Information for Applicants:

Campus MA in Creative Writing

For this year's student comments on the campus and distance learning MAs in Creative Writing, click here.

Download booklet on postgraduate funding

The Department has run a course leading to the award of M.A. in creative writing since 1983. Many of our graduates have gone on to win prizes and publication by leading publishers and literary magazines. A full-time (one academic year) and a part-time (2 academic years) version of the course is available.

The aim of the course is to develop your technical skills to a high level and to create an awareness of what it takes to write publishable fiction, poetry, or scripts. We run an annual publication and professional development workshop, attended by leading agents and editors. Entrants for the course are expected to be experienced writers capable of serious reflection on the creative process and the production of publishable work.

There are usually between eight and twelve students in each MA group. The backbone of the course is a series of twice-weekly three-hour workshops, which run from October until June (one each week over two academic years for part-timer students). A variety of tutors teach on the course and in this way, a wide range of expertise is made available to the group and a range of literary genres facilitated.

We focus closely on discussion of work in progress as our main working method, addressing wider issues of technique through particular examples. Occasionally we will devote a workshop to the stimulus of new work. You will be asked to record your progress in a Writing Journal and personal tutorials are held to discuss individual needs.

In the Michaelmas term a short residential course (Monday to Saturday) is offered to all campus MA students. These take place at one of the Arvon Foundation writing centres, which are all conveniently placed for access by road and rail. In 2006 the venue will be Lumb Bank in Heptonstall, West Yorkshire and the dates will be November 6th - 11th. The course will provide time to write and relax as well as writing workshops and readings by you and your tutors. Your MA fee includes the cost of the course and all food and accommodation. The fee we charge represents a much reduced percentage of the commercial cost of such a course. We do, however, ask you to make your own transport arrangements to and from the centre. A letter will be sent out at the start of the Michaelmas term with a more detailed schedule and special dietary information will be requested from you.

Click here for full details of the Campus MA and for downloads of the Creative Writing Postgraduate Handbook.

All MA applicants accepted for a place will also be considered for the award of our Departmental bursary of £1500.

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Full details of the Campus MA in Creative Writing

Full details of the Distance MA in Creative Writing

Information for Applicants:

Campus MA in Creative Writing

Download booklet on postgraduate funding

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