Creative Writing

A postgraduate qualification in Creative Writing immerses you in the craft of literary fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, and creative non-fiction through intensive workshop sessions. You work closely with published authors, poets, and dramaturgs, receiving and giving structured critique on your own writing and that of your peers. A typical week involves a workshop seminar, individual tutorials with your writing mentor, independent reading of contemporary and classic texts, and sustained work on your own major project or manuscript. Many programmes include opportunities for public readings, literary festival participation, and engagement with publishers and literary agents. Some institutions offer study or residency options with European partners through the Erasmus+ programme. You graduate with a polished, submission-ready manuscript or portfolio alongside a critical essay contextualising your creative practice.

Entry to an NFQ Level 9 Creative Writing programme typically requires an Honours Bachelor degree (NFQ Level 8) in English, Humanities, or a related discipline, usually at 2.1 standard or above. Some programmes, such as those at UCD or TCD, will consider applicants with a 2.2 alongside a strong creative portfolio, or significant demonstrable writing experience. A portfolio of original creative work — typically 10 to 20 pages of prose, poetry, or script — is a central part of the application and carries considerable weight. Mature applicants with a substantial body of published or unpublished work may be considered without the standard undergraduate requirement. No specific Leaving Certificate subject requirements apply at postgraduate level, though a strong background in English literature and reading is taken for granted. Arts Council bursaries and university scholarships may partially fund your studies, and it is worth investigating these before applying.

The market for literary fiction and poetry in Ireland is small but internationally respected, and Irish writers continue to achieve significant recognition at home and abroad. Most graduates build portfolio careers combining their own writing with teaching, facilitation, journalism, or editorial work, rather than relying on writing income alone. Demand for skilled content creators, scriptwriters, and editors is growing steadily, particularly in digital media and the expanding Irish screen industry. Graduates who develop entrepreneurial approaches to their practice — building audiences, applying for residencies, and diversifying income — tend to sustain long-term careers in the field.