Writing – MA/PgDip/PgCert

The MA Writing is a professionally-focused course which treats your ambition as a writer seriously.

It will appeal if you are a graduate in the arts or a teacher with a professional interest in writing. It is also beneficial if you are a practising writer who would like contact with other writers.

To achieve the MA you complete a novel, script or collection of poems or stories. Some of our most successful students include best selling author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, Marina Lewycka, T.S. Eliot short-listed poet Frances Leviston and Radio 4 and BBC TV script writer Sharon Oakes.

Our internationally-acclaimed team of professional writers publish and teach in all areas of contemporary literary practice. They include• David Harmer – award-winning children's writer and performer
• Mike Harris – scriptwriter and theatre director
• Chris Jones – Forward prize-nominee poet
• James McCreet – literary detective fiction writer
• John Milne – award-winning TV dramatist and novelist
• Conor O'Callaghan – prize-winning poet and memoirist
• Maurice Riordan – poet (former editor of Poetry London)
• Jane Rogers – novelist, short-story writer and playwright (fellow of the Royal Society of Literature)
• Harriet Tarlo – environmental poet and editor

Our current visiting professors include
• Sean O'Brien – poet
• Michele Roberts – fiction writer

Funding
We have an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding award to give to one of our September 2013 entry MA Writing students. It will be awarded to the student who we feel is most likely to succeed in developing a professional writing career. Please e-mail Dr Kathy Doherty, head of postgraduate research, k.h.doherty@shu.ac.uk for further details.

E.A Markham short story scholarship
The E.A Markham prize is awarded to the best entrant in short story. It is usually for January entry students, although for this year only, we are offering one place for January 2013 and one place for September 2013 entries. This will be awarded to students specialising in short story and is based solely on merit and potential.

The award covers the full-time study fees for this course. It is offered in honour of Professor Emeritus E.A Markham who was a respected tutor here who worked to shape the development of this course. Download the E.A Markham award rules for more information.

Short course – single modules
If you are not able to commit to the whole course, you can apply to take a single module. Choose a genre from the optional modules listed in the course content and apply as normal. Your portfolio needs to include examples of writing in your chosen genre. The credit you gain for completing one module will count towards the full MA if you choose to pursue this at a later date.