Overview
Our supervision expertise, partnerships and passion for creative writing offers you an energetic, creative and well-resourced research culture to immerse yourself in.
We offer MPhil and PhD in Creative Writing supervision from a diverse range of experienced writers who are recognised specialists in their field. Areas of expertise include:
- poetry
- prose fiction, including fiction for children or young adults
- writing for stage, screen, or radio
- writing creative non-fiction, including:
- memoir
- biography
- narrative non-fiction
- essay writing
- the literature of travel, nature and place
We have strong links with a variety of partners, who all provide a wealth of materials, knowledge and opportunities:
- Seven Stories: The National Centre for the Children’s Book
- Wordsworth Trust (Dove Cottage)
- Bloodaxe Books
- Northern Stage
- Live Theatre
- Tyneside Cinema
We are closely linked to the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts (NCLA), which puts you in regular contact with leading national and international creative practitioners. This develops your awareness of the creative, social and cultural issues that impacts and influences creative writing.
Our rich research culture is usually fed by public readings, seminars and workshops by staff, visiting artists and postgraduates. However, this is subject to COVID-19 restrictions. We also jointly sponsor The Newcastle/Bloodaxe Poetry Lectures with Bloodaxe Books. Recent writers include:
- Paul Muldoon
- Marilynne Robinson
- Ali Smith
- Kazuo Ishiguro
- Nuruddin Farah
- Andrea Levy
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MPhil – Master of Philosophy
An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 – 50,000 word thesis.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
How you’ll learn
Delivery and teaching methods
Your teaching will be based at our Newcastle campus. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, some teaching may be carried out online.
You will be assigned a supervisor or a supervisory team who you will meet on a regular basis. Your supervisor will be able to give you advice on reading and research training. They’ll help you use our research facilities and support you in the development of your work. Our Faculty training programme will support your training and skills development throughout the programme. The time you spend with your supervisors will develop and encourage a strong level of communication, supervision and research training for you to be able to produce a substantial and original piece of creative work.
Being part of our rich research culture means that you will be encouraged to participate in and lead events for our research groups.
As part of the Northern Bridge consortium, we have access to the latest research training offered across Newcastle University, Durham University, and Queens University Belfast. You’ll be able to apply for funds to support yourself in your studies and to attend training events relevant to your research.
Assessment methods
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
Additional assessment information
Your research will have two main components:
1. The creation of a substantial, original piece of creative work:
- a novel
- a collection of short stories
- a collection of poetry
- a play script or screen play
2. An academic thesis related to your creative work, which could cover:
- topics
- genres
- themes
- a writer or group of writers
Postgraduate research student support
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
Your development
You’ll have the opportunity to participate with the NCLA and other faculties on multidisciplinary research projects. For example, students have worked with:
- linguists
- computer scientists
- musicians
- film-makers
- archivists
- visual artists
They’ve worked on projects funded by leading research councils such as:
- the AHRC
- Clore Duffield
- Wellcome Trust
- Arts Council England
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) researcher development programmeÂ
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.
You’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
Your researcher development programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
Find out more about the Researcher Education and Development programme
Doctoral training and partnerships
There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:
- Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
- Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:
- they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
- you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
- they’re often interdisciplinary
- your PhD may be funded
If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.
The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:
- ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership
- Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership
Your future
Many of our students go on to publication or performance either during or shortly after their studies.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Facilities
The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is a lively and diverse community with over 700 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates.
We are based in the Percy Building. Our postgraduate suite includes several dedicated computer clusters, meeting rooms, a kitchen and lounge area.
The Philip Robinson Library has a strong range of archival materials in Special Collections. It also houses an extensive audio-visual collection and the Bloodaxe Archive, a unique collection of materials relating to one of Britain’s leading poetry publishers.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree or above, or international equivalent, in English Literature or a related field. We also usually expect a master’s degree, or international equivalent, at merit or above in Creative Writing or the equivalent in publications/performances.
Along with your application you will be asked to submit examples of your creative writing – for example, two short stories, six poems or a short script.
We especially encourage applications from students who feel they may face specific barriers in accessing higher education or who belong to groups who are under-represented in UK Higher Education. These include, but are not limited to, first-generation students, applicants from minoritised ethnic groups, applicants returning to full-time education after a break, applicants with caring responsibilities, or applicants with disabilities. The School is committed to supporting you. If you would like to discuss how we can do so, please email pg.english@ncl.ac.uk
