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MA in Creative Writing

  • Areas of Opportunity:

Fall Semester

  • Application Period:
February - September
  • Length of Studies:
2 academic years (4 semesters)
  • Studies Begin:
Fall Semester
  • Language of Instruction
English
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  • Studies Begin:

Fall Semester

Program Overview
Admission Requirements
Application Process
Available Tracks
Courses & Requirements
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The Shaindy Rudoff Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Bar-Ilan University offers a two-year MA in English Literature, designed to cultivate the next generation of literary voices. Housed within the Department of English Literature and Linguistics, the program attracts emerging writers from Israel, the United States, Europe, and across the globe, creating a rich, diverse, and international writing community. 

While the program stands out as the only English-language creative writing program in Israel, and the only one globally to formally introduce Jewish literary writing, it is defined by its inclusivity. Students span a wide range of ethnicities, religions, and life experiences, united by a singular agenda: the pursuit of exceptional writing. 

Students benefit from small, intensive workshops led by internationally recognized faculty who are extensively published in both creative and scholarly arenas. The program culminates in a full year of one-on-one mentoring to complete a creative thesis. Beyond the classroom, students gain exposure to the broader literary world through a biennial public conference and ongoing seminars featuring recognized visiting writers. 

Graduates of this program are prepared for successful careers as published authors, screenwriters for film and television, journalists, editors, and strategic content creators in the digital and high-tech sectors. 

  • BA degree or equivalent 
  • Fluency in English 
  • Competency in ANY second language 
  • Translation sample 
  • Statement of purpose 
  • Writing Sample, instructions detailed under “application process”. 
  • Two letters of recommendation by professors or employers 
  • Official transcripts of your previous academic degrees. 
  1. Step One – Apply to the Shaindy Rudoff Graduate Program in Creative Writing (Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Literary Translation). To apply, please prepare all of the following materials:  
  • Writing sample: 
  • For application to the fiction and creative non-fiction tracks: a writing sample of 4000-5000 words (from separate works or one long work). 
  • For application to the poetry track: 10-15 poems. 
  • For application to Literary Translation: A translation into English of 2500-3000 words of prose or 15-20 poems from any language + the original work in another language. A 150-250 word explanation of the translation, in which you can tell us about the author, the significance of the piece, any translation challenges you had and how you overcame them, why you chose this work, or whatever else you’d like to share with us. 
  • Recommendation letters: Two letters of recommendation from professors or if unavailable, from employers. They must be on letterhead and signed. 
  • Official Transcripts: When applying, you can send non-official transcripts of your previous academic degrees. However, if your application is approved by the program, you must then submit an official one to the MA committee for all your undergraduate and graduate work. The transcripts should be submitted directly to the MA office.  

All materials will be uploaded on Slideroom. To apply for the 2026-27 academic year, please click the following link – Apply Here >> 

  1. Step Two – Apply through the University’s General Online Application. Should you receive a notice from the Department of English Literature and Linguistics recommending your acceptance, you must then apply through the university’s general online system. You can do so by filling out this form in English: Apply Here >> 

Important Notice: Before your application can go to the Bar-Ilan University MA committee, it must first be approved by the Department of English Literature and Linguistics. Those who register through the university without being approved by the Department of English Literature and Linguistics will not be refunded the initial registration fee if they are rejected by the department. 

Application submission opens: January 1, 2026 

Last day to apply through the department: June 30, 2026 

Last day to apply through the university’s online registration: October 10, 2026

The program offers four distinct areas of specialization, allowing students to tailor their degree to their creative ambitions: 

Poetry  

Approaching poetry as an urgent, embodied literary art, this track explores the mechanics of breath, pacing, and prosody alongside thematic exploration. You will engage in specialized workshops covering documentary poetics, poetic form, and translation. You will also collaborate with choreographers and performance artists. Graduates apply their mastery of language across diverse fields, becoming published poets, literary agents, editors, educators, and multidisciplinary artists. 

Fiction  

Rooted in the human need for storytelling, this track supports writers in crafting everything from microfiction to full-length novels. Through peer review and reading of published literature, students master the architecture of narrative craft, including characterization, voice, plot, and theme. This track prepares graduates to write professionally and apply their storytelling expertise to publishing, journalism, and emerging media. 

Creative Nonfiction  

This track trains students to render true stories and real-life experiences into compelling literary art. Specialized workshops delve into memoir, personal essays, lyrical essays, and first-person journalism. Complemented by academic seminars on the history of autobiography and life writing, the curriculum empowers you to observe the world critically and translate their observations into powerful, honest prose. 

Literary Translation  

As global interest in multicultural literature expands, there is a critical need for highly trained translators capable of producing exceptional English literature.  By combining the department’s advanced literary study, creative writing craft, and hands-on translation practice, you will learn how to bring diverse global narratives to the English-reading public with precision and artistry. 

The curriculum is designed to balance intensive writing workshops, rigorous literature seminars, and dedicated time for your creative thesis. Requirements vary slightly depending on your chosen specialization. 

Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Nonfiction Tracks 

Students in these tracks will complete the following requirements over the course of their degree: 

  • Creative Writing Workshops (3 Courses): You must take two workshops within your primary genre (poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction) and one outside of your genre. Out-of-genre options include hybrid courses such as “Prose” (for fiction and nonfiction writers) or “Documentaries” (for nonfiction and poetry writers), as well as a hybrid literature workshop offered biennially. 
  • Advising Tip: You may choose to take two workshops in your first year and one in your second year, or vice versa. Since your second year is dedicated to writing your thesis, consider which balance will best support your writing process. 
  • Literature Seminars (3 Courses): You are required to take three upper-level elective courses (700-level and upward, ideally 800-level). 
  • Poetry students are required to take the genre seminar in Prosody. 
  • Creative Nonfiction students are required to take the genre seminar in Life Writing. 
  • Jewish Arts Seminar (Course 37931): This course explores the rich, long traditions of Jewish writing and assumes no previous knowledge. All students are welcome; however, non-Jewish students may substitute this with a different seminar if they prefer. 

Literary Translation Track 

The Literary Translation track combines the study of literature with the hands-on craft of translation. 

  • Required Core Course: Literary Conversations: Introduction to Advanced Studies in Literature (Course 829). 
  • Translation Workshops (2 Courses): Dedicated workshops focusing on the mechanics and art of literary translation. 
  • Creative Writing Workshop (1 Course): You are automatically approved for undergraduate upper-division prose and hybrid workshops (Courses 450, 451). If you wish to enroll in a graduate-level genre workshop, you must obtain instructor permission. 
  • Literature Seminars (3 Courses): Graduate-level elective courses (700-level and upward). 
  • Thesis Mentoring: All translation students receive a full year of one-on-one faculty mentoring to complete a creative thesis. This consists of translating a manuscript (or partial manuscript) of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. 

General University Requirements (All Tracks) 

In addition to your departmental coursework, Bar-Ilan University has a general study requirement for all master’s students: 

  • Jewish Studies and Israeli Culture: Jewish MA students are required to take 8 semestrial credits from the Jewish Studies and Israeli Culture listing, chosen from outside the Department of English Literature and Linguistics. 
  • Alumni Exemption: If you completed your BA at Bar-Ilan University, you only need to complete 4 semestrial credits. 
  • International/Non-Jewish Students: Non-Jewish students may substitute the Jewish Studies requirement by taking general courses from any department outside of English Literature and Linguistics. 

Application for graduate degrees taught in English 2026-2027 

International School
Bar-Ilan University
Ramat-Gan, Israel 5290002 

Tel: +972- 3-738-4245
Email for further information
[email protected] 

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