Professional Writing MA
University of Westminster
Key Information
Select location
Campus location
London, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 15,000 / per year **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* we urge applicants to apply as soon possible and recommend applicants to apply at least three months before the course starts
** international | UK: £8,500
Introduction
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 connections
We 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 focus
The 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 facilities
Access to state-of-the-art facilities – TV and radio stations, design studios, exhibition spaces, libraries and archives, cinema and theatre.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Graduates will have the knowledge, skills and experience to work in a variety of positions within and beyond the literary and arts sectors, including in publishing, journalism, public relations, advertising, as literary agents, or as copywriters and copyeditors.
You'll graduate from the course ready to enter or re-enter the job market with a wealth of experience and knowledge, equipped to challenge and diversify the literary and creative industries and shape the future of writing.
The University's Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
- Grow your network
Opportunity to work closely with practitioners, academics, writers, translators, journalists and other industry professionals who are at the top of their respective fields. - Diverse career options
An MA in Professional Writing will open doors into a wide range of creative, cultural and communication industries. - Develop your CQ
Study in a globally diverse environment among students from across the world and develop your Cultural Quotient (CQ).
Industry links
The University of Westminster sponsors the Republic of Consciousness Prize, which supports, promotes and celebrates small presses in the UK and Ireland. Students have the opportunity to work on this as part of the Small Press and Professional Writing module, giving real-world experience whilst also supporting small press.
Job roles
This course will prepare you for a variety of roles, including:
- Copywriter
- Copyeditor
- Proofreader
- Journalist
- Literary agent
- Public Relations Practitioner
- Advertising Professional
- Publishing Professional
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, comprising a set of core and optional extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Admissions
Curriculum
On the Professional Writing MA, you'll take three core modules and either the Professional Writing Project or the MA Dissertation. You can then choose two further 20 credit option modules.
The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.
Core modules
- The Story and the Book
- The Writing Business
- Working with the Words of Others
- MA Dissertation or Professional Writing Project
Option modules
- English Worldwide
- Journalism Practice and Inclusive Society
- Mapping and Imagining the City: Non-Fiction and Poetic Writing
- Multi-Media Journalism Skills
- Persuasion, Propaganda and Influence
- Quality Assurance and Project Management for Translators
- The Small Press and Professional Writing
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Program Leaders
English Language Requirements
Certify your English proficiency with the Duolingo English Test! The DET is a convenient, fast, and affordable online English test accepted by over 4,000 universities (like this one) around the world.