Creative Writing

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Why study at Roehampton

Benefit from the department’s strong contacts with agents, editors and publishers across the field of writing.
Our in-house Fincham Press, provides opportunities for you to see your writing published.
One of the very few universities in the UK to offer modules in the areas of formally innovative poetry.
You can choose your preferred route through the programme, either practicing different forms of writing or specialising in one.
The Department is ranked in the top three in London and top 20 in the UK for English and Creative Writing (Guardian University Guide 2016).

This MA in Creative Writing degree is designed for ambitious, committed writers who are developing their independent writing practice. You'll be supported throughout your postgraduate studies by academic staff engaged in world-leading research.

Taught by published, working writers including acclaimed poets, novelists, journalists and screenwriters, this programme will focus on three main forms of writing: Fiction, Poetry and Fiction for Young Readers.

You will be supported to develop your personal writing style, learn how to make your writing more effective, how to break bad habits and how to professionally assess your work. You will graduate with the skills needed for professional practice in the creative writing industry, and with an understanding of the professional context in which those skills are marketed.

Every module on our MA Creative Writing degree has a strong focus on the writing industry, which means that it will prepare you for working in this competitive sector or for further academic study. Topics include the specifics of manuscript preparation; editing and redrafting; getting published and performance opportunities.

The department has thriving partnerships with Wimbledon Bookfest, Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, as well as with local schools, providing you with the chance to volunteer or undertake paid work experience during your time at Roehampton. Our in-house publishing imprint, Fincham Press, means you could see your work published or be involved in publishing other people’s work.

You’ll be part of a department that combines tradition and innovation, excellent teaching and world-class research - 80% of our research publications are ranked as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” for their impact. Plus, we are home to the National Centre for Research in Children’s Literature, which is regarded as the premier institution for children’s literature research in the UK. We also house the Roehampton Poetry Centre, which places the department at the forefront of the UK poetry scene.

The department also offers this MA Creative Writing programme with a specialist pathway, allowing you to specialise in one of the following: Fiction, Poetry or Fiction for Young Readers.

This MA focuses on three main forms of writing: Fiction, Poetry or Fiction for Young Readers.

In Fiction, you will explore two primary forms: the short story and the novel. Emphasis will be placed on structure and craft, and you will have the opportunity to engage with a variety of storytelling tools and models.

In Poetry, you will have the opportunity to explore the contemporary context of poetry and poetics, with a special focus on writing formally innovative work. You will question assumptions about language and the function of poetry and engage with diverse topics, including poetry as process; the materiality of language; literary affiliations and schools of poetry; intertextuality and found text; the contemporary long poem and non-narrative poetry.

In Fiction for Young Readers, you will explore a wide range of theoretical texts exploring definitions and concepts of children’s literature, from picture-books, fiction for young readers (6-12 years old) to texts for Young Adults (YAs), enabling you to contextualise and extend your own creative practice.

The compulsory module, Creative Contexts, introduces you to theoretical and research-based issues faced by creative writers, investigates “critical” writing as a form in its own right, and provides guidance on study skills.

Your seminars, workshops and tutorials will be complemented by guest lectures from industry specialists and off-site visits. Recent guest lectures have been given by Hellie Ogden at Literary Agency Janklow and Nesbitt, and trips have been organised to Tate Modern, the London Bookfair and Apiary Studios.

Compulsory modules
Creative Contexts
Dissertation
Archives

Optional modules
Fiction: Short Stories
Fiction: Novel
Fiction for Young Readers: Visual Narratives
Fiction for Young Readers: Young Adult Narratives
Poetry: Lyric
Poetry: Alternative Practice
Creative Arts in the Community
Publishing Contexts

Compulsory and Required modules
Compulsory and/or required modules may change when we review and update programmes. Above is a list of modules offered this academic year.

Optional modules
Optional modules, when offered as part of a programme, may vary from year to year and are subject to viability.

What our students say

"My lecturers really care about all of us succeeding in our chosen careers. They encourage me to push myself and experiment with my writing, which is also helping prepare me for a career in publishing."
Samantha Jo Gale, MA Creative Writing

Career options

Careers such as journalism, copywriting and arts management are possible on completion of this course.

The University is currently undertaking a review of the curriculum of this programme to ensure it continues to reflect the latest updates and new developments in the subject area. This will mean that the content and structure of the programme will be different from that described above. Please contact us for more information.