Creative Writing & Publishing
MFA Creative Writing & Publishing
Award: MFA Creative Writing & Publishing
Duration: 1 academic year, part time
School: School of Arts
Campus: West Dean
Scholarships and bursaries: See available funding
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programme is designed to follow on from the established MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. It provides a high-level pathway aimed at emerging writers who wish to complete work-in-progress to a publishable standard. This MFA is unique in providing a supportive context specifically designed to support you to finish your unfinished novel.
You will already have completed the MA in Creative Writing and Publishing at West Dean and produced a body of work to a high standard. The MFA offers an ongoing, dynamic and intensive programme that will support you to a professional conclusion.
The MFA is delivered over one year and comprises of four intensive study blocks and one extended writing retreat, supported in between with online tutorials and mentoring. Teaching focuses on advanced skills development in areas such as narrative arc, consistency of voice, refinement, pacing and editing. Additionally, the programme provides a framework through which to address and navigate the ‘blocks’ that writers typically encounter.
The MFA benefits from a similar model to the MA, requiring the regular submission of your work to tutors who will offer considered and constructive feedback as well as one-on-one tutorials. Alongside this, you will develop your reflective practice, articulating your learning and individual process to enable you to independently apply your skills to future projects beyond the MFA.
Learning environment
- Attend four 3-day intensive blocks of workshops, lectures and tutorials (over one year) and one intensive 5-day writing retreat
- Excellent staff: student ratio
- One-to-one tutorials with a personal tutor as part of every study block
- Intensive practical workshops that support the development of your work
- Receive professional input from publishers and agents
- Be part of an active writing community with regular high-profile writers-in-residence
- A supportive and individualised approach to your learning and the development of your craft
What to expect
- Focus on your work in progress with the aim of completing your book
- Continue to develop your writing, editing and critical skills and develop a clear understanding of genre
- Benefit from teaching and support from publishers and how to market your work.
- Further develop and articulate a critical insight into your own writing process, challenges, strengths and direction.
- Learn from a range of published writers and industry experts in a way that enhances your development as an emerging writer.
Gallery
Writers-in-Residence
As part of the College's Artist-in-Residence programme, Creative Writing and Publishing students have access to a series of professional writers living and working onsite, amongst students. They offer tutorial sessions with students as well as public presentations on the work produced during the residency and their wider practice.
Recent Writers-in-Residence included Rutendo Chabikwa and Anni Domingo, to coincide with their work being published in Myraid Edition’s New Daughters Of Africa, Elizabeth Haynes, William Shaw and Allie Rogers.
School of Arts
Explore and expand your work in a uniquely immersive environment with its own connections to art history. Our School of Arts students enjoy specialist studio spaces dedicated to painting and drawing, sculpture and tapestry and textile-based work as well as exceptional exhibition space.
Entry requirements
MFA only pathway
- MA in Creative Writing & Publishing from West Dean
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Portfolio of written work. Not required for students who completed the MA Creative Writing & Publishing at West Dean (optional at point of application. A portfolio will be requested if shortlisted for an interview)
MA & MFA pathway (three years, part time)
MA in Creative Writing & Publishing
- Applicants should have a good honours degree in English or a compatible subject and be able to demonstrate a commitment to writing
- Candidates with a relevant portfolio and alternative accredited learning are also invited to apply
- Portfolio of written work. (Optional at point of application. A portfolio will be requested if shortlisted for an interview)
- English language: CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) Level B2 or IELTS 6.5 or above
MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing
- MA in Creative Writing & Publishing from West Dean
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Portfolio of written work. Not required for students who completed the MA Creative Writing & Publishing at West Dean (optional at point of application. A portfolio will be requested if shortlisted for an interview)
Fees & funding
2025/26 Course Fees - UK & International Students
- £1,966 per term (£5,900 per academic year)
Lunch, accommodation and other living expenses are additional. Find out more.
A £250 course fee and £200 accommodation deposit (if residential) is required to secure your place. Details will be provided to you in your offer. Fees are billed termly in advance. Please see the Terms and Conditions for further information.
We may routinely increase our course fees from year to year for one-year courses as well as courses lasting two or more years and may review and change such course fees without notice.
Funding
You may be eligible to apply for a Student Loan to cover course fees and/or maintenance; more information can be found on the Government Student Finance website.
Student scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries are available, based on individual needs.
How to apply
Applications for this course can be made by submitting a completed application form and emailing it to: [email protected].
Ask a question
Need more information? Have a question? Speak to our course advisors
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 01243 818 300 and select option 1
School of Arts news
Creative Writing & Publishing
21st April 2023
My last term at West Dean College
Second year MA Creative Writing and Publishing student Eve Kenworthy talks about her experiences on the course during the last term, the guidance and support provided by the course tutors and dreams of her future as a writer.
Creative Writing & Publishing
24th March 2023
Reflections of an emerging crime writer
By Pam Hamilton, MA Creative Writing & Publishing student
On the first day of my MA in Creative Writing and Publishing at West Dean College I was terrified. It was two decades since I’d been in formal education, I was worried the tutors had over-estimated my potential, and I was scared of the other students. I had spent my career in the corporate world and felt like a fraud....
Creative Writing & Publishing
8th February 2023
Three Gifts, a new novel
A blog post by Mark Radcliffe, Subject Lead MA Creative Writing & Publishing.
I have a new novel out on March 2nd called Three Gifts. It is about a boy given the opportunity to trade in years from his own – as yet unlived – life, in exchange for his mother being cured of cancer. It is I think, a happy book. I may be wrong, it is hard to tell at this point. Find out more
Creative Writing & Publishing
23rd June 2022
National Writing Day 2022
For National Writing Day, MA Creative Writing and Publishing alumnae Jenny Browning and Emma Ward share what they are currently working on, reflections on their time at West Dean College and how they continue to pursue the dream of becoming published writers.
Creative Writing & Publishing
11th March 2022
Late Bloomer
By Eve Kenworthy, MA Creative Writing and Publishing student Imagine the perfect place to study creative writing. It might be a grand house filled with creative people. You could be in an oak paneled library with large windows facing manicured gardens, towards the rolling Sussex countryside. From your desk you can see sheep safely grazing under a blue cloudless sky. Eight other students c...
Creative Writing & Publishing
7th December 2021
A Day In The Life
By Sara Bryce-Gordon, MA Creative Writing & Publishing student, Second Year
Creative Writing & Publishing
27th May 2021
Rewriting the Monster
By Jane Freimiller, MA Creative Writing & Publishing Alumna I chose to study at West Dean College because I knew I would have a draft of my novel by the time I received my degree. My notebooks were filled with story fragments, character sketches, ambitious research plans but nothing that could be described as finished. When I left the College in the summer of 2019 (the worst thing about ...
Creative Writing & Publishing
8th July 2020
Falling off a cliff
By Jim Green, MA Creative Writing & Publishing, 2nd Year "Back in February, before we knew what Covid-19 would do to our lives, I wrote about “Crossing the Line,” being an Ambassador, taking prospective students around our college, showing them what a wonderful place it is, hoping they would join our creative community. That seems strange now, hard to reconcile with...
Creative Writing & Publishing
21st February 2020
Crossing the line
By Jim Green, MA Creative Writing & Publishing, 2nd Year I played the Student Ambassador role recently, resplendent in my red West Dean College of Arts and Conservation sweatshirt, a full-on member of Team West Dean’s Recruitment Squad for Open Day. As I wait nervously to be called before the next would-be creative writer, adrenalin starts to pulse through my veins. I begin to p...
Creative Writing & Publishing
9th December 2019
Sharon Duggal, Writer-in-Residence
Sharon Duggal was West Dean College's Writer-in-Residence from 4-8 November 2019. The Creative Writing residencies are hosted by the Creative Writing and Publishing MA. The residencies provide research and development opportunities to writers whilst enhancing the student experience through tutorial sessions, workshops, public presentations and networking events. Sharon Duggal...
Tutors
Mark Radcliffe
Subject Leader - MA Creative Writing and Publishing
Mark Radcliffe is the author of three novels; Gabriel's Angel (2010), Stranger Than Kindness (2013), and most recently, Three Gifts (2023). He has a PhD in Creative Writing and Philosophy (University of Sussex) and an MA in Creative Writing (UEA).
Beth Miller
Beth Miller is the author of six novels, including the bestselling The Missing Letters of Mrs Bright (2020). Her most recent novel, The Woman Who Came Back to Life (2022), will be published in seven languages. She has also published two non-fiction books. She has a PhD in Psychology and is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Brighton University. She teaches regularly for Arvon, and is a book coach for writers at all stages.