Best MA in Creative Writing programs in the UK?

I want to write literary fiction. I know East Anglia is famous for having produced Nobel Prize Winners, and from searching around Google I've seen U of Lancaster and U of Manchester pop up frequently. I prefer somewhere which places emphasis on practice not just theory.

I know there are MFAs in the States more able to cater to what I am looking for, but I much prefer studying in the UK as I have family there, and I do not want to spend 3-4 years on a graduate degree. TLDR: Programs in The States are out of question so please don't suggest any.

Have you looked at Bath Spa. They have one of the largest creative writing masters departments in the country.

Oxford and Cambridge also have really reputable MSts in creative writing!

Would you say better than the others mentioned?

I’m biased towards UEA (prose fiction) because I chose that one! Oxbridge is obviously great too, a friend of mine did the Oxford MSt and they really enjoyed it. Cambridge is meant to be really wonderful. Good luck with making your decision!

Thank you so much! Can I ask about your experience? Did it help with industry connections? Do you feel your writing has considerably improved? Was it helpful with publication? Also was wondering if the top famous tutors actually end up teaching and supervising or if they are kind of in the background? I did my undergrad at NYU and the actual well-known faculty never ended up teaching the classes so I was wondering if this may be similar.

No no I meant I chose it this year 😂 I got offered a place recently and it’s the one I always wanted! I spoke to quite a few people about Oxbridge’s MSts vs. UEA, also Bath etc and at the end of the day Im not personally fussed about the whole Oxbridge glory on the CV, I’m way more curious about the teaching at UEA and why it’s been at the top for so long. But internationally I’m guessing yes Oxbridge carries more prestige for sure! Just be honest with what you want to learn and why you’re doing a CW Masters and what you need from it and you’ll figure it out on your own - no one can tell you what’s best for you 🙂

First of all, congrats that’s amazing!!Oh hahaha sorry for being dumb! So from your research you’ve concluded that’s the best one? Is that the only one you applied to? Also I have the interview for uea next week(have already been accepted to Oxbridge) and I’m also trying for the prose fiction route! If you could share any interview tips/qesurions asked that would be great.

I want to write literary fiction. I know East Anglia is famous for having produced Nobel Prize Winners, and from searching around Google I've seen U of Lancaster and U of Manchester pop up frequently. I prefer somewhere which places emphasis on practice not just theory.
I know there are MFAs in the States more able to cater to what I am looking for, but I much prefer studying in the UK as I have family there, and I do not want to spend 3-4 years on a graduate degree. TLDR: Programs in The States are out of question so please don't suggest any.

so re UEA: did you get into the general creative writing course or the prose fiction one? I feel uneasy giving people advice with such personal decisions haha but if you really want my advice 😅 i'd say... if you were to choose between Oxford/Cambridge and the general CW at UEA, if I'm being honest, I do think Oxford is a bit more reputable than Cambridge – and I dont know much about the general CW at UEA. If you get into prose fiction at UEA... honestly thats truly up to you, but I'd say either Oxford or UEA Prose Fiction for sure... Btw these opinions have zero value outside of the fact that they're just personal opinions, so please take it with a massive pinch of salt. Re UEA interview: honestly super super lovely, just a general chat with one of the teachers, you'll talk about your portfolio and your goals etc, very relaxed! Good luck to you and please don't dwell too much on where you'll study, all these programs are great and good writing is good writing anywhere! Trust the process and your intuition, you already know what you want deep down if you listen carefully 🙂

Thank you so much! Ended up getting into prose fiction. Do you know anything about the general selectivity of the course? I’m a bit concerned it’s one of those courses anybody gets into as I know a talented cohort makes a big difference. I’ve read some sites online mentioning 45% and others mentioning 10%.
I’m so conflicted still haha

honestly i've no idea... I know their reputation is pristine and that they only take about 40/45 students every year (same than oxford and cambridge) but I understand the concern as I had the same thought of 'if i got in then how many people are getting in too' hahaha... you're maybe just really good! Have you thought about that? 🙂 It seems like a lot of people are getting into cambridge, more than oxford, from what i've read around here... I would say oxford is the more selective of the two for sure. But i'm afraid I can't help you more than that... good luck!

hahahah for sure that thought always comes.. Oxford does seem more competitive than Cambridge I think that’s right! I think Cambridge actually shared rates it’s about 20-25% where Oxford is more at the 10% for CW.
Was just wondering if UEA is comparable..
Anyways do you know if that 45 is across strands or for prose fiction?
Thanks again for being so helpful

I'm pretty sure it's 40/45 per degree, so for the class of prose fiction for instance it would be 40/45, which I'm also pretty sure is the case with Oxbridge anyway! I understand your hesitation, but take your time! You're in a wonderful position, so don't rush the decision, do what feels right and then don't look back 🙂 (also if I were you I wouldn't trust shared rates... or at least, not base my decision on them – they might be accurate, but they might also be ballpark figures...)