Write your first novel in a year with the input and supervision of published writers and industry experts. Taught on our historic campus two evenings a week, with a part-time option also available.
- Draft your novel in a year
- Faculty of acclaimed, published, practising writers
- Guest visits, seminars and masterclasses from writers, agents and editors
Why study Creative Writing: First Novel?
While most Creative Writing MAs encourage students to sample a variety of written forms, our Creative Writing MA focuses on the novel, pure and simple.
It is aimed at students who want the time, support and tools needed to complete that crucial first draft – and the network and knowledge needed to take it further, towards an agent or publisher.
Why St Mary's?
Teaching on our MA Creative Writing: First Novel is practical, rather than theoretical, focussing on the obstacles that face all first-time writers. The course is taught through evening seminars and small-group workshops – where you’ll share your work in progress – as well as individual supervisions with a published novelist.
The small cohort means you'll workshop your novel-in-progress and receive one-to-one supervision on a more regular basis than many other Creative Writing postgraduate courses.
Our tutors are all published, practising writers. Drawing on our connections with the industry we offer seminars and Q&As with agents and editors from top UK agencies and publishers, as well as guest talks from visiting writers – including St Mary’s alumni who come back to launch their books at the university.
We are particularly proud of the strength of our Creative Writing cohorts, many of whom still meet to workshop with each other, and come back to campus for special writing development seminars that we run. You can find out more about their books on our published writers webpage.
We want to hear about your novel – the one you know you have to write. Pick up the phone or email the Programme Director: jonathan.gibbs@stmarys.ac.uk or call 020 8240 4380.
We've put together a bespoke virtual open day for anyone interested in studying at St Mary's.
Next live event: Monday 29th March, 4pm
Register now