MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
St Mary's University Twickenham, London, offers a highly regarded MSc Applied Sport...
MA Creative Writing: First Novel
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
St. Mary's University, Twickenham, London, offers a highly focused and immersive MA Creative Writing: First Novel program, specifically designed for aspiring novelists. Unlike many creative writing Master's degrees that cover a breadth of forms, this program uniquely concentrates on guiding students through the entire process of planning, writing, and crafting their first novel within a year. The curriculum is structured to provide comprehensive support and expert guidance from published writers and industry professionals, equipping students not only with the creative tools to complete a substantial first draft but also with the essential knowledge and network required to navigate the publishing world and attract agents or publishers. The program encourages a deep engagement with the craft of novel writing, fostering individual literary voices and a practical understanding of the genre's demands.
Curriculum: The MA Creative Writing: First Novel curriculum at St. Mary's is intensely practical and geared towards novel completion. Core modules are designed to build foundational and advanced skills crucial for long-form fiction. These typically include "Reading Like a Writer," where students analyze published works to understand technique; "Writing Workshop 1: Style," focusing on developing an individual voice and stylistic proficiency; "Structure and Plotting Techniques," which delves into narrative architecture and character development; and "Writing Workshop 2: Structure," applying plotting strategies to the student's own novel project. All assessed work contributes directly to the novel in progress. The culmination of the program is the "Dissertation," which comprises a substantial portion of the student's novel draft, along with a critical reflection. The learning environment often includes seminars, workshops, and one-to-one supervision, providing personalized feedback and support vital for a year-long creative endeavor.
Research Focus: The Creative Writing faculty at St. Mary's University Twickenham are themselves published novelists and practitioners, whose ongoing creative and scholarly work directly informs the MA Creative Writing: First Novel program. While "research focus" in creative writing often refers to the faculty's active publishing careers and their critical engagement with literary theory and practice, the English and Creative Arts research area at St. Mary's includes expertise in how the novel connects to recent history and contemporary literature. The Centre for Joseph Conrad Studies at St. Mary's also highlights a specialization in the study of significant English novelists. This means students are taught by experts deeply embedded in the contemporary literary scene, who bring real-world experience, insights into the publishing industry, and a passion for storytelling into the classroom, guiding students in the process of novel creation and understanding its place in the literary landscape.
Industry Engagement: St. Mary's University places a strong emphasis on industry engagement for its Creative Writing programs, providing MA Creative Writing: First Novel students with crucial insights into the publishing world. The program aims to provide the network and knowledge needed to take a completed draft further, towards an agent or publisher. Students benefit from expert guidance from lecturers who are published novelists and industry experts, which often includes guest seminars, masterclasses, and Q&As with writers, editors, and literary agents. Although specific work placements are not a stated core component of this particular MA, the focus on the "business of writing" and the practical steps to publication, alongside the university's proximity to London's publishing industry, offer significant networking opportunities. The course explicitly states it helps students develop the key tools needed to market their book, preparing them for professional interaction within the literary industry.
Global Perspective: While the MA Creative Writing: First Novel program at St. Mary's University is rooted in the UK literary scene and publishing industry, it implicitly fosters a global perspective by engaging with diverse literary traditions and universal storytelling principles. The process of "reading like a writer" involves analyzing a vast spectrum of literary works from various cultural contexts, allowing students to draw inspiration and understand narrative techniques employed by authors worldwide. The program's emphasis on finding one's own voice and developing a strong literary style prepares writers to create stories that can resonate with a global audience. Although direct international exchange opportunities are not highlighted, the foundational skills in narrative, character, and plot are universally applicable, enabling graduates to pursue publishing opportunities or creative projects across different literary markets and cultural landscapes.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 17820
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 88.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 60.
- Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
An MA in Creative Writing: First Novel from St. Mary's University, Twickenham, London, uniquely positions graduates not only to pursue the ambitious goal of becoming a published novelist but also equips them with a highly valuable and versatile skill set applicable across numerous writing-intensive industries. The program's focus on narrative structure, character development, sustained prose, critical feedback, and understanding the publishing landscape cultivates exceptional communication, analytical, and imaginative abilities. While the primary aspiration for many will be to complete and publish their novel, the transferable skills gained open doors to a wide array of creative and professional careers.
Published Author/Novelist: The most direct path, using the completed novel draft from the MA as a strong foundation to seek literary agent representation and publishing deals.
Editor (Publishing House/Freelance): Working within publishing houses, literary agencies, or as a freelance editor, reviewing, refining, and commissioning manuscripts, short stories, or other written content for publication.
Copywriter (Advertising/Marketing): Crafting persuasive and engaging content for advertisements, websites, social media campaigns, brochures, and other marketing materials for various brands and organizations.
Content Writer/Strategist: Developing and managing written content for websites, blogs, articles, and digital platforms, often with a focus on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and audience engagement for businesses or media outlets.
Journalist/Feature Writer: Researching, interviewing, and writing compelling stories for newspapers, magazines, online publications, or broadcast media, leveraging strong narrative and analytical skills.
Literary Agent: Working for a literary agency, identifying new talent, reviewing submissions, advocating for authors, and negotiating publishing contracts on their behalf.
Screenwriter/Playwright: Adapting novels or creating original stories for film, television, theatre, or other media, utilizing a deep understanding of narrative, dialogue, and character development.
Communications/PR Specialist: Managing an organization's internal and external communications, including press releases, speeches, reports, and public relations campaigns, requiring clear, persuasive, and strategic writing.
Freelance Writer: Offering writing services across various genres and formats to a diverse range of clients, such as ghostwriting, technical writing, grant writing, or specialized articles and reports.
Creative Writing Educator/Tutor: Teaching creative writing workshops, courses, or providing one-on-one mentorship at educational institutions, community centers, or privately, sharing expertise and fostering new literary talent (often requiring further postgraduate study or significant publication).
