MA Creative Writing

• This programme offers you a range of opportunities to learn, research and workshop different approaches to creative writing and critically reflect on your practice.

• 100% of students said that they were overall satisfied with this course, according to the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2021.

• The course will develop your creative writing; be that in prose, poetry, life writing, creative non-fiction, script-writing for films, plays or video games or any combination of the above and more! In addition, we offer industry-focused pathways:
  
  • Creative Writing for Gaming focuses on script and narrative design in a variety of games (such as role playing games and video games)
  • Creative Writing with Publishing enables students to work on book production by taking modules from our MA in Publishing.
• The degree has a strong focus on employability. Students get the opportunity to pitch their work to a literary agent. Plus they receive advice from experienced writers including guidance on contracts and tax, the business of publishing and how to run a workshop.

• The course gives all students the opportunity to undertake arranged work experience in the arts or in communication. In 2022/2023, students were given the opportunity to work on the prestigious Writer’s Conference with the organisation Writing East Midlands. Graduates leave this MA with a portfolio of their own writing, prepared for a career as arts professionals or for progression to doctoral level study and teaching.

• In 2019/20, we had talks from twenty guest speakers and students took part in writing retreats, each with a guest lecture on writing and publishing. Our students have learnt from poets and novelists, literary agents and established screenwriters. In recent years we have had guest lectures by Dan Abnett, Meg Clothier, Sarah Dunnakey, Tom James, Momtaza Mehri, Natalie Olah, JT Welsch and James Wills.

"The programme continues to provide students with the opportunity to engage in modules that are at once challenging and nurturing, and to develop their skills as writers across a wide range of contexts and in close communication with a clearly dedicated team of staff. The programme’s outlook is striking for its combined emphasis on the practical real-world aspects of being a writer and the possibilities of experiment, conceptual and theoretical interrogation, and creative risk-taking."

—Dr Honor Gavin, External Examiner Report 2020.

Take a look at what our staff and students had to say about Creative Writing at Derby: