About the course

Our Creative Writing PhD programme offers a dedicated, supportive and multi-award winning team of full-time supervisory staff specialising in poetry, fiction and non-fiction prose.Our writers include internationally renowned novelist Alan Warner (author of Morvern Callar, The Sopranos and The Stars in the Bright Sky as well as film and stage adaptations of his work), David Wheatley (author of Mocker, A Nest on the Waves and The President of Planet Earth, and a 2015 judge of the National Poetry Competition), Helen Lynch (author of The Elephant and the Polish Question and Tea for the Rent Boy), Wayne Price (author of Furnace, Mercy Seat and the Laureate’s Choice poetry collection Fossil Record), Alan Marcus (filmmaker of In Place of Death, The New Colossus and 216 Beach Walk, Waikiki).

　　The University of Aberdeen offers a rich and unique variety of inter-disciplinary creative opportunities based on the University’s centres of research excellence such as the WORD Centre for Creative Writing, The Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies (host of visiting writers such as Michael Longley and James Kelman), the Centre for the Novel (host of visiting writers such as Michele Roberts, Janice Galloway and Will Self), and the Sir Herbert Grierson Centre.

　　Our postgraduate programmes host masterclasses from world-class visiting writers (recent workshops have featured Claire Keegan, Don Paterson and Simon Armitage) and The WORD Centre organises a number of highly popular literary events each year as part of the University’s May Fest. The Centre also fosters many active and productive links with the wider writing community of the north east. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 3 Year(s)Fees: Not available

Intake	Location
Term 2 (January), 2024	Aberdeen
Term 1 (September), 2024	Aberdeen
Term 2 (January), 2025	Aberdeen
Term 1 (September), 2025	Aberdeen
Term 2 (January), 2026	Aberdeen

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for University of Aberdeen

Ielts - Academic Listening - 5.5 or above, Reading - 5.5 or above, Speaking - 5.5 or above, Writing - 6.0 or above, Overall - 6.5

　　Toefl IBT - Listening - 17 or above, Reading - 18 or above, Speaking - 20 or above, Writing - 21 or above, Overall – 90

　　Our minimum requirement is a 2:1 Hons degree or better in a cognate discipline (such as Creative Writing, English Literature, or other literature-focused discipline). Strong performance at PGT level (folio dissertation at Merit or above) is strongly preferred but not essential if UG performance has been outstanding. Where applicants possess relevant professional expertise (such as in Journalism or accredited authorship), the degree requirement may be waived, but this would only apply where applicants can clearly demonstrate an ability to work at an advanced level in both creative practice and academic research.

　　

English language requirements

　　6.5

　　Overall IELTS band score

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　　About IELTS

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　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 90.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at University of Aberdeen. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　201st / 1250

　　THE World ranking35th / 130

　　Complete University guide

　　

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