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Course options

  • Qualification

    MFA - Master of Fine Art

  • Location

    Manchester Campus

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    SEP-24, JAN-25

  • Duration

    2 years

Course summary

On our Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programme, you will explore and practice techniques and styles of modern and contemporary writing and apply these through the development of your own full-length book or script.

MFA students undertake all of the elements of our MA Creative Writing programme (a taught element blending writing workshops with reading units, an elective, and a dissertation), then take an additional unit about the publishing, literary and arts industries and submit a full-length manuscript: a completed novel or short story collection, poetry collection, book for children or young adults, script for stage, screen or radio, or book of creative non-fiction.

You will be introduced to professionals from the publishing industries, which may include literary agents, publishers, broadcasters and arts practitioners, and the School has strong links with many major arts, educational and cultural organisations. Our MFA model is exceptional in coaching students through the development and completion of a full-length book under the sustained guidance of distinguished, practising writers and seeing those students achieve success in publishing.

You will specialise in one of the following routes: Novel (including Short Fiction), Poetry, Writing for Children & Young Adults, Scriptwriting (for stage, screen or radio) or Creative Non-Fiction.

The MFA is available to complete over two years full-time or three years part-time. The Novel, Poetry and Scriptwriting routes are available to study on campus (full-time or part-time) or online (part-time only). The Writing for Children and Creative Non-Fiction routes are online (part-time) only. We have intakes to the programme in September and January each year.

Applications are also welcome from those already holding an MA in Creative Writing (180 credits) from Manchester Metropolitan or other universities who would like to top-up to an MFA by taking an additional 120 credits (including the Manuscript unit).

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

  • One of the most successful programmes of its kind in the UK today – with more than 100 students and graduates publishing first books in the past ten years.
  • Extensive calendar of events - including The Manchester Children's Book Festival, The National Creative Writing Industry Conference, Manchester Writing Competition Gala and Poetry Festivals.
  • Industry links - strong links to the publishing industry with visits from major agents, editors and publishers.
  • Flexible learning - core Reading and Workshop units take place in the evenings (6-8pm UK time) during the autumn or spring semesters. Full-time students usually have classes two evenings per week, and part-time students one evening per week.
  • Full-length manuscript - MFA students submit a full-length manuscript: a completed novel or short story collection, poetry collection, book for children or young adults, feature-length script or book of creative non-fiction, completed over a full year with one-to-one editorial input from a dedicated Manuscript Mentor. Manuscript students also attend The Industry - a term of weekly hour-long seminars with guests from publishing and the literary arts.
  • Live online teaching - the course can be completed entirely online, with core teaching for distance learning students via weekly online classes in Microsoft Teams.
  • Academic expertise - taught by high-profile writers and critics.
  • Visiting Fellows – our course features contributions from our visiting fellows.
  • Home to Manchester Poetry Library - the North West's first public poetry library and holds over 10,000 books and recordings.

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 17,004per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan University

  • University League Table

    60th

  • Campus address

    Manchester Metropolitan University, All Saints Building, All Saints, Manchester, Manchester, M15 6BH, England

The university welcomes a diverse international student population of more than 2,700 international students from over 100 countries.
Each year a range of welcome events are organised to help new students settle into university, explore the city and prepare for academic studies.
Study in the heart of the global city of Manchester, on a campus with world-class learning spaces, a lively Students' Union and fantastic social hubs.

Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    19th out of 56 6

  • Entry standards

    / Max 170
    128 60%

    22nd

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    60.0 60%

    27th

    10
  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 5
    3.70 74%

    50th

    6

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