Creative writers are among the most versatile professionals that transcend time. While not always lucrative, a career in creative writing is rewarding for passionate artists.
Generally speaking, a university’s Creative Writing program is evaluated based on the number of awards its alumni have won or how many award-winning and globally renowned writers are among their faculty members. Some universities also offer interactive workshops, seminars, and immersive summer programs, allowing students to travel to cities recognized as literary hotspots.
To gain a professional advantage, aspiring writers look for universities that provide the best programs for Creative Writing. In the article below, we talk about some of the best creative writing schools in the world.
Is Creative Writing Popular Among Students?
Creative writing is a lost art that is gaining popularity in the modern era, where students are choosing to study this direction so that they can express their creativity and emotions through the written word. With the development of technology and the internet, we see more demand for creative writers, and that has made this course rise in popularity. At the moment, we do not have information about creative writing, but we tend to have information on other creative fields that may pique your interest, so if you are interested, you can see all those creative courses that are available on our website.
Check Out: The Best Countries to Study Creative Writing Abroad
Top Creative Writing Schools in the World
1. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a culturally diverse institution with almost 40 colleges and schools that host over 20,000 students from more than 150 countries. It is over eight centuries old and has built a solid reputation among numerous universities worldwide.
Recognized as one of the best creative writing schools in the world, the University of Cambridge’s Masters in Creative Writing program lasts two years. It is specially designed to be accessible to working professionals and international students. The degree granted by the university can become a ticket for graduates to pursue a Ph.D. in the same field at other universities in the UK or abroad.
Through the program, students can develop skills in fiction or nonfiction writing. The first year provides them with a background in writing in various genres, while the second year allows them to explore their writing style with the help of a supervisor.
2. Columbia University
Columbia University opened in 1754 as the King’s College. It is the oldest higher education institution in New York and one of the oldest in the US. It currently has 17 schools and four affiliate schools with numerous programs ranking among the best nationally and globally.
The School of the Arts at Columbia University offers an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing. The program lasts five semesters, and students have to complete five workshops, four seminars, and three elective courses within such a period. Students of this prestigious institution for creative writing may select between the Single-Genre Major and the Cross-Genre Major. The latter allows them to combine two genres.
Graduates may pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in the same field. Columbia University’s MFA degree is a top-ranking program that requires students to earn 60 points to graduate.
3. Princeton University
Princeton University is another one of the world’s best creative writing schools and was founded in the mid-18th century, making it one of the oldest universities in the US. It also ranks among the top academic institutions in the country, attracting some of the most outstanding individuals who comprise its over 8,000 student population. Among its notable alumni are 18 Nobel Prize awardees, two US presidents, and three US Supreme Court Justices.
The university’s Creative Writing program under the Lewis Center for the Arts offers undergraduate students an opportunity to develop their writing skills under the supervision of some famous and active professional writers. Students can participate in workshop courses to learn poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and more with a small group of students and faculty members.
4. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University was inaugurated in 1876 as the first research university in the US. It takes pride in its outstanding academic programs that produced graduates and alumni who won numerous prestigious awards, including Grammys, Emmys, Pulitzer, and Oscars.
The university offers an undergraduate program majoring in Writing Seminars where students can take poetry & fiction writing courses and literature courses and participate in seminars on the history and technique of prose and poetry.
The Master of Fine Arts program at Johns Hopkins University is highly selective and grants qualified students full tuition, health insurance, and a teaching fellowship worth a rough $30,000. It lasts two years and requires students to take a residency in Baltimore.
5. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a research university that opened in the late 19th century. Over the years, it has been affiliated with over 90 Nobel laureates and has become one of the top ten universities in the US. It is currently home to over 17,000 students across 12 schools and divisions.
The Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing degree at the University of Chicago offers in-depth training in a student’s choice of literary genre: fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Within four years, students must comply with the major requirements, including a fundamental course in Creative Writing Seminar, two technical seminars relevant to their primary genre, three advanced workshops, four literature courses, two research electives, a thesis or project workshop, and a BA thesis.
6. New York University
New York University (NYU) was founded in 1831 and has always been an innovative academic institution from the get-go. New York is home to many multi-awarded novelists, poets, and creative nonfiction writers, making NYU one of the top creative writing schools across the globe.
NYU offers undergraduate and Master of Fine Arts programs in Creative Writing administered by award-winning writers and outstanding faculty members. Undergraduate students may participate in intensive summer writing programs in Florence, New York, or Paris. They may also join writing competitions in the department and take advantage of internship opportunities.
Meanwhile, the MFA program provides a vibrant environment for students to learn from a gifted group of instructors and participate in exciting and interactive outreach programs, reading series, seminars, and more.
7. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is yet another excellent creative writing school that thrives on cutting-edge education techniques and technology. It opened in 1740, and its long history has significantly helped improve and expand the university’s culture of innovation.
The university’s School of Arts and Sciences offers a Certificate in Creative Writing, requiring students to take four out of eight courses: Poetry Workshop, Fiction Workshop, Screenwriting, Advanced Nonfiction, Journalism, Craft of Creative Writing, Writing about Place, and Modern & Contemporary US Poetry.
Penn also has a four-year Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree in Creative Studies, where students can select Creative Writing as their area of concentration.
8. Oxford University
Oxford University is a world-famous institution renowned for having the highest admission standards in the world. Oxford University is very selective, with an estimated acceptance rate of 17.5%. Due to this strict policy, It is home to the brightest minds in the United Kingdom and the world. This university was at the center of the COVID-19 crisis; it managed to produce a vaccine that has saved millions of lives.
Oxford University offers a Master of Study (MSt) degree to students who wish to pursue a degree in Creative Writing. It’s one of the top-performing creative writing schools in the world. This university offers a two-year program that initially places equal emphasis on prose, poetry, and drama and offers the possibility for specialization in one particular area in the second year. An experienced supervisor will be allocated to each student to provide guidance and advice throughout their second year.
Find Out: Oxford University Admission Process and Tips
9. Ohio State University
Ohio State University (OSU) is a top public institution and the third-largest campus in the United States. Motivated by its ambition to transform the lives of its students, this university aspires to nurture the growth of every student on its campus and engrave in them the moral values and ethics that will enable them to be leaders in their communities.
The Department of English at OSU grants a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing as part of its graduate program. The course allows students to discover and showcase their talents, realize their potential, and be in touch with their creative side. The department has spared no expense in providing the best education for its graduates, as all of them are fully funded for the three years they spend at OSU.
10. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university and one of the largest centers for teaching in Canada and the world. Established in 1908, UBC has climbed the ranks and is now consistently placing among the top 20 universities worldwide. This university strives to provide academic freedom to its students and scholars; it aspires to abolish censorship and allow academics to voice their thoughts and seek open discussions to arrive at solutions to real-world problems.
The Faculty of Arts at UBC offers a unique Creative Writing Program. It is a magnet to students from all over the globe; it offers the possibility for students to specialize in creative writing without being constrained by the study of literature. The faculty aspires to produce writers who can influence, inform, inspire, and entertain.
11. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan (U-M) is the second-best public institution of higher education in the United States and a consistent 5% ranked worldwide. U-M aims to serve the state and the people of Michigan and contribute to making the world a better place. It also aspires to impart and preserve knowledge and use it to produce leaders who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
The English Department at U-M offers an exceptional Creative Writing Degree. This department was home to the biggest writers in The United States, the likes of Arthur Miller, Theodore Roethke, and the poetess Jane Kenyon. The department offers advanced workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.
12. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a historic institution and a popular choice for local and international students. With a tremendous history of almost three centuries, this university keeps setting new standards in leading with innovation and learning. This establishment is a pioneer in environmental protection as it aspires to instill, in its graduates, a sense of responsibility towards the environment and society.
The University of Manchester offers a one-year program in Creative Writing. The students who enroll in this program will receive their learning from world-famous writers and novelists. The course was designed around a simple but important belief: “Good writing and good reading go together.” Therefore, the graduates will learn more about writing by reading, discussing, and critiquing the work of contemporary writers.
13. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is Australia’s oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education. Since its inception in 1850, this university has believed in progressing thinking as a way to challenge the status quo and break up the stagnation in thinking the modern world is inevitably heading toward. This institution has created an environment where different opinions are valued and unique perspectives are appreciated, which allows its students to realize their full potential.
The University of Sydney offers a one-and-a-half-year full-time Master’s program in Creative Writing. By the end of their training, the students will have gained a deep understanding of writing theories and techniques. The curriculum is designed to help students develop core skills in writing and editing. The graduates of this program can pursue careers in teaching, editing, copywriting, and publishing.
14. University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public-spirited international institution. This university offers a curriculum that gives the students a fresh perspective and a more comprehensive understanding of the world beyond the degree they enrolled in. The graduates of this renowned institution are in high demand, which places the University of Melbourne in the list of the top ten institutions worldwide in terms of employability rate.
The University of Melbourne grants avid readers the opportunity to explore their thoughts in written form. As one of the best creative writing schools in the world, the course is designed to impart core skills in writing to thousands of students each year. The learners are encouraged to think critically about contemporary thought schools in all forms of writing.
15. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is a research-intensive institution and one of the United Kingdom’s oldest universities. Since its establishment in 1583, it has sworn allegiance to safeguard the interests of the city where it is based. Today, it is one of Scotland’s most accessible and diverse institutions, attracting the world’s best minds. Newcomers will be met with a welcoming atmosphere and tight community where they can improve and thrive as individuals.
The University of Edinburgh offers a one-year full-time master’s degree in Creative Writing. Every part of the course was curated to help students hone their creative skills and integrate them into their literary works. The practical nature of the program allows the students to experiment with different genres and focus on specific areas for improvement. The graduates of the University of Edinburgh are team-taught and benefit from the input of many tutors, making this university an ideal destination for students who want to see and experience literature and writing from fresh and new perspectives.
16. Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) is a public institution and a top-tier research center in the United States. Founded in 1885, ASU has been pushing the frontiers of innovation in technology and space exploration. Partnered with NASA, this institution embodies the ambition and grants all space enthusiasts the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and work closely with experts in the field.
The Department of English at ASU offers a challenging and extremely rewarding Creative Writing program. The students will develop their writing skills through workshops and internship opportunities. Furthermore, The department offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree ranked within the top 20 in the country. Students can specialize in either fiction or poetry, but the program encourages cross-genre study allowing students to make good use of the three years they spend at ASU.
17. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the United Kingdom’s largest universities and a member of the Russell Group. Established in 1904, this university is world-famous for its education, teaching, and research quality. This institution operates with the mission of transforming lives and shaping a better future for communities within their region, the UK, and the world.
The Program of Creative Writing at the University of Leeds is designed to help students sharpen their critical abilities to produce literary works across all genres. Expert professors and academic researchers curated the course to help students learn how to shape language to convey their thoughts. By the end of their training, students will have built an impressive portfolio under the supervision of experienced writers.
We hope that you found this article on the best creative writing schools in the world informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more!
