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Master of Studies in Creative Writing

  • 1. Every candidate must follow for at least six terms a part-time course of instruction in Creative Writing.

  • 2. The course will consist of lectures, seminars, workshops, individual tutorials, and a placement.

  • 3. The examination will consist of the following parts:

    • (a) Two assignments selected from two of the genres listed in the schedule below. Assignments submitted for 1, 4, or 5 in the schedule should be no more than 2,500 words of prose. Assignments submitted for 3 in the schedule should be no more than 130 lines of poetry. Assignments submitted for 2 in the schedule should be: no more than 15 minutes (or c. 2500 words) of radio drama; between 12 and 15 minutes stage play (no more than 2,500 words); approximately 15 minutes or no more than 2,500 words of screen play.

    • (b) Two critical appraisal assignments of no more than 2,500 words, selected from two of the genres listed in the schedule below.

    • (c) A portfolio of creative writing which may be no more than either approximately 7,000 words of prose or approximately 350 lines of poetry; or no more than 40 minutes (or c. 7,000 words) of radio drama; or a stage play of between 35 and 40 minutes (no more than 7,500 words); or approximately 40 minutes or no more than 7,000 words of screenplay.

    • (d) Two extended critical essays, one of no more than 4,000 words and one of no more than 5,000 words, the latter related to the genre in which the final project is written, and both to be approved by the candidate's supervisor.

    • (e) A report on the candidate's placement of no more than 2,500 words.

    • (f) A final project on a topic selected by the candidate in consultation with his or her supervisor and approved by the examiners. The final project may take the format of one of the following:

      • (i) Apiece of prose fiction or narrative non fiction of approximately 25,000 words;

      • (ii) Radio drama totalling 90 minutes or approximately 18,000 words;

      • (iii) Stage play of 80 to 120 minutes (approximately 12,000 to 23,000 words)

      • (iv) Screenplay (entire) of 90 to 120 minutes in length (approximately 18,000-25,000 words)

      • (v) TV drama of up to 90 minutes (approximately 18,000 words)

      • (vi) A collection of poetry of between 40 and 60 pages AND between 600 and 1,200 lines.

    The second extended essay under 3(d) and the final project under 3(f) must be submitted using the University approved online assessment platform not later than noon on the third Thursday in September of the final year of the course.

    All other elements of assessed work shall be submitted via the University approved online assessment platform by dates published in the course handbook at the start of the course.

  • 4. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in 3 will be permitted to resubmit work in respect of part or parts of the examination which they have failed for examination on one further occasion, not later than one year after the initial attempt.

Schedule

  • 1. Prose fiction

  • 2. Drama

  • 3. Poetry

  • 4. Narrative non-fiction

  • 5. Any other option approved by any two of the examiners.