The Professional Writing MA is designed for those who want to turn their love of words and writing into a dynamic and fulfilling career. It will give you the skills, motivation, networks and connections to work across a wide variety of industries – in publishing, journalism, public relations, advertising, as literary agents, copywriters and copyeditors. It will also allow you to explore the history and future of writing and the writing industries from a variety of perspectives and to develop your own interests and specialisms.
Professional Writing takes a broad, holistic view of writing because writing is not just about writing. It is about editing, about working with the words of others and with other languages, it is about the reader, and it is about the form into which the words are packaged. It is about essays and tweets, novels and headlines, criticism and advertising, prizes and publicity. As a result, the course brings together the combined expertise of English, Creative Writing, Media, Communication, and Film and Cultural Studies to offer a truly interdisciplinary MA.
In the course, you'll examine the changing role of professional writing through historical and theoretical debates and examples of contemporary professional practice across languages. From the story of the book to multimedia journalism, your modules will allow you to develop your skills and interests in a range of relevant professional contexts. You'll be taught through seminars, one-to-one and small group tutorials, practical sessions and workshops, together with an independent, student-directed study where you'll develop your own project or special topic with the help of an expert mentor. You'll work with academics, practitioners and industry professionals to gain an understanding of vocational issues, practices and concerns and will build up a network of contacts and connections within your chosen industries.
You could also choose to study this course with an extended work placement where you'll have the opportunity to take a placement/internship of 550 hours in a professional work environment, in addition to the taught components of the course. Find out more about the Professional Writing with Extended Work Placement MA.
Top reasons to study with us
Access to the University of Westminster’s fantastic facilities and connections
Opportunities for part-time work, placements and work-related learning activities are widely available to students
You'll be part of the student-led anthology, the Wells Street Journal, where you'll experience what managing an actual magazine involves
Some of the lectures will be delivered from our central London campus, which means ready access to the capital's excellent academic, social and cultural opportunities
Why study this course?
Established connectionsWe have links with London’s pre-eminent cultural institutions (e.g. The V&A, Tate Modern, BBC, The Guardian) and literary organizations (The Republic of Consciousness Prize).
Greater individual focusThe course will be taught by experts through small group teachings, one-to-one mentoring, and collaborative and solo work, leading to greater individual focus.
Fantastic facilitiesAccess to state-of-the-art facilities – TV and radio stations, design studios, exhibition spaces, libraries and archives, cinema and theatre.
