Skip to Content

detail

MA (T) English - Creative Writing

Academic Year 2017/18

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

MA (T) English - Creative Writing

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Arts

Programme Code

ENG-MA-CW

UCAS Code

JACS Code

W800 (DESCR) 100

Criteria for Admissions

The programme entry requirement is a good 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant subject or equivalent recognised qualification. In certain special circumstances, alternative entry criteria (e.g. strength of previous publications) may apply. All applicants are required to submit a piece of written work to assess their suitability for this programme.
International candidates require at least a British Council IELTS qualification of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Please note, applicants for this course are required to submit a 10-15 page sample of creative writing.

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

1 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Arts, English and Languages

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

English (2015)

Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

N/A

Programme Specific Regulations

Students must pass the taught modules (120 credits) before undertaking the dissertation (60 credits).

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

The MA in Creative Writing offers students the opportunity to hone their creative writing talents in prose and script-writing within an atmosphere of intellectual and interactive inquiry into the prevailing genres and practices of contemporary creative writing. Through taught modules and supervision that encourage a stimulating exchange of ideas and skills regarding new writing and that foster the development of new talents, it attracts students from local, national and international contexts who have demonstrated their creative writing ability, and offers them the best possible learning and teaching experience, in an environment of equality, tolerance, and mutual respect.
Specific aims include:

equipping students to use their literary talents to the best of their ability, to develop as independent writers and self-reflective lifelong learners;

raising awareness of the history of creative writing in the School of English and the many acclaimed writers who have studied here;

developing and keeping under review the teaching and assessment of creative writing in response to student feedback and external assessors' reports;

providing students with a broad understanding of the literary market place and of the commercial aspects of literary production;

encouraging future generations of new writers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

recognise and appreciate the varying effects of different literary and linguistic forms of expression;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

think independently, analytically, synthetically, and in an organised fashion;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

work autonomously, manifested in self-direction, objective-setting, prioritising and time-management;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

critically analyse and assess their own performance, and that of others, in the context of creative and scholarly endeavour;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

summarise and synthesise theoretical and experiential learning, drawing on a range of evidence and perspectives;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

analyse and interpret material with an awareness of both historical contexts and appropriate technical approaches;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

differentiate between and critique different creative and theoretical positions;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

identify appropriate and practicable areas for further work and to formulate suitable written responses.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

display effective oral and written communication skills;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

demonstrate mature interpersonal skills and the ability to work productively in a group context;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

develop efficient time-management skills, including the ability to work under time pressure;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

offer and receive constructive criticism of their own and others’ work, and to respond positively and productively to feedback on their own work;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

think creatively and maturely in diverse intellectual situations;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

access electronic databases and other information sources;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

identify and use appropriate resources;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

deliver a creative writing project.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Class discussion, based on student presentations and directed by staff, thereby allowing students to test the utility of varying approaches and contexts and confidently to define the ways in which they can most effectively participate in creative debates.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

read texts in interrogative ways to widen skills and learn new methods of creative expression;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars on aspects of craft, the development of technique, the demands of structure; and approaches to characterisation.

Methods of Assessment

A creative piece written in response to one of the module’s set texts.

develop their own writing in the genre of their choice;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Workshops in drama and prose identify and concentrate on the fundamentals of the chosen genre of writing.

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

demonstrate how the production and transmission of texts influences issues of interpretation and intentionality;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Workshops in drama and prose identify and concentrate on the fundamentals of the chosen genre of writing.

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

understand the dynamics of the relationship between creative writers and the publishing industry, film and theatre, broadcasting etc.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Workshops in drama and prose identify and concentrate on the fundamentals of the chosen genre of writing.

Skills are nurtured through class debate and discussion, through the drafting of creative work, and through the practice of writing.
Workshop sessions in a range of written forms encourage students to respond to other writers’ work, and to take on board constructive criticism of their own writing.

Library work, and the use of QConnect and other on-line resources, will ensure that students have a rich source of different creative and critical frameworks to draw upon.

Methods of Assessment

All modules culminate in assessed exercises and the MA culminates in a final dissertation. Students are required to meet fixed deadlines for the submission of work, thereby emphasising the importance of objective-setting, prioritisation and time-management.

Researching and writing final dissertation/drafting final portfolio of creative work in the chosen genre (drama/life writing/prose/scriptwriting) for assessment.

know current practices for preparing creative writing for agents, editors, publishers, theatre companies, broadcasters etc;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific research methods seminars discuss some of the practical, legal, and ethical implications of publishing creative work.

Methods of Assessment

A piece of original research as the basis of a new creative work in the form (prose or drama) of their choice.

discuss and analyse methodological issue relevant to creative writers;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific research methods seminars discuss some of the practical, legal, and ethical implications of publishing creative work.

Methods of Assessment

A piece of original research as the basis of a new creative work in the form (prose or drama) of their choice.

articulate the practical, legal, and ethical implications of publishing creative work;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific research methods seminars discuss some of the practical, legal, and ethical implications of publishing creative work.

Methods of Assessment

A piece of original research as the basis of a new creative work in the form (prose or drama) of their choice.

have a greater understanding of creative writing in general and their own writing in particular.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific research methods seminars discuss some of the practical, legal, and ethical implications of publishing creative work.

Methods of Assessment

A piece of original research as the basis of a new creative work in the form (prose or drama) of their choice.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

read and respond to the work of other writers with a greater understanding of the works’ formal and structural properties;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Dedicated workshops in the chosen genre.

Methods of Assessment

Oral feedback on the work of other writers.

take what they have learnt of the craft of writing – e.g. structure, characterisation, voice - and apply it to their own work, which should emerge as more achieved and distinctive as a result;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Creative writing workshops and the drafting processes involved in preparing work for assessment and particularly for the final dissertation project.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed exercises and the dissertation.

present their own work in accordance with established norms of presentation of creative writing for agents, editors, publishers, theatre companies, broadcasters etc.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Creative writing workshops and the drafting processes involved in preparing work for assessment and particularly for the final dissertation project.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed exercises and the dissertation.

deliver a completed creative work in a chosen genre.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Creative writing workshops and the drafting processes involved in preparing work for assessment and particularly for the final dissertation project.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed exercises and the dissertation.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

S1

S2

 

 

Core

Option

Coursework %

Practical %

Examination %

Fiction: Creative Writing Workshop 1

ENG7292

7

20

YES

10 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Dissertation Creative Writing

ENG7099

7

60

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Scriptwriting: Creative Writing Workshop 1

ENG7097

7

20

YES

10 weeks

N

YES

90%

10%

0%

Creative Writing: Craft and Technique

ENG7093

7

20

YES

10 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Life Writing

ENG7291

7

20

YES

10 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

From Page to Stage

ENG7194

7

20

YES

10 weeks

N

YES

50%

50%

0%

Creative Writing Workshops

ENG7196

7

40

YES

10 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Notes