MLitt Creative Writing

 A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. However, a candidate who demonstrates outstanding writing abilities may be accepted on the basis of an equivalent qualification (for example, a body of published work or a relevant professional qualification), but such cases are entirely at the discretion of staff and require decanal approval.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

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Graduates of the course have gone on to become published writers or pursue careers in a range of sectors including journalism, marketing, publishing and teaching. 

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Compulsory

The following module is compulsory for everyone studying Creative Writing: 

• Research Skills for Creative Writing: an introduction to primary skills such as proofreading and copy-editing; the literary marketplace, and the roles of editors, publishers, agents and festival organisers; the use of IT resources and library materials. 

Students who select the prose option for the MLitt will study the following compulsory modules over Semesters 1 and 2: 

• Writing Prose 1 and Writing Prose 2: a critical and practical study of the writing of literary prose, including short and long fiction, as well as the literary essay, life writing and other non-fiction forms.  
  Students who select the poetry option for the MLitt will study the following compulsory modules over Semesters 1 and 2:  
• Writing Poetry 1 and Writing Poetry 2: these cover a range of essential topics in poetry and its composition, including the creative process, the poetic line, the use of lyric, imagery, metaphor, metre, experimental practice, meaning and interpretation. 

Original Work

In August, students will submit a dissertation comprising original work in one of the following forms:  

• Poetry: a collection of at least 20 pages of verse. Candidates who opt to submit a long poem or poems should do so only after consultation with their supervisor. 
• Prose: a prose extract of around 15,000 words. It need not be the opening of the book, but it should be a continuous excerpt and it must be supported by a one-page outline or synopsis showing the intended development of the book. 
• Short stories: one or more stories of 15,000 words in total. Prose work in other forms (for example, creative non-fiction) may be submitted but should be discussed in detail with a supervisor. 

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.