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UEL launches new Masters degree in Writing: Imaginative Practice

Monday 26 March 2007

The University of East London (UEL) is set to develop the potential of promising local authors through the launch of a new Masters degree in Writing: Imaginative Practice.

Celebrated Canadian author Tessa McWatt will lead the MA's teaching team of renowned novelists, poets and script-writers. Tessa is currently working with ScreenSiren to develop her screenplay of John Berger's novel To the Wedding. Her own fifth novel, This Body, will be published in the UK by Macmillan on 27 April.

Tessa said: “Writing has been a passion of mine since childhood, and I'm excited by the opportunity this new MA offers for aspiring authors to develop their own creativity and enthusiasm.

"The programme takes an exciting, mixed-genre approach to its subject, enabling students to greatly develop their critical and creative instincts. It will also reflect the distinctively cosmopolitan and international nature of UEL by encouraging students to expand their horizons and create exciting new hybrid forms.”

MA Writing: Imaginative Practice will enable students to develop their writing through workshops, seminars and tutorials, leading to supervised preparation for a practice-based dissertation. The MA will combine the strengths of many existing UEL programmes, incorporating film, drama, music, new media, fiction and poetry.

Alongside Tessa, the core teaching team will consist of playwright Mark O’Thomas, poet Tim Atkins and script-writer Jill Nelmes. Mark’s translation of Drende (Drylands) will be on stage at the Hammersmith Lyric Theatre in May and his own play Chet Baker – Speedball will premiere at the London Jazz Festival in November. Tim will begin a reading tour of the US in April to mark the publication of his latest collection, Horace. Jill currently has screenplays in development with various production companies, including the BBC.

MA Writing: Imaginative Practice is offered as a full-time or part-time programme, starting in September 2007. Most seminars and workshops will take place in the evenings. For further information, contact Tessa McWatt on 020 8223 7237 or visit www.uel.ac.uk

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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