COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Creative Writing (Poetry) is a one-year full-time course centered around the poetry workshop, which is the core of the program’s structure. This weekly three-hour session focuses on detailed, constructive discussions of student poems and aspects of poetic technique. Students circulate their work in advance, receive annotated feedback, and participate in follow-up one-on-one tutorials with their tutor. In the autumn semester, alongside the workshop, students take a creative-critical module called "Describing Poetry," which explores how poetic language has been conceptualized historically, through both philosophical texts and poetic works. This dual focus strengthens students' critical understanding of poetry and their creative practice. In the spring semester, students continue with a second poetry workshop and choose an optional module from a selection offered by the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing. Workshops continue to emphasize peer feedback, reading widely, and refining poetic technique, while also encouraging participation in the local poetry scene in Norwich, a UNESCO City of Literature. Summer marks a shift to individual dissertation work, guided by a supervisor over one-on-one tutorials. The dissertation consists of a collection of original poetry accompanied by a reflective critical commentary. Preparation for this stage includes a compulsory Creative Writing Research Methodology Conference, held in May, which brings together students from across all Creative Writing MA pathways for a day of panels, plenaries, and breakout sessions on research and writing. During the independent writing period in July and August, students may continue informal workshop practices with peers while they finalize their dissertation. The program offers a deep, supportive environment for poets to develop their craft, voice, and critical insight, culminating in a significant body of original work.