Introduction
Be both a creative writer and a publisher. Customise your studies and prepare yourself for work in these increasingly entwined growth industries.
Whether you want to join the traditional publishing industry, establish your own small press or set up a single-author imprint for your own novels, this Masters degree will help you meet your ambitions.
Taught in Cambridge, our MA is the only Creative Writing and Publishing course in the East of England and has been taken by many successful published writers.
It offers you an opportunity to develop your fiction writing in a supportive environment, while gaining key insights into publishing practice and international and digital rights.
Course options
Key facts
Entry Requirements
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Fees and Paying for University
Student experience
Megan Herdson
Alumnus Megan talks about how studying creative writing helped her career in marketing, and grew her confidence in sharing her writing.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Megan HerdsonDr Jon Stone
Writing Lecturer Jon talks about poetry in the digital age and the importance of communities for creative writing.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Jon StoneToby Venables
Screenwriting Lecturer Toby talks about his creative work, including BAFTA-winning Netflix horror film ‘His House’.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Toby VenablesFacilities and showcase
Make connections
As a postgraduate student at ARU you’ll be able to:
- network with agents, publishers and established writers in our talks and masterclasses
- get full support from our team of tutors, who are all published authors
- seek feedback and advice from our Royal Literary Fellows.
Outstanding student support
Join our postgraduate student community and:
- benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
- learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
- receive full support from our Employability Service, while you're studying with us and after you graduate
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, health and wellbeing, and more.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us.
Meanwhile, Present is an exhibition that you curate for yourself. Explore the work of our graduating students in this eye-catching virtual degree show.
Alternatively, take a guided tour and meet our students.
Lecturers
Jon Stone
Lecturer
Katharine Reeve
Senior Lecturer Practitioner
Laura Dietz
Associate Professor; Faculty Director of Research Students
Colette Paul
Senior Lecturer
Menna van Praag
Lecturer, Creative Writing; Royal Literary Fund Fellow
Careers
Our Masters degree in Creative Writing and Publishing will prepare you for employment in whichever aspect of the writing and publishing industries most interests you.
You’ll develop transferable academic and professional skills, including self-reflection, critical analysis and working to briefs and deadlines. You’ll also gain the research skills needed to produce creative work, professional publishing documents and critical writing.
MA Creative Writing students with successful writing careers include Costa Short Story Award winner Caroline Ward Vine, Guinevere Glasfurd, Penny Hancock and Natalya Anderson.
Our publishing graduates also have a track record of success, with most now in careers at companies such as Bloomsbury, Wiley Capstone, Pearson, Cambridge University Press and Macmillan.
Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a research programme at ARU such as our PhD Creative Writing or PhD Publishing. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and save £400 on your fees.
If you studied for the Postgraduate Certificate initially, you can choose to complete further modules and top-up to a full Masters degree.
Megan
“I’ve realised I’ve always loved stories – whether it’s reading or writing – because it’s a chance to make a connection with someone else. I’m not alone.”
MeganMA Creative Writing
Megan's storyWant to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about Cambridge Watch: Our CambridgeBenefits of postgraduate study
Improve your employability, progress in your career, and take on an intellectual challenge with our flexible postgraduate degrees.
Postgraduate study at ARULoading...
