Students experience teaching-visits from leading contemporary authors. Our Creative Writing students experience teaching-visits, seminars and readings from outstanding contemporary authors. Recent visitors have included Colum McCann, Claire Keegan, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Colin Barrett, Sara Baume and Pulitzer prize winner Richard Ford. Students gain practical experience through working on our literary journal The Ogham Stone and in the preparation of their dissertation portfolios. Ireland was the homeland of some of the twentieth century's most accomplished writers, and the city of Limerick has a rich history in creative writing, memorialized in the Frank McCourt museum, and celebrated annually with several literary festivals - the Limerick Literary Weekend; the Eigse Michael Hartnett Poetry Arts and Literary Festival; and Cuisle, the Limerick International Poetry Festival.

Applicants must normally have a first or second class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalent) in a relevant or appropriate subject, or equivalent prior learning or experience that is recognised by the University as meeting this requirement. This might include creative work in writing or the arts. Applicants must also satisfy the English Language Requirements of the University. The University reserves the right to shortlist and interview applicants as deemed necessary. Portfolio Admission will also be based upon a piece or pieces of creative work up to 3000 words submitted by the student as part of the application process. This might be a novel extract, a short story, a set of poems or a screenplay. This creative work will be assessed by a small committee of staff, who will judge submissions on their originality, technique, and intellectual rigour.