Master Creative Writing

Institution Oxford Brookes University
Method At the institution
Location Oxford
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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Master Creative Writing

Objectives The programme aims to help students develop and expand their insights, skills and resources in creative writing, while extending their understanding of related critical approaches, theoretical issues and social and historical contexts. The programme will provide students with the opportunity to work with established writers, industry professionals, literary studies specialists and their peers. The programme has full-time and part-time routes.
Entry requirements Applicants should normally hold a good honours degree (2.1 or above), or its equivalent, in an appropriate discipline and must be able to demonstrate ability in creative writing. A portfolio of recent creative work must be submitted (please be selective in your choice of pieces to include in the portfolio) and applicants may be interviewed. Applicants whose first language is not English should hold one of the following qualifications: * British Council (IELTS) Test: band 7 overall with at least 6 in each band * TOEFL: 600 or above (paper-based); 250 or above (computer-based); 100 or above (internet-based) * Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency: grade C or above * NEAB University Test in English for Speakers of Other Languages: Pass * JMB Test in English for Overseas Students: grade 1,2 or 3
Academic title MA / PGDip / PGCert Creative Writing
Course description The MA in Creative Writing involves taking the core compulsory module ‘Creativity, Writing and Textuality: Concepts and Practice’, two elective modules from those available (currently these include Poetry, Narrative, Writing Place, Writing Lives, Changing Literature, Story Development /Screen Writing), and completing a Major Project of writing in any genre.

For the PGDip, three modules are taken (‘Creativity, Writing and Textuality, Concepts and Practice’ and two electives from those available).

For the PGCert, two modules are taken (‘Creativity, Writing and Textuality, Concepts and Practice’) and one elective from those available.

The MA / PGDip / PGCert in Creative Writing will enable students to:

    * develop existing creative writing skills in a range of genres towards publishable standard
    * undertake a substantial creative writing project
    * practise creative writing and reading skills with a range of writing practitioners, including peers and published writers
    * acquire a practical understanding of the techniques of writing, editing and working within the parameters of the writing and publishing industry
    * engage with theoretical approaches to creativity and creative practice
    * demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of literary conventions and historical and contemporary contexts for writing
    * explore their own position as writers within specific locales and histories.

Teaching, learning and assessment

A variety of teaching and learning methods are used across the programme. All modules use more than one learning and teaching method. Some of the key teaching methods are: seminars, oral presentations and readings, workshops, visiting speakers, individual supervision, autonomous research and writing.

All modules are assessed by coursework (portfolios or pieces of work with a critical commentary) to about 6,000 words.

The Major Project of writing in any genre (with critical commentary) would normally be within the range of 15,000 to 20,000 words.