Master in Creative Writing

The MLitt in Creative Writing develops original work while providing a critical and creative study in either poetry or prose. The MLitt offers technically oriented tuition by contemporary authors with an emphasis on best practice in contemporary writing.

The MLitt in Creative Writing is a one-year taught programme run by the School of English. The course consists of two semesters with taught components followed by an individual creative writing project taking place over the whole year, but with particular focus during the last three months.

Highlights

• Encourages critical thinking and writing – and the recognition of innate strengths and potential – in either poetry or prose and emphasizes the necessity of broad and well-informed reading in the development of an original ‘voice’.
• Helps to build awareness of creative industry norms and expectations as well as the potential in different areas, including genre and cross-genre work.

Teaching format

Teaching methods include seminars, workshops and individual tutorials.

Class sizes typically range from three to ten students, ensuring high levels of individual attention.

Modules are assessed through coursework essays, original writing and the final dissertation. The School of English prides itself on its support of student work through detailed feedback and commentary.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment.

Students take one compulsory module on research skills in Semester 1 and two modules in a chosen area over both semesters.

Compulsory

• Research Skills for Creative Writers: an introduction to gathering IT resources and library materials; primary skills such as proofreading, copy-editing and basic literary theory; the literary marketplace, and the roles of editors, publishers, agents and festival organisers.

Optional

Students choose two optional modules in a chosen subject area (prose or poetry) to take over both Semesters 1 and 2.

• Writing Prose 1 and Writing Prose 2: a critical and practical study of the writing of literary prose, including short and long fiction, as well as the literary essay, life writing and other non-fiction forms.
• Writing Poetry 1 and Writing Poetry 2: a range of essential topics in poetry and its composition, including the creative process, sound and sentence, the poetic line, imagery, metaphor, metre and meaning.

Dissertation

In August, students will submit an original piece of work in one of the following forms:

• Poetry: a collection of at least 20 pages of verse. Candidates who opt to submit a long poem or poems should do so only after consultation with their supervisor.
• Prose: a prose extract of around 15,000 words. It need not be the opening of the book, but it should be a continuous excerpt and it must be supported by a one-page outline or synopsis showing the intended development of the book.
• Short stories: one or more stories of 15,000 words in total. Prose work in other forms (for example, creative non-fiction) may be submitted but should be discussed in detail with a supervisor.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2019 entry.

Careers

Graduates of the course have gone on to become published writers or pursue careers in a range of sectors including journalism, marketing, publishing and teaching.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Entry requirements

• A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. At the discretion of staff, this requirement may occasionally be waived for candidates who demonstrate exceptional talent in their creative submission.
• If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• English language proficiency.

The qualifications listed are indicative of minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• supplementary application to the School of English (Word).
• CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
• an academic critical essay on an English literature topic (approximately 2,000 words).
• portfolio of original verse (10 poems) or prose (10 to 15 pages).
• two original signed academic references.
• academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language).

Funding

All School of English study applicants will be given access to the My Application portal. The Scholarships and Funding area of the portal includes an online catalogue through which you can apply for available relevant awards.

Recent Graduate Discount

The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.