Overview

Each year, a small, select class of talented writers of fiction and poetry enroll in Vanderbilt University three-year, fully-funded M.F.A. in Creative Writing program. We invite you to join us as we continue to build upon the tradition of excellent writing at Vanderbilt.

Our faculty of distinguished creative writers works closely with eighteen M.F.A students—half of whom work in poetry, and half in prose—who are enrolled in the program at any one time. Since each class contains only six students, admission is highly competitive, and no one’s work gets lost or overshadowed.

The M.F.A program has been ranked among the top 15 M.F.A Programs in the country by Poets and Writers magazine, ahead of many better-known graduate programs. We earn high marks for the quality of our prize-winning faculty, for Nashville’s affordable cost of living, and for the financial support we give our students.

Key Facts

A full, three-year 12-month funding package for every M.F.A. student.

Opportunity for second year students to teach an introductory creative writing workshop

Opportunity to serve on the editorial board of Nashville Review

The Gertrude and Harold S. Vanderbilt Visiting Writers Series. Each semester, this program invites distinguished writers for readings and discussions with students. In some years, a distinguished writer in residence visits for a semester and teaches a workshop in his or her genre.

A supportive atmosphere in which to write: Nashville is a place that respects creative activity. All over town people are busy making things—writing songs and playing music as well as creating art. Vanderbilt’s 350-acre, tree-filled campus—located less than a mile from downtown and just a few blocks from Music Row—is a registered National Arboretum. Vanderbilt’s campus may be peaceful and beautiful, but the action isn’t far away.

Students in the M.F.A. program work harmoniously and productively with students and faculty in the English Department’s doctoral program. The Department of English Graduate Reading Series, which takes place in the spring, features the work of one M.F.A. student and one Ph.D. student. The English Department’s faculty welcomes M.F.A. students into their literature classes.

Accreditation

Vanderbilt’s MFA Program has been ranked among the top 15 MFA Programs in the country by Poets and Writers magazine—ahead of many better known, better established graduate programs. It earned high marks for the quality of its prize-winning faculty, for the affordable cost of living, and for the financial support it gives for students. It ranks number one for selectivity.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Special Topics in Creative Writing

Graduate Fiction Workshop

Graduate Poetry Workshop

Graduate Nonfiction Workshop

Literature and the Craft of Writing

Teaching Creative Writing

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-20 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

130

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

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4.9/5 student rating

Credits

90 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Nashville, United States

Disciplines

Creative Writing View 385 other Masters in Creative Writing in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

130

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

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

Statement of purpose (no more than 3-5 pages)

Creative Writing Sample: If your primary interest is fiction, please provide a fiction writing sample, double spaced, of no more than 25 pages—short story or novel excerpt acceptable. If your primary interest is poetry, please provide a poetry sample of up to 15 pages

Three letters of recommendation

Unofficial college transcript(s)

Graduate School Application Fee of $95

Applicants whose native language is not English either must have received a degree at an English-speaking university or must submit TOEFL scores

The M.F.A program does not require GRE scores

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

36270 USD / year

≈ 36270 USD / year
Out-of-State

36270 USD / year

≈ 36270 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

36270 USD / year

≈ 36270 USD / year

Living costs

Nashville

United States

1183 - 2197 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

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.

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

Key Facts

Accreditation

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

Nashville

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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