Creative Writing: Prose Fiction
This Masters programme recruits every two years, with the next intake in October 2011.
Introduction
This MA programme aims to nurture the talents of creative writers through a combination of workshops, seminars and tutorial supervision, and to encourage new writing within a supportive but critical community. It is underpinned by the principle that development in creative writing is achieved through practice coupled with theoretical consideration. Thus, students are given the time and support necessary to write, and also the opportunity to explore issues of craft through extensive reading, critical debate and writing exercises. Students will also be introduced to facets of the publishing industry and the workings of literary agencies. Guest speakers include novelists, literary agents and publishers.
Content and Structure
Students attend two-hour sessions every Thursday evening during term-time. These sessions alternate between writing workshops and academic seminars exploring published texts. One other weekday evening is used, roughly fortnightly, for sessions on aspects of the writer's craft and research skills. Students also discuss their work with tutors in one-to-one tutorials, and there are two half-day Saturday conferences each year.
Brief Course Outlines
Fiction Workshops: a series of two-hour workshops spread
across the two years in which students' writing is discussed by the
group with the emphasis on constructive criticism and support.
The Short Story: a module offering an advanced analysis of
the modern short story, exploring the nature of the genre and its
formal techniques. Texts studied may include work by Katherine
Mansfield, J.D. Salinger, Raymond Carver, Margaret Atwood, James
Kelman and Rose Tremain.
Aspects of Craft: a series of two-hour seminars focused on
specific aspects of craft such as voice, character, dialogue, point
of view, setting, and structure.
The Novel: a module offering an exploration of the modern
novel, considering the genre's tradition, narrative techniques and
sources of inspiration. A range of novels will be considered
alongside texts such as David Lodge's The Art of Fiction and Milan
Kundera's The Art of the Novel.
Presentation/Publication: a series of sessions focused on the
presentation of one's writing on the page and in the flesh, and
exploring routes to publication.
Research Methods: a module exploring key skills in research
for academic work.
Final Submission: With guidance and supervision, students
will produce an extended piece of prose fiction for submission at
the end of the programme. This work will build upon and develop the
knowledge and understanding gained in the earlier taught courses and
workshops.
Assessment
Assessment will be by a combination of methods, including fiction submissions, critical essays and writing exercises.
Fees
Fee for this programme will be approx £1200 per year. For more information on fees and finance click here.
Entry Requirements and Selection Criteria
Applicants will normally have a good first degree in any subject. Holders of other qualifications will be considered individually.
They will also be required to submit a piece of prose fiction with their application, on the basis of which they will be selected for interview (details below, under "How to Apply").
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a serious commitment to writing, and the necessary enthusiasm, experience and time to achieve a Masters degree. The Programme team positively seeks a body of students from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages and experience.
How to Apply
All applicants must submit a piece of creative writing (between 2,000 and 4,000 words) with their application form, on the basis of which they will be selected for interview. This piece of work will be assessed as a guide to the candidate's potential on criteria such as: use of language, quality of observation and/or imagination, structure, thematic content.
Applications are invited from January 2011. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 27, 2011. Candidates should be available for interview in June/July 2011.
Copies are also available from Student Recruitment.
- Telephone 01227 782900
- Fax 01227 782888
- E-mail admissions@canterbury.ac.uk
For further information contact Dr Andrew Palmer:
- Email: andrew.palmer@canterbury.ac.uk
- Telephone 01227 782210