The MA in English Literature & Creative Writing recognises creativity as a critical act and views literary criticism as inherently creative. This programme offers students the opportunity to study a diverse range of English literature, with the option to take an Advanced Creative Writing Workshop designed for those aiming to publish in professional contexts.
A distinctive feature of the MA is its emphasis on literature and locality, with a core module focused on Liverpool, Merseyside, and the wider northern England region. Additional modules allow students to engage with authors and texts from various historical periods and literary forms, addressing key critical questions that reflect current developments within the discipline.
Students are taught by leading academics and practising creative writers, and they benefit from opportunities to participate in field trips and engage with regional cultural institutions such as Tate Liverpool, The Reader, and Shakespeare North. The programme also offers valuable transferable and professional skills in creative and critical thinking, research, editing, and digital content management.
Assessment methods are contemporary and flexible, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways—for example, by writing a new poem or composing a critical essay—depending on the module’s focus.
