MA/PgDip/PgCert Creative and Critical writing

Programme content

The programme offers students the opportunity to develop creative work in progress, give and receive feedback and produce new writing. It also encourages students to discuss the work of established writers and consider the theoretical, social and cultural contexts of contemporary writing. Students undertake four core modules and the independent study modules, if they are completing the Masters programme. They also choose two optional modules taken from the Genre-based modules.

Modules include:

Theories of Creativity and Writing considers ideas about writing, language, form, narrative and identity. It draws from philosophical, and critical and cultural theories, and is intended to provide a theoretical foundation for the programme as a whole.

The Writers’ Toolkit: Creative Research helps students understand the particular nature of creative writing research, and encourages them to consider how research/knowledge/experience informs their own work.

Publishing Project is a module in which all students develop a writing project to the point of submission for publication; this could involve the development of pieces of short fiction or creative non-fiction, along with cover letters, for submission to appropriate literary journals or magazines; a longer writing project, such as initial chapters of a novel and letters to agents / publishers; or a fully-fledged self-publication or of some kind, such as a blog.

Independent Study Proposal is specifically designed to assist students in devising and refining their proposal for extended independent study. Students discuss their ideas for their project with their tutor and their peers in a supportive environment.

Independent Study modules lead to the completion of the dissertation.

Genre-based modules address specific forms of genres of writing. They each explore the structures and special features of a genre, both creatively and critically, through the experience of the student writing it themselves and through debate about established works.

All students choose two from:

• Advanced Writing Workshop
• Advanced Poetry Workshop
• Advanced Scriptwriting Workshop
• Advanced Fiction Workshop

Alternatively, students may choose up to two modules from the MA Writing for Children, which includes modules on writing fiction for children, fantasy fiction, writing in education and writing for early years.

Learning and teaching

The academics teaching on the programme are all professional novelists, scriptwriters, poets, and writers of creative non-fiction, as well as musicians, cultural critics and playwrights. They are supported by guest writers – most recently, Jack Zipes (literary critic), Matthew Francis (poet), Margot Livesey (novelist), Faith Evans (London literary agent) and Alex Clark (editor of Granta)

Teaching takes place largely in the evenings, although some modules are offered in the afternoons.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a combination of critical and creative work, either in discussion with a tutor or amongst peers.

Dissertation

Students undertake a dissertation of 20,000 words as part of their independent study, along with a 3,000-word critical rationale, with full tutorial support. This can be a creative piece or pieces of work, supported by the creative rationale, or it can be a critical piece in its entirety. Students work independently and meet regularly with their supervisor for feedback and support.

Career opportunities

The programme enhances writing skills and develops critical and creative awareness and understanding. Many graduates have gone on to become published writers and poets. Others have careers within teaching, journalism and the wider media industry as well as within the arts. Employers often favour individuals with excellent writing skills. The programme also provides a firm foundation for undertaking a research degree or further training.

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