Creative Writing: Writing the City MA

Course summary

The Creative Writing: Writing the City MA is the only Creative Writing MA course to focus entirely on the city of London. It will allow you to explore the city as subject matter from a range of perspectives and across all genres. It will also give you a theoretical and practical platform from which to develop your understanding, and become part of the London writing scene.

Taught by professional writers and researchers, our course offers plenty of opportunities to network with other writers, agents, TV producers and performance poets. As part of the MA, you'll be part of the team managing the Wells Street Journal, our student-led in-house magazine. You'll be based in the University's headquarters building at 309 Regent Street, which means you'll be writing about the city in the heart of London, with ready access to the capital's excellent academic, social and cultural opportunities, including the vibrant West End theatre scene.

You can begin in January or in September. To receive your Master's award, you'll need to complete taught modules for a total of 120 credits, covered by three 40-credit core modules, and the 60-credit Writing Project (giving a total of 180 credits).

The workshop-based structure of the course will allow you to learn through interactive practice. Classes are weekly and normally last two or three hours. Teaching will also include visits to selected London institutions to support certain aspects of writing, and you'll be encouraged to use various archives, theatres and galleries. Assessment methods include coursework portfolios, reflective logs, essays, and workshop leadership, as well as the 10-12,000-word writing project. There are no formal exams.

Top reasons to study with us

• Write in and about London – you'll be based in the heart of London, a city which will inspire your writing and unlock your creative potential
• Run our student-led magazine – you can gain publishing experience through managing The Wells Street Journal, our in-house literary magazine
• A course run by professional writers – you'll study multiple genres and be taught by professional writers and researchers
• Networking opportunities – networking is encouraged as part of the course, and you'll be perfectly placed to access London's writing and publishing scene
• Vibrant culture – you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a host of extra-curricular events, workshops and talks

The critical and practical skills you'll acquire by the end of the course will make you a strong candidate in many areas, including arts management, copy editing, education, freelance writing, journalism, media, publishing, theatre and performance-based writing, and research and academia.

This course will prepare you for a variety of roles, including:

• Copywriter
• Digital content producer
• Freelance journalist
• Screenwriter
• Teacher

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

• BBC
• University of Lancaster
• University of Winchester
• Vogue