Untap Your Potential with A PhD in Creative Writing

Creative writing is an imaginative and innovative form of writing. It encompasses a range of writing forms like storytelling, essay writing, plays, speeches, scripts, songs, memoirs and poems with an intent to create a fictional piece of art. From top universities to best-selling authors and poets, all offer exciting courses in the field of creative writing. One such course is PhD in Creative Writing which is commonly chosen by professors, experts and budding authors and writers. Read this blog to find out the requirements to apply for the best PhD programmes for Creative Writing.

PhD Programs in Creative Writing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac7TGOA1ZQk

PhD in Creative Writing is a doctoral program meant for post-graduates with a focus on creative writing techniques, critical analysis, and understanding genre-specific writing in fiction. These programmes are interactive and research-based courses that allow students to study and learn through guest lectures, workshops, conferences, reading groups, competitions, and dissertation work. PhD in Creative Writing is offered as a full-time and part-time course for the duration of 3 years and 6 years respectively.

PhD in Creative Writing Syllabus

The course offers guidance and expertise in writing various different manuscripts and conceptualising research for the same. This includes:

• Poetry
• Prose fiction, including fiction for children or young adults
• Stage Writing
• Screenwriting 
• Non-fiction work including:
  • Memoir
  • Biography
  • Narrative nonfiction
  • Essay writing
  • Feature writing
  • Travel writing 

Most universities and colleges also provide a suite of exclusive guest talks and masterclasses from leading authors, publishers, literary agents, and editors, in which students receive guidance from people working at the top level of the writing industry and learn about the various demands of maintaining a career as a writer. PhD programmes in Creative Writing is a unique opportunity to improve your writing style, understand the nuances of fictional writing and learn to produce fictional work for your niche.

Admission Requirements

The eligibility criteria to get admission varies with the college. There are some basic minimum admission requirements common to all the colleges. Selection is based on applicants meeting the expected entry requirements, assessment of application, successful interview and suitable references where required.

Academic Qualifications

• Candidates must have a Master’s Degree with an overall distinction in a related subject.
• Candidates without the master’s degree can also be considered in exceptional cases provided that they have excellent bachelor’s degree and strong professional experience.
• Applicants with a non-traditional background may be considered provided they can demonstrate substantial equivalent and relevant experience that has prepared them to undertake their proposed course of study.
• Candidates are often asked to submit a novel or short story collection, poetry collection or a full-length work of creative nonfiction for evaluation.
• Admission to the PhD in Creative Writing in most colleges is based primarily on the quality of the applicant’s creative writing sample and the viability of the project proposal.

Proficiency in English Language for Foreign Universities

Most colleges want English level qualifications in order to get admitted if you are a non-native speaker. Candidates must have one of the following test results: 

• An overall IELTS score of 7.0 with 7.0 in the writing component
• A TOEFL score of 600 paper-based test or 100 internet-based test
• A Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 70 overall with 70 in the writing component
• An overall Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) III grade of Merit with Merit in the writing component
• CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 176 in each module)

Top Universities Offering PhD in Creative Writing Abroad

Here are some of the best universities in Europe, the USA and Canada with a range of courses in creative writing:

• University of Edinburgh 
• King’s College London 
• University of Manchester 
• University of Bristol 
• University of Birmingham 
• University of Leicester 
• Newcastle University 
• Oklahoma State University 
• University of Denver 
• University of Hawaii, Manoa
• Brown University
• University of Virginia
• University of Southern California
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Michigan

Tuition Fees for Pursuing PhD in Creative Writing Abroad 

Colleges Offering	Annual Tuition Fees
University of Edinburgh	£21,150 (INR 21,42,913)
King’s College London	£21,870 (INR 22,16,183)
University of Manchester	£19,500 (INR 19,76,020)
University of Bristol	£18,900 (INR 19,15,200)
University of Birmingham	£18,810 (INR 19,06,080)
University of Leicester	£15,520 (INR 15,72,927)
Newcastle University	£18,000 (INR 18,24,019)
Oklahoma State University	USD  103,920 (INR 76,44,162)
University of Denver	USD  105,192 (INR 77,32,027)
university of Hawaii Manoa	USD  100,944 (INR 74,19,782)

Top Colleges for PhD in India

Here are some popular programmes for PhD in English in India that focus on creative writing, literature and literary theory:

1. Ashoka University
2. Delhi University, New Delhi
3. Amity University, Noida
4. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
5. University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
6. Christ University, Bangalore

Future Prospects after PhD in Creative Writing

A Creative Writing doctorate can lead to a variety of potential career paths. These include novelists, poet, playwrights or screenwriters, of course, but there are many related industries that Creative Writing research degree graduates can work in such as:

• Entertainment Writing
• Video Game Writing
• Journalism
• TV and Film Production
• Publishing
• Professor
• Stand-up comedian
• Post-doctoral Academic Research
• Public Relations
• Advertising & Marketing
• Political Research & Speech Writing
• Arts Management
• Content Management 
• Editing
• Blogging
• Franchise Creation
• Comic Writing
• Branding Consultancy
• Intellectual Property Advising

FAQs

PhD in Creative Writing is ideal for candidates who wish to develop a career in writing and who aspire to become authors. Students are supervised by well-reputed authors and experts that can help them grow and build a successful careers in the literacy business. For further details and guidance, contact our Leverage Edu experts today!