Creative writingMLitt, MRes, MFA or PhD?

Understanding your postgraduate options in Creative Writing

Choosing the right postgraduate pathway is a key step in shaping your creative, academic and professional future.

At the University of Strathclyde, writers have many options to progress with our suite of programmes. Each pathway offers a distinct approach to developing your writing, research skills and professional practice:

MLitt Creative Writing – Master of Letters

The MLitt Creative Writing is a taught masters programme ideal for students seeking structured, classroom‑based learning. The course offers modules in contemporary fiction and non‑fiction, poetry, screenwriting and hybrid forms, supported by seminars, peer workshops and one‑to‑one supervision. This structure helps writers strengthen their craft, experiment across genres and work towards developing a substantial extended creative project. Writers will also learn industry-specific skills, and meet professionals from across the world of creative writing through our visiting speaker series.

The MLitt is an excellent foundation for writers who want both creative exploration and academic guidance, and it provides a natural progression point for those considering more advanced creative‑practice study, such as the MFA.

MRes Creative Writing – Master of Research

The MRes Creative Writing is suited to students who want to undertake a focused creative project supported by rigorous research methods. Under close supervision, students develop a substantial piece of imaginative writing—such as a novel extract, poetry collection or hybrid project—alongside a critical component that contextualises and deepens their creative practice.

This programme allows specialisation in fiction, poetry, creative non‑fiction and hybrid writing, and includes research‑skills training shared with other postgraduates. The MRes is particularly valuable for students interested in progressing to doctoral research or combining creative writing with scholarly inquiry.

MFA Creative Writing – Master of Fine Arts (Terminal Degree)

Strathclyde’s MFA Creative Writing is an internationally recognised terminal degree, the highest level of education you can achieve within the field of creative writing. This degree qualifies graduates to teach creative writing in Higher Education.

The MFA combines intensive creative skills development with advanced project‑based work leading to a major creative thesis such as a novel, poetry collection, memoir or screenplay. Students benefit from specialist supervision, guest lectures from award‑winning writers and optional placement opportunities that support professional and industry‑focused development.

Progression Pathway into MFA and PhD

An Honours degree in English, Creative Writing or a related subject means you can study:

  • the one-year MLitt in Creative Writing
  • the two-year MFA in Creative Writing
  • or the MRes in Creative Writing with an optional progression to a PhD in Creative Writing.

PhD in Creative Writing

The PhD in Creative Writing enables students to produce an original, book-length creative work alongside a critical thesis that contributes new insight to the field. PhD students receive intensive supervision, develop advanced research and writing skills, and prepare for careers in academia, publishing and the wider creative industries.

Why choose to study an MFA instead of a PhD?

The PhD is a three-year degree and an opportunity to work on an extended project (up to 80,000 words) under the supervision of a successful, published author, with a substantial focus on critical research. Your project is subject to the viva scrutiny process. There are no taught elements in a PhD.

An MFA is a two-year degree. The first year comprises of taught modules and follows the structure of the MLitt Creative Writing Masters degree. The second year is a Creative Thesis, plus one taught module. While a PhD is suitable for someone who wants to work in academia, the MFA prepares you for a wide variety of writing roles and careers. While MFA students are still expected to carry out some critical research to support their creative work, this aspect doesn’t require the same level of commitment as it would for a PhD. Therefore, the MFA is suitable for students who are less focused on academic research.

Both an MFA and a PhD, when accompanied by an appropriate publication record, qualify you to teach in a higher education institution after successful completion of your degree.

Which Pathway Should You Choose?

  • Choose the MLitt if you want structured seminars, workshops, supervision and broad creative development. One year, largely taught elements with a dissertation.
  • Choose the MRes if you want a focused, research‑driven creative project. One year, smaller taught component than MLitt and 25,000 word thesis.
  • Choose the MFA if you want an advanced, practice‑led terminal degree designed for professional writers and future educators. Two-years. One taught year, one independent year under supervision. Qualifies you to teach creative writing in a Higher Education institution.
  • Choose the PhD if you are ready to work on an extended project (three-years, 80,000 words) under the supervision of a successful, published author. There are no taught elements to a PhD. Qualifies you to teach creative writing in a Higher Education institution.

Whichever option you pursue, Strathclyde offers a supportive, dynamic environment to help you develop your voice, deepen your research skills and build your future as a writer.