Creative Writing - MA

Teaching

Teaching and assessment

You take a total of four modules, for which you will produce approximately 5,000 words each (or an equivalent number of poems or translations). In addition, you write a creative dissertation of about 12,000 words (or an equivalent number of poems or translations).

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

• provide you with the opportunity to obtain a postgraduate qualification (MA) in one year, and to allow you, if required, a smooth transition to doctoral studies
• give you the breadth of experience of studying creative writing modules in Paris.
• extend and deepen your understanding of your own writing practice through coursework and research
• enable you to develop an historical awareness of literary and creative writing traditions, particularly those that have been located in, or in some other way focussed on, Paris
• develop your independent critical thinking and judgement
• develop your independent creative thinking and practice
• develop your knowledge and understanding of relevant aspects of contemporary Paris and the literary history of the city with a view to you incorporating some of these aspects into your own creative and critical writing
• develop your understanding and critical appreciation of the expressive resources of language
• enable you to make connections across your various modules and transfer knowledge between modules
• provide you with teaching, workshops and other learning opportunities that are informed by current research and practice and that require you to engage with aspects of work and practice at the frontiers of knowledge.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You will gain knowledge and understanding of:

• key texts from contemporary British, American, postcolonial and world literatures
• the main aspects of literary techniques and theory in fiction, poetry, and/or hybrid forms, including point of view, form, style, voice, characterisation, structure and theme
• key literary traditions and movements, both contemporary and historical
• the cultural history of modern Paris, as reflected in art and literature
• terminology used in literary criticism
• terminology used in creative practice
• the cultural and historical contexts in which literature is written, published and read
• critical theory and its applications to both reading and writing
• the study and creation of the ‘text’ and how this is influenced by cultural factors
• inter- and multidisciplinary approaches to the advanced practice of creative and critical writing
• research methods.

Intellectual skills

You develop intellectual skills in:

• the application of the skills needed for advanced academic study and enquiry
• the evaluation of your research findings
• the ability to synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of theory and/or practice
• the ability to make discriminations and selections of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge
• exercise of problem-solving skills
• communication of complex ideas in prose, poetry or both
• adaptation skills: learn to work in different environments by adapting to the educational, cultural and professional environments of England and France, while adopting an interdisciplinary approach to literary and creative studies.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in:

• advanced creative writing skills in prose, poetry or both.
• the ability to produce work with ambition, depth, intellectual structure, sophistication, scope, independence and importance
• the ability to sustain a piece of creative work and make choices about form, content and style
• an understanding of a ‘whole’ in creative practice (whether this is a novel, a collection of poems or short stories or some other advanced project)
• the ability to present creative writing professionally, both orally and in writing, demonstrating an awareness and understanding of current practice
• advanced understanding of literary themes
• enhanced skills in the close critical analysis of literary and other texts
• informed critical understanding of the variety of critical and theoretical approaches to the study of texts and source materials
• an ability to articulate knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories relating to advanced English or cultural studies
• well-developed linguistic skills, including a grasp of standard critical terminology
• appropriate scholarly practice in the presentation of formal written work
• an understanding of how cultural norms and assumptions influence questions of judgement
• knowledge of French and European culture and literature
• knowledge of the cultural development of modern Paris, as expressed in literature, art and creative writing practice.

Transferable skills

You will gain the following transferable skills:

• advanced skills in communication, in speech and writing
• the ability to offer and receive constructive criticism
• the capacity to argue a point of view, orally and in written form, with clarity, organisation and cogency
• enhanced confidence in the efficient presentation of ideas
• the ability to assimilate, organise and work with substantial quantities of complex information
• competence in the planning and execution of coursework
• the capacity for independent thought, reasoned judgement, and self-criticism
• enhanced skills in collaborative intellectual and creative work
• the ability to understand, interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and/or creative positions and weigh the importance of alternative approaches
• research skills, including scholarly information retrieval skills
• IT: word-processing, the ability to access electronic data and the ability to work efficiently and effectively in an online learning environment
• living and working in diverse cultural environments: You will participate and work in academic communities in Paris. You will thus develop cultural knowledge and understanding, flexibility, imagination, resourcefulness and tolerance.

Careers

Many career paths can benefit from the writing and analytical skills that you develop as a postgraduate student in the School of English. Our students have gone on to work in academia, journalism, broadcasting and media, publishing, writing and teaching; as well as more general areas such as banking, marketing analysis and project management.

Study support

Postgraduate resources

In Paris, you are encouraged to make full use of the city's cultural resources and to integrate that experience into your studies. The Louvre, Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, Musée d’Arte Moderne, Grand Palais and other world-class museums and exhibition spaces are on your doorstep.

In addition, you benefit from borrowing rights at the libraries of the University of Paris VII, which have viewing facilities and holdings of films, books and periodicals in English. Other Paris libraries with extensive relevant holdings include the French National Library, the Centre Georges Pompidou Public Library and the American Library in Paris, to which you are given access and a guided visit.

Dynamic publishing culture

Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. They also edit several periodicals including: Angelaki: Journal of the Theoretical Humanities; The Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature: 600-1500; The Dickensian; Literature Compass; Oxford Literary Review; Theatre Notebook and Wasafiri.

Global Skills Award

All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.