Full-Time Applications for MA in Creative Writing 2026-7 now open

 
ABOUT US

The MA in Creative Writing at Rhodes University is committed to innovative approaches to literary
culture. To succeed in this course you must love reading and writing. All coursework is presented in
English but candidates may discuss language options at the beginning of the year with the Section
Head.

STUDY REQUIREMENTS 

We require a 100% attendance/completion rate for all course activities (classes, assignments,
Orientation and Contact Weeks). By the end of the programme there is delivery of, in equal
weighting:

1. Thesis (Creative Project).
Word count will vary depending on genre, for example, poetry might be 30-50 poems or pages,
whereas a novella or short stories could be 20 000 – 50 000 words), memoir or experimental writing
15 000 – 40 000 words and a Comic or Graphic Novel comprising 22 pages of which 5 will be
complete pages, inked and lettered; 5 will be pencilled pages, lettered; 10 will be storyboarded
pages, sketched drafts, lettered; and 2 will be cover pages, front and back).

2. Mini-thesis (critical research, 20 000 – 25 000 words).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Portfolio of writing: 30-35 pages of your creative writing whether published or unpublished. Poetry
and/or prose (fiction, non-fiction, hybrid, etc.)

- Portfolio of your creative writing: 30-35 pages (published or unpublished)
- Brief CV (basic information such as who you are, where you live, how to contact you, current and
relevant past activities briefly noted).
- Short Motivational letter (a little about your reading and writing preferences, experience, etc)
- Transcripts (your past academic results) – if you are currently completing an honours or equivalent
degree, please ensure that you inform us [macw@ru.ac.za] and Academic Admin
[academicadmin@ru.ac.za] of this). 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Honours degree in any discipline or the NQF equivalent (e.g. a 4‐year B.Journ degree; PGCE,
Postgraduate Diploma, etc). 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications for Full Time study (2026-7) will be considered until 1 November, 2025. If you are
currently completing a degree and will therefore not have your results by the cut-off date for
applications, please apply and inform us that you are currently completing a qualifying degree.

APPLY ONLINE

https://ross.ru.ac.za and select the option “Admission (not yet enrolled at Rhodes)”
Always send duplicate copies of the same documents to: macw@ru.ac.za

BURSARIES/SCHOLARSHIPS

We have a limited number of Andrew W. Mellon bursaries available for RSA citizens studying Full
Time covering both years of study. These are comprehensive bursaries that pay tuition and living
expenses. Selection is based on financial need but other factors are also taken into consideration:
languages that promote our multilingual reality, quality of creative writing (as opposed to language
proficiency), etc.

CONTACT US

Email: macw@ru.ac.za

Last Modified: Fri, 27 Jun 2025 11:54:51 SAST