MA Creative Writing MA

About the course

The course includes traditional elements for a postgraduate programme in Creative Writing, such as writing workshops, intensive tutorial-based supervision and a range of guest speakers. In addition, the MA provides both literary context and practical professional experiences. The module People and Places: Writing Communities is open only to Creative Writing MA students and taught by Creative Writing staff. While it provides a strong literary context for students, the literary material is examined and analysed from a writer’s point of view. The module Working as a Writer offers practical, independent experience. Students can pursue either publications or design, implement and complete an independent creative project with an outside organisation.

The modules we currently offer are:

• Writing Workshop I: Creative and Critical Processes
• People and Places: Writing Communities
• Writing Workshop II: Creative and Critical Processes
• Working as a Writer
• Creative Writing Dissertation

Why choose this course?

The MA in Creative Writing offers a range of distinct creative practices and theoretical approaches. It aims to develop professional skills in the area of Creative Writing by giving students the opportunity to implement their creative practice more broadly in professional settings. With up-to-date, relevant skills, understanding and knowledge, graduates of this MA will be prepared for employment in a variety of fields, such as working creatively with organisations, professional writing and other related professions. The MA can be taken as a one-year full time course or a two-year part-time course.

Study routes

• Part Time,
• Full Time,

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Teaching methods

Writing workshops are the primary mode of delivery for the programme, led by experienced Creative Writing professionals. The workshops focus on craft, art and developing students’ writing. Each student will have a supervisor and regular tutorials will supplement their workshop-based sessions. A guest lecture series provides further professional contexts for the students.

All modules except the Dissertation are 30 credits. The Dissertation is 60 credits. Part time students will take the People and Places and Working as a Writer modules in the first year and the Writing Workshop I and Writing Workshop II modules in their second year. The Dissertation will be completed in semester C of their second year.

Dr Jennifer Young, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing is currently on maternity leave.

Please contact Acting MA Coordinator, Helen Gordon with any questions you may have.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Creative Writing Dissertation

  The dissertation gives students the opportunity to create a sustained piece of writing in their chosen form. Students may choose to write a stand-alone piece or to extend a project begun in The Writing Workshop I and II modules, the People and Places module or the Working as a Writer module. Students will continue to work with their supervisor assigned in semester A, unless their chosen form has changed over the course of the Programme. The manuscript should aim to be of publishable quality and represents the culmination of their degree

• People and Places: Writing Communities

  Students must be expert and wide-ranging readers to become accomplished writers. People and Places: Writing Communities focuses on contemporary literature that features communities, both real and imagined. This examination of published writing allows students to focus on the responsibilities and ethical concerns that a writer must face when depicting community groups within a creative work. The module prepares students for option of undertaking practical public engagement in the semester B module Working as a Writer. People and Places focuses on aspects of writing with communities, including the methods and approaches writers have used to portray communities or locations in creative work and the tradition of writers working with communities to create joint artistic projects. Literary texts will include poetry, prose and drama. Authors studied may include Upton Sinclair, Jennifer Egan, Robin Soans, Jimmy McGovern, William Carlos Williams and Charles Olson.

• The Writing Workshop 2: Creative and Critical Processes

  Following on from the Writing Workshop I in semester A, this module will focus on the craft, art and theory of creative writing. Students may choose to work in prose (fiction or creative nonfiction), poetry or writing for the stage. The module will give students a thorough grounding in craft techniques, theory and research skills. The majority of classroom time will be dedicated to writing workshops in which students critique one another’s work under the guidance of staff. The module is writing intensive, offering each student multiple opportunities for submission and revision of creative work. Students will continue to work with their supervisor in this module. The module will address best practice for approaching agents, editors and publishers in order to publish a sustained piece of Creative Writing.

• The Writing Workshop1: Creative and Critical Processes

  The module will focus on the craft, art and theory of creative writing. Students may choose to work in prose (fiction or creative nonfiction), poetry or writing for the stage. The module will give students a thorough grounding in craft techniques, theory and research skills. The majority of classroom time will be dedicated to writing workshops in which students critique one another’s work under the guidance of staff. The module is writing intensive, offering each student multiple opportunities for submission and revision of creative work. Students will also be assigned a supervisor in this module who will work with them throughout the year. The pairing will be based on students’ interests and staff specialisms.

• Working as a Writer

  Many writers supplement their income by working creatively with outside organizations, such as schools, libraries, bookshops or museums. Agents or publishers are more receptive to submissions from writers who have a proven track record of short publications or success in competitions. It can be difficult to know where to begin with these two professional routes, so this module focuses on equipping students with skills they can utilize after finishing their degree. The first strand allows students the opportunity to independently plan and conduct a project that focuses on promoting creativity with the partner group for or with a target audience. Students will be supervised through each stage: initiating contact, development and completion of the project. The second strand focuses on short forms: poetry, short stories and short plays, forms that are easily submitted to competitions, magazines and anthologies. Both strands share assessments of a presentation and a reflective analysis of the project. Students’ portfolio of work will vary depending on the strand they select.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £5,250 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £10,500 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Scholarships

• National Scholarship Programme

Find out more about scholarships for UK/EU and international students

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply