I got an MA in Creative Writing

The pros, the cons, and whether you should get one too

In 2023, I decided to apply to a master’s programme in creative writing in Scotland to finally pursue my dream of becoming an author (Not even thinking I would get in, but here we are!).

Boy, oh boy, was it a year. I moved to Scotland, met amazing people, and had the chance to engage with the craft of writing in ways I hadn’t even considered before. I achieved a lot during that year, which I never thought possible, but the question remains: was it worth it?

To clarify, I went to Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland, which focuses on genre fiction. If you are considering a creative writing degree with a literary focus, the following information might not apply to you.

Let’s start with the pros of the degree:

1. First-hand insights into the publishing industry

I had four teachers, all of whom are published authors and have been in the industry for a long time. Their first-hand knowledge of the publishing industry was extremely valuable when it came to writing a publishable novel, a synopsis, and a query letter. We had the chance to hear from an editor, an agent, and other authors, who shared valuable expertise and answered our questions.

Getting these insights into the industry and having mentors who actually know what they are talking about was one of the many helpful things about the Master’s, and prepared me for the path of becoming a published author.

2. Building a writer community

“Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are.”

Never before in my life had I been surrounded by people with the same (or similar) goals as me, who take writing seriously, and want to become published one day. Building a friend group of writers has helped me in staying motivated, and getting feedback for my work that is constructive and kind.

Being close to those who also want to become published suddenly made my dreams appear more attainable. It helped me treat writing as a job, instead of a hobby. It made it possible to prioritise my goals and find different ways to make said goals more reachable.

The master’s gives you a built-in community, which you can use to extend your support network further. Through the MA, I joined a critique group that has continued even after we graduated, with people who give the best kind of feedback and a bi-weekly meeting that keeps me writing and submitting my work.

3. Supportive environment

I had amazing teachers for the programme, who helped me become the writer they knew I could be. My mentor became the cheerleader I didn’t know I needed, praising my writing and my tenacity in wanting to become an author. Of course, I had other people be positive about my work before, but it somehow hit different hearing from someone who has already accomplished things I can only dream of right now.

4. Dedicated time to write

Taking this year for a degree in Creative Writing gave me a loooot of time to finally finish my novel. Could I have finished it before? Possibly. But knowing that in one year, all I had to do besides attending lectures and handing in my assignments was work on my books, was the space I needed to finish.

I set myself ambitious deadlines to finish my manuscript, edit it, and send it to agents. Did I manage to keep to these deadlines? No, but I learned that the higher my goals, the more likely I am to achieve better results.

So, what are the downsides to getting an MA in Creative Writing?

1. Financial strain

This depends on where you live, where you want to get the degree, and what your financial situation is. I completed two bachelor’s degrees in Austria, which cost 27 Euros per semester, only to decide to get an MA in the UK. The very expensive UK, thanks to Brexit. Unfortunately, I did not find a creative writing degree focusing on Genre Fiction in Germany or Austria, so I had to move abroad for it.

I had the privilege of my parents paying the tuition fee for that one year of the Master’s, which I am incredibly thankful for, because there would have been no other way for me to take this step without them.

That being said, consider whether the cost is worth it for you when deciding to get an MA in Creative Writing.

2. Comparison

As some might know from my previous posts, I have unfortunately not been blessed with a lot of confidence in my life (I am working on it, though!). Being one of three non-native English speakers in the MA did nothing to improve that.

I was constantly in awe at how effortlessly my classmates constructed the most beautiful sentences, when I sometimes didn’t even know all the words they used. I couldn’t help but compare it to my own prose, which appeared simple and boring in comparison.

This was especially difficult for me in the first weeks of the master’s, but as time went on, I started to feel proud of myself for writing in my second language in the first place! I managed to complete an MA in Creative Writing with Distinction in a language that is not my mother tongue and wrote two novels in that language. How impressive is that?

3. Disillusion

Am I still delusional when it comes to my writing? Yes. I would love a six-figure publishing deal and a movie or TV adaptation with big-name actors. Who wouldn’t? But the MA gave us a lot of reality checks when it comes to the publishing industry. It isn’t easy to get an agent. If you manage to get an agent, it isn’t easy to get published. If you get published, it isn’t easy to get sales. Fun.

This point can count as either a pro or a con, because while it did prepare me for the disappointment of manuscript rejections from literary agents, it also made wanting to become a full-time author feel like an impossible feat sometimes. This is most likely different person by person. Some might appreciate the cold, hard truth about the industry and see it as a challenge, while others feel discouraged instead. It’s me, I am others.

It took me some time to find my hope and motivation again. Embrace the delusion if you need to!

Now, do I think it was worth it? For me personally, 100% yes. No doubt.

The MA in Creative Writing gave me the tools to finish a novel, the community to hold me accountable and give valuable feedback on my writing, and insights into the industry that prepared me for what is to come. I started the degree with zero finished novels and a couple of short stories, and finished with two finished manuscripts, one WIP, a dozen short stories, and a million ideas.

Can you write a novel without a degree? Certainly.

However, getting an MA in Creative Writing improved my prose immensely in a short time, gave me the time and space to actually finish the projects I started, and take myself seriously as a writer. If you feel like you need an extra push in the right direction, a Creative Writing degree might be just the thing you need. If you have the time and the means and are unsure if a Creative Writing degree is right for you, I’d say go for it.

I would certainly have regretted passing on this chance to pursue my goals.

Did you get a Creative Writing degree? Are you thinking about getting one, but are unsure? Write a comment and let me know!