Overview

The Creative Writing and Literature programme at Harvard University provides a rigorous academic environment for aspiring authors to develop their craft and analytical skills. This Master of Liberal Arts degree focuses on enhancing storytelling techniques across various genres while deepening the student's understanding of global literary traditions. Participants benefit from a collaborative atmosphere, receiving expert feedback in small, workshop-style settings led by distinguished faculty.

Why Creative Writing and Literature at Harvard University?

Students gain access to the prestigious resources of a world-renowned institution, including the Harvard Alumni Association and the Mignone Center for Career Success. A distinctive feature of the programme is the summer Writers’ Residency in Cambridge, where students network with professional agents and editors. The curriculum is highly customizable, allowing learners to choose between a thesis or capstone track to produce a significant body of publishable creative work.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 3440 per module
National fee: USD 3440 per module
Local fee: USD 3440 per module

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires the completion of 12 graduate courses, focusing on fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic writing. Modules may include:

Elements of the Writer’s Craft
Advanced Fiction
Writing the Novel
Art of the Pitch
TV Writing
Asian American Literature
Screenwriting
Writing in the Humanities
Developing a Manuscript

Careers with Creative Writing and Literature

Graduates are well-prepared for diverse professional paths in communication, storytelling, and research. Alumni often secure roles in publishing, advertising, marketing, and fundraising, or pursue careers within secondary and higher education. Common job titles for former students include novelist, marketing manager, director of publishing, and senior research writer. Many graduates also choose to continue their academic journeys by entering doctoral programmes at other leading global universities.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

The Master of Liberal Arts, Creative Writing and Literature degree field consists of 12 courses. A one-week, on-campus writer’s residency is required.

12 Graduate Courses

The degree is customizable. Within the program curriculum, you choose the creative writing and literature courses that meet your personal learning goals.

Proseminar

Advanced fiction writing

3 creative writing courses

1 creative writing independent study

2 literature courses

1-week, on-campus writer's residency

Crafting the Thesis Proposal

Master’s Thesis Part One

Master’s Thesis Part Two

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

125

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Credits

48 SCH

Delivered

On Campus, Online

Campus Location

Cambridge, United States

Disciplines

Creative Writing Literature View 381 other Masters in Creative Writing in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

3 _{(recommended)}

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

125

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Admissions: Earn Your Way In

To begin the admission process, you simply register—no application needed—for the following two graduate-level degree courses (available online).

HUMA 101 Proseminar: Elements of the Writer's Craft

Before registering, you'll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills or earn a B or higher in EXPO 42a Writing in the Humanities.
You have two attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in the proseminar (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt). The proseminar cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.

Advanced fiction writing
Before you enroll in any degree-applicable courses, you must possess a four-year regionally accredited US bachelor's degree. You cannot already have or be in the process of earning a master's degree in Creative Writing or a related field. Foreign bachelor’s degrees must be evaluated, and the Admissions Office makes final determinations about eligibility.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

3440 USD / module

≈ 3440 USD / module
Out-of-State

3440 USD / module

≈ 3440 USD / module
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

3440 USD / module

≈ 3440 USD / module

Living costs

Cambridge

United States

1814 - 3756 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

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Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Creative Writing and Literature.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Cambridge

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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