Best MA in creative writing in London?

RHUL had too many literary essay modules

Come again?

I've studied this MA and there aren't that many. Two to be exact (one each semester) and a dissertation over the summer.

That's not that much, tbh.

They are the only creative writing MA that requires submission of critical writing, such as an undergraduate English essay, in addition to creative writing (unless I've got this wrong)...

I recognise the importance of reading as a writer and reflecting on others' work, but literary criticism isn't my thing.

How else would you 'reflect on other people's work', then?

Sorry, I think I've been biased against 'academic' analysis due to my experience as an undergraduate. I see literary criticism as answering questions like 'How does the author struggle with his inner self due to the oppression of Thatcherite Britain?' I can't see how answering this sort of question would improve my creative writing or my likelihood of finding a literary agent. If this isn't what literary criticism involves, I'll reassess my prejudices

When I read as a writer, I think 'How does the writer grab my attention in the introductory paragraph? Can I replicate this in my own work?'

Getting back to the original point - recommendations for creative writing MAs, folks

Oh, right. Well, I think of it more in terms of analysing language and structure (i.e. 'what does this text do, and how exactly does it work?'). And that kind of stuff is helpful for writers to think about, no?

That's simply not what literary criticism is though, as far as I understand it.

Sorry, I think I've been biased against 'academic' analysis due to my experience as an undergraduate. I see literary criticism as answering questions like 'How does the author struggle with his inner self due to the oppression of Thatcherite Britain?'