MA in Creative Writing

Transform your passion for reading into the ability to produce prose worthy of public recognition

Overview

Transform your passion for reading into the ability to produce prose worthy of public recognition. Whatever your genre of preference, be it literary fiction, nonfiction, or the likes of fantasy, mystery or romance – you will have the opportunity to hone your creative writing skills and discover the techniques seminal writers have used to significant effect:

  • push your creative boundaries and give shape to a strong and original creative voice
  • expand your knowledge of the literary canon and acquire the art of reading as a literary writer
  • gain an in-depth knowledge of structure which will help you towards a deeper understanding of your writing process
  • become conversant with a range of textual elements such as the use of dialogue, point of view, perspective and sensory detail and apply learned technique to your preferred writing genre
  • take your place within the international creative writing community. Critique the work of others and engender the view of published writers as colleagues from who you can learn
  • develop your practice as a creative writer, understand the editing and re-drafting process necessary to produce prose of a publishable standard.

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Course Details

Three start dates per year: January, May and September

Next course start date: 25 September 2023

Next welcome week: 18 September 2023

Duration: two years (part-time)

Format: online, with optional face-to-face events

Total fees: £10,300

Additional costs: due to the nature of the subject, and copyright restrictions placed on institutional libraries by some publishers, students will need to purchase some core texts.

Why this course?

It was Hull where Philip Larkin lived and worked at the University’s Brynmor Jones Library for 30 years, writing most of his best work. A seafaring city that connected outwards and brought some of the exotic back to northern England.

Embracing Hull’s global-facing outlook, MA Professor and accomplished author Martin Goodman describes the University’s MA Creative Writing as an inspiring and collegial environment for online students who want to develop their distinctive voice as a creative writer.

There is also the option to attend face-to-face events, as you seek public recognition and become a valued, active member of a vibrant international creative writing community.

Modules

This masters degree allows you to develop your confidence and craft as a writer within a supportive, creative environment. You will study the following modules:
Module 1 - The Writer's Craft (30 credits)

Because writing takes fire in the readers' mind, in this module, you will examine a wide range of literary works. Focusing primarily on textual elements including; sentence length and flow, perspective, choices of tense you will develop an understanding of how writers achieve their effects. Presented with sections of exemplary writing, you will move from your own visceral responses (e.g., excitement, intrigue, fear) to tracking how the writer deploys elements of craft to trigger desired emotions and atmosphere.

Module 2 - Writing the short story (30 credits)

Short stories allow emerging writers to complete narrative arcs and establish a reputation through published works before tackling the longer form of a novel. In this module not only will you develop an appreciation of short stories from a range of international writers, but you will take the short story form and make it your own. Note that this module will also cover two sub-genres within the form; micro-fiction and flash fiction.

Module 3 - Writing from Life (30 credits)

This module will introduce you to a wide range of nonfiction prose with a particular focus on travel writing, the essay, memoir, nature writing, and true-crime. You will produce your portfolio of work while practising a range of narrative nonfiction forms within a supportive, peer-driven environment.

Module 4 - Writing the novel (30 credits)

What is it about an opening chapter of a novel that makes it virtually impossible to put it down? Throughout this module, you will improve upon your novel writing skills. The critique of your writing in a workshop setting will help you develop a keen awareness of narrative and narration along with a deep understanding of archetypes as an essential part of storytelling. As you develop plot and structure, you will employ editing and redrafting techniques to produce work you are proud to publish.

Module 5 - The Writer's Portfolio (60 credits)

Creative writing is a rewarding process which requires immense personal discipline. In this module, you will receive guidance on how to structure your writing practice in this respect. Your prose portfolio (up to 15,000 words) represents the culmination of your MA Creative Writing programme. Here you will demonstrate your originality of ideas, grasp of technique and craft, presenting a unique and accomplished body of work to a publishable or near publishable standard.

How you will learn

Benefits of learning online with us

Your virtual classroom
Everything you need to complete your studies can be accessed on Canvas, our easy-to-use virtual learning environment (VLE). From reading academic feedback to engaging with fellow students, you can turn to Canvas whenever you have some free time for your course. Access it via your browser or through the Canvas Student mobile app for a convenient way to learn while on the move.
How online studying works
-Engage while you learn
 Your studies include an interactive mix of online discussion boards, on-demand lectures and live webinars. -Get help from your tutors when you need it
Through our online learning platform, you have easy access to support and feedback from your tutor. -Submit your assignments online
There's no need to worry about travel costs, visas, or time off work. All assignments are submitted and graded online. -Get started with basic hardware and software requirements
We make your online learning experience as hassle-free as possible. Visit our FAQs page for basic requirements. -Pay as you go or pay upfront
We offer flexible payment options so you can manage your finances.
Planning for your course
We know that many of our students are managing a number of personal and professional commitments while studying with us. While it can be a challenge to adapt to the added demands of a postgraduate programme, planning out times to study can help ensure you find your course enjoyable and rewarding. As with most part-time master’s courses, you’ll need to dedicate around 20 hours a week to studying, but the extra flexibility of online learning means you can choose the times that suit you best.

How students study with us

• No visas or moving costs
• Access course from anywhere in the world
• Spend approx. 20-25 hours studying each week
• All course materials are available on demand
• Revise on the days and times that suit you best
• Course modules broken down into weekly
segments
• Fit studies around work, family and social life
• Support with non-academic queries from a
student adviser team

Additional Support

As one of our students, you’ll have access to a range of services designed to support your studies and make your time with us as enjoyable as possible. -Our comprehensive online library of books, journals, and resources -A Student Advisor team to answer non-academic queries -Online software tutorials via LinkedIn Learning -The Students’ Union community -Career advice, CV creation, practice interviews, and more via our careers platform

Career prospects and opportunities

By studying this course, you should gain the confidence and practical skills necessary to produce creative writing of a publishable or near-publishable standard, in your genre of choice.

You’ll also gain valuable transferrable skills which are in-demand across the creative industries and beyond.

MA Creative Writing graduates often go into successful careers in a broad range of industries, such as :

  • Professional writing/authorship
  • Marketing and PR
  • Heritage
  • Tourism
  • Journalism
  • Broadcasting
  • Museum curating
  • Banking
  • Education

Improve your career

“The course has already created opportunities for me to write and to contribute to a new range of writing projects. I am more confident about my skills as a writer and about exploring new forms of writing.”

– Sonya, MA in Creative Writing

How to apply

Benefits of learning online with us

  • A minimum 2.2 Bachelor Honours degree or international equivalent. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may still be considered, but will need to present examples of relevant published work with their application.
  • A creative writing sample (fiction or non-fiction) of 1,500 to 2,000 words.
  • A personal statement of around 300-500 words.
  • An IELTS 6.0 score (with minimum 5.5 in each skill) if your first language isn’t English (or other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull).
  • One professional or academic reference.

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to apply, please get in touch with our course adviser team for advice.

 

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Share your details in order to receive information about this high quality online masters course.

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