Creative Writing, MA

The MA in Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent University is one of the longest established postgraduate courses of its kind in the UK, with a strong record of publication by its graduates. Designed for talented and committed writers, the course is taught by a team of award-winning writers and academics. The Centre for Creative Writing

This course is part of the Centre for Creative Writing. Find out more about our team of professional writers, latest news and alumni.

What will I study?

This MA is suitable for writers interested in exploring and developing their own creative work in a lively community of other writers and teachers. The course is based in a world renowned English department that received exceptional results in the latest Research Assessment Exercise with 85% of its research being rated as world leading or of international quality.

Special features

At the heart of the course are small group workshops and a series of seminars by staff, visiting writers, publishers and professors. Writer William Ivory, one of Britain's leading film, television and theatre writers, joined the team as Visiting Professor in 2012. Other guest speakers have included David Almond, Geoff Dyer, Michael Eaton, Alan Hollinghurst, Kathleen Jamie, Jackie Kay, Jonathan Lethem, David Lodge, Jon McGregor, Michèle Roberts and Miranda Seymour. Establishing important links with the publishing community, students work closely with staff and visiting speakers to develop their work to an excellent standard.

The unique flexibility of the course enables students to work in a variety of genres including fiction, poetry, children's and young adult fiction, writing for radio, stage and screen and creative non-fiction. Every year our students produce and publish their own high-quality anthology of original creative writing. This gives students invaluable insight into the editorial and publishing industry, as well as introducing their work to a wider public. Students also have the opportunity to build strong links with Nottingham's thriving literature community and are invited to participate in local events, readings and festivals.

The course invites you to develop your writing strengths by providing a framework within which you can discuss your own and each other's work. It is suitable for students with a talent for and commitment to creative writing. Ideally, students will also have experience of workshopping.

The core course consists of a series of lectures and seminars on different aspects of the writing process, with optional modules in the form of practical writing workshops. Students currently choose two options from fiction, children's and young adult fiction, poetry and writing for radio, stage and screen. Other options may be available.

The core course regularly hosts talks and readings by writers. Guests have included:

• David Almond
• Neil Arksey
• Carole Blake
• Jenny Diski
• Joe Dunthorne
• Geoff Dyer
• Michael Eaton
• Alan Hollinghurst
• Kathryn Hughes
• Jackie Kay
• Melanie McGrath
• Jon McGregor
• Hamish Macoll
• Kate Mosse
• Peter Porter
• Celia Rees
• Alan Sillitoe

Writers from the English department also contribute to the MA.

Modules

The MA in Creative Writing is organised into four modules:

• Core module – Writing: Theory and Practice
• Option One
• Option Two
• Dissertation

Option modules:

• Fiction
• Poetry
• Writing for Radio, Stage and Screen
• Children's and Young Adult Fiction

Part-time students complete the core module and their first option in Year 1, and the dissertation and their second option in Year Two. Modules run subject to demand.

Assessment

Students take the core module, two options and a dissertation (part-time students do the second option and dissertation in their second year). There are two assignments in each option.

Research opportunities

Creative Writing PhD supervision is also available.