MA Playwriting / Application and selection

Year of entry: 2025

How to apply

Apply online

Advice to applicants

There are only a limited number of places on this competitive course each year.Once all places are taken, the programme will be closed. If the programme is closed before your application is assessed, any successful applicants chosen thereafter may be offered deferred entry to September 2025 and/or the opportunity to be retained on a waiting list for September 2024.

How your application is considered

The application cycle

The Course Director will assess applications in rounds throughout the year at the following points:

  • Stage 1: applications submitted by 13th January; decision by 27th January
  • Stage 2: applications submitted by 17th March; decision by 28th March
  • Stage 3: applications submitted by 16th June; decision by 27th June
  • Stage 4*: applications submitted by 29th August; decision by 15th September.

Applications that pass the portfolio assessment by the Course Director will be invited for online interview, after which a decision to reject, make an offer, or waitlist, will be processed.

Offers must be accepted within one month of the offer being made, or by 29th August for any offers made after 2nd August.

* After 30th August, if places remain (or become) available, waitlisted candidates may be informed of any available places up to 13th September. Candidates can apply during the waitlist review stage and considered alongside any remaining waitlisted applications. If the course is closed, we can make offers for 2026/7 entry.

Portfolio requirements

You will need to submit a portfolio of written work, including:

  • A 20-page extract of writing for the stage. This can be from one piece of work/play, or two shorter 10-page extracts from two different pieces of work.
  • A 500-word statement about why you want to do the MA, including references to plays and live performance that have influenced and interested you, your experience as a writer so far, and what part of your playwriting practice you would like to develop while on the course.
  • A CV/biography.

Skills, knowledge, abilities, interests

Applicants will be considered on the basis of demonstrable aptitude for and understanding for playwriting and/or creative writing in a relevant industry context.

Deferrals

Applicants may defer entry for 12 months provided they contact  MASALC@manchester.ac.uk  before 1 September.

Please note that applicants are subject to the fees for the entry year they will start the course.

Portfolio requirements

You will need to submit aportfolioof written work, including:

  • A 20-page extract of writing for the stage. This can be from one piece of work/play, or two shorter 10-page extracts from two different pieces of work.
  • a 500-word statement about why you want to do the MA, including references to plays and live performance that have influenced and interested you, your experience as a writer so far, and what part of your playwriting practice you would like to develop while on the programme.
  • a CV/biography.