Creative Writing - MA Entry requirements

Launch a successful writing career with the MA in Creative Writing at UL. Learn from renowned authors and graduate with a publication-ready portfolio.

Key information

NFQ Level NFQ Level 9 Major

Duration One year or two years

Attendance Full-time or Part-time

Programme type Taught, Professional / Flexible

Start date September

Award Masters

Requirements

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8,) with at least a second-class honours, grade 2 (2:2) in a relevant discipline.
You must submit a 3,000-word sample of creative writing. This can be one single piece or several pieces.

Other entry considerations

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme.

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.

International students

For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students.

International study visas

Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. Only the full-time version of this programme qualifies for a study visa. 

Checklist of documents

*Academic transcripts and certificates
- UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
Copy of your birth certificate or passport
English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
Copy of your CV
Personal statement that should include:
- Your reasons for choosing the MA Creative Writing programme at UL over other available options.
- Demonstrated familiarity with the faculty’s teaching expertise and publishing record.
- Awareness of the MA programme structure and how it aligns with your goals.
- Your personal motivations for pursuing this programme
Portfolio: up to 3,000 words of creative work (one single piece or several pieces) This may include: a novel extract, short story, poetry collection or screenplay.

Please find a list of FAQs here.

Guidelines on completing your application

To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
- Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist.
- Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.
*If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying.