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Literature and Creative Writing at UEA
Find out more about studying Literature and Creative Writing at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMA Creative Writing Poetry
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Course Options
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
101-150 QS Rank
Worldwide for English Language and Literature
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024Course Overview
You’ve been writing poetry for so long that it’s become a vital part of your life. You may have tried one-off workshops or short courses but find they’re no longer enough. Now it’s time to take it further!
Our dynamic Creative Writing Poetry MA is your chance to immerse yourself in reading and writing poetry in UEA’s world-leading Creative Writing department. Our tutors are committed to helping you to become the best and most exciting writer you can be.
Over the course of the year, you’ll uncover the full scope of your creative and intellectual potential as a poet. In workshops, you'll develop your writing with expert support, honing your craft and expanding your poetic range. From exploring innovative forms to engaging with poetry from across cultures and centuries, this course is designed to challenge, inspire and equip you to write work of publishable quality.
As part of the renowned School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, you’ll connect with some of the UK’s most acclaimed poets and poetry editors, gaining invaluable industry insight. Your work will also be showcased in our professionally published annual anthology, distributed to leading poetry publishers and influential figures in the literary world. UEA is part of a thriving network of poetry activities, which offers you opportunities to perform, publish, and connect with fellow writers. We host an annual Poetry Festival, showcasing work from our MA. You’ll also have the chance to attend a masterclass and discuss your writing one-to-one with the Poetry Festival Fellow.
Upon graduation, you’ll have built a compelling portfolio of work—close in length to a first poetry collection. As a graduate of this MA in Poetry, you’ll be following in the footsteps of acclaimed alumni such as Sandeep Parmar, Freya Bantiff, Eve Esfandiari Denney, Gboyega Odubanjo, Sean Wai Keung, Deshawn McKinney, Al Anderson, Mona Arshi, Sam Buchan-Watts and Sohini Basak. Whether you’re aiming to publish, perform, or pursue a career in the literary arts, this degree opens doors to a vibrant and creative future.
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Study and Modules
Structure
At the heart of the MA in Poetry is the weekly workshop—a dynamic, collaborative space. Each session combines in-depth discussion of student work with focused exploration of a key aspect of poetic craft. You’ll share your work in advance, receive detailed written feedback, and benefit from thoughtful peer and tutor commentary. Tutors may also introduce inspiring texts to broaden your creative horizons. Every time your work is discussed, you’ll have the opportunity for a one-to-one follow-up tutorial, offering personalised guidance to help refine your voice and strengthen your poetry.
In addition to the weekly workshop, you’ll also take a creative-critical module which will develop your thinking about poetic language, and you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a number of optional modules. You’ll have regular individual tutorials and receive extensive written feedback on your coursework.
Later, you’ll have one-on-one sessions with your dissertation tutor. You’ll also attend a specialised Creative Writing Research Methodology Conference, with the entire MA Creative Writing cohort. This day includes plenary sessions, panels and small-group breakout sessions.
Towards the end of the course, you’ll work independently on your dissertation, although you may, with your peers, continue to workshop in some form. Your dissertation will be a body of poetry and a critical commentary.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
You’ll be taught by published poets with extensive experience in their field through workshops, seminars and tutorials.
Our teaching staff in the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing includes award-winning poets Tiffany Atkinson and Holly Corfield Carr and tutors such as Jeremy Noel-Tod, Jos Smith, Clare Connors, Stephen Benson, Steve Waters and Thomas Karshan.
Independent study
From week to week, you’ll be expected to spend a significant amount of time on independent study, writing and redrafting poems, preparing feedback on your peers’ work, and reading widely in poetry and relevant criticism. And you’ll work independently towards your dissertation at the end of your course.
Assessment
Assessment will be based on written work and includes poetry and critical commentary. Your dissertation also consists of a collection of poetry and a critical commentary.
Employability
After the Course
Our poetry graduates go on to enjoy all kinds of rewarding careers, especially in the literary arts. Several have received scholarships for further work at PhD level, many work in publishing (e.g. at Granta and the London Review of Books), and many publish their poetry to high acclaim.
Recent examples include Mona Arshi (MA Poetry 2010) winning the Forward Prize for Best First Collection in 2015, Sam Buchan-Watts (MA Poetry 2014) being named a Faber & Faber New Poet in 2015, Sohini Basak (MA Poetry 2016) winning the Eyewear Publishing Beverly Series Poetry Prize, Sean Wai Keung (MA Poetry 2016) winning the inaugural Rialto Open Pamphlet Competition 2016, Anna Cathenka and Alice Willitts being shortlisted for the Ivan Juritz prize 2018 and Jade Cuttle being named a BBC New Generation Thinker in 2024.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Publishing
- Editing
- Freelance writing
- Arts management
- Teaching
- Advertising
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2:1
Degree Subject
Any subject
- Additional Entry Requirements
Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of writing for assessment with their application - up to 20 pages of poetry
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject
- Additional Entry Requirements
Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of writing for assessment with their application - up to 20 pages of poetry
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 7 overall (minimum 7 in Writing, 6 in Speaking, Reading and Listening)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £11,200
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International Students: £23,850
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.