Course Content
The MA Creative Writing modules are taught by published authors who have hands-on experience of writing for publication. All modules will require you to write and bring work to regular workshop sessions. As well developing your own work, you will develop your skills as a critic, editor and researcher.
Our modules are delivered over one year full-time or two years part-time. This content is indicative and subject to alteration.
You have the opportunity to choose one of the below two optional modules:
Creative Writing Workshop 1: Craft and Construction
This module aims to provide you with a detailed understanding of the approaches and techniques associated with well-established shorter forms of writing such as the short story, the poem and the dramatic scene. You will have the opportunity to critically engage and experiment with diverse forms as well as develop your creative practice through weekly workshops focussing on new writing and feedback. This module will also help you in adopt an entrepreneurial approach to creative writing in relation to craft, literary criticism and market conditions. Through this module, you will develop a well-rounded understanding of the writing profession, informed by guest speakers and industry experts.
Creative Writing Workshop 2: Developing poetics, growing the text
This module aims to provide you with a detailed grasp of the approaches and techniques associated with longer, sustained forms of writing such as the short story sequence/collection, the poetry sequence/pamphlet, the short (screen)/play and digital fiction sequence. Seminars will provide you with opportunities to analyse and critically examine texts, concepts and each other's work as well as develop your own writing skills through task driven workshops, exercises and assessment.
This module will support you to develop a systematic understanding of the longer writing forms; demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques and methodologies in creative writing practice; address your own writing abilities and (self) reflect on your writing and that of others; critically evaluate research and advanced scholarship; demonstrate self-direction and autonomy in planning and implementing your own creative outputs; and exercise initiative and personal responsibility.
"Juvenile Trash": Rethinking Genre Fiction (Optional module)
Genre fiction is often seen as frivolous and less important than ‘serious’ literary fiction. In this module we ‘rethink’ genre fiction, digging deeper to evaluate the aesthetics, politics and undeniable value of genre fiction. In our seminars, we explore a range of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, crime fiction, historical fiction, romance, and children's literature.
We examine the way in which various texts – Shirley Jackson’s 'The Haunting of Hill House', Octavia Butler’s 'Kindred', Walter Mosely’s 'Devil in a Blue Dress', or Sarah Waters’s 'Fingersmith', for instance – show that genre fiction can both entertain and challenge. Seminars will provide you with opportunities to critically examine texts as well as to develop your own writing skills through genre-specific writing exercises and workshops.
Space, Environment and Modernity (Optional module)
In this module you will examine how literature both reflects and shapes the way we see the environment—not just the green landscape but the grey cityscape. You will do this by considering literature’s responsibility for the production of concepts of the countryside and the city, from the early nineteenth-century Romantic poets, through to contemporary novelists. This examination will entail a consideration of the interrelation of aesthetic, cultural, and social practices in representations of the environment, and an analysis of intellectual, cultural, historical, and sociological pressures that shape literary responses to the environment. Seminars will provide you with opportunities to critically examine texts as well as to develop your own writing skills through writing exercises and workshops.
Literary and Critical Arts Research Methods
This module seeks to develop active and innovative researchers who are sensitive to the ethical and cultural choices they make as contemporary writers and critics. Throughout this module, you will be asked to consider what it means to learn and the approaches which are necessary to undertake robust and unbiased research. You will be introduced to a variety of research methods which will help to develop your practical research skills as well as your literary and critical practices.
Dissertation
The Dissertation module provides you with the opportunity to undertake a sustained, rigorous and independent investigation of a specialised topic in their chosen discipline area within the contexts of creative writing.
Learning & Teaching
This MA Creative Writing degree is taught by active researchers and writes who regularly publish poetry, short stories, nonfiction, novels, hybrid work and more.
Most modules are taught through group workshops, seminars and online delivery. Some modules will also include individual tutorials and the dissertation module is delivered entirely through one-to-one tutorials with your supervisor.
In workshops and seminars full use is made of University technology and course materials will be delivered and stored through our Virtual Learning Environment. It will be possible for you to access the Virtual Learning Environment remotely and you will be encouraged to do so.
All modules are 30 credits apart from the dissertation which is worth 60 credits.
In a 30-credit module you will receive 33 hours of timetabled teaching and you will be expected to conduct 267 hours of independent study. The 60-credit dissertation is mainly conducted with independent study. You will receive 6 hours of tutorial supervision (this includes supervisors looking over your work) and you will be expected to conduct 594 hours of independent study.
Each student is appointed a personal tutor who will be available for academic advice, pastoral support and personal development planning. Tutors also have weekly office hours.
A critical but supportive environment is achieved through a combination of workshops, research seminars and e-learning. You will be introduced to the practicalities of preparing and submitting your work for possible publication.
Assessment
We have a variety of approaches to assessment across the programme depending upon the module.
In the creative writing workshop modules you will be assessed on your creative writing (i.e poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, script or hybrid works) and through critical reflection of your work.
In the optional modules ("Juvenile Trash": Rethinking Genre Fiction and Space, Environment and Modernity) you can choose your method of assessment (creative portfolio and critical reflection, or essay.
Modules also make use of Virtual Learning Environments for assessments and you may be asked to view material online and then to respond to it (Literary and Critical Arts Research Methods).
You will receive tutor support in class and through our VLE in order to prepare you for each assessment point. We also have library facilities online and at campus.
Employability & Careers
Many of our students use the course to generate and hone their own writing for publication. Our creative practice modules are designed with eventual publication in mind. Our assessments are designed around publication, performance and/or production. Several of our students have had publication and industry success (see below).
The MA is also a great choice for those wishing to enhance their employment and professional opportunities in editorial and publishing careers. The programme is suitable for those who would like to become teachers of English literature and creative writing as well as those who are already teachers. For example, teachers of English at 'A' Level and GCSE often find the course suitable for professional development purposes, providing them with skills to enhance their teaching of English literature creative writing within their current curricula.
Our MA is appropriate for those who would like careers in community-based education and practice. The course also prepares you for further study at PhD level at Cardiff Metropolitan University and beyond.
This degree will encourage you to develop the valuable transferable skills of autonomy, effective collaboration, self-direction, organisation, initiative and adaptability that are highly regarded in the workplace.
A few student successes:
Kate Delaney is an experienced digital marketer with a focus on social media management for small businesses and the book industry.
Dan Mitchell is an award-winning stand-up comedian, comedy writer, TV and radio actor, presenter and event host/compere. His is also a Facilitator for Roald Dahl exhibition at the Wales Millennium Centre.
Keren Williams is Children's Digital Assistant at Candy Jar Limited publishing company (2018)
Durre Shahwar is Associate Editor of Wales Arts Review. She is a Cardiff-based writer. She has a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing & MA in Creative Writing, both from Cardiff Metropolitan University. She is a Word Factory Apprentice 2017, mentored by Alexei Sayle. In 2015, she was commended for the Robin Reeves Prize for Young Writers.
Barbara A Stensland (MA Creative Writing) writes a blog about living with MS that has recently been published as a book, 'Stumbling in Flats' (2015). It has been shortlisted for The International Rubery Book Award 2015.
Alex Sambrook (MA Creative Writing) had a short story shortlisted in the prestigious Bridport Short Story Competition (2012).
Entry Requirements & How to Apply
Applicants should usually have a 2.2 honours degree, in a relevant subject. Students that meet the criteria will be invited for interviews.
Selection Procedure:
Submission of online application form, please check Compulsory Supporting Documents
here. Suitable applicants will be interviewed via Teams or over the phone.
International Applicants:
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.5 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the university via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at
www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.
If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the
RPL page.
Additional Information
Partner Employee Discount
There is a fee discount of 25% available to part-time students who are employed in one of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s partnership schools for Initial Teacher Education and Training or partnership employer community. Eligibility criteria and terms apply. For further information please contact Admissions.
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