This MA offers an exciting, mixed-genre approach to writing, allowing students to hone their writing through critical creative practice. The MA combines the strengths of many programmes (Theatre Studies, Film, Creative Writing, Music Cultures), allowing students fertile ground for experimentation and the possibility to break out of old forms and traditional restrictions.

The MA in Writing offers an exciting, mixed-genre approach to writing, allowing students to hone their writing through critical creative practice. This MA combines the strengths of many programmes (Theatre Studies, Film, Creative Writing, Music Cultures) allowing students fertile ground for experimentation and the possibility to break out of old forms and traditional restrictions.

• Full-time or part-time programme, in the evenings, and is taught by a team of renowned writers with international experience.
• Focus on new writing: expand personal frontiers; create hybrid forms.
• Practice as research approach.
• Emphasis on producing work for publication/performance/production that expresses contemporary writing and the cosmopolitan and international flavour of our university.
• Interdisciplinary workshops in drama, music, new media, film, fiction, and new poetic forms.
• Students are encouraged to explore the areas of Realisms, Genre, and Adaptation, leading to preparation for a practice-based dissertation.

Instruction on dissemination of outputs, including an examination of the issues surrounding access to distribution channels, agents, publishing, performance contexts, and alternatives to traditional avenues, including the Internet and the future of publishing.

Normally, we require a related first degree (2.1), in addition to an interview and submission of a writing sample. Mature applicants with a degree or equivalent experience, who may not meet the entrance criteria above, but who can demonstrate their potential as writers and a strong desire to participate in the programme, are encouraged to apply. This programme requires an excellent standard of English. If English is not your first language, we require that you demonstrate your English language skills by achieving an overall IELTS score of 7.0, including a minimum of 7.0 for the written element or an overall TOEFL score of 2627/63, with a minimum score of 5.0 TWE.

The programme runs over three semesters. Semester A and B run for 12 weeks each. Three hour classes will be held in the evenings to accommodate part-time students and those who are employed during the day. There are one to one tutorials throughout the year.

Full-time students:

Semester A: Experience; Genre
Semester B: Adaptation; Research Methods in Media Practice
Semester C (Summer): Practice-based Dissertation Supervision

Part-time students:

Year 1:

Semester A : Experience
Semester B: Adaptation

Year 2:

Semester A: Genre
Semester B: Research Methods in Media Practice
Semester C (Summer): Practice-based Dissertation Supervision

The core of the programme is the development of students’ writing through workshops, small seminars and tutorials, and supervision towards a practice-based dissertation. Students also take core modules in realism, adaptation, genre, and research methods. Each module is divided into a writing segment where students present and discuss their writing, and a critical segment in which essential works are given close textural readings, and elements of craft are explored through exercises and presentation. As a result, students engage in both writing and literature -- the creative and critical aspects of the MA

Assessment is done informally on an on-going basis during workshops, and formally in module outputs and the dissertation. In general, principles of assessment include the following:

• Emphasis on self-editing -- evidence of several levels of revision
• Demonstration of engagement with research, observation, structuring, development of voice and refinement of style.
• Critical analysis should contextualise student's work within the genre as well as in relation to contemporary authors and published work, including theory
• Evidence of collaboration or interaction in research or development of dissertation project with supervisor and other sources of feedback, including students/sectors in the school (performance art, media, journalism, music)
• Evidence of use forms and structures in different contexts
• Critical Reading and analysis of published work
• Self-reflective critique: evaluation should discuss formative elements over the course of the degree.

Many of the skills students will acquire during their degree programme will be highly valued in the workplace: clarity of expression and accuracy in written work, for example, and the ability to critically examine, analyse and reflect. In addition, during the course of your degree you will develop skills that are essential to any profession: self management, organisation and planning, the ability to work collaboratively, and to attend to both the smaller details and the larger picture.

The dissertation is an opportunity for the student to develop and produce a substantial piece of work that has probably, but not necessarily, arisen from writing produced in the core modules. The dissertation may focus on one style/form of writing or allow for differing creative forms to be integrated into the final body of work. For example, the student might mix poetic forms and fiction, or visual treatments and another form. Research as practice methodology will provide students with a deeper understanding of writing as well as their own creative process. A critical reflection on practice, theory, and the context of the student’s final work will also be an important part of the dissertation.

While the programme will provide the groundwork for future novelists and writers working in poetic forms (whether that be in the printed word, music, or art installation), there will also be, among the graduates, emerging dramaturges, with skills in script development and an engagement in critical approaches to performance writing. These skills can lead to careers in both the performing arts and the film and television industry as script readers and editors, as well as providing a firm foundation for those interested in becoming future theatre directors, playwrights, and screenwriters.

• Support from dissertation supervisor (personal tutor) and programme leader
• Individual feedback on your writing
• Individual tutorials from module leaders and seminar tutors
• Research as practice training, skills support, including IT and learning resources
• University-wide support network, including residential, student finance advice, careers advice, and help from the student support office.
• Access to Royal Literary Fund Fellow in Writing Centre

• Guest lectures from professional writers, agents, producers, directors, publishers
• Annual Literary Festival
• Writing Centre for activities, support and international exchanges
• E-zine of Students’ Writing
• Performance space for workshopping writing
• All tutors are practising professionals in their field
• Small student cohort; individual attention
• Location: exciting new campus in East London