Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £11,490 for the course
International/EU: £19,530 for the course -
How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2027
Course summary
- Complete an illustrious course that has launched acclaimed authors.
- Explore publishing trends and standards to focus your creative practice.
- Broaden and sharpen your skills with support from award-winning writers.
- Graduate with a portfolio of work ready for professional submission.
- Network with publishers, agents and writers.
The MA Creative Writing course at Sheffield Hallam University takes your ambition and creativity seriously. You’ll focus on your craft in a rewarding community within Sheffield’s rich creative networks. You’ll develop advanced drafting and editing skills, plus the knowledge you need to take your writing into the world.
Student satisfaction
This course scored 100% for overall student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Student Satisfaction Survey 2025.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Throughout the course you’ll consider, review and reflect on your ambitions and your place in the contemporary literary marketplace. Modules will develop your skills and technique, while exploring some of the most innovative, successful and exciting prose, poetry and script. You’ll also learn the expectations of publishers and agents, and how to present your work, and yourself, professionally.
You’ll learn from practising writers with an incredible diversity of experience, styles and approaches. Sheffield has a thriving literary community with plenty of opportunities to engage with local writers and poets. The city's mix of urban and natural landscapes – including the nearby Peak District – provides a unique backdrop for creative work. You learn through:
- workshops, seminars and tutorials
- drafting and editing creative writing
- giving and receiving constructive feedback
- interrogating form and genre
- honing technical skills
- considering literary trends
- writing an extended manuscript
- creating a polished writers’ CV
- developing a professional portfolio of work
- author branding and marketability
- critical reflection
Key themes
When you join the course, our Contemporary Writing module provides a framework for understanding current trends in literature and publishing. We’ll discuss a selection of contemporary literary texts and you’ll contextualise your own interests within the contemporary scene.
Alongside this, the Short Form Workshop introduces a range of poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, and hybrid short forms, such as flash fiction. You’ll explore the theory and craft of these forms, responding to texts with your own writing and developing your own styles and concerns.
In trimester two, the Long Form Workshop asks you to read and discuss a range of novels, scripts and creative non-fiction. We’ll examine key elements such as plot, pacing and narrative arc – putting them into practice through creative exercises and workshops.
Our Professional Writer module prepares you for the world of work by exploring industry-standard redrafting and editing processes. You’ll put together a ‘query package’ for a literary agent or publisher, receiving individual feedback from one of our visiting industry professionals.
Then in trimester three you’ll focus on The Manuscript, an extended piece of creative writing in the form and genre of your choice. You’ll work one-to-one with a supervisor – as well as workshopping in small groups – to produce a professional portfolio of industry-ready work.
Course support
Our teaching includes online opportunities to engage with peers and tutors.
- In-person workshops welcome you onto campus.
- Supported independent study builds your confidence and resilience.
- Collaboration with external partners gives you vital professional experience and builds your ambitions for the future.
Applied learning
Live projects
In The Professional Writer module, you’re allocated a specific agent or publisher and challenged to address a cover letter to that individual, having researched their agency and personal profile. The agent/publisher then visits and gives feedback on the packages.
There are usually opportunities to take part in wider live projects – in recent years, these have been with the Ruskin collection at the Millennium Galleries and Sheffield Bus Station. You’ll also have the opportunity to volunteer for Off the Shelf festival, and can arrange to interview writers.
Networking opportunities
Visiting writers, agents and publishers contribute to our established Hallam creative community – rounding out our close links with local arts and social organisations, such as Off the Shelf literary festival, Sheffield Museums, Northodox Press, Harper North and Hachette.
This is a well-established and highly regarded MA with a strong network of alumni working in the creative industries across the UK. These include TS Eliot-shortlisted poet, Frances Leviston; best-selling author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, Marina Lewycka; and Cherie Jones, whose debut novel, How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps her House was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2021.
We often invite successful alumni back – most recently three students who have set up a successful, funded literary journal (Northern Gravy) and a student who has found success writing text-based games. Other notable guest speakers have included Jon McGregor, A L Kennedy, Denise Riley and Caroline Lawrence.
You’ll also be invited to SHU career events. We’ve previously had a day-long symposium called 'Keep Writing: how to thrive after you graduate', and we work with New Writing North who hold networking events such the New Writing North Roadshow.
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Shelley Roche-Jacques
Senior Lecturer in Creative WritingI bring to my teaching my interest in dramatic action and the spatio-temporal elements of texts. This approach often helps students unpick ideas around genre, narrat … Read more
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
What are the current issues in the arts and what is the publishing flavour of the month? On this module, you explore and debate a selection of contemporary literary texts and ideas under the guidance of our writers and academics. We update our texts frequently on this module to look at the brightest and best of current publications in all genres. We provide a framework for discussing current trends in literature and publishing, including technological developments. You will work on the critical skills required to write, read and review within the contemporary marketplace as well as presenting and discussing your own work in the context of your interests and one of the course texts.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Contemporary publishing trends
- Genre, audience, form
- Prize culture and popular taste
- Industry expectations
- Representation and identity
- Review culture
- Creative practice and individual profile
In this module you’ll read and discuss a selection of contemporary novels, scripts, and creative non-fiction, exploring elements such as plot, structure, narrative arc, character, dialogue, setting and style. You will put this knowledge into practice, testing out your own ideas through class exercises and refining and redrafting your work through group workshops.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Form and structure
- Contemporary trends in long forms
- Workshopping and reviewing
- Professional practice and expectations
Final year
Compulsory modules
Through workshop sessions and close reading of texts, you will develop your short form writing skills. By examining and responding to contemporary poetry and prose, you will develop your own craft and technique, applying the reading and topics of discussion to your own creative practice. Reading will include examples of contemporary work as well as older texts and your portfolio will demonstrate your own practice and a consideration of creative influence, including responding to workshopping and feedback.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Short forms of prose, poetry, script and other forms
- Revision, feedback, and response
- Audience, technique, and structure
- Publishing trends and expectations
This module is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the creative project of your choosing, be that the beginnings of a substantial novel or creative non-fiction piece, a script, a collection of poetry or short stories or a hybrid portfolio. You will be allocated a supervisor who will work closely with you to develop your idea. You will also be part of our vibrant community of writers, giving and receiving feedback on draft work and networking with a range of visiting industry professionals.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Project management and self-leadership
- Publishing standards and expectations
- Audience and market
- Form, technique, and style
- Professional profile and position
- Relevant generic/formal expectations
- Workshopping and collaboration
- Review, incorporating feedback, and drafting
This module gives you the skills and knowledge needed to work as a professional in the writing industry. We will explore the drafting process, how to respond to feedback, the process of submitting to literary magazines and prizes, promoting yourself as a writer, and more. Working in the form and genre of your choice, with guidance from tutors and direct input from one of our visiting industry experts, you will put together a submission ‘query package’ for an agent or publisher, comprising creative work, a synopsis or overview, cover letter and a writer’s CV.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Professional profiles, social media, and presentation
- Literary prizes, awards, and open calls
- Magazines, journals, and ephemera
- Applications, professional documents, and pitching work
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- creative industries
- online writing and PR
- editing
- proofreading
- reviewing and criticism
- further study and research
- copywriting, advertising and marketing
- teaching
Previous graduates on this course have gone on to work for:
- the BBC
- other UK universities
- schools and colleges
- local and national publishers
Equipment and facilities
You’ll study at City Campus through a structured mix of seminars and workshops, as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning. The Student Lounge in the Owen building provides space for individual and group study.
You’ll work with:
- co-working spaces with flexible desks, large screens and a laptop library
- group and individual seating and a shared kitchen
- our performance lab, equipped with lighting, sound and special effects
- a specialist cinema with 4K digital projection and twin 35mm film projectors
- our learning centre resources, including digital and electronic texts and databases
- our Skills Centre, with advice on academic skills and feedback on your academic writing
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Explore the libraryEntry requirements
All students
A folder of original writing demonstrating postgraduate level potential and, normally, a degree in English or related discipline.
If you do not have such academic qualifications we will consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more. (LINK: https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/apply/guides/recognising-prior-learning)
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS 6.5 score with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skill areas or equivalent.
Application guidance
When applying, you need to complete on our online application form. This includes a section requesting a personal statement this part of the form should use tell us who you are, describe your relationship with writing, and what you hope to achieve on the course.
Once you have submitted your online application form we will be in contact with how you provide a sample of your original writing. Your sample is the most important part of the application, and you should use the opportunity to show us what you can do and persuade us that you have what it takes to thrive on the course.
We require one of the following:
• 3,000 words of prose e.g. two short stories, two chapters from a children's book, novel or memoir
• ten poems
• a twenty-minute script in any medium e.g. stage screen, audio.
Please submit your supporting work to the relevant email address below:
UK students: homeadmissions@shu.ac.uk
International or non-UK European students: internationaladmissions@shu.ac.uk
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2027/28 is £11,490 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2027/28 are: Year 1: £3,830 Year 2: £7,660.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
This course is not eligible for full-time Student visa sponsorship. International/EU students may apply for part-time Student visa sponsorship on an individual basis. Please contact Admissions for further advice. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2027/28 is £19,530 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2027/28 are: Year 1: £6,510 Year 2: £13,020.
Scholarships and financial support
Find information on scholarships, bursaries and postgraduate student loans.
International scholarships up to £3000 ›
Alumni scholarships up to £2000 ›
Postgraduate loans for UK students ›
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 277.1KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
