MA in Creative & Life Writing
This programme is designed to meet the needs of committed writers who are interested in exploring and exploiting their own possibilities as writers, and in critically examining their own writing. It is unique in combining creative and life writing in a stimulating and enriching programme. We examine relevant literary and cultural theory as well as the politics and practicalities of language and writing from the point of view of the writer.
Jack Underwood, former MA Creative & Life Writing student
12 months full-time or 24 months part-time.
You should have an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant subject, and submit a portfolio of your creative or life writing. If your first language is not English you need a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS or equivalent.
For information on College and departmental bursaries please see the Department of English & Comparative Literature.
Publishing, journalism, public relations, teaching, advertising, the civil service, business, industry, the media.
Transferable skills, including enhanced communication and discussion skills in written and oral contexts; the ability to analyse and evaluate different textual materials, the ability to organise information, and to assimilate and evaluate competing arguments.
Please see Tuition fees.
Goldfish on-line journal - work from students currently enrolled on the programme.
Please see Staff research interests.
English & Comparative Literature
Practitioner-led, the programme offers you the opportunity to work with a range of published writers who visit the College to give readings and lead workshops. Visiting writers have included Kazuo Ishiguro, Jackie Kay, Aminatta Forna, Ian Jack and Tobias Hill. We also expect to draw fully upon London’s rich tradition as a converging point for culturally diverse literary practices.
A workshop in creative and life writing will encourage you to experiment with, and develop your individual interests in, a variety of genres, while a seminar course will feature talks by visiting speakers. You also take an option course (such as Poetry, Fiction, Life Writing, or a course from the full range of MA offerings in the Department).
Assessment
Four pieces of writing of 5,000 words; portfolio of 20,000 words (poetry submissions may be shorter).
Application enquiries
Please see how to apply for information on applying to this programme.