Creative Writing - MA/PgD/PgC
Our Creative Writing MA is a rewarding taught degree, exploring a variety of techniques and approaches, including short story writing, novel writing, new and urban writing. The modules are specifically designed to develop you as a writer of fiction. A critical but supportive environment is achieved through a combination of workshops, research seminars and e-learning. You will be introduced to the practicalities of preparing and submitting your work for publication.
Course Content
Typical Modules:
View Course Structure document
Short Story Writing provides a thorough introduction to the short story. This is done through two distinct, but integrated, approaches: a detailed historical analysis of the development of the short story, with particular focus on twentieth century and contemporary writing; and secondly through the creative practice itself. Each week you’ll be encouraged to explore key techniques and approaches in your own writing, posting your work up on the module blog.
Novel Writing extends and deepens your engagement with fiction writing. The module provides you with a thorough introduction to the novel as a distinct fictional genre in the twenty-first century. As well as examining key works, you'll also be working on your own creative practice. A key part of the module focuses on the preparation of your work for publication.
In Writing the City, you’ll explore representations of urban space in your creative writing. And then New and Experimental Writing will encourage you to explore avant-garde and experimental literary techniques. In addition, Critical Practice prepares you for your dissertation through which you’ll be able to submit a substantial body of creative work with an informed critical commentary.
One of the great strengths of the programme is its flexibility. MA Creative Writing can be studied either full or part time. Modules can be taken individually, allowing you to control the pace and depth of your postgraduate study. Programme delivery is enhanced by the university’s commitment to e-learning. The modules Short Story Writing and Novel Writing can be taken as a distance learning option.
Career Potential
Cardiff has one of the largest media and creative-industry sectors outside London, including BBC Wales, ITV Wales, S4C, BBC Cymru Wales, the Western Mail and Wales on Sunday.
MA Creative Writing is perfectly situated to draw on this experience.
This degree will encourage you to develop the valuable skills of autonomy, effective collaboration, self-direction, organisation, initiative and adaptability that are highly regarded in the workplace. It is also perfect for anyone who wishes to develop their own writing for possible publication.
Stacey Taylor, MA English & Creative Writing (full time), won the It Started With a Kiss competition run by Authonomy in November 2011 with a 416 word flash fiction.
Lisa Derrick, MA English & Creative Writing (part time) has just been short listed for the ‘Best Writing Category’ of the Wales Blog Awards (September 2010). Her blog is available here.
Julie Owen-Moylan, a full time student from last year on MA English & Creative Writing (full time), has had a short story accepted in the anthology 'The Voice of Women in Wales', published by the Wales Women's National Coalition.
And John Davies, MA English & Creative Writing (part time), also known as the Cardiff-based musician, John Mouse, has recently recorded a session for Radio 1 at London's Maida Vale studios. Here he talks about the close relationship between song writing and short story writing.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should usually have a first or upper second-class honours degree, in a relevant subject. Students that meet the criteria will be invited for interview.
Key Facts
Campus: Cyncoed
School: Cardiff School of Education
Course Length: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
There are a number of ways you can undertake postgraduate study with us.
- If you wish, you can simply take individual modules (perhaps just one, or more, depending on your interest)
- If you wish to go further, you might choose to complete a Postgraduate Certificate (three modules chosen from a postgraduate programme)
- Further still, you might wish to undertake a Postgraduate Diploma (six modules from one of our programmes)
- Or you might wish to go for a Master's Degree, submitting a dissertation after completing the six taught modules
It's completely up to you.
All options are taught either full or part time. All teaching is done in the evening, full time on Mondays and Wednesdays, part time just one evening a week. The modules Short Story Writing and Novel Writing can be taken through distance learning.
Extra-Curricula:
Throughout the year, you will be invited to attend theatre trips, poetry and prose performances held in Cardiff. The Department regularly invites external speakers in to give presentations and readings.
In October 2011, the School published The C Word, an anthology of student writing, edited by Dr Kate North and published by Cinnamon Press.
Edward Hogan (winner of the Desmond Eliot Prize, June 2009) gave a reading and hosted a small workshop with BA English & Creative Writing students.
Past speakers have included Deborah Kay Davies (Welsh Writer of the Year, 2009); and the sci-fi writer, Alastair Reynolds.
Student work is regularly published on the Department’s online creative writing magazine, Nexus, and the University’s student lifestyle magazine, Cardiff’s Calling.
Assessment:
Assessment occurs through a variety of approaches, including creative portfolios, reflective blogs, poster presentations and dissertation.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the university. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply
Selection Procedure:
Application form, CV and interview.