PhD, MPhil, MRes Creative writing
ApplyResearch opportunities
As well as the popular MLitt in Creative Writing, we also offer a research-led Creative Writing route, which may suit those who wish to pursue a particular sustained project. You can study the MRes Creative Writing full-time, over a year, or part-time over two years.
You'll create a piece of imaginative writing in collaboration with a successful, published author – either the novelist and screenwriter Andrew Meehan (One Star Awake, The Mystery of Love) or Dr. Rodge Glass, novelist, short story writer, editor and biographer of the great Glaswegian writer Alasdair Gray.
You can specialise in one of these genres:
- poetry
- fiction
- imaginative non-fiction
- hybrid writing
The length of your project can be negotiated with your supervisor, but will usually be around 30,000 words. This includes 5,000 words of personal reflection on your writing. Your project should show:
- understanding and consistency in your project and its accompanying critical analysis
- good understanding of the genre developed and appraised
- use of relevant and appropriate language to the genre developed and appraised
- clear understanding of narrative or other formal strategies adopted
- awareness of literary/historical/theoretical context appropriate to the project
- clarity, economy of expression, avoidance of vague generalisations
- evidence of independent thought and imagination
You'll also take research skills methods with other postgraduates in the department of English. This gives you the opportunity to socialise with students on other courses and to learn how to present your work in public. Previous MRes students at Strathclyde have gone on to notable success, such as Allan Wilson (author of Wasted in Love, Cargo Publishing, 2011), and Dr Craig Lamont, now a Research Associate in Robert Burns Studies at the University of Glasgow.
Alex's Strathlife
Find out why Alex Wasalinko chose Strathclyde and what she thinks of Glasgow and the course.
I went to Scotland for the first time when I was a junior at university and fell in love with the country and I decided I wanted to come back to do my postgrad here...

Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Scholarships
- EU Transition Scholarships are available to EU applicants who would have previously been eligible for Home (Scottish/EU) fee status
- Full-time international (non-EU) students applying to postgraduate study may be eligible for a scholarship worth between £3,000 and £5,000
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.
Entrants may be subject to a small fee during the writing up period.
Scotland | £4,596 |
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England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £4,596 |
International | £15,150 |
Funding | Our postgraduate students are eligible to apply for doctoral studentships from the Arts & Humanities Research Council, the Scottish Graduate School for the Arts and Humanities and the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. Have a look at out our scholarship search for any funding opportunities available. |
Postgraduate research opportunities | Search for all funded and non-funded postgraduate research opportunities. |
Additional costs | International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.
Supervisors
Supervisor | Areas of expertise |
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Andrew Meehan |
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Our research
Storytelling is at the heart of our culture. Whether you’re interested in poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, or screenwriting, we'll guide you towards telling the best story possible.
We combine the best creative instincts with first-hand experience in the creative industries. The world of storytelling is ever-changing, so we make sure to invite only the most relevant industry speakers from the worlds of broadcasting, publishing and digital media.
Find out more about our researchSupport & development
The Graduate School
The Graduate School is a friendly and supportive study environment for research students studying subjects within Humanities & Social Sciences.
Our staff will support you through your studies and you'll become part of a community of students who get involved with our workshops, seminars and competitions.
Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD) for MPhil/MRes
Our PgCert RPD programme aims to ensure you get the most out of your current research activities at Strathclyde and helps you prepare for your future career as a researcher.
We'll help you recognise and develop your transferrable skills that'll have a positive impact on your research, now and in the future.
Careers
The University Careers Service can help you with everything from writing your CV to interview preparation. Take a look at our careers service pages to get more information.
Student support
From financial advice to our IT facilities, we have a wide range of support for all students here at Strathclyde. Get all the information you need at Strathlife.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 100 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section



My whole journey at Strathclyde was instrumental for my career. It was here that I learned how to write essays to a higher standard, how not to write essays, how to express myself creatively, how to work as part of a team, how to publish and edit a book, how to wander the library and lose track of time reading about something new.
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in GlasgowPostgraduate research at the Strathclyde Doctoral School
The Strathclyde Doctoral School provides a vibrant and comprehensive student-centred research and training environment in order to grow and support current and future research talent. The School encompasses our four faculties and is committed to enriching the student experience, intensifying research outputs and opportunities, and ensuring training is at the highest level. As a postgraduate researcher, you'll automatically become a member of the Strathclyde Doctoral School.
Find out more about the Doctoral SchoolInterested in undertaking a postgraduate research degree at Strathclyde?
Download our step-by-step guide on how to submit your application.
Apply
Entry requirements
Normally, a first-class or upper second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent.
The application
During the application you'll be asked for the following:
- your full contact details
- transcripts and certificates of all degrees
- proof of English language proficiency if you're applying as an international student
- two references, one of which must be academic
- funding or scholarship information
- research proposal of 250 to 1,000 words in length, detailing the subject area and topic to be investigated
By filling these details out as fully as possible, you'll avoid any delay to your application being processed by the University.
Supervisors
You'll need to identify your research supervisor before you finalise your application, preferably as soon as possible.
When you've identified a potential supervisor, based on how well your research interests match theirs, drop them an email to introduce yourself. In the email, make sure you attach a draft of your research proposal along with a copy of your CV.
Don't worry about how rough your research proposal may be at this stage – you'll have help from the School of Humanities to refine it. If your chosen supervisor is available to work with you, they'll confirm this and nominate a potential second supervisor. As soon as a second supervisor is confirmed, an offer of study will be sent to you through Pegasus, our online application system.
If you accept our offer, you'll receive a full offer in writing via the email address you provide.
Accepting an offer
Once you've accepted our offer, we'll need you to fulfil any academic, administrative or financial conditions that we ask.
UK or EU students
If you're applying as a UK or EU student, you'll then be issued with your registration documentation.
Start date: Oct 2021 - Sep 2022
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2021 - Sep 2022
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2021 - Sep 2022
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2021 - Sep 2022
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2021 - Sep 2022
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2021 - Sep 2022
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2023 - Sep 2024
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2023 - Sep 2024
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2023 - Sep 2024
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2023 - Sep 2024
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2023 - Sep 2024
Creative Writing
Start date: Oct 2023 - Sep 2024
Creative Writing
Contact us
Admissions - Graduate School
Telephone: +44 (0) 141 444 8400
Email: hass-postgrad@strath.ac.uk
Lord Hope Building Level 1 - LH128
141 St. James Road
Glasgow
G4 0LT