Creative writing degrees abroad
Creative writing programs cover a wide range of writing practices for different mediums. From novels to TV scripts, studying creative writing will introduce you to the methods of writing you need for a given creative project. You will learn techniques such as using rhetoric to get a specific response from a reader.
On a creative writing program you may also be taught how to approach specific topics such as race and culture, while looking at successful examples of creative writing that surround the subject.
A creative writing degree would be suitable for international students who have a passion for writing and want to hone their abilities to produce their own works of fiction or improve their writing ability in English.


Creative writing program structure
The modules included within a creative writing program will vary depending on the university you choose to study at, and the level of degree. Many creative writing modules are available to students who are doing a degree that's closely associated such as English literature, linguistics, media, and performing arts. In the US you may be able to major in creative writing as part of a liberal arts program.
Some creative writing modules may require a portfolio of work to be created as a main assessment. This may count towards a large number of your credits for the year, or replace a longer essay such as a dissertation. For a creative writing master’s or PhD, a significant portion of your work could be producing your portfolio.
Some universities may be able to offer creative writing students work experience, or talks from successful writers and authors. You’ll also be able to collaborate with your classmates on extra curricular projects.
Some of the likely branches of creative writing studied in modules across a degree may include:
- Playwriting
- Radio drama
- Poetry
- Novels
- Short stories
- The personal essay
- New media
Alternative writing degrees
Best countries to study creative writing
How to study creative writing abroad
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Creative writing study abroad programs
Creative writing undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in creative writing
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Creative Writing - BA Ohio Northern University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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34,715 USD
Fee in university's local currency 34,715 USD
- Start date
- August, January
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English - Creative Writing Emphasis - BA Concord University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,186 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,186 USD
- Start date
- March, September
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Communication Studies with specializations in Rhetoric and Public Discourse - BA Oglethorpe University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
39,300 USD
Fee in university's local currency 39,300 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
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English - Creative Writing - BA Auburn University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
32,220 USD
Fee in university's local currency 32,220 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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English - Creative Writing - BA Louisiana State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,700 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,700 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
Associate in creative writing
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Creative Writing - AA Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,834 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,383 CAD
- Start date
- September, January, May
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Creative Writing - AA Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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14,170 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- January, May, September
Certificate in creative writing
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Creative Writing: Fiction - Cert Berkeley City College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
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Creative Writing (Transfer Pathway) - Cert St. Charles Community College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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5,520 USD
Fee in university's local currency 5,520 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Pathway in creative writing
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English with Creative Writing (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,249 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Creative writing graduate programs
Master's in creative writing
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Creative Writing - MFA Western Washington University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,588 USD
Fee in university's local currency 23,588 USD
- Start date
- -
-
Creative Writing - MA University of Limerick, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,118 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,510 EUR
- Start date
- September
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Creative Writing - Integrated BA/MA Dublin City University, Ireland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Duration
- 3 years
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,127 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,000 EUR
- Start date
- September
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Creative Writing and Publishing - MFA DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,880 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,880 USD
- Start date
- January, March, September
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English: Professional and Creative Writing Specialization - MA Central Washington University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,007 USD
Fee in university's local currency 23,007 USD
- Start date
- September, January
Doctorate in creative writing
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Creative Writing - PhD Bath Spa University, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,648 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,045 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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Creative Writing - PhD University of Gloucestershire, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,466 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,200 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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English and Creative Writing - PhD University of Chichester, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,515 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Rhetoric - PhD Duquesne University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,112 USD
Fee in university's local currency 23,112 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Future creative writing careers
Many creative writing students will want to go into a career where they can use their English skills to work on projects. Some roles where creative language skills would be useful include:
- Journalist
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Social media specialist
- Creative specialist
- Advertising specialist
- PR specialist
- Script writer
There is also the opportunity to create your own projects such as writing a novel, or creating and pitching a TV / radio series.
Building a connection with other creative writing students or university contacts may prove useful to get feedback on your work or extra curricular writing projects. In the future these people may be able to introduce you to connections that need a writer.
