Course summary

The MA in Creative Writing and Contemporary Studies is run by experienced and forward-thinking teachers who have been enabling dynamic groups of students to improve their creative work and develop as writers for nearly two decades. They are proud of a growing list of published and prizewinning authors whose work started life in their seminars. If you have been writing creatively for a while and feel the need for professional support and feedback and the guidance of published authors and a cohort of like-minded people, then this course is for you. The MA Creative Writing and Contemporary Studies will help you to develop the craft of writing in various genres to a professional level. You will also develop your critical-thinking skills exploring critical methods and debates on experimental literature, media, popular culture, technology and cultural development. It will give you the opportunity to:

• develop confidence, sensitivity and discernment in analysis of your own and others’ work

• combine both practice-based learning with specialism in contemporary literature, culture and criticism, as well as the development of your own creative writing projects

• place your own writing in the context of developments in contemporary poetry, screenwriting, fiction and creative non-fiction

• cultivate a greater practical knowledge and understanding of the markets for poetry, fiction, screenwriting and non-fiction.

• Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

• In addition to working with the established and award-winning writers who teach the degree, you will have contact with industry professionals, such as publishers and literary agents, who offer a series of platform discussions in the summer term.

• The Mechanics' Institute Review, MIROnline, is a forum for the most exciting new writing in short fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction selected from students on this course and beyond.

• We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.

• the ability to use language more confidently, precisely and imaginatively

• independent research skills

• the ability to convey your ideas and build an effective argument

• the ability to analyse and process complex ideas.

• publishing

• agenting

• writing

• teaching

• performing arts

• advertising

• public relations

• game design

• education

• law

• the civil service and business roles.