Overview
Choose this master’s in poetry to receive expert tuition from nationally and internationally renowned poets. They’ll help develop your poetry-writing and reflective abilities through reading, discussion and revision. You’ll progress to receive formal recognition for your work.
You can choose to study either in Newcastle or London. All classes are in the evening if studying at Newcastle and during the day in London. Newcastle University leads the North East cohort. The London course is run in collaboration with The Poetry School.
Important information
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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.
What you’ll learn
By the end of this master’s in poetry you’ll have:
- advanced awareness of the processes of writing in your own work and that of others
- advanced your creative ability through practice, reading, discussion and revision
- learned new ways to generate work, and refine it through the development of enhanced revision skills
- a range of knowledge on the writing of poetry in English
- enhanced sensitivity to verbal creativity
- an advanced ability to understand and judge the timing and duration of creative projects
- the ability to revise and prepare poetry for submission and publication
- knowledge of the professional world of writing and publishing
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Writing Poetry (Newcastle) modules
The programme is available for study in part-time mode only, over two years.
Years One and Two
All candidates studying on the Newcastle campus will take each of the following modules over two years, 40 credits per year:
MA Writing Poetry: Workshop 1 NU (20 credits)
MA Writing Poetry: Workshop 2 NU (20 credits)
Craft: Poetry (20 credits)
MA Writing Poetry: Masterclass 2 NU (20 credits)
All candidates studying on the Poetry School site will take each of the following modules over two years, 40 credits per year:
Pattern, and Workshop 2 (20 credits)
The Line, and Workshop 1 (20 credits)
Metaphor, and Workshop 4 (20 credits)
Voice, and Workshop 3 (20 credits)
All candidates shall take two of the following optional modules, 20 credits per year:
MA Writing Poetry: Summer School 1 (20 credits)
MA Writing Poetry: Annual Submission 1 (20 credits)
MA Writing Poetry: Summer School 2 (20 credits)
MA Writing Poetry: Annual Submission 2 (20 credits)
Year Two
All candidates shall take the following compulsory module in their second year of study:
MA Writing Poetry: Portfolio (60 credits)
Writing Poetry (London Poetry School) modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| MA Writing Poetry: Portfolio | 60 |
How you’ll learn
Delivery
This course is typically delivered through workshops and masterclasses. Workshops focus on:
- reading
- discussion
- revision of your own work
Masterclasses focus on:
- the generation of new work and new understanding, often through responses to published contemporary poetry
- place
- archives
- un-poetic texts
- translation
- the visual arts
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Portfolio
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
This master’s in poetry is rooted in the experience and expertise of our award-winning tutors:
- Glyn Maxwell (London)
- Tamar Yoseloff (London)
- Jacob Polley (Newcastle, Degree Programme Director)
- W N Herbert (Newcastle)
- Sinéad Morrissey (Newcastle)
- Tara Bergin (Newcastle)
Your future
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.
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 2024
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
Facilities
Newcastle
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 purpose-built postgraduate suite includes:
- several dedicated computer clusters
- meeting rooms
- a kitchen and lounge area
Our award-winning Phillip Robinson Library has an extensive audio-visual collection.
The Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts (NCLA) is a world-class centre of excellence in the field of creative writing which contributes to the cultural life of the North East via:
- readings
- projects
- teaching
- research
The NCLA offers you the opportunity to get involved in our writing community through readings and events that feature:
- poets
- scriptwriters
- non-fiction writers
- novelists
Past speakers include:
- Paul Muldoon
- Claudia Rankine
- Carol Ann Duffy
- Carolyn Forché
- Jorie Graham
- Alice Oswald
These readings and events may be subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
London
You’ll study at the Poetry School based in Somerset House, Strand, London. The National Poetry Library British libraries and London’s central cultural hubs are nearby.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a related subject. Along with your application you will need to submit a portfolio of up to ten poems.
We will also consider applicants on an individual basis with lower or non-standard qualifications.
