MA/MRes/PGDip Creative & Professional Writing

RAE 2008
100% of RU’s submitted work in English Language and Literature was recognised either internationally or nationally for its originality, significance and rigour, with more than 30% of that work regarded as being either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. More information.

Who is this course aimed at?

Our programme will refine your knowledge and practice of writing. We aim to help you improve your writing skills by offering detailed and specialised encounters with writing theory and practice. These encounters will expand your awareness of the context and the skills needed for contemporary writing. Our focus on contextual and theoretical engagement will contribute to your development as a professional writer.

Why study an MA in Creative and Professional Writing here?

One of the unique features of this degree is its strong link with other postgraduate programmes such as the National Centre for Research in Children’s Literature. Along with the potential for studying writing across disciplinary boundaries, we offer specialised courses in fiction, poetry, writing for children, nonfiction and screenwriting. This wide scope provides a rich and diverse learning experience which encourages you to develop your own personal approach to writing.

We also offer a supportive environment, where you may generate and develop peer-editing groups, workshops, and readings.

Its location in London also makes it an ideal base from which to investigate (and potentially participate in) the capital’s varied literary communities.

For examples of current students' work, view the Roehampton Writes web magazine.

Jacqueline Wilson at Roehampton

The award-winning children’s author has been named a Professorial Fellow of the University. Jacqueline will draw on her expertise to offer students on the MA Creative and Professional Writing programme an insight into being a highly successful writer who knows how to engage children and address their concerns in thought-provoking narratives.

Business of Writing

Students are invited to attend a seminar series that explores the wider context in which all writers work: the world of editors, agents, critics, publishers, producers, distributors, marketers and sellers who shape the market and act as gatekeepers to the reading or viewing public. Lectures are led by professionals from the creative industries. Past speakers include:

Deborah Moggach, novelist and screenwriter
Moris Farhi, novelist
Carole Seymour-Jones, biographer
Mitzi Szereto, novelist
Simon Booker, television and screenwriter
Peter Robinson, literary agent
Daniel Crewe, editor, Profile Books
Alex Bonham, editor, Hodder & Stoughton
Karin Stoecker, managing editor, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Jess Brownrigg, film director
Melanie McGrath, journalist and nonfiction writer.

In addition to this the poets, novelists, and nonfiction writers from Roehampton's own Creative Writing and other programmes also lead the series.

Related programmes

• Children's Literature
• Journalism
• Translation
•

General programme information

There are two main components to the course:

The first component consists of coursework; students must take the following compulsory modules:

Creative reading and viewing: research and theory for writers (compulsory module)
Research and theory for writers

Students can choose any three optional modules from:

Fiction: how to grow stories
Writing for a child audience
Poetry: form and innovation
Creative nonfiction and journalism
Knowing and subverting the rules: screenwriting for independent film
Screenwriting for independent film

Students may also count optional courses from MAs in Journalism Studies and .

View information about each Creative Writing module.

The second component of the MA in Creative and Professional Writing requires you to develop a portfolio of individual creative work (e.g. a selection of poems or a screenplay) of no more than 15,000 words. It is accompanied by a self-critical analysis, in which you respond to your portfolio by indicating a critical awareness of your practice. Although the portfolio—with its emphasis on the practical aspects of creative writing—is at the core of our programme, the self-critical analysis reflects our concern with encouraging you to develop a personal and theoretical understanding of the craft.

MRes students

MRes students take the compulsory module, one optional module and then follow the second component, producing a portfolio of no more than 30,000 words. The MRes offers an earlier opportunity for more self-directed study with full tutorial support.

Teaching and learning methods

The Creative and Professional Writing taught modules, which run in two sections from October to December and from February to April, consist of lectures, seminar discussion, workshops, and individual tutorials. These modules will be assessed by a combination of creative and critical samples of writing. Although each module includes a theoretical component, assessment of all modules is weighted primarily on practical writing projects. The modules prepare you for writing your portfolio and self critical analysis during the final section of the programme year, which runs from May to August. During the portfolio stage, you meet regularly, on a one-to-one basis, with your individual tutors.

Career progression

The qualification and skills gained from this degree will offer you a number of career possibilities, including working as a professional writer, working in the publishing industry, working in the media, or continuing to study for a PhD at Roehampton or at another university.

For more information about possible career paths please speak to our Careers Service

Entry requirements

A good second-class honours degree (or above) as well as a portfolio of writing, consisting of 4,000 words of prose (Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Journalism) or 25 pages of poetry or a completed short film script with a 2 page proposal for a longer work.
If a candidate demonstrates sufficient skill and professional experience in writing, the previous degree requirement may be waived.
English requirement is IELTS 7.0 or equivalent (with 7 in writing)

You can also view our postgraduate entry requirements.

Length of programme: Full-time: 1 year; Part-time: 2-4 years
Number of places: Full-time: 20 Part-time: 20
Programme start date: September
Number of Credits: PGDip: 120 credits MA: 180 credits MRes: 180 credits
Fees: Band 2
Contact the course convener: Peter Jaeger
Further information: Peter Jaeger
Email: p.jaeger@roehampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 8135
Programme details
Module details