MA Creative Writing Scriptwriting

Course Overview

Prepare for a career in writing for theatre, radio, film, or television with an MA in Creative Writing Scriptwriting that allows you to create dramatic writing across all media.

You’ll study the theory and practice of dramatic writing, analysing scripts and experimenting with a range of techniques in your original writing. You’ll develop your skills in constructive criticism and editing your peers’ writing, creating a writing community in the process. Your skill as a writer, and your understanding of your chosen industry, will grow with the professional insight that is the hallmark of our scriptwriting teaching.

You’ll be based in UEA’s world-famous Creative Writing department, which is part of the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing (you can follow us on Instagram!). You’ll be taught by renowned practitioners and industry experts through seminars, presentations, screenings, workshops, readings, and performance visits. You’ll study the core conventions of drama and apply them to your own writing. You’ll write a short script for your choice of medium, building an idea from concept to realisation and exploring the modes of script development that are common practice for working writers. You’ll write a long script as your final dissertation, under the expert supervision of a member of our faculty.

The Scriptwriting course has strong links to Norwich’s vibrant arts scene. Our students have worked with Norwich Theatre, Norwich Arts Centre, High Tide Theatre Company, Norwich Film Festival and film groups such as Norfolk Screen. Their work is regularly showcased at the Garage Theatre. They have also written for the Sainsbury Centre, for INK New Writing Festival and a recent street theatre collaboration with the Common Lot theatre.

Graduates of the course have gone on to win BAFTAs, and become Oscar-nominated screenwriters. Our alumni include acclaimed playwrights for the stage, writers for film and TV, and others with successful careers in radio, teaching and script editing.

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

Typical International Entry Requirements

Degree classification

UK Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalent

Degree Subject

Any subject

Additional Entry Requirements

Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of writing for assessment with their application - up to 30 pages of dramatic script/screenplay

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

IELTS:  7 overall (minimum  7  in Writing, 6 in Speaking, Reading and Listening) 

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

 If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.

Interviews

Promising candidates will be invited to one of our online interview days, which are scheduled across the academic year. Typically a candidate will be interviewed by two members of the Creative Writing faculty and we aim to inform candidates of the outcome within five working days. Unsuccessful candidates are welcome to re-apply, though not within the same academic year. Successful candidates will either be offered a place for the forthcoming academic year or a place for the following academic year (if it is felt that they need more time to develop as a writer). Once the forthcoming year is ‘full’ candidates will be offered a place on our reserve list with the option of a place for the following academic year if a place does not become available.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.

Employability

Graduates of the course have a variety of related careers. Some are acclaimed playwrights for the stage, such as EV Crowe and Bruntwood Prize winner Janice Okoh, or nominees such as Patrick Hughes and Martha Loader. Some are Oscar-nominated screenwriters like Deborah Davis. Some are writer/performers who make films and sitcoms, such as James McDermott. Some, like Paul Farrell and Rob Kinsman, work on television series such as Waking the Dead or Doctors. And others, like Mags Chalcraft, go on to take up a PhD. Our graduates have gone on to win BAFTAs, and work in radio, teaching and script editing – even running other MAs.

Example of careers that you could enter include:

• Playwright, screenwriter or radio writer
• Script editor
• Theatre outreach officer
• Podcasters
• Arts administrator
• Film director

Discover more on our Careers webpages.