Creative and Critical Writing – (M.A.)

Giving emerging writers the chance to hone their craft, students can work closely with experienced writers in a small-group environment. Working in this way encourages the development of critical thought, and of writerly engagement with the creative work presented.

As well as developing your writing skills and reading widely, you’ll be invited to approach your chosen genre from a critical point of view - looking at theoretical, historical, and stylistic developments within the field, as exemplified by a series of key texts and writers. For those who wish to teach creative writing, we have a dedicated module on which you will be offered real teaching experience, backed up with theoretical study and practical professional advice.

Other modules offered include our Employment Focused Research Project. This will allow you to build on career-orientated skills, such as preparing a scholarly article for journal publication, translation, adaptation or journal editing. Our highly innovative Analysing the Creative Process module focuses on analysing theories and models of creativity from a variety of disciplines and evaluating them from the prospective of the creative writer.

Assessment is by thesis, supplemented by extended projects. The thesis is presented at the end of one calendar year (or two calendar years if you study part-time) and consists of a substantial body of creative work that is written, developed and structured during the course.