COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Creative and Critical Writing is structured into five focused teaching blocks, each designed to support students’ development as both writers and thinkers. The course begins with Creative and Critical Writing Perspectives, which introduces the theoretical foundations of creative and critical practice. In this block, students engage with key literary and critical theories, building the analytical tools needed to reflect on their own creative work and the wider literary landscape. The second block, Writing Ideas and Inspirations, encourages students to explore sources of creativity and imagination. Through intensive workshops, they experiment with new ideas and refine their narrative voice while drawing from personal experiences, memory, and observation.In Genre Fiction and Research, the third block, students examine genre as a literary and cultural form. They explore various genres such as crime, fantasy, historical fiction, and speculative fiction while developing research-informed creative projects. This block emphasises the role of research in shaping authentic and compelling genre fiction. The fourth block, The Writer’s Life, prepares students for professional writing careers by offering insight into the literary industry. Guest lectures from authors, publishers, and agents provide guidance on publishing routes, writing residencies, and building a writing portfolio.The final block, the Dissertation Project, allows students to produce an extended piece of creative work accompanied by a critical reflection. This capstone project draws together the skills, knowledge, and insights gained throughout the course, enabling students to showcase their development as both creative practitioners and critical thinkers. By the end of the program, students will have created a substantial body of original work, built a professional writing identity, and developed a deeper understanding of the relationship between creative and critical writing in contemporary literary practice. The course provides an inclusive, reflective, and professionally engaging space for aspiring writers.