24 monthsProgramme duration
16,700 GBPTuition Fee/year
02 Jul, 2026Application Deadline
Jan, Apr, SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
English Language and Literature
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
Our PhD research programmes will allow you to join one of our research projects or explore your own interests in Creative Writing, supported by the expertise of our staff.
Before applying for a Creative Writing MPhil, PhD, we strongly recommend that you contact and meet with a potential supervisor to discuss your application. This will ensure that an appropriate supervisor is available to support your studies. Find out more about our supervisors and their expertise.
You’ll develop your writing in a collaborative research environment with strong links to local research and creative networks, including Cambridge Literary Festival, Menagerie Theatre, Writers' Centre Norwich, CB1 Poetry, Women's Word at Lucy Cavendish College, and University of Cambridge’s Faculty of English and Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of creative writing, with a focus on the short story; engagement with science and technology (all genres); experimental poetry; and screenwriting.
We host many informal workshops and discussions for staff and postgraduate students in creative writing, as well as regular research seminars, allowing you to present your creative practice as research in a safe and supportive setting. These events, along with our online environment, will help you connect with other research students from a range of creative disciplines.
You could also benefit from financial support. We allocate a substantial sum every year towards postgraduate travel and conference expenses, as well as some bursaries.
All your subject-specific studies will be enhanced and supported by our University-wide training sessions, where you’ll gain important research expertise in areas like ethics, presentations, intellectual property and digital scholarship.
Before applying for a Creative Writing MPhil, PhD, we strongly recommend that you contact and meet with a potential supervisor to discuss your application. This will ensure that an appropriate supervisor is available to support your studies. Find out more about our supervisors and their expertise.
You’ll develop your writing in a collaborative research environment with strong links to local research and creative networks, including Cambridge Literary Festival, Menagerie Theatre, Writers' Centre Norwich, CB1 Poetry, Women's Word at Lucy Cavendish College, and University of Cambridge’s Faculty of English and Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of creative writing, with a focus on the short story; engagement with science and technology (all genres); experimental poetry; and screenwriting.
We host many informal workshops and discussions for staff and postgraduate students in creative writing, as well as regular research seminars, allowing you to present your creative practice as research in a safe and supportive setting. These events, along with our online environment, will help you connect with other research students from a range of creative disciplines.
You could also benefit from financial support. We allocate a substantial sum every year towards postgraduate travel and conference expenses, as well as some bursaries.
All your subject-specific studies will be enhanced and supported by our University-wide training sessions, where you’ll gain important research expertise in areas like ethics, presentations, intellectual property and digital scholarship.
Programme overview
Main Subject
English Language and Literature
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
Our PhD research programmes will allow you to join one of our research projects or explore your own interests in Creative Writing, supported by the expertise of our staff.
Before applying for a Creative Writing MPhil, PhD, we strongly recommend that you contact and meet with a potential supervisor to discuss your application. This will ensure that an appropriate supervisor is available to support your studies. Find out more about our supervisors and their expertise.
You’ll develop your writing in a collaborative research environment with strong links to local research and creative networks, including Cambridge Literary Festival, Menagerie Theatre, Writers' Centre Norwich, CB1 Poetry, Women's Word at Lucy Cavendish College, and University of Cambridge’s Faculty of English and Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of creative writing, with a focus on the short story; engagement with science and technology (all genres); experimental poetry; and screenwriting.
We host many informal workshops and discussions for staff and postgraduate students in creative writing, as well as regular research seminars, allowing you to present your creative practice as research in a safe and supportive setting. These events, along with our online environment, will help you connect with other research students from a range of creative disciplines.
You could also benefit from financial support. We allocate a substantial sum every year towards postgraduate travel and conference expenses, as well as some bursaries.
All your subject-specific studies will be enhanced and supported by our University-wide training sessions, where you’ll gain important research expertise in areas like ethics, presentations, intellectual property and digital scholarship.
Before applying for a Creative Writing MPhil, PhD, we strongly recommend that you contact and meet with a potential supervisor to discuss your application. This will ensure that an appropriate supervisor is available to support your studies. Find out more about our supervisors and their expertise.
You’ll develop your writing in a collaborative research environment with strong links to local research and creative networks, including Cambridge Literary Festival, Menagerie Theatre, Writers' Centre Norwich, CB1 Poetry, Women's Word at Lucy Cavendish College, and University of Cambridge’s Faculty of English and Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of creative writing, with a focus on the short story; engagement with science and technology (all genres); experimental poetry; and screenwriting.
We host many informal workshops and discussions for staff and postgraduate students in creative writing, as well as regular research seminars, allowing you to present your creative practice as research in a safe and supportive setting. These events, along with our online environment, will help you connect with other research students from a range of creative disciplines.
You could also benefit from financial support. We allocate a substantial sum every year towards postgraduate travel and conference expenses, as well as some bursaries.
All your subject-specific studies will be enhanced and supported by our University-wide training sessions, where you’ll gain important research expertise in areas like ethics, presentations, intellectual property and digital scholarship.
Admission Requirements
88+
61+
6.5+
120+
176+
MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelors degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.
PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
02 Jul 2026
2 Years
Jan
Apr
Tuition fees
Domestic
5,005 GBP
International
16,700 GBP
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