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The University of Edinburgh: Creative Writing
| Institution | The University of Edinburgh View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
| Web | https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying |
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Summary
Our PhD in Creative Writing offers committed and talented writers the opportunity to study creative writing at the highest level.
Join our community of writers and readers based in a UNESCO World City of Literature. Our creative writing team includes well-published and prize-winning writers of poetry and prose fiction and a dedicated Writer-in-Residence. They include:
-
Dr Jane Alexander - Fiction
-
Dr Lynda Clark - Fiction
-
Dr Patrick Errington - Poetry
-
Dr Miriam Gamble - Poetry
-
Professor Alan Gillis - Poetry
-
Dr Jane McKie - Poetry
-
Dr Allyson Stack - Fiction
-
Kim Sherwood - Fiction
-
Alice Thompson - Fiction
Supported by us, you will work independently towards the production of a substantial, publishable piece of creative writing, accompanied by a sustained exercise in critical study. You will choose to specialise in either fiction or poetry.
The University is home to multiple groups and societies dedicated to publishing, reading and performing, as well as to discussion and debate. Our resources for the study and enjoyment of literature are exceptional.
Over the course of your PhD, you will write a manuscript consisting of two components:
-
A creative component (75%)
-
A critical component (25%)
Creative component
If you specialise in fiction, you will write a novel or collection of short stories totalling a maximum of 75,000 words.
If you specialise in poetry, you will write a collection of poetry of a maximum of 75 pages.
Critical component
You will write an essay of approximately 20,000 to 25,000 words. This can take a number of forms, from traditional academic to critical-reflexive (in which you situate your creative project in a critical context).
It is important that your creative and critical components are sufficiently connected for your manuscript to form a coherent body of work.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
Our PhD in Creative Writing offers committed and talented writers the opportunity to study creative writing at the highest level.
Join our community of writers and readers based in a UNESCO World City of Literature. Our creative writing team includes well-published and prize-winning writers of poetry and prose fiction and a dedicated Writer-in-Residence. They include:
-
Dr Jane Alexander - Fiction
-
Dr Lynda Clark - Fiction
-
Dr Patrick Errington - Poetry
-
Dr Miriam Gamble - Poetry
-
Professor Alan Gillis - Poetry
-
Dr Jane McKie - Poetry
-
Dr Allyson Stack - Fiction
-
Kim Sherwood - Fiction
-
Alice Thompson - Fiction
Supported by us, you will work independently towards the production of a substantial, publishable piece of creative writing, accompanied by a sustained exercise in critical study. You will choose to specialise in either fiction or poetry.
The University is home to multiple groups and societies dedicated to publishing, reading and performing, as well as to discussion and debate. Our resources for the study and enjoyment of literature are exceptional.
Over the course of your PhD, you will write a manuscript consisting of two components:
-
A creative component (75%)
-
A critical component (25%)
Creative component
If you specialise in fiction, you will write a novel or collection of short stories totalling a maximum of 75,000 words.
If you specialise in poetry, you will write a collection of poetry of a maximum of 75 pages.
Critical component
You will write an essay of approximately 20,000 to 25,000 words. This can take a number of forms, from traditional academic to critical-reflexive (in which you situate your creative project in a critical context).
It is important that your creative and critical components are sufficiently connected for your manuscript to form a coherent body of work.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
MSc
Summary
Based in the first UNESCO World City of Literature, this one-year, full-time taught masters programme in Creative Writing offers dedicated pathways in fiction or poetry.
Combining taught courses with a final dissertation guided by a supervisor, this programme gives you the chance to work within a structured academic environment and a supportive, international community of writers to hone and sharpen your creative practice.
There is a strong practical element to the programme, helping you develop your creative skills through:
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participating in weekly poetry or fiction workshops
-
attending weekly craft-based seminars
-
presenting your work for peer discussion
-
hearing from guest writers and other professionals on the practicalities of life as a writer
You will also sharpen your critical thinking and editorial skills through:
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reading and discussing published works on literature option courses
-
writing a creative dissertation in your chosen form (fiction or poetry)
You will also have the opportunity to work on and contribute to our publication ‘From Arthur’s Seat,’ an anthology of student work.
The taught portion of our programme culminates with the launch of the anthology and our annual publishing event, featuring professionals (agents, editors and festival organisers) from the industry. This event is organised by our Writer-in-Residence, and specifically designed for students on the MSc in Creative Writing.
From the end of Semester 2 through the summer, you will work independently to produce your dissertation - an extended creative manuscript. You will meet your supervisor at key points for editorial feedback.
Why Edinburgh? Literature has been taught here for over 250 years, and today, Edinburgh thrives on its designation as the first UNESCO World City of Literature.
The city is home to the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Poetry Library, and a number of celebrated publishing outlets, from Canongate and Polygon, to Luath Press, Birlinn and Mariscat. The University hosts the prestigious James Tait Black Awards, established in 1919, and is one of the oldest literary prizes in Britain.
Around the city, you will find:
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library readings and bookshop launches
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spoken word gigs
-
cabaret nights
-
poetry slams
There are lots of opportunities to write and share your work, from 'The Student', the UK’s oldest student newspaper (founded in 1887 by Robert Louis Stevenson), to 'The Selkie', which was founded by Creative Writing students in 2018 to showcase work by people who self-identify as underrepresented.
Our in-house Writer-in-Residence organises the University's annual writing prizes as well as regular talks with authors and literary guests.
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.
The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 34th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research …
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