Overview

The Creative Writing Crime Fiction programme at the University of East Anglia was the first of its kind in the UK and is distinguished by the unrivalled success of its alumni, who include the 2017 Nobel Laureate, Kazuo Ishiguro, and his fellow Booker Prize-winners, Ian McEwan and Anne Enright.We introduced the first MA in 1970, the first PhD in 1987, and students now join us from all over the world.

The MA Crime Fiction builds on our world-leading expertise, presenting you with the unique opportunity to further your knowledge and skills within the crime/thriller genre. We have now embedded critical crime fiction and non-fiction modules across most levels of taught study within the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, and doctoral research and supervision in the area is also growing at UEA. Plus we’re a founding partner of Noirwich, Norwich’s annual crime writing festival, which takes place in September, coinciding with the September residential period.

The principal aim of the MA Crime Fiction is to help you develop a deeper understanding of the craft and context of producing crime writing, and have an enhanced critical awareness. By the end of the course you will have become more adept and more self-aware in your own practice and will have completed a draft of a full-length novel.

During the course you will become fully conversant with all aspects of being a professional writer, and will enjoy – like all UEA Creative Writing students – greatly enhanced prospects of publication on graduation. Our course builds on our extensive connections with publishers and agents.

Careers

Novelist

Creative writing teacher

Literary agent or publisher

Journalist

Arts administrator

Public relations

Programme Structure

Courses include:

A Creative Approach to Crime Writing

A Critical Approach to Crime Writing

A Public Approach to Crime Writing

A Theoretical and Practical Approach to Crime Writing

Key information

Duration

Part-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-31 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

Blended

Campus Location

Norwich, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Creative Writing Literature View 193 other Masters in Creative Writing in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

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

Degree Subject

UK BA (Hons) 2:1 or equivalent preferred but not essential.

Special Entry Requirements

Candidates will be expected to submit a portfolio of writing for assessment of between 3000 and 5000 words, which could be part of a novel in progress or a piece or pieces of short fiction. This does not have to be crime writing focused but must be prose fiction.

Interviews

Promising candidates will be invited for a Skype interview with a member of the Creative Writing faculty and we aim to inform candidates of the outcome within five working days. Unsuccessful candidates are welcome to re-apply, though not within the same academic year.

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

4450 GBP / year

≈ 4450 GBP / year
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

4450 GBP / year

≈ 4450 GBP / year

Living costs

Norwich

United Kingdom

609 - 1044 GBP / month

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

Funding

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.

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 Crime Fiction.

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

Careers

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

EU/EEA Applies to you

Living costs

Norwich

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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