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16 Top Creative Writing Workshops in London

By Katrina Kwan

Different types of writing classes in London are aplenty.

And if it’s a creative writing class you’re looking for, continue reading.

Below you’ll find 16 top creative writing workshops in London.

1. Half-Day Writing Workshops with Creative Writing Workshops London

Hosted by Diane Chandler, the winner of the 2016 People’s Book Prize for Fiction , Creative Writing Workshops London is currently offering half-day writing workshops through the months of March, May, and June of 2020. These writing workshops are available for a flat fee of £40.00, and includes provided coffee and baked goods. Based out of Chiswick, London, classes primarily take place in the morning.

These classes will help you create better characters, develop page-turning plot, help to create engaging dialogue, and assist you with writing captivating description. Each workshop takes roughly three hours and accepts up to eight people per class, so be sure to reserve your place as soon as possible. For more information or general inquiries, you can contact Diane via email .

2. Space to Write Wednesdays with Creative Writes

Creative Writes is a creative writing and poetry reading workshop that was founded by Nichola Charalambou. Based out of Muswell Hill, London, Creative Writes offers Space to Write Wednesdays , a creative writing workshop hosted between the months of April to June of 2019. Each class takes place between 7:30PM to 9:30PM.

This creative writing workshop in London is designed to help you with free flow writing, as well as to help develop your work in progress. The fee for this course is £25.00 per class, with included refreshments. For more information or general inquiries, you can contact the team at Creative Writes through their website’s online contact form .

3. Write Better Short Stories with Jane Rogers

Led by award-winning novelist and short story writer Jane Rogers, Write Better Short Stories is a creative writing course offered through London’s very own Faber Academy. This course takes place between May 2 nd , 2019 to July 18 th , 2019, and costs a flat fee of £995.00. Classes take place between 7:00PM to 9:00PM every Thursday evening. Tea and coffee will be provided!

This 12-week course will help you develop your writing skills, increase your knowledge about the short story genre, provide you with individual feedback, and will even help to take three of your stories and prepare them for submission. There are only two places left, so it’s imperative that you register for the course as soon as possible to reserve your spot. For more information or general inquiries, you can contact the team at Faber Academy either through their website’s online contact form or call 0207 927 3868.

4. Folk Tales in New Fiction with London Lit Lab

The London Lit Lab is a creative writing group that offers a wide range of writing resources and workshops for both professional and aspiring authors. They are currently offering Folk Tales in New Fiction led by Zoe Gilbert, who is a published author through Bloomsbury and a PhD candidate for Creative Writing. The course itself will look at symbolism, how to develop recognizable characters, use preexisting tales as jumping off points for your own fiction, and examine what makes successful re-imaginings.

The course takes place on May 11 th , 2019 between 10:00AM to 4:00PM and costs a flat fee of £115 for early bird registration, or £139 for regular registration. The class will take place at the Keynes Library, Birbeck School of Arts located at 43 Gordon Square, London. Class size is limited to fifteen students, so be sure to register right away . For more information or general inquiries, you can contact the team via email or visit their Facebook page .

5. How to Write A Poem with Richard Scott & Maurice Riordan

How to Write a Poem is a creative writing workshop currently offered by Faber Academy, led by poets Richard Scott and Maurice Riordan. This is a three-month poetry course designed for beginners looking to develop their poetic skills. The course takes place between April 30 th , 2019 to July 16 th , 2019 and costs a flat rate of £480.00.

All classes take place between 7:00PM to 9:00PM on Tuesday evenings and will explore topics like voice, self-portraiture and objects, drafting, line breaks, genre mixing, and more. There are only seven spot left, so it’s imperative you register right away.

6. Write & Shine with Gunnersbury Park & Museum

The Gunnersbury Park & Museum offers a program known as Write & Shine, an early morning writing workshop that offers several classes in London and online. Led by Gemma Seltzer, a talented writer who’s worked with organizations like Age UK, BBC Radio 3, Tate Modern, and the Venice Biennale, Write & Shine offers 90-minute writing workshops based out of central London.

The next session is schedule to take place on April 14 th , 2019 between 10:15AM to 12:00PM. A light breakfast will be provided for those who attend. If you’re interested in this writing workshop, you can apply for a spring membership for a flat rate of £129. For more information or general inquiries, you can contact the team at Write and Shine through their website’s online contact form .

7. Fiction Skills: Plot with Tom Bromley

Tom Bromley is currently hosting Fiction Skills: Plot through Faber Academy. He is an author, editor, and ghostwriter with a ton of experience writing both fiction and nonfiction books. The course itself takes place between June 3 rd to 30 th , 2019 and actually takes place online for the convenience of his students.

The course will go over tips and strategies on how to plot, provide a creative and supportive writing group to help you nurture your writing skills, as will provide you with the opportunity of writing a 2k word piece to be critiqued and worked on over the duration of the course. There is a flat fee of £120.00 and there are currently twenty-eight places left to register!

8. One to One MasterClass with Creative Writes

Creative Writes offers one to one masterclasses to assist you in your writing career. They offer one-hour masterclasses for a flat rate of £60.00 and two-hour masterclass for £110.00. All classes are located at their Muswell Hill location, and you can book the course based on your schedule availability. In this workshop, you will be guided through how to adapt your work structure and truly organize your thoughts to help give your writing clarity and a unique voice. You will work closely with Nichola Charalambou, the founder of Creative Writes, who will guide you through the writing process. For more information, you can call 079 4109 1313.

9. Getting Started: Beginner’s Fiction with Helen Shipman

Getting started on a brand-new project can sometimes be tricky, but with a guiding hand, you may be surprised at just how quickly your words find a blank page. Helen Shipman is a writing coach with over 30 years of experience. She is currently offering Getting Started; Beginner’s Fiction , a creative writing course offered through Faber Academy. This 8-week course takes place between June 3 rd , 2019 to July 28 th , 2019 and costs £300.00. There are currently seventeen places left, so it’s important to register as soon as possible if you’re interested.

The course will go over how to develop your creativity and discipline, point of view, character development, setting establishment, dealing with time, structure, and how to organize your writing time. This is actually an online course, which means that students can participate regardless of location!

10. Creative Writing Through Art with Gina DeCagna (Studio 73)

Studio 73 present Creative Writing Through Art , lead by writer, editor, and visual artist Gina DeCagna. The workshop will take place April 23 rd , 2019 between 7:00PM to 9:00PM at the Studio 73 Gallery in London. This workshop is intended for novice and expert writers alike, and will go over development of writing techniques in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and more. The workshop itself costs a flat fee of £16.58 and will be located at 73 Brixton Village, London. You can register for the course here . For more information or general inquiries, you can contact the organizers via email or call 020 7274 7773.

11. Start Your Novel in Five Days with Kathryn Heyman & Mark Haddon

If you’re an aspiring author looking for guidance on how to start your very first novel, consider checking out the Star Your Novel In Five Days workshop led by authors Kathryn Heyman and Mark Haddon. This course will take place between June 17 th to June 21 st , 2019 and costs a flat rate of £550. There are only eleven spots left, so be sure to register right away. This workshop was designed to guide you step by step to help get your novel from idea to reality. This intensive course will take place at Faber Academy located at 74-77 Great Russell Street, London. For more information, you can call 207 927 3827 or email the organizers for general inquiries.

12. Film and Creative Writing Workshop with Amir Darwish & Adam Skup (Hikayetna)

In collaboration with Hikayetna and Near Neighbours, Film and Creative Writing Workshop is a free workshop lead by Amir Darwish and Adam Skup. This course is intended to help creative individuals develop their ideas through visual, oral, and written forms of art. Refreshments will be offered. The course will take place on April 6 th , 2019 between 12:00PM to 4:00PM at Noel Rd, London. For more information or general inquiries, you can contact the event organizers via email .

13. Free Your Creativity and Get Started on Your Book with Guardian Masterclasses

The Guardian is a renowned newspaper that also offers writing courses at their London location. They are currently hosting the Free Your Creativity and Gest Started On Your Book masterclass, which will take place between May 18 th , 2019 to May 19 th , 2019 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Led by Philippa Pride, who has been running the course since 2006, the workshop will go over how to set up a consistent writing schedule, how to practice your creativity, how to develop your narrative, create compelling plots, characters, and dialogue, and more. The course costs £499.00 plus a £7.80 registration fee. For more information, you can contact Guardian Masterclasses via email .

14. Introduction to Creative Writing (Goldsmiths, University of London)

Goldsmiths University of London offers several creative writing programs that can help you develop your skills and put you on the right track to starting your writing career. They are currently offering Introduction to Creative Writing May 1 st , 2019 between 6:30PM to 8:30PM (10-week duration), and November 9 th , 2019 between 10:00AM to 3:00PM (5-week duration). The flat fee for the course is £295. The course is led by Dr. Catherine Humble, a writer, lecturer, and journalist with experience as a creative writing teacher. For general inquiries, you can contact the organizers at Goldsmiths via email .

15. Write Here with Emma Filtness (Cultural Connections Christ Church)

Cultural Connections Christ Church is currently hosting Write Here led by author Emma Filtness. The workshop will take place on May 18 th , 2019 between 2:00PM to 4:00PM at the Clapham Library, located at 91 Clapham High Street, London. No previous writing experience is necessary.

The workshop is designed to help writers develop their short story, poetry, life writing, and flash fiction writing techniques. It is a free event, but space is limited. If you’re interested in participating, be sure to sign up as soon as possible! For more information, you can contact the Cultural Connections Christ Church via email or call 020 7498 4625.

16. How to Write Compelling Memoir with London Lit Lab

The London Lit Lab is currently offering How to Write Compelling Memoir led by novelist and creative nonfiction writer Lily Dunn. This class will take place on October 5 th , 2019 between 10:00AM to 4:00PM at the Keynes Library, Birkbeck, University of London, at 43 Gordon Square, London. Early bird registration starts at £115, and regular registration starts at a rate of £139.

This workshop will help budding memoirists in their pursuit of recounting personal experiences, discuss confidentiality and ethical issues, as well as explore the use of creativity in memoir. Space is limited to fifteen members, so be sure to register if you’re interested! For more information, you can contact the organizers via email .

Do you know of any other creative writing workshops in London, England? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!

K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.

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Introduction to Creative and Life Writing

Module information>.

This course introduces students to some of the key concepts involved in creative writing, especially for those beginning to write.

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Students are introduced to a writing practice in three different styles of writing (writing fiction; writing poetry and writing for the stage), and will explore how to differentiate between the approaches needed for each style. The course will help students to develop an awareness of not only of the contexts into which they write, but some of the different techniques that can be used to grow their writing.

The course further aims to develop understanding of Creative Writing in its literary contexts, using texts students may study elsewhere on their programme as examples. As such, this course ties students’ writing practice very closely to their reading practice, which they may find helpful in subsequent study in the wider field of English.

Learning outcomes

If you complete the course successfully, you should:

• understand some of the skills and techniques required when beginning to write creatively.
• understand three different kinds of writing (fiction, prose, and writing for the stage), and some of their literary contexts.
• be able to practise writing a short piece of fiction, poetry, and a piece for the stage.
• be able to develop an extended writing project in one of these three kinds of writing.
• be able to make connections between the literary texts studied on your programme and the writing you undertake.
• be able to reflect critically on your own writing practice.
• understand more fully the kind of writing you wish to undertake in the future.

Essential reading

Essential literary texts

• Beckett, Samuel Collected Shorter Plays . (London: Faber and Faber, 2006) [ISBN 9780571229147].
• Heaney, Seamus North . (London: Faber and Faber, 2001) [ISBN 9780571108138].
• Woolf, Virginia Mrs Dalloway . (London: Penguin, 2000) [ISBN 9780141182490]

Essential critical texts

• J. Bell and P. Magrs. The Creative Writing Coursebook: Forty Authors Share Advice and Exercises for Fiction and Poetry , (London: Macmillan, 2001)
• Anderson, L. and D. Neale Writing Fiction . (London: Routledge, 2009) [ISBN 9780415461559].
• Strand, M. and E. Boland The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms . (New York: Norton, 2001) [ISBN 9780393321784].
• Taylor, V. Stage Writing: A Practical Guide . (Marlborough: The Crowood Press, 2002) [ISBN 9781861264527]

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Top 10 Best Creative Writing Courses in London (2022 Update)

Writing is one of the most crucial and widely applicable skills one can have, along with being a timeless art form..

Read more posts by this author.

Whether you are a new or experienced writer, there’s a creative writing course you can benefit from. No matter what your creative goals are, these courses can help you brainstorm and stimulate your creative thinking.

The Top 10 Creative Writing Courses in London are:

Creative Writing Workshop with Articulate

Women's creative writing group with articulate, beginners’ fiction, novel writing in 3 months, creative writing intensive- 5 day workshop, ‘get that novel started’ creative writing course, virtual 1 hour creative writing workshop, live online: the decisive moment: writing a personal essay, write and shine summer program- transit, virtual space to write mondays.

Location: Hampstead, North West London

Get down to the nuts and bolts of creative writing in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. In this class you will explore the various aspects of what it takes to be a creative writer.

With the guidance of Ruth, your talented tutor, you will develop techniques which will allow you to build your characters, setting, story arc, dialogue, research skills and so much more. Master the editing process and get valuable feedback and critique.

Ruth V Jarvis is a skilled author, editor and script consultant. Ruth understands the key components to develop and encourage others to build a solid foundation in their writing practice and bring their stories to life.

This women's creative writing group is yet another amazing creative writing experience run by Ruth at Articulate. This creative writing course for women of all ages will encourage you to write creatively by exploring the expression of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

This course is an LGBTQ+ friendly space that aims to build confidence and relationships through sharing students work and ideas. As well as celebrating your favourite women authors, you will also share your creativity and develop various writing techniques such as dialogue, setting, story line and so much more.

Location: West London & Online

London’s very own Faber Academy offers this 12-week long, brilliant creative writing course for beginners. It runs from 22nd September to 8th December, with weekly sessions taking place every Wednesday.

The aim of the course is to teach you how to read like a writer, while developing your writing and literary skills. Each student will have the opportunity to have their work read and discussed during the workshop. By the end of the workshop, you would have written two short stories or the beginning of a novel. If you’re experiencing writer’s block and need to get the juices flowing, head on over.

Location: Central London & Online

This 3 month novel writing course offered by the Curtis Brown creative team for a reasonable price will help you complete that novel you’ve been thinking about, and even get a chance to publish! The course offers weekly writing workshops and teaching sessions on topics such as creating memorable characters, developing strong arcs, and writing authentic dialogue.

Furthermore, students will participate in workshops given by professional publishers, a major author, and literary agents. One on one interviews and tutoring sessions will provide you with the necessary feedback to improve your chances of publishing your novel! The course will have a hybrid mode of instruction with classes taking place on Tuesday evenings, alternating between a spacious venue in London and zoom. Sign up today and pursue your dream of becoming a possibly published author!

Location: Central London

As part of their Summer Schools and Intensives programs, City Academy is offering a 5 day intensive creating writing workshop for beginners. Seriously, all you need is a rough idea to work on, nothing else required.

If you have always wanted to try your hand at this, but never knew where to begin, consider this course. They walk you through various writing techniques and formats, with an expert tutor providing guidance along the way.

Location: South East London

This 6 week long course is suitable for beginners or experienced writers, with a variety of genres to choose from. The course will teach you key concepts such as character building, structure, framework, plot, theme, and drama.

In addition, you will work with other students by sharing your work and critiquing each other’s pieces to gain confidence, develop discipline and work ethic necessary for a writer. By the end of the course, you will have the first 10,000 words of your novel inked with many more ready to be written!

Location: Live Online Event

Join the lovely Diane Chandler, winner of the 2016 People’s Book Prize for Fiction and host of this workshop, for an engaging, one-off creative writing workshop. As part of the Creative Workshops London series, this workshop is being offered online only.

The maximum number of people in one workshop session is six people, to ensure maximum personal feedback for everyone. For those of you who have very little time and would prefer an online option, don’t miss out on this one!

This session walks you through the basics of writing a personal essay, and the nuances of it. It is being offered by the London Lit Lab and will be held on Zoom for 2.5 hours, on Saturday 10th July. The objective of the course is to teach participants how to take a decisive moment in their life and weave it into a personal essay.

The tutor Julia Bell is a published writer and a teacher, in Birkbeck where she is the course director for the MA Creative Writing program. Great personal essays can be very tough to write, and this would be a useful class to develop your skills for it.

Location: Virtual Class

The Write and Shine Program runs throughout the year, and is back this summer. They have a variety of classes on offer, and the running theme is that of writing about places, and cities in particular.

The session takes place virtually, in the morning hours. The Transit workshop is scheduled for 22nd July and focuses on different modes of transport and traveling. If you have the travel bug or wanderlust, you wouldn’t want to miss this one- it might even help you get a travelogue going.

Creative Writes is offering an amazing opportunity to get your creative juices flowing at a very friendly price! The offered course will guide you through fun, and creative free flow writing exercises covering a range of content and themes. Join in on the sessions from 3-4pm on Mondays and give your mind an unwinding, creative workout!

Need more advice?

Enjoyed reading about the top 10 creative writing courses in London? Take a read of some of our other amazing guides and best round ups below. We're sure you'll find something useful, oh - and don't forget to share the love. ‌Obby out. ‌

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Creative Writing For Beginners Short Course

Course description.

Have you ever wanted to know how the elements of prose work? What makes for compelling writing and what leaves readers out in the cold? And what are the best strategies for getting published? This beginners' creative writing class is just the place to find out!

Through in-class exercises, take-home assignments, readings, workshopping and plenty of constructive feedback, you will explore the basic elements that will encourage you to dust off those unfinished short stories or dive into something completely new.

By the end of these ten weeks students will not only have some wonderful pieces of writing under their belts but also lots of practical advice and notes on how to get their work out into the world. The focus will be firmly on fiction (short stories and longer prose) as well as narrative non-fiction (memoir and essays).

This course will enable students to flex their writing muscles and find their writing voices in a fun, focused and supportive environment. This is the perfect class in which to dip your toe and test the writing waters.

Entry requirements: None apart from an interest in developing creative writing skills and a very good command of the English language.

Level: Beginners

Clear, easy to understand lessons:

• Our tutors will explain things in easy to understand, accessible English. If they need to use any special terminology they will make sure they explain what they mean.
• New methods will be shown to students through live demonstrations, in a way thats crystal clear and easy to understand.

Experience life on campus

• Study at Central Saint Martins, Granary Square a world-famous art and design college
• Network and share ideas with students from across the globe
• Access the technology and materials relevant to your discipline
• Shop in our college shops for any materials you might need
• Ask questions of your tutor in real time
• Receive feedback and critique on your assignments
• Experience the many sights of London on your down time

A certificate of completion:

• You've put the work in so we want to make sure you have something to show for it!
• As long as you attend a minimum of 80% of your classes, we will provide you with a certificate of attendance.
• We always recommend you attend all of the classes so that you get the most out of the experience!
• Certificates are great to compliment your cv.

Your course place is confirmed once you have booked online using a credit or debit card. There is no deadline for booking. Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, and all courses have a maximum number of students. We suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

Available dates

Topics covered

• There will be discussions on technique, with particular emphasis on point of view, characterisation, dialogue, structure, and the process of editing
• The course has a strong workshop component, which will enable students to become comfortable with reading and sharing work
• Students will benefit from feedback from both the tutor and colleagues

This is an unmissable opportunity if you want to take the first steps towards writing compelling and successful fiction.

Please bring with you to the first lesson:

• Your favourite book
• Pen or pencil and paper

It would also be helpful to bring some form of binder as there will be handouts each week.

Meet the Tutor:

Contact us:.

• Telephone +44 (0)20 7514 7015
• Address 1 Granary Square King's Cross London N1C 4AA

College: Central Saint Martins

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• Novels and short stories

Novels & Short Story Writing Courses Online & in London

Be inspired to write novels and short stories at the college where Andrea Levy, Malorie Blackman, Anna Burns, and other celebrated authors studied.

Explore character, structure and plot development on the journey to producing quality fiction. All kinds of narrative fiction, long and short, are supported on our wide range of courses. Whether you want to get your great idea down on paper or are already writing and redrafting, we have a course that will suit your level. All our writing courses are taught by practicing writers.

Learn from published authors

Our tutors are published authors, practising writers and experts in their field. Learn about their recent accomplishments .

For the latest news, courses, events and competitions, stay in touch with the Department on  Facebook  and  Twitter .

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short courses allowing you to choose between in-person and online learning.

Learn in the centre of London with our in-person courses. Our purpose-built facilities in Covent Garden mean we are ideally located and easy to get to. 

See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, we've got the class for you.

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Creative Writing

Application options include:

Course Overview

This MA Creative Writing gives you the chance to better understand the craft of writing and gain valuable constructive criticism from other writers and experts who are as serious about developing your work as you are. It is ideal if you want to develop your practice as a writer and work toward publication and/or sustaining a career in the industry.

Why choose this course?

• Our MA is highly respected nationally and internationally and we have a growing list of published and prizewinning authors whose work started life in our seminars, recently including Abi Daré, JJ Bola, Lily Dunn, Annalie Grainger, Louise Hare, Sally Hinchcliffe, Vanessa Onwuemezi, Melody Razak and Saba Sams.
• You will study the art of writing with a faculty of acclaimed authors, which include Julia Bell, Luke Williams and David Eldridge, to name a few.
• You will benefit from the experience and expertise of a team who have been running this creative writing course for almost 20 years enabling diverse cohorts of students to develop as writers across genres and to support their careers.

What you will learn

On this MA Creative Writing you will deepen your knowledge of reading and writing and the possibilities of literature across all forms and genres, as well as developing critical and professional skills relevant to the workplace.

You will take core modules which focus your attention on the fundamentals of writing and then choose option modules which give you the opportunity to diversify your practice and experiment in more specialist areas and concerns including:

• writing for video gaming
• screenwriting
• playwrighting
• memoir writing
• creative non-fiction
• genre fiction.

How you will learn

In workshops, tutorials and supervisions you will benefit from close and attentive readings of your work. In lectures and seminars, we consider issues of craft, expression and meaning within the context of how you see the world, how we theorise writing and contextualise our work within broader traditions. You will build on existing skills and develop new techniques and approaches to writing under the tutelage of published authors who are experts in your specialism.

Entry to the course is based on the submission of a portfolio of creative work, and candidates whose work shows promise will be invited for interview.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Creative Writing (MA).

Key information and modules

Creative writing ma: 1 year full-time, on campus, starting october 2024.

Central London

Creative Writing MA: 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2024

Creative writing: january start ma: 2 years part-time, on campus, starting january 2025, pathways for creative writing (ma).

This course has additional Pathways to offer you the chance to specialise depending on your interests and career goals.

• Creative Writing and Contemporary Studies (MA)

Find another course:

• Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
• We have close links between the MA and the Centre for Conte mporary Literature at Birkbeck, which runs a wide variety of talks and conferences in this field. In addition to working with the established and award-winning writers who teach the degree, you will have contact with industry professionals, such as publishers and literary agents, who offer a series of platform discussions in the summer term.
• The Mechanics' Institute Review, MIROnline , is a forum for the most exciting new writing in short fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction selected from students on this course and beyond. It runs regular live literature events and offers you publishing and editing opportunities.
• Birkbeck is located in the heart of literary London, in Bloomsbury, WC1. You could be studying in a building that was once home to Virginia Woolf and frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group. The building houses our own creative hub which includes the Peltz Gallery , the Gordon Square Cinema and a theatre and performance space .
• We have a range of scholarships available to enable talented students on low incomes to study with us, such as the Sophie Warne Fellowship . Once you have secured a place on the course you will be invited to apply for these awards. We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students .

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

Entry Requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2 or above, though this requirement may be waived if you can demonstrate exceptional talent), a personal statement (to be submitted with your application form) and a portfolio of prose writing of no more than 3000 words.

Your portfolio should be a section of a novel with a synopsis, a couple of short stories or a combination of the two. Please note that poetry, children’s fiction, journalism, screen- or playwriting are not appropriate submissions for this MA. Students are selected on the basis of their portfolio and statement, an interview (selected candidates only) and their degree.

Portfolio guidelines:

• Submit application.
• Wait up to 48 hours.
• Submit writing portfolio (Word or PDF) by logging into your MyBirkbeck profile, then going to the ‘Manage my application’ link and attaching the document.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits, and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now  to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this programme is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement,  we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes  to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our  English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country .

Visa and funding requirements

If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

• Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
• Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

For full information, read our visa information for international students page .

Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country .

Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

If you have studied at university, you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Creative Writing MA: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25

Academic year 2024–25, starting october 2024.

Part-time home students: £5,400 per year Full-time home students: £10,800 per year Part-time international students : £9,915 per year Full-time international students: £19,830 per year

Creative Writing: January start MA: 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25

Academic year 2024–25, starting january 2025.

Part-time home students: £5,400 per year Part-time international students : £9,915 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy .

If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

International scholarships

We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship .

At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

Methods of teaching on this course

Teaching is seminar-based. Each session is generally two hours, and there are further regular one-to-one tutorials throughout the year.

Key teaching staff on this course

Staff who may teach on this MA include successful, published authors and practitioners such as:

• David Eldridge
• Richard Hamblyn
• Jonathan Kemp
• Luke Williams

Teaching hours

Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

Indicative class size

Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

Independent learning

On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

Study skills and additional support

Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

• academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
• written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
• numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

Methods of assessment on this course

Four short creative pieces with critical essays (67%). A dissertation (15,000 words) in one of the following genres: a novella, novel or collection of short stories, with a preface of 3000 words (33%).

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MA Creative Writing, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

• strong creative and critical skills
• a sophisticated use of written and spoken English
• an advanced ability in engaging with ideas and developing your own opinions and arguments
• facility and precision in the use of analytical tools
• strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports or fluent critical arguments
• adaptability, resilience and initiative.

Graduates can pursue career paths in areas such as:

• copywriting
• narrative design

Birkbeck Creative Writing graduates include:

• Niki Aguirre
• Sarah Alexander
• Laura Allsop
• Iphgenia Baal
• Phoebe Blatton
• Mary Lynn Bracht
• Nicole Burstein
• Tray Butler
• Melissa De Villiers
• Liz Fremantle
• AJ Grainger
• Jules Grant
• Emma Henderson
• Sally Hinchcliffe
• Heidi James
• Keith Jarrett
• Olya Knezevic
• Matthew Loukes
• Fiona Melrose
• Suzanne O'Sullivan
• Victoria Richards
• Nadim Safdar
• Karin Salvalaggio
• David Savill
• Stefanie Seddon
• Luke Tredget.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification .

When to apply

You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

Help and advice with your application

Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

Apply for your course

Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section .

Course structure

Course structure listing, course structure and modules for creative writing ma: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2024.

You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:

• two compulsory modules (30 credits each)
• two option modules (30 credits each)
• a 15,000-word dissertation (60 credits).

Compulsory modules

• Creative Non-Fiction
• Writing and Reading Seminar

Option modules

• Contemporary Writing 2: Genre
• Introduction to Playwriting
• Introduction to Screenwriting
• Poetry Workshop
• Writing The Self
• Writing Workshop

MA Creative Writing Dissertation

• Dissertation MA Creative Writing

Course structure and modules for Creative Writing: January start MA: 2 years part-time, on campus, starting January 2025

• Manuscript Assessment
• Success Stories
• Reading Room
• Novel Writing
• Fiction Development
• Non-Fiction
• Writing for Children
• Short Story

Starting Out

• How’s My Driving
• An honest assessment of your work-in-progress, with advice to help you with the rest of the draft.
• Full Report
• Our most comprehensive report – a full MOT on your manuscript.
• Submission Review
• Ready to send your novel out into the world? Have your submission documents reviewed to make sure everything's in the best possible shape to impress an agent.
• Magazine Submission Review
• Ready to submit your poems to magazines, journals or websites? Get feedback on a selection of four to six of them to check you're on the right track.
• Pamphlet Review
• Designed for poets preparing a pamphlet for possible publication, this report will offer constructive feedback on a group of up to twenty poems.
• Collection Review
• Put your poems through their paces with an in-depth evaluation of your entire collection.
• Creative Writing Exercises
• Writing Competitions

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• Can't find the right course? Book a professional reader's report on your manuscript.

• Writing a Novel
• Our flagship course is available in London, Newcastle and online – spend six months working on your novel with help from experienced tutors and industry experts.
• Prose Assessment
• Poetry Assessment

• Q&As with our tutors and alumni, reading lists and deep dives into all aspects of creative writing – and lots more.

• Whether you're stuck on dialogue, plot, character or something else, we've got a whole range of exercises to help and inspire you.

• Here you'll find all of our past, ongoing and upcoming writing competitions, plus details of any others we think you should know about.

• How to Write a Novel
• If you’ve always dreamed of writing a novel but are overwhelmed and unsure of where to start, here are some key things to think about along your writing journey.

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Short Story Writing Courses

The short story is an enduring and versatile form. From five-day workshops to longer courses, our short story classes offer practical guidance, literary context and feedback on your work.

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Course Level Guide

There’s something for everyone at the Faber Academy, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned writer or somewhere in between. To help you select the right course for you, this guide breaks down what the different levels mean.

These courses are ideal for those who are curious about writing and have little to no prior experience in the field. There are no pre-requisite for these courses – all we ask is that you come with an open mind and a keenness to learn. That’s not to say they aren’t suitable for someone with more experience, though – if you’re looking to refresh your skills or experiment with a new area of writing, you’re also welcome to enrol.

These courses are ideal for those who have some experience in writing – as a hobby, or perhaps through academic or professional work – and are looking for challenging courses to hone their skills further. These courses are also a good next step if you’ve already taken a beginners’ class but don’t feel ready to commit to an advanced course yet.

These courses are ideal for seasoned writers who are serious about getting published. Entry to most of these courses is on an application basis and writers will usually be asked to submit samples of their work-in-progress or a past project.

The Novel Studio

Short course

The Novel Studio offers 15 selected students the unique opportunity to work exclusively on their novels for a year.

No starting dates

Starting date to be confirmed.

• Duration: 30 weeks (non-consecutive) (unconfirmed)
• Fees: £2,990 (unconfirmed)
• Location: Online (unconfirmed)
• Register interest

Testimonials

I just wanted to say a thank you. I've grown so much as a writer since joining the Novel Studio. The feedback I've received from the tutors on the course gave me the confidence to write the short story and enter the contest. Getting feedback from my peers was a welcome bonus.

Former student, shortlisted for The Guardian 4th estate books BAME short story prize.

Applying for The Novel Studio was one of the best decisions I've made. The structure of the course allowed me to fit it around my job, but also gave me the space to focus on my writing. The classes were engaging, informative and helped me to shape my idea into a fully-fledged novel. I've recently signed with an agent, who I met due to the anthology we sent out at the end of the course.

Bethan Moore

I benefited enormously from being able to develop my novel in an environment that was both demanding and supportive, and my writing improved considerably over the course. The tutorial guidance is excellent and sensitively applied. The standard of students is very high, and one of the best benefits was forming a long-term relationship (and friendship) with such talented fellow-writers.

Penny Rudge

Former student, author of Foolish Lessons in Life and Love, Little Brown.

• Course overview

What will I learn?

Assessment and certificates, how to apply, eligibility, recommended reading, the novel studio course overview.

Six modules, taught by professional writers and editors, guide students through the tricky terrain of novel writing, from plotting, planning and researching a novel, through to character development, pacing, narrative voice and style, revisions and editing.

By the end of this year-long novel writing course, students will have developed the skills needed to draft their novels and the necessary materials to interest an agent in their work: three polished chapters, a professional-standard synopsis and a blurb.

Students are also trained for public readings, culminating in a prestigious showcasing of their novels-in-progress to industry guests. See our Novel Studio Anthology 2023 .

Students are also prepared for the presentation of their work to agents and publishers.

Who is it for?

Those who have always wanted to write a novel, who want time to develop their writing in a supportive, professional environment and those interested in establishing links with agents and publishers.

Find out more about our Fiction writing courses

• Learn Fiction writing

Taught over 30 weeks (two evening classes a week), The Novel Studio offers you the opportunity to learn through an exciting and diverse teaching methodology.

• Research and development (10 weekly classes on Tuesdays)
• Fictional forms (10 weekly classes on Thursdays)
• Workshop one (10 weekly classes on Tuesdays)
• Fictional techniques (10 weekly classes on Thursdays
• The publishing industry (10 weekly classes on Tuesdays)
• Workshop two (10 weekly classes on Thursdays)

With visits from established writers, agents and editors, the course has strong links with the publishing industry and an impressive publication record. Take a look at our array of published alumni .

The Captain Tasos Politis Scholarship

Supporting a talented writer from a low-income household who might not otherwise be able to accept an offer of a place on course.

Apply for the Captain Tasos Politis  Novel Studio scholarship .

The Novel Studio competition

In a rare opportunity to bypass the slush pile, all applications to the Novel Studio will automatically be considered for our City Novel Studio Competition.

The best three applications will be passed on to Lucy Luck, literary agent at C&W Agency, with a view to representation.

The competition is open to unpublished novelists writing in any fictional genre for adults, including literary fiction, women's fiction, science fiction, young adult fiction, chick-lit, fantasy, crime fiction, thriller, historical fiction, but not non-fiction or fiction for children.

Read the full competition terms, conditions and information .

Term 1: Autumn Term

• Research and development This module looks at the processes involved in plotting, planning and researching a novel, and allows students time to develop their ideas within the group.
• Fictional forms Students will be encouraged to consider their work within a narrative framework by exploring the structures of varied literary and commercial novels.

Term 2: Spring Term

• Workshop one This module supports students as they begin to write the first draft of their novels, and guides them through the process of reviewing others’ work-in-progress. Students' work is circulated in advance and then constructively critiqued in weekly workshops, facilitated by the tutor.
• Fictional techniques This module teaches students key aspects of craft and enables them to apply these techniques to the development of their own novels.

Term 3: Summer Term

• The publishing industry This module familiarises students with the publishing industry, with visits from an agent, author and editor, and culminates in an end-of-year reading to invited industry guests.
• Workshop two This is a continuation of Workshop One with specific reference to revising and editing.

Transferable skills

• Demonstrate a capacity for independent judgement and thought
• Practise skills in critical reasoning and appreciation
• Produce written work to a stipulated length and deadline.
• Understand, question and apply a range of alternative perspectives to your novel writing.

Classes take the form of group activities workshops, masterclasses and tutorials.

One-to-one tutorials with the tutors are offered at designated times throughout the course. Students can use this time to discuss their work in progress, share their ideas and plans and consider the deadlines set for their work.

Assessments

The assessment for The Novel Studio is based entirely on course work, which covers aspects of all work undertaken throughout the year. Each module has its own assessment, which is marked by the relevant tutor and overseen by the Course Director. Assessments will include:

• synopsis of novel
• planning document for structuring the novel
• portfolio of writing exercises demonstrating selected fictional techniques
• chapters 1- 4 from novel-in-progress
• blurb and covering letter for agents/publishers.

Certificates

Certificates are awarded to all students who attend 70% of the classes and complete all the module assessments.

This course is by application only.

Applications will open on 1st February 2024, with a deadline by 5pm on 30 June 2024 .

If you want to be considered for the Novel Studio Scholarship, please mark your email subject heading: Captain Tasos Politis Scholarship Application.

Interviews will take place in July 2024 , unless otherwise stated.

To apply, please email the course director, Emily Pedder with:

• 2,000 words of your own fiction (short story or novel extract)
• Copy of CV.

Prospective students must be willing to have their writing workshopped as part of the group and to engage actively in critiquing the work of their peers.

Ideally students will also have completed at least one creative writing course.

Acceptance onto the course is determined by interview and a novel extract of no more than 2,000 words.

English requirements

You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.

This is a background reading list. It is not prescriptive, so students can dip into any of these books at any point in the course. The tutors will refer to a range of novels throughout, as and when it is key to the course and the students' own writing.

• Athill, Diana, Stet . London: Granta
• Blake, Carole, From Pitch to Publication . London: Macmillan
• Boylan, Clare (ed.), The Agony and the Ego: The Art and Strategy of Fiction Writing Explored . London: Penguin Books.
• Brande, Dorothea, Becoming a Writer . London: Macmillan
• Forster, E.M., Aspects of the Novel . London: Penguin Books
• Gardner, J., On Becoming a Novelist . New York: Norton
• Greene, Graham, A Sort of Life . London: Penguin Books
• Hiney, Tom and Macshane, Frank (eds.), The Raymond Chandler Papers: Selected Letters and Non-Fiction 1909-1959 . London: Penguin Books
• King, Stephen, On Writing . London: Pocket Books
• Leader, Zachary (ed.), On Modern British Fiction . Oxford: Oxford University Press
• Lodge, David, The Art of Fiction . London: Penguin Books
• Prose, Francine, Reading Like a Writer . Harper Collins
• Steinbeck, John, Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters . London: Penguin Books
• Taylor-Guthrie (ed.), Conversations with Toni Morrison . University of Mississippi Press
• The Paris Review Interviews: Women Writers at Work (1999) London: Harvill Press
• Woolf, Virginia, A Writer's Diary . London: Penguin Books.

Emily Pedder

Course Director

Emily Pedder’s short fiction has been published widely and has won several prizes, including a Commonwealth short story award and a Ruth Rendell short story award.

Emily has an MA in Writing from Sheffield Hallam, where she founded Matter , a literary anthology. She is a firm believer in the importance of mentoring emerging writers and the power of a good edit, and has worked extensively with writers across the UK for the past decade. Emily course directs the Novel Studio, which she co-founded, as well as heading up the writing short courses at City. More recently she set up an editorial consultancy: The Book Edit .

Rebekah Lattin-Rawstone

Novel Studio Tutor

Rebekah is a prize-winning writer, editor and creative writing teacher currently studying for a PhD in Creative Writing at the Open University with a fully funded Open-Oxford-Cambridge Studentship. Her novel Home about a corrupt care home, was published by Red Button Publishing, and her short story chapbook Glitches, is published by Acorn Books. Rebekah has worked as a creative writing lecturer in several settings for over ten years, devising and delivering workshops for City, University of London, City Short Courses, Bishopsgate Institute, Emmanuel College Cambridge, Pembroke College Cambridge, The Guardian and the Graham Greene Festival. Rebekah founded City Writes, a termly event set up to showcase the creative writing talent of students and alumni of City, University of London's short creative writing courses.

Kiare Ladner

Kiare Ladner’s first novel, Nightshift, was published by Picador (UK, 2021) and HarperCollins (USA, 2022). A story of obsession set in London’s liminal world of nightshift workers, the book explores ambivalent female friendship, sexual attraction and lives that defy easy categorization.

Her short stories have been published in anthologies, journals, commissioned for radio and shortlisted in competitions, including the BBC National Short Story Award 2018.

Kiare completed The Novel Studio in 2010 (then the Certificate in Novel Writing). She went on to get funding from David Higham towards an MA (Prose Writing) at the University of East Anglia. After that she received funding for a PhD (Creative Writing) at Aberystwyth University. She was given Curtis Brown’s HW Fisher Scholarship in 2018. In addition to writing, she tutors and mentors other writers of all levels, both in London and on the Creative Writing MA at the University of East Anglia. Now at work on her second novel, you can find her in cyberspace  here .

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