COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Creative Writing (Biography and Creative Non-Fiction) is structured to provide a rich and immersive experience in the art of writing factual narratives. At the heart of the program are two compulsory modules that focus on exploring the wide-ranging forms and functions of non-fiction writing. These modules use a workshop format, where each week selected students share up to 3,000 words of their work-in-progress for detailed group feedback and discussion. Through studying a diverse selection of influential non-fiction texts, both classic and contemporary, students develop a deeper understanding of the genre and refine their own voice and technique. One of the core modules, "Writing the First Person," looks closely at autobiographical forms, including memoir, travel writing, reportage, and essays, while also addressing key concerns such as truth, structure, and the blurred boundaries between fiction and non-fiction. Alongside the compulsory workshops, students choose optional modules from across the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, allowing them to broaden their learning and collaborate with peers from other MA strands such as Prose Fiction or Poetry. In the summer semester, the focus shifts to the dissertation—a 15,000-word piece of original non-fiction. During this period, students receive one-to-one supervision and benefit from attending the Creative Writing Research Methodology Conference, a day of intensive sessions on research and writing practice shared with the broader MA writing community. The course also provides access to the British Archive for Contemporary Writing at UEA and features guest seminars from leading non-fiction authors, enriching the academic and creative experience. Informal peer-led reading and writing groups are common, offering additional support and collaboration. Overall, the program balances individual guidance, peer critique, and theoretical exploration, guiding students toward the completion of a polished, publishable piece of non-fiction.