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Creative Writing - the Novel – (M.A.)
Brunel University
School of Arts
| Application Deadline: | as early as possible | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 4,740 - ≈ € 11,841 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | London / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 180 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of Brunel University
We designed this MA quite simply to teach everything we think a new novelist ought to know. It combines a focus on the skills of writing full-length fiction with a clear-eyed exploration of the publishing process and related creative fields. New in 2006, this MA has attracted considerable interest among publishers and literary agents, many of whom participate actively in the programme.
You will first be encouraged to widen your ambitions, stretch your abilities, discover contemporary theories of literature and explore the core techniques of writing fiction. In the second term, we move on to advanced study of contemporary genres and the challenges of writing a full-length novel. Our unique industry module will not only analyse the creative industries and their future development but actually place you as an intern within a company in this field to learn at first hand how and why a novel is published. The dissertation is designed to allow you to work with your tutor to create the optimum submission package for a literary agent.
The programme is designed around the core activity of producing a major prose fiction project, which can be a novel fragment with synopsis, a novella or a collection of short stories, of publishable quality and produced in a marketable form.
In addition, the Internship Programme offers a unique opportunity in a Creative Writing Master's programme for you not only to understand the role that the creative industries play in shaping a writing career but actually to participate in these fields.
Special Features
* Taught by leading writers
* Career oriented and focused on current professional practice
* Our West London campus allows maximum contact with the arts in the capital
Contents
Course Content
* Theories of Practice
* Screenwriting
* Feature journalism
* History of the Novel
* Exploring Poetry
Course StructureYou should take four taught modules including at least one industry-oriented module and then you will be able to work one to one with a tutor to prepare your dissertation of between 20,000 and 40,000 words.
Core Modules
Elements of Fiction
In this module you will analyse and explore the different elements of fiction. Each week the teaching session will begin by a discussion by one of your lecturers on a specific aspect of fiction writing. You will then divide into workshop groups and continue to explore the topic in presentations and seminar discussion of the books set the previous week. After a short break, the students will respond to each others´ writing in a workshop setting.
Planning a Novel
In this module we will study different approaches to planning and structuring a novel together with the advanced writing techniques which are particularly important in specific genres of fiction. We normally adapt the content of this module to the specific interests of each year group. You will be able to try each genre in turn and will continue to discuss your writing in workshop groups.
Paths to Publication
In this module you will study and learn to understand the creative industries through which authors reach their readers. These industries are changing very rapidly so this module also emphasizes the process of change and prepares you to become part of this ongoing process. We will also examine the strategies which authors have used successfully to navigate the creative industries and we will hear industry professionals give their view of authors and the way they market their writing. We believe that this is the best possible help we can offer you to get your novel published.
After the taught section of the module, we will organise short work placements for students in these industries; students will then share their experiences through their assessed presentations, in order to build up a comprehensive picture of the entire process. If you won´t want or are unable to take up a placement, you may choose to deliver a presentation on an individual company within the creative industries instead.
STUDENTS SHOULD BUDGET FOR A 2-WEEK INTERNSHIP WITHIN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN CENTRAL LONDON
Optional Modules
* Theories of Practice
* Screenwriting
* Feature journalism
* History of the Novel*
* Exploring Poetry
*Subject to approval.
Dissertation
You will be able to work one-to-one with your Dissertation Tutor to write a novel extract of up to 40,000 words and a related a critical commentary.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
This is a Master's course designed to prepare you for a career as a professional writer. We expect applicants to have a good honours degree or equivalent professional experience. Usually, applicants to this programme who do not have a degree in English or Creative Writing have taken courses such as those offered by the Open University or the Arvon Foundation or have attended private writing workshops. You should be able to show that you have developed your writing and your understanding of literature through private study.
To apply, complete the postgraduate application form and submit it with a sample of your fiction writing of between two and five thousand words which you feel demonstrates appropriate ability and commitment. International applicants with an IELTS score of 7.5 or higher are also welcome.Applicants of appropriate standard will then be invited to an interview. Interviews are arranged in April and August. Applications made during or after August for the forthcoming academic year can be considered in exceptional circumstances.English Language Requirements
* Brunel English Language Test (BrunELTS) - 75% (at least 70% in writing, listening and 60% in reading and speaking)
* IELTS - 7.5 (at least 7.0 writing & listening and reading and 6 in speaking)
* TOEFL (Internet Based) - 110 (at least 25 in writing and listening, and 20 in reading and speaking)
* TOEFL (Paper Based) - 637 (plus TWE 4.5)
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 7.5 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade C (Score: 60) |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 637 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 110 |
Ask a Question
You can contact Celia Brayfield to ask a question about Creative Writing - The Novel at Brunel University.
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