creative writing course cardiff

Claire Syder

Creative writing….

Claire Syder   is a tutor of Creative Writing, offering online and classroom based courses, workshops, and residential weekends.

Claire obtained a B.A. in English Literature as a mature student at Cardiff University. She works as an Adult Tutor teaching Creative Writing and has previously worked for South Wales University as a Tutor and Development Officer.

Claire is an experienced performance poet who has read her work at many venues throughout England, Wales, Ireland and New York.  Her first poetry was published in a chapbook, Witness, by Stonebridge, New Century Poets, 2001.  Her work was included in the anthology This is Salem and World Book Day,  published by Stonebridge, 2004. Her first poetry collection, Time Cracks Open the Universe,  was published by Stonebridge 2004.  Claire's   latest Travel Poetry and Photography collection, Behind the Solid Stone Wall was published 2016.

Creative Writing Courses

New Creative Writing Courses

Poetry and Prose

starts Friday 16th September  - 2nd December 2022

10.30am - 12.30pm

10 weeks £145

St. Edward's Arts and Community Hall 

Penylan, Cardiff.

Also held at

The Cwtsh, Stow Hill,Newport.

Tuesday 20th September - 29th November

6 weeks course (held everyother Tuesday)  £87 

Creative Writing Courses starts each term September, January and April

Reading and Writing Poetry

This course will be looking at different forms of poetry.  We will explore the ballad, free verse, persona poetry, the villanelle and Welsh poetry.  The workshops will enable you to develop new pieces of poetry,  that will be shared with the group in an enjoyable and informal atmosphere.

Reading and Writing Short Stories

This course will be looking at different ways of telling stories, looking closely at techniques and their effects; learning about beginnings and endings, plot, view point, characterisation and setting.  The workshops will enable you to develop new short stories and discover your own voice in this genre.  New pieces of work will be shared with the group in an enjoyable and informal atmosphere.

Creative Writing

This course welcomes everyone who has an interest in exploring their creative writing; developing their own voice through writing poetry, prose pieces and monologues.  The group will sample and discuss various texts.  Creative writing workshops will enable you to develop new pieces of work, that will be shared with the group in an informal and enjoyable atmosphere.

Travel Writing

The course explores writing creatively about travelling, and about place and developing your own voice in the genre. Extracts from contemporary travel writing will be discussed, drawing around issues of cultural and historical context. The creative writing element will be taught through workshops, in which you can respond to set tasks, and discuss new pieces of work.

Monologues and Persona Poetry

During  this course we will discuss a selection of monologues and persona poetry.  Through workshops we will develop full rounded authentic characters giving them a voice.  New pieces of work will be shared with the group in an informal atmosphere.

For more information: CONTACT

Writing day workshops, creative writing day, ogmore-by-sea.

Craft Centre

Wednesday 4th September 2019

10.30am - 3.30pm

Come along and join in with other writers, for an inspirational day, at the Craft Centre in Ogmore by Sea.  The first writing workshop will take place at the craft centre.  The second writing activity will be exploring the wonderful coastal landscape and some historical aspects of the area. New pieces of prose or poetry will be shared with the group, after lunch, in an informal and enjoyable atmosphere.

Cost £25

Friday 7th September 2018

Come along and join in with other writers on an inspirational day, visiting Ewenny Priory, River Ogmore and Castle. Writing workshopswill draw from the historical sites and wonderful landscape.

Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff.

Creative Writing and Travel Writing

Thursday 7thJune 1.30-3.30pm

Come along and join us in the magnificent Reading Room, for an afternoon exploring Travel Writing.

Cost £15

St. Fagans: National History Museum. Cardiff

Come along and join us on the Creative Writing day workshops, drawing from Welsh history, inspirational historical buildings and discover the social history and stories of people from Wales.

Tuesday 13th June 2017

Time:   10am – 3.30pm Cost:   £25.00 per day.

Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve.

Enjoy an inspirational creative writing day.  Explore the saline lagoon, wet grasslands and reed beds.  The wetlands attract a wealth of wetland birds, butterflies, orchids, dragonflies and otter.  Stroll through the reed beds over the floating bridge past the 120 year old lighthouse and look along the estuary.

The Black Mountains.

Enjoy an inspirational creative writing day, travelling through the Black Mountains, visiting the Skirrid Inn,Llanthony Priory and exploring the stunning landscape.

The creative writing day will include a historical walk, exploring the beautiful landscape the Guardian overlook.  We will visit the Ty Ebbw Fach, formerly the Old Coach and Horses public house, Bethany Chapel and the museum.

The National Museum Cardiff.

The creative writing day will be inspired by a tour of the Art Impressionists and Modern Art gallery. Various other exhibitions, for example the wonderful illustrations of Quentin Blake will explore new creative writing ideas around developing characters and mood.

St. Fagans.

The Creative Writing day will engage with Welsh history, drawing from the historic buildings and discovering the social history and stories of the people of Wales.

Residential Writing Weekends

Creative Writing residential weekend

Spring creative writing weekend 2023 tba.

St David’s Pembrokeshire Friday  3pm until Sunday 1:30pm.

(residential weekends are arranged for one weekend in the spring and autumn)

Come along and enjoy a creative writing weekend. Explore St. David’s and its stunning landscape for the raw materials of new creative pieces of work.  Creative writing workshops will take place each day to find new inspiration for your writing. There will be time to read and share new pieces of poetry and stories, in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. The accommodation is in the heart of St. David’s.  Accommodation and Creative Writing workshops are included in the price.

Cost for the weekend is £180 (not including food, but food and drinks are brought to share, and an arranged group meal out on the last evening.)

Testimonials

After attending three of Claire's courses in 2016 (short stories, travel writing and poetry and monologues) my writing confidence has benefitted from both the feedback from the group and from Claire's motivation and ideas. Her classes are well-structured and varied and inspire both new and experienced writers to put pen to paper.

I am really enjoying the classes which are varied, covering short stories poetry and monologues.  Also, the summer school in West Wales was excellent. It has been interesting and stimulating hearing other people's work.  The day course at Six Bells was very stimulating and I had an insight into a tragedy I had only heard of.  The history was fascinating.

Elaine Millward

This course is very important to me. I am getting the inspiration I need to write more stories and poems, with the support of an excellent tutor.

As someone who has been going to Claire's Creative Writing classes for some time.  I thoroughly recommend them to new or more experienced writers.  This is where you will find yourself in a warm, supportive environment that encourages you to discover and express your own voice.

Kristina Taylor

I have been on several creative writing days. They are useful, fun and inspirational days to give your writing a new perspective.  It is interesting that they can trigger memories, or present you with new creative ideas.

Kristina Taylor.

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Creative Writing, MA

Cardiff University, the United Kingdom

• Study options for Creative Writing
• About Creative Writing
• Entry requirements for Creative Writing

Courses you may be interested in at other institutions

Other courses at cardiff university, study options for this course, about creative writing, ma - at cardiff university.

Develop your portfolio of writing in our prestigious programme designed for emerging and more experienced writers.

Designed for improving writers with previous experience of the writer’s craft, this one-year full-time course will extend your knowledge and understanding of the practice of creative writing.

Developing your creative writing abilities and ideas beyond your first degree, you will attend workshops, produce two extended portfolios of creative writing in your chosen genre(s), and attend classes in various topics in creative writing. In addition, you will have the opportunity to gain experience in teaching creative writing, or further your knowledge of other areas of creative practice or English Literature by choosing from a selection of research-led modules taught by specialists in the field.

A series of complementary modules stresses an integrated and cohesive experience of developing your craft and writing skills; at the same time, you will have the opportunity to engage with the writing industry, liaise with creative professionals, and showcase your work. 

You will master the ability to independently produce literary works of sophistication and skill, and to participate in writers’ workshops. You will also develop your knowledge and skills in the writing of one or more literary genre(s), the processes of editing and revision, and either the teaching of creative writing, or other areas of creative practice or English Literature.  

Notes about fees for this course

For tuition fees for this course, please visit our website

If you’re a home-fee paying student, you can apply for a £3,000 Master’s Excellence Scholarship from Cardiff University to help cover the cost of this programme. 

Entry requirements

For entry requirements for this course, please visit our website

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Creative Writing with Jon Blake

Classes taught by the cardiff author of over sixty titles.

40 years a published writer

I qualified as a teacher in 1979, and largely thanks to that experience, became a published author five years later, with a story in the collection Misfits, published by the Bodley Head. So those with a talent for maths will recognise that this year I am celebrating forty years since first finding myself on bookshop shelves. And I’m delighted to say I’ve just got hold of a later edition of Misfits that I’d never set eyes on before – thanks to the Hay-on-Wye Children’s Bookshop . As you’ll see I was in good company in this collection, and at the launch party met the legendary agent Gina Pollinger, who kindly signed me up and got me deals with Puffin and Walker, with many more publishers to follow. I’m hoping to hold a celebratory talk – hopefully an entertaining one – sometime later this year, with details to be posted here – always a good idea to follow this blog! And as advertised below, there should be another six week course coming, probably in September, which you can provisionally book a slot on by emailing me .

Book now for 3 March course!

After a year’s absence while I have had a kidney problem treated, I’m happy to say that my wildly popular creative writing courses are back! The next one, Creative Writing For All, starts Sunday 3 March, 2.30pm, for six Sundays, excluding Easter Sunday. You can expect the usual relaxed and encouraging atmosphere, and tasks suited to both beginners and more experienced writers, taught by the author of more than sixty works, previously tutor in creative writing at the universities of Glamorgan and Newport. Workshops are an hour long, and there is also a half hour of online tuition each week. The venue is Chapter’s spacious and airy Common Room. If you don’t already know the reputation of these courses, which have run since 2013, have a look at the reviews . Early booking is advised as there is a numbers limit to ensure everybody gets the attention they deserve!

Please note – course is now fully subscribed. Email me if you want to be put on the waiting list for future courses.

Your Tutor Conducts BBC Webinar

I had the honour of running a creative writing workshop and Q&A session for the BBC last weekend – such a pleasure to have nearly a hundred students, and to get such enthusiastic feedback afterwards. It’s only added to my own enthusiasm to work with the next bunch of face-to-face students in Cardiff in September. Check out the post below for dates and times as booking has already begun.

Next course starts Sept 11; top-class editing also available

The first post-lockdown course has been a great success and more courses are now planned. The common room in Chapter has proved a popular alternative to the usual venue in Bute Park and will be used while the Bute Park Visitor Centre remains closed on the weekends as is presently the case. However there remains the possibility of running half day workshops in Bute Park on a weekday if there is sufficient demand. Let me know if you are interested in this.

The next Creative Writing for All course is now confirmed: Sunday afternoons, 2.30-3.30, starting Sept 11, for six weeks, in the common room at Chapter Arts. It’s still £95 and you can now book . We’ll be sticking to a strict numbers limit, so you can be assured there will be ample social distancing and plenty of attention to each student’s work. As always writers of any level of experience are welcome.

I am also now offering inexpensive editorial services: just £32 (the cost of two workshops) will get you advice from a writer and teacher of over 35 years experience (half price for former students). You’ll now find this on the booking page.

Check out the unique qualifications of your tutor here , read reviews here , and contact me here or by ringing 07599 293480.

Courses return in April

The long wait for Cardiff’s most popular creative writing classes is thankfully at an end and a six-week Creative Writing For All course starts Sunday April 3rd for six Sundays, excluding Easter. The price is still £95, tuition is still by Cardiff’s most widely-published YA and children’s author (former lecturer at the universities of Glamorgan and Newport), but the venue this time will be Chapter Arts Centre as we are still waiting for the reopening of the Bute Park Visitor Centre. Numbers will be limited to six to allow for generous social distancing.and workshops will last one hour, with a further half-hour weekly being conducted online. As usual writers of any level of experience are welcome (check out the reviews ) and early booking is advised! If you have any questions, feel free to email me or ring me on 07599 203480.

Adventures in the Wriggly Pig Trade

Plans to restart courses (see below) have once again been set back by our viral enemy, but in the meantime I’ve launched a new website which I hope will be of use to writers amateur or professional. This is Adventures in the Wriggly Pig Trade , which discusses how I came to write some of my sixty-four books, provides insights into the life of a writer, and discusses issues relating to publishing for children and young adults. It’s a work in progress and I welcome comments and questions (just email me ). I shall do my best to respond to any queries about writing, from the very basic to the mind-blowingly sophisticated.

We’ll meet again. . .

Sadly the dreadful mishandling of the covid pandemic continues to make it impossible to meet in the Bute Park Education Centre, but it is still my plan to resume these popular courses in the new year, if necessary in an alternative venue, and anyone is welcome to contact me to book a place on the first available course without needing to pay up front.

In the meantime I have a new book out! The Thimble monkey books have been widely praised for teaching children about disability while actually making them laugh. The fourth in the series, Thimble and the Girl from Mars, is aimed squarely at those girls who mistakenly thought that the first three books were only for boys (they certainly weren’t, check the reviews!). TATGFM is my 64th book, and hopefully proof that I do have something to teach those of you who also aspire to write. You can buy signed copies at my author site .

Hoping to see you in the park eventually!

Personal tuition now available

With courses still suspended, I am now offering a new way in which writers of any ability can develop their craft. For just £85 I will take you through a guided process which will end with the completion of an accomplished short story for children or adults. Tuition will be by email and (if you so choose) video calls over a six week period. While you may miss out on the sociable aspect of being part of a Bute Park course, you will get greater individual attention and the same well-established teaching methods from a highly experienced tutor and successful author.

Feel free to email me or ring 07599 203480 if you have any questions. You can book here .

Book now for online courses

Update: both live and online courses are currently suspended: see above for individual tuition. Enquiries are always welcome.

Trapped in the house?  That need not stop you learning the art of creative writing!  Courses in Bute Park, Cardiff may be temporarily suspended, but the workshops are simply shifting online, which means that anyone, anywhere can now take advantage of top-quality tuition at a bargain basement price: just £85 for six weeks.  It is possible to take a general creative writing course, or a writing for children course, or even propose a course of your own choosing, and if enough people are interested, I will set up an online class. Virtual workshops normally take place on Sundays at 1.30pm, but with so  many people off work or working at home, other times may be arranged to everybody’s convenience.

Check out the reviews and the other information available on this website, and if you’re interested, simply email me telling me what you want to study. When there are at least half a dozen people ready to study the same course, I’ll set it up and you can book here . You’ll get the same tuition as hundreds have received over eight years at Bute Park.

Writers of any experience, including beginners, are welcome. Numbers are inevitably limited, so if you fancy having a go, don’t delay!

Writing Stories for Children starts 1 March 2020

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Welcome to Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre

Tŷ Newydd is the National Writing Centre of Wales. Established in 1990, thousands of aspiring and budding writers have since passed through our iconic teal front door.

With over 30 years experience, we specialise in residential creative writing courses and retreats. Every week we welcome a new group of individuals from Wales, the rest of the UK and beyond to our home. They spend time together under the tutelage of professional writers, taking part in workshops and one-to-one tutorials, enjoying readings and basking in the inspirational setting of Tŷ Newydd. For those wanting space and time away to write in isolation, or with a like minded friend, our dedicated retreat cottage offers the perfect surrounding. Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre is run by Literature Wales, the national company for the development of literature.

Explore our Courses

We have a range of courses and retreats available at Tŷ Newydd. Why not have a browse and discover what’s on offer.

Cynan Jones

Cynan Jones is an acclaimed fiction writer from the west coast of Wales. His work has appeared in over twenty countries, and in journals and magazines including  Granta , Freeman’s  and  The New Yorker . He has also written a screenplay for the hit crime drama Hinterland , a collection of tales for children, and a number of stories for BBC Radio. He has been longlisted and shortlisted for numerous awards, and won, among other prizes, the Wales Book of the Year Fiction Prize, a Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Award, and the BBC National Short Story Award.

Clare Mackintosh

With over 2 million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go (Little Brown, 2015), which was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and the fastest-selling title by a new crime writer in 2015. It also won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2016. Both Clare’s second and third novels, I See You (Little Brown, 2017) and Let Me Lie (Little Brown, 2018), were number one Sunday Times bestsellers. Her first three thrillers were selected for the Richard & Judy Book Club, and together have been translated into forty languages. After the End (Little Brown, 2019) was published in 2019 and became an instant Sunday Times bestseller, and in 2021 Hostage (Little Brown, 2022) flew straight into the top ten. Her new crime series, featuring Welsh detective DC Ffion Morgan, has been critically acclaimed, with both The Last Party (Little Brown, 2023) and A Game of Lies (Little Brown, 2023) hitting the Sunday Times top ten. Together, her books have spent more than sixty-five weeks in The Sunday Times bestseller lists. Clare lives in north Wales with her family.  

Dean Atta is an award-winning Black British author and poet whose works have received praise from Bernardine Evaristo and Malorie Blackman. His novel in verse, The Black Flamingo (Hachette, 2020), about a Black gay teen finding his voice through poetry and drag performance, won the Stonewall Book Award and was shortlisted for numerous further prestigious awards. His poetry collection, There is (still) love here (Nine Arches Press, 2022), explores acceptance, queer joy and the power of unapologetically being yourself and fully embracing who you are.  

Pragya Agarwal

Dr Pragya Agarwal is the writer of four non-fiction books including the widely acclaimed (M)otherhood and Hysterical. Pragya is a visiting professor of social inequities at Loughborough University and a visiting fellow at University of Oxford. Her writing has been published widely in The Guardian Scientific American, New Scientist, Prospect, Florida Review and Literary Hub. She also teaches creative writing courses for Irish Writers Centre and Arvon.  

Creative Writing

Dr Pamela Price

Teaching Associate

Ms Claire Williamson

Research student

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find your perfect postgrad program Search our Database of 30,000 Courses

Cardiff metropolitan university: creative writing.

MA Creative Writing is a rewarding taught degree taught by published writers and researchers. This course aims to support the development of your creative and critical writing skills across the fields of fiction, creative non-fiction, script and poetry.

Throughout the programme you will have the opportunities to explore multiple genres, attend regular peer workshops, learn from industry experts and hone your craft. Our wider academic community is dynamic so you will also have the chance to take part in additional creative activities which can include, but are not limited to, open mics, cross-discipline collaborations, archive and museum visits, poetry readings and more.

You can take our MA Creative Writing to prepare your work for publication or enhance your career in the creative industries. This MA will also develop your research skills and help you specialise in an area of creative practice which can pave the way for doctoral study.

We have expertise across a number of fields and our academic community is vibrant and dynamic with strong industry links.

One of the great strengths of our MA Creative Writing programme is its flexibility. This degree can be studied either full or part-time and classes are scheduled in the evenings. Modules can be taken individually, allowing you to control the pace and depth of your postgraduate study. Programme delivery is enhanced by the University's commitment to e-learning.

Full-Time, 1 years starts Sep 2024

Part-time, 2 years starts sep 2024, postgraduate certificate - pgcert, postgraduate diploma - pgdip.

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English Literature and Creative Writing Masters - MA/PgD/PgC

The MA English Literature and Creative Writing is a rewarding taught degree taught by published writers and researchers. The course provides you with the perfect opportunity to combine your love of studying literature with the ambition to write your own. 

Our English Literature modules take you on an exhilarating literary journey using texts from the eighteenth century to the present day. Drawing on research expertise from the Romantic period to contemporary literature we explore a range of literary forms and delve into subjects such as historical and contemporary representations of place, the politics of genre fiction, and the representation of gender and sexuality. 

Our creative writing modules aim to support you while you develop and hone your creative and critical writing skills across the fields of fiction, creative non-fiction, script and poetry.  

Throughout the programme you will have opportunities to explore multiple genres, attend regular peer workshops, learn from industry experts and hone your craft. Our wider academic community is dynamic so you will also have the chance to take part in additional activities which can include, but are not limited to, open mics, guest speakers, archive and museum visits, poetry readings and more. 

You can take our MA English Literature and Creative Writing to prepare your work for publication or enhance your career in the creative arts, education, and heritage industries. This degree will also develop your research skills and help you specialise in an area of literary study or creative practice which can pave the way for doctoral study. 

We have expertise across a number of fields and our academic community is vibrant and dynamic with strong industry links. 

One of the great strengths of our MA English Literature and Creative Writing programme is its flexibility. The degree can be studied either full or part-time, and classes are scheduled in the evenings. Modules can be taken individually, allowing you to control the pace and depth of your postgraduate study. Programme delivery is enhanced by the University's commitment to e-learning .

You may also be interested in our  MA English Literature  or  MA Creative Writing programmes.  

This degree will undergo a periodic review in 2023/4 to ensure the course content is and remains current. Should any changes to course content be made as a result of the review, all applicants will be informed once changes are confirmed.

​Course Content​​

Our modules are delivered over one year full-time or two years part-time. This content is indicative and subject to alteration. 

The creative writing modules are taught by published authors who have hands-on experience of writing for publication. All modules will require you to write and bring work to regular workshop sessions. As well developing your own work, you will develop your skills as a critic, editor and researcher. With this joint degree you have the flexibility and freedom to select modules that best fit your research and creative interests. 

You have the opportunity to choose any three of the optional modules listed below. 

"Juvenile Trash": Rethinking Genre Fiction (Optional module) Genre fiction is often seen as frivolous and less important than ‘serious’ literary fiction. In this module we ‘rethink’ genre fiction, digging deeper to evaluate the aesthetics, politics and undeniable value of genre fiction. In our seminars, we explore a range of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, crime fiction, historical fiction, romance, and children's literature. 

We examine the way in which various texts – Shirley Jackson’s 'The Haunting of Hill House', Octavia Butler’s 'Kindred', Walter Mosely’s 'Devil in a Blue Dress', or Sarah Waters’s 'Fingersmith', for instance – show that genre fiction can both entertain and challenge. Seminars will provide you with opportunities to critically examine texts as well as to develop your own writing skills through genre-specific writing exercises and workshops.

Space, Environment and Modernity (Optional module) In this module you will examine how literature both reflects and shapes the way we see the environment—not just the green landscape but the grey cityscape. You will do this by considering literature’s responsibility for the production of concepts of the countryside and the city, from the early nineteenth-century Romantic poets, through to contemporary novelists. This examination will entail a consideration of the interrelation of aesthetic, cultural, and social practices in representations of the environment, and an analysis of intellectual, cultural, historical, and sociological pressures that shape literary responses to the environment. Seminars will provide you with opportunities to critically examine texts as well as to develop your own writing skills through writing exercises and workshops.

Contesting Identities: Gender and Sexuality in Literature (Optional module)  In this module we examine the shifting paradigms of gender and sexual identities from the late 19th century to the present day, with reference to social, cultural and political changes, via a range of texts. Through a selection of fascinating authors – for instance, Nella Larsen, Virginia Woolf, Carson McCullers, Toni Morrison, Jeanette Winterson, and Alison Bechdel - you will develop a sophisticated understanding of debates, theories and ideas relevant to the topics of gender and sexual identities. 

Creative Writing Workshop 1: Craft and Construction (Optional module) This module aims to provide you with a detailed understanding of the approaches and techniques associated with well-established shorter forms of writing such as the short story, the poem and the dramatic scene. You will have the opportunity to critically engage and experiment with diverse forms as well as develop your creative practice through weekly workshops focussing on new writing and feedback. This module will also help you in adopt an entrepreneurial approach to creative writing in relation to craft, literary criticism and market conditions. Through this module, you will develop a well-rounded understanding of the writing profession, informed by guest speakers and industry experts.

Creative Writing Workshop 2: Developing poetics, growing the text (Optional module)  This module aims to provide you with a detailed grasp of the approaches and techniques associated with longer, sustained forms of writing such as the short story sequence/collection, the poetry sequence/pamphlet, the short (screen)/play and digital fiction sequence. Seminars will provide you with opportunities to analyse and critically examine texts, concepts and each other's work as well as develop your own writing skills through task driven workshops, exercises and assessment. 

This module will support you to develop a systematic understanding of the longer writing forms; demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques and methodologies in creative writing practice; address your own writing abilities and (self) reflect on your writing and that of others; critically evaluate research and advanced scholarship; demonstrate self-direction and autonomy in planning and implementing your own creative outputs; and exercise initiative and personal responsibility.

Literary and Critical Arts Research Methods (Core module)  This module seeks to develop active and innovative researchers who are sensitive to the ethical and cultural choices they make as contemporary writers and critics. Throughout this module, you will be asked to consider what it means to learn and the approaches which are necessary to undertake robust and unbiased research. You will be introduced to a variety of research methods which will help to develop your practical research skills as well as your literary and critical practices. 

Dissertation (Core module) The  Dissertation  module provides you with the opportunity to undertake a sustained, rigorous and independent investigation of a specialised topic in their chosen discipline area within either English Literature or creative writing .

Learning & Teaching​

This MA English Literature and Creative Writing degree is taught by leading researchers and active writers who regularly publish books, articles, essays, poetry, short stories, nonfiction, novels, hybrid work and more. 

Most modules are taught through group workshops, seminars and online delivery.  Some modules will also include individual tutorials and the dissertation module is delivered entirely through one-to-one tutorials with your supervisor.

In workshops and seminars full use is made of University technology and course materials will be delivered and stored through our Virtual Learning Environment.  It will be possible for you to access the Virtual Learning Environment remotely and you will be encouraged to do so. 

All modules are 30 credits apart from the dissertation which is worth 60 credits.

In a 30-credit module you will receive 33 hours of timetabled teaching and you will be expected to conduct 267 hours of independent study.  The 60-credit dissertation is mainly conducted with independent study.  You will receive 6 hours of tutorial supervision (this includes supervisors looking over your work) and you will be expected to conduct 594 hours of independent study.

Each student is appointed a personal tutor who will be available for academic advice, pastoral support and personal development planning.  Tutors also have weekly office hours.

A critical but supportive environment is achieved through a combination of workshops, research seminars and e-learning. You will be introduced to the practicalities of preparing and submitting your work for possible publication. 

We have a variety of approaches to assessment across the programme depending upon the module.

In the creative writing workshop modules you will be assessed on your creative writing (i.e poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, script or hybrid works) and through critical reflection of you work also. 

In the modules ("Juvenile Trash": Rethinking Genre Fiction and  Space, Environment and Modernity ) you can choose your method of assessment (creative portfolio and critical reflection, or essay). The mode of assessment in Contesting Identities: Gender and Sexuality in Literature is an essay.

Modules also make use of Virtual Learning Environments for assessments and you may be asked to view material online and then to respond to it (Literary and Critical Arts Research Methods).

You will receive tutor support in class and through our VLE in order to prepare you for each assessment point. We also have library facilities online and at campus. 

Employability & Careers​

Many of our students use the course to generate and hone their own writing for publication.  Our creative practice modules are designed with eventual publication in mind. Our assessments are designed around publication, performance and/or production.  Several of our students have had publication and industry success (see below). 

The MA is also a great choice for those wishing to enhance their employment and professional opportunities in editorial and publishing careers. The programme is suitable for those who would like to become teachers of English literature and creative writing as well as those who are already teachers.  For example, teachers of English at 'A' Level and GCSE often find the course suitable for professional development purposes, providing them with skills to enhance their teaching of English literature creative writing within their current curricula.

Our MA is appropriate for those who would like careers in community-based education and practice. The course also prepares you for further study at PhD level at Cardiff Metropolitan University and beyond.   This degree will encourage you to develop the valuable transferable skills of autonomy, effective collaboration, self-direction, organisation, initiative and adaptability that are highly regarded in the workplace.

A few student successes:

Kate Delaney  is an experienced digital marketer with a focus on social media management for small businesses and the book industry.

Dan Mitchell  is an award-winning stand-up comedian, comedy writer, TV and radio actor, presenter and event host/compere. His is also a Facilitator for Roald Dahl exhibition at the Wales Millennium Centre.

Keren Williams is Children's Digital Assistant at Candy Jar Limited publishing company (2018)

Durre Shahwar  is Associate Editor of Wales Arts Review.  She is a Cardiff-based writer. She has a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing & MA in Creative Writing, both from Cardiff Metropolitan University. She is a  Word Factory Apprentice 2017 , mentored by Alexei Sayle. In 2015, she was commended for the  Robin Reeves Prize for Young Writers .

Barbara A Stensland  (MA Creative Writing) writes a blog about living with MS that has recently been published as a book,  Stumbling in Flats  (2015). It has been shortlisted for The International Rubery Book Award 2015.

Alex Sambrook  (MA Creative Writing) had a short story shortlisted in the prestigious Bridport Short Story Competition (2012).

Entry Requirements​ & How to Apply

Applicants should usually have a 2.2 honours degree, in a relevant subject.​ Students that meet the criteria will be invited for interviews.

Selection Procedure: Submission of online application form, please check Compulsory Supporting Documents here . Suitable applicants will be interviewed via Teams or over the phone.

International Applicants Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.5 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

How to Apply: Applications for this course should be made direct to the University via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply .

If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page .

Additional Information

Partner Employee Discount ​

There is a fee discount of 25% available to part-time students who are employed in one of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s partnership schools for Initial Teacher Education and Training or partnership employer community. Eligibility criteria and terms apply. For further information please contact Admissions.​​

For general enquiries, please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email  [email protected] For course specific enquiries, please contact Dr Elizabeth English  Email: [email protected]

We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

Place of Study: Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy Cyncoed Campus

Course Length: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Course Disclaimer We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

English Literature lecturer and Programme Director Dr Nick Taylor-Collins, talks about his love for reading and learning from passionate teachers at school, and how this influences his teaching in the seminar room.

Lisa tells us why she chose to study the MA at Cardiff Met and how its transformed her confidence and career. Read more

Hear from Senior Lecturer Dr Lucy Windridge-Floris and MA graduates about what postgraduate study is like at Cardiff Met.

Follow our Cardiff Met Reading Series on YouTube, with helpful tips from guest speakers every month.

International Students