Course summary
100% of students said that they were overall satisfied with this course, according to the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2021 The programme offers you a range of tutor and peer-led opportunities to produce new writing and critically reflect on that practice. We focus on the expressive potential and persuasive power of language whilst encouraging you to critically explore texts and their relationship to the world. The course will develop writing; be that in prose, poetry, life writing, creative non-fiction, script-writing or in combination or discussion across these forms. In addition, two industry-specific pathways have been developed to focus on employability in specific sectors: Creative Writing for Gaming focuses on script and narrative design in digital games. Creative Writing with Publishing allows students to work on the production of books by taking two modules from our successful and well-regarded MA Publishing. The degree without a specialist pathway maintains a strong focus on employability. Everyone gets the opportunity to pitch their work one-to-one to a literary agent. Furthermore, all students receive advice and guidance from working writers who will take you through contracts and tax, the business of publishing and how to run a workshop.
Assessment method
During each module you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your levels of knowledge and understanding when completing the various components of the module assessments. These ‘summative’ assessments are detailed in each module specification. Regular and frequent interaction with module tutors and other students will enable you to demonstrate and deploy your understanding of your own writing, not to mention the theories and concepts being studied, as well as helping you to reflexively evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, abilities and talents. It is in the nature of Master’s programmes that formative activity is a central part of both formal teaching sessions and one-to-one tutorials, and the module tutors will be mindful to give you timely and ample feedback on your learning. Formative assessments are not graded.
Entry requirements
The entry requirement to this programme is a good honours degree (1st or 2:1) in any subject, or its international equivalent. Applications may be considered if you have a 2:2 honours degree and/or can demonstrate significant experience with creative writing or related industry experience or aptitude. Such students would have plans for a creative project, which they would wish to follow through to completion. The university welcomes applications from every sector of society. It is important that we get to know you, your aspirations and your expectations. Therefore, before being accepted on to the programme all applicants will be invited to an informal interview to discuss the course, the nature of the programme, and what will be expected of you during it. You may be expected to bring a small sample of your writing, between 1,000 to 2,000 words to this interview, which will normally take place at the university campus, but special arrangements may be made if you have difficulty attending. While a good, competent all round standard of English is expected, if English is not your first language you will need to have passed the International English Language Teaching System (IELTS) at the overall level IELTS 6.5, including a minimum score of 5.5 in each test category. (Where appropriate the university’s International Admissions office can give further details, including information regarding approved IELTS test centres.) The English language qualification required by this programme is at a higher level than that required for other university programmes: the reason for this is that throughout the MA Creative Writing programme you will have to work with the English language at an advanced level.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £14700* | Year 1 |
| England | £6300* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £6300* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £6300* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £6300* | Year 1 |
| International | £14700* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB