creative writing poetry courses

Top 10 Free Best Online Poetry Classes & Courses

If you are looking to learn the art of poetry and share your thoughts in an expressive way, you are in the right place!

In this guide, I have found some of the best online poetry classes in 2024 that are great for beginners.

Inside these free online courses, you will learn rules of form and composition which can clarify the meaning of your words to those who read it. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Top 10 Free Best Online Poetry Classes & Courses 2024

1. poetry i: introduction to making poems (skillshare).

First on my list is a fantastic online course that will help you start with writing quality poems in no time. This is an excellent course for beginners that provides insight into the creative process of writing memorable poems. You will also be joining 4,480 other students who have completed this class!

Your instructor is Cameron Conaway , a journalist, writer, and poet with many years of writing and teaching experience. He also has won Book of the Year from NPR and his writing has been published in Newsweek, ESPN, The Guardian, Reuters, NPR, and Forbes to name a few. So if you are looking to learn from one of the best, this is a great place to start.

As for the modules, you will learn how to find a theme, finding a thread, using a literary toolbox, and how to begin your poem. There are also class projects for you to complete and a discussion forum to share your completed poems and get feedback on.

When it comes to the price, there is none! As this class is hosted on Skillshare, new users can take this poetry class, plus 28,000 other lessons when taking advantage of their 1-month free trial. Overall, this is a great introductory class for beginners.

• Beginner level
• Professional writer as the instructor
• Class projects
• Discussion forum
• 4,480 students enrolled

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2. How to Make Your Words More Artful & Lyrical (Skillshare)

Next on my list is another great online poetry class that teaches you how to be more expressive with your poetry so you can make a strong connection with your readers. This will also help you to better engage your audience and help them connect with your thoughts and feelings. You’ll also be joining 6,000 other students who have completed this class!

As for your instructor, you will be taught by Hanif Abdurraqib , who is a music critic and an essayist who writes on a variety of subjects in several different styles. His writing has been featured in Muzzle, Vinyl, PEN American, The FADER, Pitchfork, The New Yorker, and The New York Times.

Some of the modules taught in this 45-minute video lesson include the use of poetic language, abstract poetry, lyric essays, narrative poetry, closing, and a live reading of your poems. There is also an active discussion area where you can share your poems and get live feedback from other students.

Being hosted on Skillshare, users get access to all video modules, downloadable resources, class projects, a discussion forum, plus all of the classes available on the platform. Overall, this is one of the best online poetry classes that is packed full of helpful tips.

• Taught by a professional writer
• Downloadable resources
• Class project

3. Publish Your Own Poetry Chapbook (Udemy)

If you already have a collection of poems and are looking to create a chapbook, or even get them published, then this is the online course for you! While this course is aimed at more advanced poetry writers, it may also be suitable for aspiring poets whose aim is to get published in the future.

Your instructor for this course is  Amy Lynn Hess , who is an associate professor of English and a published poet. She also is an author of English textbooks and runs her own poetry publishing company. So if you are looking to learn from an industry-leading expert, this is a great place to start.

Some of the modules included in this 1.5-hour video lesson include preproduction, production, and postproduction work on the poetry collection to be published.

There are also 11 downloadable resources, lifetime access of course materials, and a certificate of completion. Overall, a great online poetry class for those looking to become published poets.

• Beginner to Intermediate level
• English professor as your instructor
• Lifetime access
• Certificate of completion

Visit Udemy.com

4. How To Make A Poem (Future Learn)

In this beginner-level online poetry class, you will follow the creation of a poem from the inspiration, all the way through to the publishing phase. So for those that are looking to learn the lifecycle of how a poem is created from start to finish, this is a great place to start.

Rather than being taught by one single instructor, you will instead be taught by educators from the Manchester Metropolitan University as part of the partnering program with Future Learn.

Included in the syllabus of this 3-week course includes discovering poetry, finding a poem, crafting poetry, the line, the stanza, editing, and workshops to name a few.

With all FutureLearn courses, there are resources to download and reviews of what you have learned, as well as lifetime course access and a certificate of completion.

• 3 weeks course length
• Taught through Manchester Metropolitan University

5. Now is the time to write the best poetry you can (Udemy)

In addition to explaining how to write poetry, this beginner-level course also has various writing exercises that teach good writing habits which can help free up your creativity. It will also explain how to make a poem completely your own, with personal expression in poetic form.

Serena Greenslade is the instructor for this online poetry course who has published several books and articles including her own poetry. She also teaches online, in person, and through lectures and workshops, helping people from young children to business professionals to express themselves. So you will be in great hands!

Some of the lessons in this 1 ½ hour video class feature rhyme and assonance, free verse, sonnets, blank verse, and performing in front of others for poetry readings.

As with all Udemy courses, there are included downloadable resources, lifetime course access, and a certificate of completion. Overall, a great course!

6. Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop (CalArts)

This beginner-level online poetry class focuses on what you can do with your poem once you’ve put it down on paper as a first draft. In other words, how to self edit your thoughts and words to make your poetry even better.

It’s taught by educators from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), a leading art school with accredited learning and degree programs as well as continuing education and workshops.

In the syllabus, you will learn the poetic line, abstraction and image, metaphor, rhyme, and revision.

The 6-week course is on the Coursera platform and includes downloadable resources, class projects, and a certificate of completion. Overall, one of the best online poetry classes delivered by one of the top arts colleges in the world.

• Presented by CalArts
• Certificate of Completion

Visit CalArts

7. The Poet’s Toolbox for Readers and Writers (Skillshare)

For beginner writers, this 2 ½ hour online class introduces them to tools and techniques that will result in better, more readable creative works. It will discuss rhyme and metre as well as poetic verse outside of those established constraints, so you can see what’s best for you.

It’s taught by award-winning poet and author Gwyneth Box , who has extensive experience in writing professionally as well as for enjoyment. In her professional work with businesses, she weaves together the different fields of design, training, publishing, and technology.

Course subjects include poet tools, metre, syllables and stress, Haiku, rhyme, stanzas, and how verse sounds. Hosted by SkillShare, the course includes several extra resources to download, class assignments, and discussion. Overall, one of the top free online poetry classes in 2024!

• Taught by award-winning poet
• Class assignments

8. Cosmopolitan Tang: Aristocratic Culture in China (edX)

This isn’t a misprint, this course teaches about poetry, specifically the early poetic verse created by Chinese aristocrats throughout the ages and how their ideas and innovations still affect the world of creative thought as put down in words. It is an introductory level and covers several aspects of Chinese aristocratic culture in the 15 weeks of instruction.

Provided by educators from Harvard University as part of their larger series covering classic Chinese culture and art. Harvard is a world-leading university with degree programs in multiple fields from Law, Art, Medicine, and Engineering.

For more Hardvard courses, you can see my list of free online Ivy league university classes .

Course modules include Sui and Tang reunification, analyzing the empire, composing poetry, calligraphy , and seeing stories as both literature and history.

You can get video transcripts and other downloadable resources as well as a certificate of instruction.

• Taught by Harvard University professors
• Video transcripts
• Certificate of completion available

Visit Edx.org

9. Poetry Basics: How to Write a Publishable Poem (Skillshare)

Designed to take you into the world of writing for profit, this course will show you the basics of writing poetry and how to get it published. It is a beginner level and about 30 minutes of on-demand video lessons.

Taught by Elizabeth Dean , a writing instructor and poetry enthusiast with several years of experience in writing and publishing behind her.

Course modules include style, topics, sound, imagery, editing, promotion, and publishing. Provided on SkillShare, this course includes class projects, downloadable resources, and discussion. To learn more, you can also see my comprehensive guide on the top online writing courses !

• Writing teacher as instructor

10. Poetry Primer – Survey of Poetic Writing Styles and Projects (Udemy)

Last on my list of free online poetry classes is a lesson that is designed to help you find your own unique poetic voice by developing skills and techniques used in writing in general and specifically in poetry. It’s both practical and enjoyable, with information to let you be the poet you want to be.

Taught by Trace Crawford , an educator in theatre and other creative arts, who has written several books and collections. He is also an established playwright and has a master’s in education.

This is 3 ½ hours of beginner-level instruction, with 47 on-demand video lectures covering topics such as poetic concepts, narrative poetry, satirical poetry, Japanese poetry, writing sonnets, and even poetry for podcasts.

Hosted on Udemy, this course includes several quizzes, lots of supplemental material, full lifetime access, and a certificate of completion.

• 3 ½ hours of on demand video
• Taught by professional playwright, author, and educator
• Quizzes on various topics

My name is Lewis Keegan and I am the writer and editor of SkillScouter.com. I'm extremely passionate about online education and what it can do for those to better their lives. I spend most of my time blogging, hiking, and drinking coffee. I also have a Bachelor's Degree in Education and Teaching.

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• Designed for poets preparing a pamphlet for possible publication, this report will offer constructive feedback on a group of up to twenty poems.
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Poetry Writing Courses

Whether you're just starting out or preparing your first collection, our poetry writing courses offer the technical knowledge, the practical support and the creative encouragement you'll need. With courses available online and in London, take the next step on your writing journey at the home of British poetry.

Our poetry writing courses: an overview

From a one-day workshop for those starting out to an advanced six-month course for those hoping to publish a first collection, we offer a full range of courses for aspiring poets at every step of the journey

Some of our poetry writing courses are selective, meaning you’ll need to apply.

Our online poetry writing courses are held live via Zoom, so that you can join from wherever you are in the world.

Who are these courses for?

Aspiring poets.

Always wanted to write poetry but don't know where to start? Some of our poetry courses are suitable for complete beginners and offer an introduction to the craft as well as feedback on your writing.

Poets developing their craft

Broaden your techniques, deepen your knowledge and meet a close-knit group of likeminded writers. Some of our intermediate courses are also suitable for writers moving over from another genre.

Poets ready to take the next step

If you've been writing poetry for a while and are hoping to begin publishing your work, our advanced courses are uniquely placed to help you achieve those goals.

• Level Starting out Improving Advanced
• Location Online London Newcastle
• Length 1-5 days 12 weeks 6 month +
• Featured Featured Upcoming Lowest Price A-Z Z-A

Our advanced courses in fiction and poetry offer the next step for the committed writer – serious writing time, industry advice and expert guidance, along with a close-knit group of fellow writers to keep you on track.

Poetry Writing Courses ( 18 )

Start to Write Poetry

What do these levels mean?

Richard Scott

Saturday 30 Nov 2024

Victoria Adukwei Bulley

Saturday 11 Jan 2025

Places available

Writing Poems

Richard Scott, Julia Copus

Monday 20 Jan 2025

The Salon: Developing Your Poems

Richard Scott, Rachel Long, Denise Riley, Maurice Riordan

Thursday 23 Jan 2025

Saturday 25 Jan 2025

Saturday 08 Mar 2025

Saturday 29 Mar 2025

Richard Scott, Rachel Long

Thursday 24 Apr 2025

Poetry Tutors

Our poetry tutors are all published poets, from Faber and beyond, as well as being experienced teachers.

Daljit Nagra

Daljit Nagra has published four poetry collections with Faber & Faber. He has won the Forward Prize for Best Individual Poem...

Maurice Riordan

Maurice Riordan was born in Co. Cork. His first book, A Word from the Loki (1995), was nominated for the T. S. Eliot Prize...

Rachael Allen

Rachael Allen’s first collection of poems, KINGDOMLAND , is published by Faber & Faber. She is the co-author of a number of collaborative...

Richard Scott was born in London in 1981. His pamphlet Wound (Rialto) won the Michael Marks Poetry Award 2016 and his poem...

This course has genuinely helped shape my perspective, given me a lot of insight into what goes into writing poetry, and just the process of writing in general.

Beyond amazing. The quality of the teaching was outstanding.

Poetry Salon

Daljit and Rachael were both wonderful. Nicely complementary, too, with Rachael offering a slightly more academic angle, and Daljit more practical, though both fully rounded! Mostly, I loved the fact that they were so open and warm and genuinely seemed delighted to engage with the group and our work.

Advanced Poetry (Online)

Richard was excellent. He was engaging, knowledgeable, clearly passionate about poetry, and had an excellent presentation style. Even online, everything worked really smoothly and all the tasks were interesting.

Start to Write Poetry (Online)

The tutors were both wonderful, knowledgeable and encouraging. I liked that they had different styles and were at different points in their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i bring poems i've already written to these courses.

Yes, on some of them – although on others (including our one-day Start to Write Poetry course), you’ll only be able to get feedback on the work you do in response to the exercises set in class. Get in touch if you have specific requirements – it might be that a manuscript assessment will work best for you if you have a body of existing work you’d like feedback on.

Is it possible to teach poetry?

There isn’t a single ‘right way’ of writing a poem. But neither is there a single ‘right way’ of making a chair – it doesn’t mean that craft isn’t involved. By exploring different forms, fostering creative community and developing editorial instincts we’ll progress your poetry – without being proscriptive.

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Course Level Guide

There’s something for everyone at the Faber Academy, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned writer or somewhere in between. To help you select the right course for you, this guide breaks down what the different levels mean.

These courses are ideal for those who are curious about writing and have little to no prior experience in the field. There are no pre-requisite for these courses – all we ask is that you come with an open mind and a keenness to learn. That’s not to say they aren’t suitable for someone with more experience, though – if you’re looking to refresh your skills or experiment with a new area of writing, you’re also welcome to enrol.

These courses are ideal for those who have some experience in writing – as a hobby, or perhaps through academic or professional work – and are looking for challenging courses to hone their skills further. These courses are also a good next step if you’ve already taken a beginners’ class but don’t feel ready to commit to an advanced course yet.

These courses are ideal for seasoned writers who are serious about getting published. Entry to most of these courses is on an application basis and writers will usually be asked to submit samples of their work-in-progress or a past project.

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• Completed a minimum of 60 institutional credits for a single major or 105 institutional credits for a dual major
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Transfer Credits

Online undergraduate-level course, creative writing: poetry.

Authored by Pat Pattison

Course Code: OLART-215

starts January 13--> Next semester starts Jan 13, 2025

3-credit tuition, non-credit tuition.

Creative Writing: Poetry is a course for writers—songwriters, poets, and anyone who wants to write more effectively. The course—authored by Pat Pattison, who developed the curriculum for the only songwriting major in the country at Berklee—will give you specific tools to help you craft and control your writing. You will be taken through a step-by-step process, each step handing you another tool to give what you say more power. You'll learn how to enhance your ideas through arranging lines into odd or even numbered line groups and creating either a feeling of tension or resolution with the composition itself, independent of the poem's meaning. You'll learn placement, timing, focus, and especially how to use rhythm in language expressively.

• Write clearly and strongly
• Precisely control form and composition
• Counter-point lines against phrases to create musical effects
• Use language rhythms to create tension and resolution
• Understand the relationship between poetry and music
• Deeply understand prosody, the fundamental principle underlying not only poetry, but art in general

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Lesson 1: Prose vs. Poetry

• Prose: Phrase Lengths
• Sentence Construction: Simple Sentences
• Compound Sentences
• Sentence Types
• Lines with Multiple Phrases
• Units of Composition

Lesson 2: Managing End-Stops 

• Creating Subordinate Clauses
• Stable and Unstable Groupings
• "Days" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Instability
• Student Poetry Examples
• Switching Line Order

Lesson 3: Managing Caesuras 

• Frontal, Medial, and Terminal Caesuras
• Creating Tension
• Emerson's Handling of Caesuras
• Creating Motion

Lesson 4: Managing Enjambment

• Moving from Light to Heavy
• Other Movement
• Managing Enjambment

Lesson 5: Writing in Iambic Pentameter

• Stressed and Unstressed Syllables
• Iambic Pentameter
• Blending Languages
• Why Pentameter?
• English Poetry
• Groove and Variation
• "Distractions" by Emma Joy Hanley
• "The Woman with Fire Engine Nails" by Caroline Harvey
• Learning your Craft

Lesson 6: Substituting in Iambic Pentameter

• Substituting in Iambic Pentameter
• Themes and Variations
• Creating Emotion
• "After Long Silence" by William Butler Yeats
• Substitutions in "After Long Silence"
• Going Against Expectations

Lesson 7: Writing in Blank Verse 

• Writing in Blank Verse
• "Birches" by Robert Frost
• "Ulysses" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
• Compositional Tools
• "Spring" by Elisa Lomazzo
• "Christmas Cheer" by Ian Henchy

Lesson 8: Blank Verse Again 

• More on Blank Verse
• Blank Verse and Substitutions
• "A Wake" by Ryan Toll
• "Still" by Rachel Borovik

Lesson 9: Using Rhyme

• Using Rhyme
• Sound in Poetry
• Rhyme Schemes
• Perfect Rhyme
• Consonance Rhyme
• More on Consonance Rhyme
• Rhyme Schemes Revisited
• "Ode to the West Wind" by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Lesson 10: English (or Shakespearean) Sonnet

• English or Shakespearean Sonnet
• "When I Have Fears" by John Keats

Lesson 11: English (or Shakespearean) Sonnet Continued

• Modern Sonnets
• "Putting in the Seed" by Robert Frost
• "Baby Running Barefoot" by D. H. Lawrence

Lesson 12: Italian (or Pertrarchian) Sonnet        

• The Italian (or Petrarchian) Sonnet
• The First Eight Lines
• "In Memoriam"
• The Italian Sonnet Road Map
• "Mezzo Cammin" 
• "Grief"
• "Design"
• The ccdeed sestet
• e. e. cummings
• e. e. cummings Variation

Requirements

Prerequisites and course-specific requirements .

Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills All students enrolled in this course must know English well enough to:

• Easily understand recorded videos and written class lessons
• Participate successfully in written and oral class discussions
• Read, write, and study without being hindered by language problems
• Possess intermediate or advanced grammar skills related to punctuation and verb conjugation Though the course uses a rudimentary musical vocabulary, no musical training is required.

Textbook(s)

• No textbooks required

Student Deals After enrolling, be sure to check out our Student Deals page for various offers on software, hardware, and more. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

General Course Requirements

Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in Live Classes. Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course. 

• macOS Big Sur 11.0 or later
• Windows 10 or later
• Latest version of Google Chrome
• Zoom meeting software
• Speakers or headphones
• External or internal microphone
• Broadband Internet connection

Instructors

Pat Pattison is a professor at Berklee College of Music, where he teaches lyric writing and poetry. In addition to his four books, Songwriting Without Boundaries  (Penguin/Random House), Writing Better Lyrics, 2nd Edition (Penguin/Random House), The Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure (Hal Leonard), and The Essential Guide to Rhyming (Hal Leonard), Pat has developed several online courses for Berklee Online. He has written more than 50 articles for various blogs and magazines, including American Songwriter , and has chapters in both The Poetics of American Song Lyrics (University Press of Mississippi) and The Handbook on Creative Writing (Edinburgh University Press).

Eric Leva is a songwriter, singer, producer, and classically trained pianist from Massachusetts. Leva has studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and Berklee College of Music. Following his studies, Leva spent time in New York City to hone his craft and develop his writing. A songwriting award from the ASCAP Foundation eventually sparked a move to Los Angeles to pursue more collaborations. His recent releases include Kesha, DNCE, Wes Period, and Rozzi.

Sarah Anne Stinnett is a Boston-based writer and educator. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University and an ALM in Dramatic Arts and ALB in Humanities from Harvard University. Previously, she attended Berklee College of Music for bass performance, often extending her studies through the ProArts Consortium at Emerson College, Boston Conservatory, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

What's Next?

When taken for credit, Creative Writing: Poetry can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:

Related Certificate Programs

• General Music Studies Professional Certificate
• General Music Studies Advanced Professional Certificate

Related Degree Majors

• Bachelor's Degree in Music Production
• Bachelor's Degree in Music Business
• Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition for Film, TV, and Games
• Bachelor's Degree in Electronic Music Production and Sound Design
• Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Music Studies (Create Your Own Major)
• Bachelor's Degree in Songwriting
• Bachelor's Degree in Guitar Performance
• (Pre-Degree) Undeclared Option
• Bachelor's Degree in Songwriting and Producing Music

Related Music Career Roles

Employers look for skills learned in this course, when hiring for the following music career roles:

Music Journalist

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Online courses in creative writing

Part-time study in creative writing

Develop your creativity with an Oxford University short course or award programme.

Need an extra push to finish your novel, poem or play? Completely new to the world of creative writing? Want to improve your analytical reading skills? No matter where you are in your writing journey, or where you are in the world, there is a part-time course to suit you.

Short online courses

Our short online courses in creative writing include live-time weekly classes, day and weekend schools and flexible online courses.

Credit earned from our short online courses is transferable towards our Certificate of Higher Education - a part-time undergraduate course in which you study a main subject discipline but also undertake study in other academic subjects.

Browse short online courses in creative writing

Diploma in Creative Writing

Our two-year, part-time Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing allows you to strengthen your ability in four major areas of literary activity — prose, poetry, drama and analytical reading — as well as the chance to specialise in the medium of your choice. You can now opt to take this course mostly online.

Find out more about the Diploma in Creative Writing

Upcoming courses

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• Wed 08 Jan 2025 – 21 Mar 2025

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MA Creative Writing Poetry

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Key Details

Why you should choose us

Course 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 are no longer enough. Now it’s time to take it further! Our Creative Writing Poetry MA is your chance to immerse yourself in reading and writing poetry in UEA’s world-leading Creative Writing department. Your tutors will be committed to helping you to become the best and most exciting writer you can be. Over the year you’ll discover more about your imaginative, artistic and intellectual potential as a poet. In your Poetry Workshops, you’ll work intensively on your writing practice with expert guidance and support from tutors and peers. You’ll develop your poetic ambition by learning more about poetry across time and place, about form and technique, practice and theory. You’ll read the kinds of poetry you’ve never come across before and discover a world of poetry beyond the forms and approaches you already know. We aim to support you in writing poetry of a publishable standard, and to create an encouraging, exciting and rigorous environment. Through your two Poetry Workshops, you’ll be encouraged to test, extend and refine your poetic technique – an experience that is often exciting and sometimes uncomfortable, but always rewarding. 

Within UEA’s internationally-famous writing community and as part of the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing (follow us on Instagram! ), you’ll have the opportunity to meet some of the UK’s leading poets and poetry editors and benefit from their insight and expertise. Our annual anthology is professionally published and distributed to a key list of poetry houses and other contacts. 

UEA is also part of a thriving network of regional poetry activities, which offers plenty of opportunities to gain performance experience and to get involved in publication. UEA also hosts an annual Poetry Festival, an event showcasing the MA poets’ work. You’ll have the chance to attend a masterclass and discuss your writing one-to-one with the Poetry Festival Fellow. UEA is also part of a thriving network of regional poetry activity, which offers plenty of opportunities to gain performance experience and to get involved in publication. During the one-year course of intensive reading, writing, exploration and risk-taking, you’ll develop a body of work close in length to a first collection. As a graduate of our MA in Poetry, you might join the ranks of our alumni who have published their work to high acclaim, such as Mona Arshi, Sam Buchan-Watts and Sohini Basak. After completing the course, a variety of careers in the literary arts and creative industries will be open to you. 

Study and Modules

The core element of the MA is the weekly three-hour workshop. The workshop structure varies but generally consists of close discussion of the work of two or three students plus a session on some aspect of poetry. Work is circulated a week in advance and annotated in detail before being returned to its author. The tutor may also circulate texts for discussion. You’ll get the chance to attend a follow-up tutorial with your workshop’s tutor each time your work is discussed in these workshops. 

In addition to the weekly workshop, in the first semester you’ll take a creative-critical module which will develop your thinking about poetic language, and in the second semester you’ll choose from a number of optional modules. You’ll have regular individual tutorials and receive extensive written feedback on your coursework. 

There is no workshop in the summer semester (May to June), during which time you’ll have one-on-one sessions with your dissertation tutor. In preparation for the dissertation, you’ll attend a specialised Creative Writing Research Methodology Conference in May, with the entire MA Creative Writing cohort. This day includes plenary sessions, panels and small-group breakout sessions. 

In July and August, you’ll work independently, although you may, with your peers, continue the workshop in some form. Over this period, you’ll write your dissertation, which will be a body of poetry and a critical commentary on it. 

Compulsory Modules

Creative writing workshop: poetry 1, creative writing research methodology conference, describing poetry, creative writing (poetry) dissertation, creative writing workshop: poetry 2, optional a modules, creative encounters, adaptation and interpretation, process and product in translation, creative-critical writing, the northern renaissance, 1500-1620, ludic literature, japanese literature, contemporary world theatre, the non fiction novel, the poetics of place.

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 poet Tiffany Atkinson and tutors such as Holly Corfield-Carr, Jeremy Noel-Tod, Stephen Benson, Steve Waters and Rachel Potter.  

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 towards the end of your course. 

You’ll submit 12 poems and a critical commentary for the Poetry Workshop in January, and the same amount for the workshop in May. Your dissertation consists of approximately 15–20 poems plus a critical commentary and is submitted in September. 

The assessment for your compulsory module on poetic language is either a 5,000-word essay or a piece of creative-critical work.  Assessments for optional modules vary but are typically a 5,000-word essay or an equivalent portfolio of creative and/or critical work. 

Entry Requirements

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

Degree classification

Bachelors degree - 2:1 

Degree Subject

Any subject

Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of writing for assessment with their application - up to 20 pages of poetry

Our  Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.

UK Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalent 

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, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are: 

UK Students: £10,675

International Students: £22,700

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:  [email protected]  

International candidates are also encouraged to access the  International Students  section of our website. 

Employability

After the course.

Our poetry graduates go on to enjoy all kinds of 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, and Anna Cathenka and Alice Willitts being shortlisted for the Ivan Juritz prize 2018. 

Example of careers that you could enter include: 

• Publishing 
• Editing 
• Freelance writing 
• Arts management 
• Advertising 

Discover more on our Careers webpages.  

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