Why study this course?
In this course, you will develop your skills in writing for radio, theatre and screen with an emphasis on your individual voice and style.
You will graduate with a portfolio of pieces and an understanding of how to approach theatres, secure commissions and work as a playwright.
The MLitt will provide you with technically-oriented tuition by leading contemporary playwrights and world-class academics, with an emphasis on best practice in recent and contemporary writing.
Those interested in writing prose or poetry may instead wish to consider taking the Creative Writing MLitt.
Highlights
- Individual mentors help you to hone your creative practice and to further develop your expressive voice.
- The course emphasises best practice in recent and contemporary writing, and modules are taught by award-winning professional playwrights.
- Small class sizes allow for extremely high levels of individual attention.
- The course is normally delivered in the Byre Theatre Studio, making full use of a professional theatre.
- Students have the opportunity to meet and work with professional theatre directors, actors and writers while studying in St Andrews.
Teaching
Delivered through weekly seminars, dramaturgy workshops and individual tutorials.
Class sizes
Groups range from 3 to 10 students.
Visits
Students will normally participate in a number of theatre visits at an additional cost of approximately £200.
Assessment
Assessed through a mix of sample scenes, play scripts, screenplays and essays.
Modules
For more details, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue. The modules are examples from previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course.
What it will lead to
Careers
Graduates of the course have gone on to become published writers or pursue careers in a range of sectors including journalism, marketing, publishing and teaching.
Further study
Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews.
In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year Playwriting and Screenwriting Master of Fine Arts (MFA).
Why St Andrews?
St Andrews was one of the first universities in the world to teach English literature. Today, the School of English is ranked 1st in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2024 and we enjoy an international reputation for excellence as a centre for academic research and literary creativity.
Our Masters programmes span the history of English literature from the Medieval period to the present, explore works from diverse literary cultures drawn from across the world, and cultivate the next generation of creative writers, poets and playwrights.
You will be part of a vibrant scholarly community of more than 120 postgraduate students from around the globe and over 30 permanent members of staff with expertise in a range of specialisms. By joining one or more of our Research Groups you will have the opportunity to work with the School’s outstanding academic researchers, visiting speakers, and fellow postgraduates in research seminars, lectures and workshops.
Our Creative Writing and Playwriting/Screenwriting classes are taught by award-winning novelists, poets and playwrights with strong links to the University-managed Byre Theatre and the StAnza Poetry Festival.
As a postgraduate scholar at St Andrews, you will have access to rare books and manuscripts in the Library’s Special Collections, an archive built up since the 15th century.
The School does not make any formal distinction between academic and creative staff; many staff publish both academic and creative work, and also teach in both contexts. This means that creative writing has found a natural home in the University as an academic discipline, and the School encourages students to use its research environment as a means of pursuing their dedication to their craft.
The School of English also believes that knowledge is best imparted by those working in the same discipline and at the highest level: all the School's writers have national and international reputations, and are regarded as leaders in their individual fields. All are dedicated teachers with a passion for their art.
In addition, the ancient town of St Andrews – with its pristine beaches, castles and historic buildings, its constantly changing seascapes and cloudscapes – is simply a beautiful and inspiring place for any writer to work.
Alumni
When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.
“The MLitt Writing for Performance degree has been invaluable to my artistic career. The opportunity to have regular, detailed feedback on my work was such a privilege and it really pushed me to progress as a playwright. The tutors were unbelievably supportive, encouraging and inspiring throughout, and taught me so much about the industry as well as the craft. Since graduating, I have been commissioned to write for youth theatres (Lyceum, Strange Town), selected for writing festivals and development programmes (Dundee Rep, Hampstead), and self-produced my own plays (Assembly Roxy) – all as a result of the skills, contacts and creativity I cultivated during this course.”
- Edinburgh, Scotland
Ask a student
If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. However a candidate who demonstrates outstanding writing abilities may be accepted on the basis of an equivalent qualification (e.g. a body of published work or a relevant professional qualification), but such cases are entirely at the discretion of staff and require decanal approval.
- If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- Supplementary application to School of English (Word)
- CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
- academic critical essay of approximately 2,000 words on an English literature topic
- portfolio of 10 to 15 pages of original playwriting or screenwriting
- two original signed academic references on university headed paper from your most recent degree awarding institution
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Fees and funding
- UK: £12,030
- Rest of the world: £25,900
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:
- GREAT Scholarship
- St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
- St Leonard's funding opportunities
- Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)
All School of English study applicants will be given access to the My Application portal. The Scholarships and Funding area of the portal includes an online catalogue through which you can apply for available relevant awards.
Contact us
Start your journey
Legal notices
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 12 March 2025
