Creative Writing
University of LiverpoolLiverpool, United Kingdom
Course overview
The Department of English has an outstanding international reputation. Our postgraduate researchers benefit from strong research-led teaching covering a wide and continuous range of writing. When you study a PhD in Creative Writing, you'll be equipped with the critical and communication skills and the capacity for adaptable intelligence which are in demand in all areas of modern life.
At the University of Liverpool, ‘English’ is the study of the interlinked activities and histories of speaking, listening, writing, reading, and communicating, in a global language of many variants and in literatures of many types. Engagement with media has allowed our researchers to be at the forefront of developing a rich cultural agenda at national and international levels, opening access to literature to a diverse audience. This has resulted in four staff members succeeding in theNew Generation Thinkersscheme.
We also actively support impact in terms of reaching the general reader, through the publication of research in various, high-profile formats. The impact of such intervention into the nation’s cultural life creates new and evolving long-term contexts for thinking, understanding, writing and imagining. Many of our academics specialise in contemporary literature that overlaps with science fiction, climate change, visual arts, comics and graphic novels, and travel and nature writing, as well as psychogeography and the urban environment.Our creative writersare leading practitioners, but they’re also critics who play an important role in responding to contemporary writing in scholarly monographs, journals, literary magazines and newspapers.
Members of the department have also judged significant national and international literary prizes including the Man Booker Prize, the Costa prize and the T.S. Eliot prize. We particularly welcome proposals that match those of our researchers.
Our research themes are: See ourstaff listto explore our research specialisms. Ranked top 10 in the UK
Key highlights
- Supervision from creative writers who are also published critics
- Staff specialise in science fiction, climate change, comics and nature writing
- Research strengths in psychogeography and the urban environment
- Four staff members selected for the New Generation Thinkers scheme
- Department members have judged the Man Booker, Costa and T.S. Eliot prizes
- Builds critical and communication skills valued across modern careers
Entry requirements
TOEFL iBT: If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 24, writing 24, reading 24 and speaking 26. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 5 overall, with 5 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Pearson PTE Academic: 69 overall, with no component below 69
Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
E. Allison Peers Masters Scholarship in Iberian and Latin American Studies
The scholarship provides £5,000 towards fees, plus a £5,000 stipend, for students undertaking a Hispanic topic in any master's programme in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film at the University of Liverpool.
Up to £5,000Health, Cultures and Societies Bursary
The successful candidate will receive a one-off fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Hodgson Law Scholarship
Liverpool Excellence Scholarship for Postgraduates
If you're an international student, you could be eligible for a tuition fee discount of £7,000.
Up to £7,000Liverpool Law School Hong Kong Scholarships
Two scholarships worth £1,000 each.
Up to £1,000Liverpool Law School LLM Bursaries
Two bursaries worth £500 each for Home students. Two bursaries wroth £1,000 each for international students.
MA in Chinese-English Translating and Interpreting Scholarships
Students awarded this scholarship will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Management School MBA Excellence Scholarship
50% tuition fee discounts are available.
Up to 50% of feesManuel Irujo Scholarship in Basque Studies
The scholarship provides approximately £5,000.
MusicFutures Scholarship for International Intellectual Property Law LLM
Up to five scholarships are available, each worth £12,500 in the form of a tuition fee discount.
Up to £12,500Peter Astaire Memorial Scholarship in Beatles Studies
Up to two awards are available in each academic year, with each award worth £4,000.
Up to £4,000Scholarships for MA Political Science and International Relations
The Department of Politics is pleased to announce two £5,000 scholarships for students wishing to pursue the MA in Political Science and International Relations.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Master's in Public Administration and Policy
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in Education
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in Film Studies
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in History
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in Translation
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarships for Master's Programmes
University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC) Excellence Scholarship
£5,000 tuition fee reduction for the first year of study.
Up to £5,000
Careers this course leads to
- Novelist or author
- University lecturer in creative writing
- Editor
- Literary critic or reviewer
- Publishing professional
- Writer in residence
Cost of study
UK/Home: Full-time place, per year - £5,238; Part-time: £2,619 | International: Full-time place, per year - £25,350; Part-time: £12,650
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Liverpool, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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