creative writing university of bolton

Creative Writing at the University of Bolton

Live Literature returns in new virtual format for Autumn/Winter 2020

The University of Bolton’s English and Creative Writing department are proud to again deliver a new season of exciting live literature events this Autumn/Winter 2020. In this…… Read more “Live Literature returns in new virtual format for Autumn/Winter 2020”

“Bolton isn’t like anywhere else”

Bolton isn’t like anywhere else. Everything they do is about the students Our wonderful and talented students have made this brilliant short film about their experience of…… Read more ““Bolton isn’t like anywhere else””

#BlackLivesMatter: A (Very Partial) Reading List

The literary canon is a problematic concept; the texts that are often – usually – referred to as representing the most exemplary, interesting, or illuminating of historical and contemporary…… Read more “#BlackLivesMatter: A (Very Partial) Reading List”

‘A Poetry of Ourselves’: Creative Writing students pen poetry on Bolton life

In the 1930s, Bolton was at the heart of Mass Observation, a large-scale investigation into the habits and customs of the people of Britain. One of the…… Read more “‘A Poetry of Ourselves’: Creative Writing students pen poetry on Bolton life”

Live Lit returns for Spring 2020!

We’re more than a bit chuffed to announce another brilliant season of Live Literature, in partnership with Bolton Library and Museum Services and their Central Library art…… Read more “Live Lit returns for Spring 2020!”

Graduate success!

The English and Creative Writing staff team were delighted to see ten students from our programmes graduate with first class honours from the university this summer. The…… Read more “Graduate success!”

A Man Booker longlisted novel, the poetry of running, and a riot of a play: Live Lit returns for Autumn 2019

2018-19 was another fantastic year of Live Literature performances in collaboration with Bolton Library and Museums Services, bringing world-class writing talents to Bolton Library’s majestic theatre space.…… Read more “A Man Booker longlisted novel, the poetry of running, and a riot of a play: Live Lit returns for Autumn 2019”

Live Literature returns for Autumn 2018!

2017-18 was another fantastic year of Live Literature performances in Bolton Library’s majestic theatre space. In the Autumn, Kayo Chingonyi wowed us with his Dylan Thomas-winning collection of poems…… Read more “Live Literature returns for Autumn 2018!”

Lecturer highly commended in prestigious Forward Prizes

Dr Ben Wilkinson, lecturer in Creative Writing in the School of the Arts, has been highly commended in what The Telegraph describes as ‘the poetry Oscars’. Wilkinson…… Read more “Lecturer highly commended in prestigious Forward Prizes”

Lecturer’s play a triumph at the Edinburgh Fringe

Described by The Stage as ‘a riotously entertaining and deeply moving drama-cum-documentary’ and possibly the ‘best thing’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018, University of Bolton lecturer…… Read more “Lecturer’s play a triumph at the Edinburgh Fringe”

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English and Creative Writing BA Hons

University of bolton, placement year, year abroad, foundation year, your questions answered ..., how do i apply and how easy is it to get in, how good is this course.

The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing degree is taught by professional writers and academics in an inclusive environment tailored to your ambitions. Dynamic and industry-focused,

Most helpful review for English and English Studies at University of Bolton

English and creative writing, ba hons fulltime.

The perfect course for me. Academically challenging, yet hugely enjoyable course content. Excellent tutors who always have time for you.

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The perfect course for me. Academically challenging, yet hugely enjoyable course content. Excellent tutors who always have time for you. review#toggle">read more

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Creative Writing

Our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree, taught by a dedicated team of professional writers, aims to help you develop your writing and harness your creativity so you can turn your ideas, abilities, and ambitions into achievements.

Our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree, taught by a dedicated team of professional writers, aims to help you develop your writing and harness your creativity so you can turn your ideas, abilities and ambitions into achievements.

Course details

Our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree explores ‘how to put the best possible words in the best possible order’. Your imagination is boundless and we’ll help you to focus and control your ideas to give them shape, energy and structure. Our dedicated team of professional writers and lecturers will guide you on a journey through the worlds of prose, poetry and drama, and contemporary creative practice.

We’ll nurture and support you in exploring the rich, expressive potential of the English language and your development of the crafts of writing. Alongside this, we’ll examine, from a writer’s point of view, a wide range of creative work in various forms. Small group teaching and one-to-one support are central to our approach, allowing our expert team to offer personalised guidance that’s tailored specifically for you.

You’ll have opportunities to refine and develop your skills at every stage, from initial concept, through planning, background research and first drafts, to editing, re-writing and self-critique. The final year combines the creative, the critical and the practical. You’ll write a significant piece of creative work: a calling card script, collection of poetry or an extended piece of fiction; you’ll research and analyse a chosen area of creative practice; and you’ll undertake a work placement in an area associated with your individual career goals. Throughout the course, you’ll gain confidence, skills and knowledge, preparing you for a successful career in a multitude of industries.

If you feel Creative Writing is for you, contact us via the button below and one of our lecturers will be in touch to provide you with more information. Don’t forget you can try one of our selected courses for free right now!

Key features

You’ll be encouraged to get to know your peers from other subjects such as English, Theatre, and Media, Writing and Production, with whom you’ll be participating in a variety of external creative events and/or collaborative projects.

Your tutors

All our lecturers are professional writers and researchers who’ve produced and continue to publish poetry, prose, plays and papers with national and international periodicals and imprints.

Employability

Develop a range of skills alongside your writing that are highly valued by employers, such as creative thinking, problem solving, communication, team working, time management, research and critical analysis, IT, cultural awareness and lifelong learning.

Guest lecturers

There’ll be guest lectures from professionals from all aspects of the writing industry: producers, scriptwriters, poets, novelists, agents, publishers, promoters, and directors. Names you may recognise such as Sally Wainwright, Patrick Ness and Jenn Ashworth have given presentations in recent years.

Professional recognition

The University of Bolton is linked via creative partnerships with Bolton’s own Octagon Theatre and Carcanet, a leading and prize-winning poetry publisher based in Manchester. The university is currently fostering links with South Yorkshire’s leading literary development organisation, The Poetry Business. Writers and lecturers who teach on the course have established links with a variety of media and organisations, including The Guardian, The Poetry Society, NAWE, The British Council and Arts Council England.

• Our dedicated lecturers are active professional writers and researchers whose work continues to be published, or produced on stage, screen or radio. They bring this wealth of expertise and practical knowledge to their teaching.
• We have excellent industry contacts and strong links with external creative organisations such as publishers, production companies, theatres, libraries, art galleries, schools, funding bodies and arts development agencies that allow us to offer work experience placements in a wide variety of settings.
• In particular, our partnership with the nationally acclaimed Octagon Theatre, Bolton means you have opportunities for privileged access to rehearsals, dress rehearsals, professional actors and directors, and discounted tickets for productions.
• In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to enter the Octagon Student Prize. Awarded annually for outstanding achievement in writing drama, the winning piece is given a professional presentation with practitioners.
• We’ll encourage you to submit your work to our ISSN recognised literary magazine ‘The Bolton Review’, and to our annual poetry competition.
• The annual New Writing Showcase offers you a chance to perform your work at the Bolton Octagon Studio or similar venue.
• As a Creative Writing student, you’ll be eligible to enter work for the Carcanet Poetry Prize and for the And Other Stories Fiction Prize.

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University of Bolton

Degree level: undergraduate, english and creative writing, course options.

This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.

University of Bolton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing degree is taught by professional writers and academics in an inclusive environment tailored to your ambitions. Dynamic and industry-focused, our programme is designed to help you realise your creative potential and sharpen your critical thinking through engagement with extraordinary works of literature. Literature is one of the most powerful ways we can experience other lives, enjoy worlds we've never visited, and develop an appreciation for the amazing capacity of words to move, inform, persuade and inspire. Through in-depth study and analysis of a range of texts, including fiction, poetry and drama, you'll cultivate your critical skills and hone your prowess as a creative communicator. Our innovative degree allows you to critically explore a variety of literary texts and to create imaginative works that develop your understanding of real-world issues. You'll encounter everything from fantasy prose fiction to creative nonfiction memoir, powerful poetry to cutting-edge screen and stage drama. You'll consider how crafted and artful language variously shapes our society. Live briefs developed from industry partnerships will offer choice and challenge, honing your communication and organisational skills ready for the world of work. Creativity and critical thinking are graduate skills prized by employers. Studying literature and learning how to write imaginatively and persuasively will prepare you for a range of careers, whether as an inspirational teacher, prize-winning writer, or professional editor. Our graduates work as script editors for BBC television series, as teachers and advocacy educators, and win or are placed in major awards such as the Carcanet Prize and #Merky Books New Writers' Prize.

Information about the modules offered as part of this course is available on the University of Bolton’s website.

Assessment method

Details of the learning activities and assessment methods for this course are available on the University of Bolton’s website.

How to apply

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Points of entry.

The following entry points are available for this course:

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements, ucas tariff - 96 points.

You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics. If you don't have the above qualifications but have a strong portfolio of relevant work, we encourage you to apply. You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.bolton.ac.uk/course/ESH005-F-UOB-SX/2025-2026

English language requirements

We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

https://www.bolton.ac.uk/international/international-general-entry-requirements/

Student Outcomes

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website .

Fees and funding

Tuition fees.

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Provider information.

Visit our website

Our COVID-19 information

University of Bolton Deane Road Bolton BL3 5AB

Course contact details

University of bolton enquiries.

[email protected]

+44 (0)1204 903903

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BA (Hons) Creative Writing

1 Location : University of Bolton

Course details

3 year course

Distance learning

Not Available

Placement year

Year abroad

Foundation year

Course data summary

Average Earnings

3 years after the course for Creative writing graduates at The University of Bolton

go on to work and/or study

15 months after the course for Creative writing graduates at The University of Bolton

The course has developed the knowledge and skills I think I will need for my future.

Final year BA Creative writing students at The University of Bolton

Staff value students’ views and opinions about the course.

Teaching staff have supported my learning well.

National Student Survey results

What you need to know about the data

• The data is from students surveyed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Some courses and providers have been affected more than others.
• The data tells you about the experience of recent students, but your experience may be different.
• Read more about this data

The data displayed is from students on this and other courses in Creative writing.

There was not enough data to publish information specifically for this course. This may be because the course size is too small or not enough students responded to the survey. This does not reflect on the quality of the course.

Student Satisfaction

The Student satisfaction score is not available for courses in England because the question is not included in the survey for England.

The teaching on my course

Staff are good at explaining things

Staff often make the subject engaging.

The course is often intellectually stimulating.

The course often challenges me to achieve my best work.

Data for students graduating 2022-23

Source: NSS (National Student Survey)

Learning opportunities

Positive about the chances to explore ideas and concepts in depth.

The course introduces subjects and skills well in a way that builds on what I have already learned.

Positive about the chances to bring together information and ideas from different topics.

The course has the right balance of directed and independent study.

Assessment and feedback

The criteria used in marking and assessing my work have been clear.

The marking and assessment of my course has been fair.

Assessments have allowed me to demonstrate what I have learned.

Assessment feedback has been received on time.

Feedback has often helped me improve my work.

Academic Support

It was easy to contact teaching staff when I needed to.

Organisation and management

My course is well organised.

Changes to teaching on my course have been well communicated.

Learning resources

The IT resources and facilities provided have supported my learning well

The library resources (e.g. books, online services and learning spaces) have supported my learning well

It has been easy to access subject-specific resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, software, collections) when I needed to.

Student voice

I have had the right opportunities to provide feedback on my course

It is clear that students' feedback on the course is acted on.

The students' union (association or guild) represents students' academic interest well.

Mental wellbeing

87% Information about mental wellbeing support services has been well communicated.

Freedom of expression

93% I have felt free to express my ideas, opinions and beliefs.

Entry information

What you need to know about entry data

• These are the qualifications students had when they were accepted onto this course. This is not a list of qualifications a person needs to have to be accepted onto this course

Read more about entry data

Qualification types

Data for entrants in 2021-22

Source: Data for individual students collected directly from universities and colleges

Chart labels explained

Different higher education qualification.

• Foundation degree

A-levels, Advanced Highers or similar

• Scottish Highers (including Advanced Highers)
• BTEC National or equivalent (including BTEC Nationals and SQA equivalents) Welsh Baccalaureate and HNCs

UCAS Tariff points

Data for entrants in 2020-22

After 1 year on the course

70% of students are still on the course or have completed it

Data for entrants in 2019-21

The data displayed is from students over the previous two years.

This may be because the course size is too small. This does not reflect on the quality of the course.

Earnings after the course

What you need to know about earnings data

• Some data is from graduates surveyed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Labour markets change
• Salaries vary across regions in the UK
• There are lots of factors that affect graduate earnings.
• Read more about earnings

Average earnings for all full-time Creative writing courses

For graduates from The University of Bolton

After 15 months

Typical range: £ - £, data from people ( of those asked)., data for students graduating 2020-21 source: graduate outcomes survey, no data available, this is either because the course size is small or there were not enough responses to produce data. this does not reflect on the quality of the course., after 3 years, typical range: £11,500 - £21,000, data from 45 people., data for students graduating 2013-15 source: longitudinal education outcomes (leo) dataset, after 5 years, typical range: £17,000 - £27,500, data from 50 people., view for all full-time creative writing graduates in:, typical range: £18,000 - £25,000, data from 555 people., (excludes northern ireland), typical range: £13,500 - £23,000, data from 1550 people., 95% of uk-resident creative writing graduates from the university of bolton are based in england., typical range: £16,500 - £27,000, data from 1565 people., employment 15 months after the course.

What you need to know about employment data

• Some data is from graduates surveyed during Covid-19 pandemic
• Labour markets vary and change over time
• Employment and job opportunities vary across regions in the UK
• Read more about employment

80% of the students go on to work and / or study

Data for students graduating 2020-21

Source: Graduate Outcomes survey

What graduates are doing 15 months after the course

Occupation types 15 months after the course, the data displayed is from students on this and other courses in english studies over the previous two years..

Data for students graduating 2019-21

65% In highly skilled work

• 40% Teaching Professionals
• 15% Artistic, literary and media occupations
• 10% Business and public service associate professionals

30% In other work

• 10% Sales occupations
• 10% Secretarial and related occupations
• 10% Elementary occupations
• 5% Caring personal services

5% In unknown work

• Employed after finishing the course but employment type is not known

In highly skilled work

Percentage of those employed who are in a professional or managerial job after finishing the course

In other work

Percentage of those employed who are not in a professional or managerial job after finishing the course

Graduate perceptions

• Some data is from graduates surveyed during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Read more about Graduate Perceptions

Sorry, there is no data available for this course.

Information on the uni website.

• Course page
• How the course is taught
• How the course is assessed
• Employment information
• Course costs
• Accommodation costs and information
• Financial support

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Admission Steps

English and literary arts - creative writing - phd, admission requirements.

Terms and Deadlines

Degree and GPA Requirements

Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers

Additional standards for international applicants.

For the 2025-2026 academic year

See 2024-2025 requirements instead

Fall 2025 quarter (beginning in September)

Final submission deadline: December 16, 2024

Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.

Degrees and GPA Requirements

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

Masters degree: This program requires a masters degree as well as the baccalaureate.

University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria:

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree.

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.

An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:

Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80

Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5

Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176

Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

Additional Information:

Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.

Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.

Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.

Application Materials

Transcripts, letters of recommendation.

Required Essays and Statements

Writing Sample

We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.  Academic recommendations preferred.  Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

Essays and Statements

Essay instructions.

Applicants should submit a sample of critical prose (e.g., a seminar paper, scholarly publication, or excerpt from thesis or other longer work demonstrating familiarity with the conventions of academic research and writing) not to exceed 20 pages.

Personal Statement Instructions

Personal statements should be 2 pages maximum and should address the applicant's past academic experience, future scholarly goals, and their suitability for graduate study and research in our program.

Résumé Instructions

The résumé (or C.V.) should minimally include the applicant's educational history, work experience, academic experience (including research opportunities or presentations), selected publications, and/or volunteer work.

Writing Sample Instructions

Applicants must submit representative samples of creative work (for Prose, no more than 30 pages; for Poetry, 5 - 10 poems).

Start the Application

Online Application

Financial Aid Information

Start your application.

Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.

Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.

Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50.00 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.

Explore the map

Learn about the Writing Bolton project

Bolton Literature Map

Explore the map Learn about the Writing Bolton project

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The University of Bolton

The University’s School of the Arts is a hub of contemporary creativity, and nowhere more so than in its Creative Writing department. Over the years, the university has been home to many successful writers, producers and directors who have studied and taught on its programmes, including critic and writer Jon Glover, contemporary poet Matthew Welton, and current Professor of Theatre, David Thacker.

From novels to TV scripts, timeless poetry to ground-breaking drama, the written word defines our culture and wider society. At Bolton, Creative Writing focuses on the needs of students, fostering creative thought and original practice. Students are encouraged to immerse themselves in writing wherever they may find it, from masterpieces past and present to blogs and advertising billboards, in order to develop their own craft. Bolton students deepen their love of language and discover their own creative voices.

The department boasts an in-house publication, The Bolton Review , edited by final year students, annual poetry and bi-annual fiction competitions, workshops from visiting writers, and a series of Live Literature events, held in conjunction with the English department, Bolton Library and Museum Services, and the internationally-renowned Octagon Theatre. In collaboration with the live literature organisation Wordlife, lecturer and poet Ben Wilkinson led on the development of this writing map for Bolton.

The department is always interested to hear from potential collaborators, as well as students interested in studying here. You can find out more information here .

The Institute for Creativity and AI

ICAI is City St George’s new space to research and explore strategic impacts at the intersection of creativity, creative work and AI technologies.

It is also outward facing, working closely with funding bodies, businesses and other types of organisations to understand the new challenges posed by AI technologies, and offer novel solutions to improve creative work.

The Institute’s remit is broad. Creative work can happen across sectors, from business management and healthcare to journalism and the arts . This work often involves everyday creative thinking.

Pioneering interdisciplinary research

Creativity research is fundamentally interdisciplinary. To understand how AI technologies impact creative work, researchers from different backgrounds need to collaborate on large-scale ambitious projects.  Our Institute exists to build these collaborations. New cross-disciplinary projects will investigate and shape how everyday creative activities are changing, from the cognitive, social, economic, political, technological and other perspectives.

With a focus on creativity and innovation, the Institute also serves as a place to discuss fundamental challenges facing creative work involving technologies, and to explore research-led solutions to these challenges.

A space to collaborate

Our Institute is committed to fostering collaboration and exploration among researchers, academics and practitioners. It serves as a space where ideas can be exchanged, partnerships formed, funding sought, and positive change delivered. Here’s how:

Our mission

The Institute has three strategic aims:

• To understand creative work in the presence of AI technologies and the challenges faced by professional
• To research and develop new forms of co-creative AI technologies to augment creative work across profession
• To investigate the wider impacts of co-creative AI technologies on the professions

Why City St George’s?

City St George’s has a long and rich tradition of cross-disciplinary creativity research. Its academics have been coming together regularly for the last 25 years to collaborate and research creative work across the professions. Its interdisciplinary Centre for Creativity in Professional Practice was founded in 2008.

Did you know?

Research England awarded it a £3.6m grant to explore creative work enabled by AI technologies in 2020.

The new School of Communication and Creativity was founded in 2022.

City St George’s also has a long tradition in applied AI research. It hosted the foundational meeting of the AISB, the world’s first learned AI society in the 1960s. Its research contributed to the evolving field of computational creativity. It leads the arts and digital creativity forum of The Culture Capital Exchange, Innovate UK’s Digital Catapult-Machine Intelligence Garage, and new ESPRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Visualisation .

Our new Institute brings these threads together at a critical time, when technologies such as generative AI are transforming creative work.

The management team

The Institute is led by academics from across City St George’s who bring different discipline expertise and skills:

Professor Neil Maiden

Professor of Digital Creativity

Professor Neil Maiden, Professor of Digital Creativity, is an academic at Bayes Business School of City, University of London.

Professor Charles Baden-Fuller

Centenary Chair in Strategy

Professor Charles Baden-Fuller, Centenary Chair in Strategy, is an academic at Bayes Business School of City, University of London.

Dr Sara Jones

Reader in Creative Interactive System Design

Dr Sara Jones, Reader in Creative Interactive System Design, is an academic at Bayes Business School of City, University of London.

• Eduardo Alonso will lead AI technologies research. He is Professor of Artificial Intelligence in the School of Science and Technology.
• Enrico Bonadio will lead on legal research. He is a Reader in the City Law School.
• Suzanne Franks will lead on creative industries research. She is Professor of Journalism in the School of Communication and Creativity.
• Stephanie Wilson will lead on interaction design research. She is Professor of Human-Computer Interaction in the School of Science and Technology.

Current projects and activities

Business Sparks: The Institute’s CebAI project , funded by Research England, has launched Business Sparks, a new interactive digital tool to support businesses think more creatively about their business models and strategies. Learn more about and access Business Sparks .

An interdisciplinary research sandpit : Forty academics from across St George’s came together in July to participate in a sandpit to explore creativity and AI research opportunities. The sandpit was a great success. As well as mapping and relating different research activities across the institution, academics worked in groups to generate ideas to tackle grand challenges and generate new research proposals.

A collaboration with Research England : Institute staff are working with Research England , one of the UK’s Research Councils , to explore how AI can augment more creative policy formulation from the information and data available to it. Results from the pilot study will be available in the autumn.

'Launching the Institute for Creativity and AI: Exploring the Future of Work' will be held on 9 October at 17:30 at Bunhill Row. Join us for the launch event of the Institute.

Partner research centres at City St George’s

Institute members are drawn from all of City St George’s schools. ICAI collaborates closely with at least the following research centres and groups:

• The AI Lab in the Department of Journalism
• City’s Artificial Intelligence Research Centre
• The Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design
• The Interdisciplinary Centre for Creativity in Professional Practice
• SPARC (Sound Practice and Research @ City)

International research partners

The Institute also has formal agreements for research collaborations with:

• The Centre for Digital Creativity at Aarhus University , in Denmark
• The Institute for Technology and Innovation Management at RWTH-Aachen , in Germany
• The SKEMA Center for Artificial Intelligence at the SKEMA Business School , in France
• The BLISS Digital Impact Lab, Ca’ Foscari , University of Venice, Italy
• The University of Technology Sydney , in Australia.

For any questions regarding the Institute, please email Prof Neil Maiden .

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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writingm, Distance Education (MFA)

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Creative Writers are at the heart of our cultural industries. Poets, novelists, screenwriters, playwrights, graphic novelists, magazine writers: they entertain, inform and inspire. For more than 15 years, UBC's Creative Writing program has been educating writers through distance education in a program which complements our long-standing on-campus MFA program.

A studio program with the writing workshop at its heart, the distance MFA focuses on the work created by students as the primary text. Through intensive peer critique and craft discussion, faculty and students work together with the same goal: literary excellence.

The MFA granted to distance students is the same degree as granted to on-campus students, and the same criteria of excellence in multiple genres of study apply.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

UBC's Optional-Residency (Distance) MFA was the first distance education MFA program in Canada and remains the only full MFA which can be taken completely online. It is designed to be uniquely flexible, allowing students across Canada and around the world to study writing at the graduate level while still living in their local communities and fulfilling career and family obligations.

The program is unique globally for its multi-genre approach to writing instruction: students are required to work in multiple genres during the course of the degree. As a fine arts program rather than an English program, students focus on the practice of writing rather than the study of literature. Students may work on a part-time basis, taking up to five years to complete the degree.

My time in the Creative writing grad program at UBC has given me the discipline and focus I need to complete long-form writing pieces and larger poetry projects.

Kwaku Darko-Mensah Jnr.

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, program instructions.

The optional residency MFA (distance) program only has a July intake.

1) Check Eligibility

Minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 90

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 6.5

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writingm, Distance Education (MFA)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Options

Graduates of the MFA program have found success in varied fields related to writing and communication. The MFA qualifies graduates for teaching at the university level and many graduates have gone on to teach at colleges and universities in Canada, the United States and overseas as well as holding writing residencies. Many publish books and win literary awards. Others go on to work in publishing, and graduates have become book and magazine editors.

Although the MFA is a terminal degree, some graduates go on to further study in PhD programs in the US, UK and Australia.

The Optional-Residency MFA is particularly well suited to teachers: our teacher-students have been able to gain an advanced degree while continuing their careers.

• Research Supervisors

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Belcourt, Billy-Ray (Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry)
• French, Whitney (memory, loss, technology, and nature)
• Hopkinson, Nalo (Creative writing, n.e.c.; Humanities and the arts; Creative Writing: Speculative Ficton, Fantasy, Science Fiction, especially Other Voices)
• Irani, Anosh
• Koncan, Frances
• Leavitt, Sarah (Autobiographical comics; Formal experimentation in comics; Comics pedagogy)
• Lee, Nancy (Fiction; Creative Writing)
• Lyon, Annabel (Novels, stories and news)
• Maillard, Keith (Fiction, poetry)
• Marzano-Lesnevich, Alex (Nonfiction)
• McGowan, Sharon (Planning of film productions from concept to completion)
• Medved, Maureen (Fiction, writing for screen)
• Nicholson, Cecily (Languages and literature; Poetry)
• Ohlin, Alix (Fiction; Screenwriting; Environmental writing)
• Pohl-Weary, Emily (Fiction; Writing for Youth)
• Svendsen, Linda (Script development; Novels, stories and news; Writing for Television; Fiction)
• Taylor, Timothy (fiction and nonfiction)
• Vigna, John (Novels, stories and news; Fiction, Literary Non-Fiction, Creative Writing)

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Same Academic Unit

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Theatre (MFA)
• Master of Fine Arts in Film Production and Creative Writing (MFA)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Further Information

Specialization.

Creative Writing combines the best of traditional workshop and leading-edge pedagogy. Literary cross-training offers opportunities in a broad range of genres including fiction, poetry, screenplay, podcasting, video game writing and graphic novel.

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