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Course type: Masters degree
Credits: 180

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes: 2 years
Read more about how long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Course cost: Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

MA in Creative Writing

: Course code: F71

This qualification is an opportunity to develop your skills as a writer in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction and scriptwriting for film, radio and the stage. You'll be able to write in a genre of your choice and experiment with at least one other through practical and inspiring activities. You’ll work towards producing a substantial piece of your own creative writing to a professional standard. You'll also hone your practice through sharing, reading and critiquing the writing of your peers in online forums.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
MA Creative Writing part 1 (A802) This module is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and scriptwriting through practical writing, reading and research activities. See full description Register	60	03 Oct 2026
MA Creative Writing part 2 (A803) Specialising in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction or script writing, you will work towards a substantial piece of creative writing produced to a professional standard. See full description Register	120	03 Oct 2026

Compulsory modules

Credits

Next start

MA Creative Writing part 1 (A802)

This module is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and scriptwriting through practical writing, reading and research activities.

See full description

03 Oct 2026

MA Creative Writing part 2 (A803)

Specialising in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction or script writing, you will work towards a substantial piece of creative writing produced to a professional standard.

See full description

120

03 Oct 2026

Credit transfer

If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

On completion

On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded the Master of Arts in Creative Writing, entitling you to use the letters MA (CW) (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.

If you leave the programme before you qualify for a degree you can qualify for a Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities (C20) after successfully completing 60 credits.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

MA in Creative Writing

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 18 March 2025.

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MA in Creative Writing

Modules

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

Career relevance

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