Application deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.

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.

Course details

The MLitt in Playwriting and Screenwriting is a one-year taught programme run by the School of English. 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.

Find out more about studying this course.

Modules

The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.

Compulsory
Performance Project

Writing for Performance 1 and 2: introduces key playwriting and screenwriting skills as well as writing for younger audiences and radio.
Research Skills for Creative Writing: an introduction to primary skills such as proofreading and copy-editing, the literary marketplace and the roles of editors, publishers, agents and festival organisers, and the use of IT resources and library materials.

In August, students will submit an original piece of writing of about 45 minutes of performance time (8,000 to 10,000 words). This should be developed in consultation with a supervisor.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

The course consists of two semesters with taught components followed by an individual creative writing project taking place over the whole year, but with particular focus during the last three months.

Teaching methods include weekly seminars, dramaturgy workshops and individual tutorials.

Class sizes typically range from three to ten students, ensuring high levels of individual attention.

Students will normally participate in a number of theatre visits and will be required to meet additional costs of approximately £200.

Modules are assessed through sample scenes, play scripts, screenplays and essays. 

Events

The School of English hosts research events through its four research groups:

The School of English normally also hosts an annual colloquium. Recent themes have been:

Reimagining Andrew Marvell: The Poet at 400
The English Legal Imaginary, 1500-1700
Bannockburn, 1914: Anniversary culture, war and national identity in Scotland
Opera and Fiction
World Literature and Dissent
(Un)Civil War?
John Keats and Romantic Scotland
Libraries in Literature
Devouring Men: Food, Masculinity and Power

The Postgraduate Forum offers postgraduates the opportunity to present research in progress to a group of their peers. 

Fees

Home
£12,030

Overseas
£25,900

Application fee

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.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.

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. 

15% Recent Graduate Discount

If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Taught postgraduate scholarships Postgraduate loans

After your degree

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.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

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).

Postgraduate research

Contact us

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2668
Email: pgeng@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address: School of English
Castle House
The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9AL

School of English website

Playwriting and Screenwriting (MLitt) 2025 entry