46,985 per year. Harvard University. Cambridge, MA. 3.59%. $56,550 per year. To save you the worry of searching through all of the creative writing programs the country has to offer, here are the top thirteen best colleges for creative writing. 1. Brown University.
Basic Certificate Highest Degree Type. 88 Annual Graduates. Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in creative writing has to check out University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Pitt is a public university with a fairly large student population.
1. Columbia University. The Undergraduate Creative Writing Program at Columbia University boasts one of the most prestigious literary histories. Well-known writers like J.D. Salinger, Federico Garcia Lorca, Eudora Welty, Langston Hughes, and Jack Kerouac have taken creative writing courses at the university.
The Stanford Creative Writing Program, founded in 1946 by Wallace Stegner, has become one of the nation's most distinguished creative writing institutions. After almost 80 years, the program continues to evolve while also respecting its original vision of recruiting and supporting talented writers, offering exceptional creative writing instruction and mentorship, and inspiring undergraduates ...
Creative writing program professors and alumni say creative writing programs cultivate a variety of in-demand skills, including the ability to communicate effectively. "While yes, many creative ...
4) University of Michigan. Anne Carson famously lives in Ann Arbor, as do the MFA students in UMichigan's Helen Zell Writers' Program. This is a big university town, which is less damaging to your social life. Plus, there's lots to do when you have a $25,000 stipend, summer funding, and health care.
24. University of Miami. For aspiring writers interested in expressing themselves in a language other than English, the creative writing program at the University of Miami's curriculum is uniquely inspired by nearby multilingual communities. Polyglot writers are encouraged to explore literature in their own languages.
Creative Writing and Literature Master's Degree Program. Unlock your creative potential and hone your unique voice. Online Courses. 11 out of 12 total courses. On-Campus Experience. One 1- or 3-week residency in summer. Tuition. $3,340 per course. Next Start Term: Spring 2025.
Ultimately, I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars. Today, colleges across the country offer creative writing as a major. Because writing skills are essential for a wide range of careers, and because most curricula emphasize broad liberal arts competencies, a degree in creative writing can set you up for ...
The cost of earning an online creative writing degree can vary significantly by school. The semester-based schools on our list range from $180 to $494 per credit. Over a 120-credit degree, this ...
The Creative Writing Major is an undergraduate concentration within the English Department at Northwestern University and one of the first and finest undergraduate Creative Writing programs in the country. Its reputation is based on the accomplishments of its graduates, the generosity of its accomplished professors, and a pedagogy that creates ...
Explore the best colleges with creative writing degrees. Find the creative writing colleges that are right for you. This year's rankings have introduced an Economic Mobility Index, which measures the economic status change for low-income students. ACT/SAT scores have been removed from rankings to reflect a general de-emphasis on test scores in ...
Creative Writing Rankings 2025
The Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Western Colorado University seeks to create transformative learning experiences for our students, built from a strong foundation that honors our students' unique voices and is supported within inclusive environments established both virtually and at yearly residency gatherings.
The Department of English offers creative writing instruction in multiple formats and offers several degrees and qualifications. Undergraduate. At the undergraduate level, students who are enrolled in a B.A. program at UT Austin can pursue the Creative Writing Certificate. Graduate. We offer two MFA programs in creative writing: the New Writers ...
Creative Writing majors develops skills in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. Students have opportunities to study with talented writers on Marshall's faculty and share their own writing in workshops with other writers. ... The Marshall University Writing Center, where students can work with specially trained writing tutors, is a ...
The cross disciplinary minor in creative writing is designed to encourage students to develop their writing talents across a number of literary forms and communication contexts. Course offerings in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, scriptwriting, screen and playwriting give students the opportunity to shape the minor to suit a variety of ...
University Schedule Of Classe. Web Registration System. Creative Writing Courses . 351:211 Introduction to Creative Writing (Fall 2024) ... Practice in creative writing in various forms (fiction, poetry, drama, essay); critical analysis of students' manuscripts in class and/or individual conferences. Reading other student work, as well as the ...
Study English with Creative Writing at the leading London university for English Studies. City is ranked 1st in London and 6th in the UK in the National Student Survey 2024. ... A-level AAA = 85% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects; ... Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire ...