Overview

The Creative Writing - Fiction programme at The City University of New York provides an intensive environment for writers to refine their craft through a rigorous two-year curriculum. This Master of Fine Arts degree emphasises the development of a unique literary voice through close mentorship and peer collaboration. Students benefit from a structure that balances creative production with critical literary analysis.

Why Creative Writing - Fiction at The City University of New York?

This programme is distinguished by its small cohort sizes and highly personal approach to graduate education. Students have the unique opportunity to contribute to the prestigious literary journal, The Brooklyn Review, gaining practical editorial experience. The faculty consists of eminent authors and scholars who provide one-on-one guidance, fostering deep professional relationships. Additionally, the university offers various fellowships, prizes, and a winter writing residency to support emerging writers. Students may also gain teaching experience by leading undergraduate courses within the English Department.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 855 per credit
National fee: USD 855 per credit
Local fee: USD 470 per credit

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

Syllabus

The curriculum requires 36 credits, comprising 24 credits in the fiction specialisation and 12 credits in literature. Modules may include:

Fiction Workshop
Reading Seminar
Short Story Craft
Thesis Tutorial
Revision Tutorial
Literature
Inter-genre Workshop

Careers with Creative Writing - Fiction

Graduates of this programme have achieved significant success in the global literary landscape. Many alumni have published award-winning novels and short story collections with major publishing houses. Former students have secured prestigious accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize, Guggenheim Fellowships, and Obie Awards. Graduates often find employment in diverse sectors such as:

Professional Authorship and Novel Writing
Higher Education and University Teaching
Arts and Media Organisations
Editorial and Publishing Roles
Secondary Education

Alumni have been recruited by prominent institutions including Columbia University, New York University, and various arts and media entities like BET and BRIC.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

The curriculum is designed sequentially. Students take a workshop every semester. The specialization typically offers two traditional short fiction workshops and one novel-writing workshop in the fall and three short fiction workshops in the spring.
The novel-writing workshop is meant to address the particular needs of students who are writing novels and who would prefer to receive input on longer sections than a traditional workshop allows.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

36 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

New York City, United States

Disciplines

Creative Writing View 382 other Masters in Creative Writing in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

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

Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation.

Two letters of recommendation.

A manuscript of original work in your intended genre (for fiction, about 30 pages; for poetry, about 20 pages; for playwriting, one full-length play, or two or more one-act plays).

A personal statement (one–two pages).

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

15390 USD / year

≈ 15390 USD / year
Out-of-State

15390 USD / year

≈ 15390 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

8460 USD / year

≈ 8460 USD / year

Additional Details

Residents: $5,545 per semester

Living costs

New York City

United States

1819 - 3968 USD / 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 - 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

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

Additional Details

Living costs

New York City

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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