There’s no better place to study creative writing and English Literature than the UK’s “most poetic city”.
Renowned poets and writers from Andrew Marvell to Philip Larkin, Stevie Smith to Tom Paulin, J.R.R. Tolkien to Winifred Holtby, all have ties to the University and Hull.
Our MA Creative Writing and English Literature course is perfect if you want to enhance your creative writing skills but are also interested in English Literature.
You’ll study contemporary text with published writers and scholars and can specialise in either creative writing or English Literature – or both.
About this course
This course gives you the perfect opportunity to combine your love of studying literature with learning the skills you need to successfully write your own.
You’ll gain insight into society, culture and politics by developing an understanding of the power of language while receiving a thorough grounding in research methods and practices.
Full flexibility means you can choose to focus on the writers, or forms of writing, that most interest you while tailoring this course to your interests in either Creative Writing, English Literature, or both.
This course has received 100% overall satisfaction from our MA students in the national 2023/24 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES), with 100% agreeing that they feel better prepared for their future careers.
Guided by published scholars and authors, the literature modules explore cutting-edge themes, including gender and sexuality, climate fiction and intertextuality. Creative writing modules allow students to focus their interests on both fiction and non-fiction prose forms, as well as sci-fi and fantasy
The course culminates in a creative writing portfolio, where you will produce an extended creative piece in a genre of your choice.
Module options
For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.
Filters
Research, Creativity and Engagement
You'll be trained in research and practice-based methods in literary studies, creative writing or both. You'll work with the University-based Journal of Gender Studies to develop your reviewing skills or preparing your work for publication skills. You'll then present aspects of your research at a conference day.
compulsory
30 credits
Creative Writing Portfolio
Creative writing students can opt for the Creative Writing Portfolio, rather than the Dissertation. Supported by a supervisor you will produce a substantial piece of creative writing, such as a novel extract, a novella, a group of short stories, a collection of poetry, or a script/screenplay.
compulsory
60 credits
Gender in Popular Culture
This module analyses masculinity and femininity in genres central to contemporary popular fiction and film, such as crime fiction, chick and lad lit, war fiction, true crime and the gangster movie. You'll analyse these novels and films using the theoretical perspectives of Bakhtin, Foucault, Butler, Bourdieu and Fiske.
optional
30 credits
Shakespearean Transformations
You will be introduced to classical and early modern theories of imitation and originality, and modern theories of intertextuality as a starting point for considering how works by Shakespeare and other early modern writers can be understood as intertextual ‘transformations’ in relation to both classical and medieval precursors, and contemporary works of fiction and art.
optional
30 credits
Climate Fiction: Writing Water in a Warming World
This module focuses on representations of water in contemporary climate fiction. You will explore the capacity of fiction to imagine possible futures, alongside concepts including eco-anxiety, environmental injustice, and sustainability.
optional
30 credits
Writing Creative Non-Fiction: Reflecting Reality
On this module, you will be introduced to a wide range of non-fiction prose, including travel writing, true crime, narrative history and biography. You will produce a portfolio of non-fiction and reflective writings yourself and will also be expected to partake in guest talks/writing workshops with tutors who have taught for many years in prison and in other contexts of incarceration.
optional
30 credits
Writing Short Stories
Develop your understanding of the short story form by critically engaging with and examining a range of examples. You'll then build on this understanding by writing your own stories.
optional
20 credits
Writing the Novel
How does an opening chapter make the rest of a novel inevitable? Through reading, workshops, and studies of character, plot and structure, you'll kick-start your own novel.
optional
20 credits
Our academics
You’re taught by internationally-renowned scholars, published poets, fiction writers, and scriptwriters. People who bring their expertise, creativity and passion into everything you learn.
We’re part of the Larkin Centre research group. In REF 2021, 93% of our research was ranked world-leading or internationally excellent.2
Dr Edmund Hurst
Lecturer
A novelist and published author, Dr. Edmund Hurst’s focus is on Genre Fiction. Interested in Fantasy and Science Fiction, he achieved his PhD for the thesis: 'Dawnsmoke and the Influence of Character Tropes on the Construction of Fantasy Fiction.'
Kathleen McKay
Lecturer
Kath is a fiction writer and poet. She has published two novels, two full poetry collections and one poetry booklet, while her short stories have been anthologised and broadcast. Kath has won awards for poetry, short stories and a crime novel.
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
When it comes to applying for this Postgraduate Taught degree, you'll need an Undergraduate degree (or equivalent). For this course, you'll need a 2:2 from a relevant bachelor's degree.
The programme is designed for graduates who have a studied a subject that is relevant to this course.
If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.
In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.
Typical offer
2:2 in a relevant subject area
We normally require a 2:2 undergraduate degree in English (literary studies/creative writing) or a cognate humanities discipline or international equivalent.
Fees & Funding
How much is it?
Scholarships
We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.
Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.
Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship
University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 20% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.
Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.
See more Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships and awards to students at the university to help with their financial load.
To view all of our scholarships and determine whether you're eligible, please visit our Scholarships and Awards page.
Take a look at our facilities
Future prospects
You will leave Hull with enhanced communication, research and creative skills with a grounding not just in research and engagement but also in self-reflection and development.
Career options include writing and editing jobs, in fields such as journalism, marketing or promotions. Many students opt to pursue further research or a career in academia or teaching.
You’ll also learn how to place your own writing with publishers if your ambition is to become a published author.
Take your career to the next level
Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.
Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.
Not ready to apply yet?
We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.
You may also be interested in...
2023/24 PTES survey
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
All modules on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.