English - Creative Writing

Overview
If you have a commitment to imaginative writing, if you would like to develop your artistic practice, build your professional skills as an author and engage with the vibrant creative community of the Seamus Heaney Centre, then the PGDip in English (Creative Writing) is for you. The programme includes prose writing (fiction and creative non-fiction) and script writing (screen and stage), and invites you to explore all these modes of writing before choosing a specialism.

You will be challenged to explore many different types of writing, to entertain new ideas, to read adventurously and to respond with rigour and generosity to the work of your fellow writers. You will develop your practice as an independent writer and a self-reflective lifelong learner, and build your understanding of the literary marketplace and of the commercial aspects of literary production.

You will be taught by experienced novelists, playwrights and screenwriters, attend workshops with visiting authors, publishers, editors and agents, and contribute to the rich tradition of literary creativity at Queen's University, Belfast.

Compulsory Modules
Semester 1
(1) Craft and Technique (ENG7093) (20 CATS; compulsory)
(2) Creative Writing Workshop 1: Drama (ENG7097) (20 CATS; compulsory)
(3) Creative Writing Workshop 1: Prose (ENG7292) (20 CATS; compulsory)

Semester 2
(1) Creative Writing Workshop 2 (ENG7196) (40 CATS; compulsory)
(2) Professionalising the MA (ENG7988)(20 CATS; compulsory)

Year 1 - Optional Modules
• Creative Writing Workshops (40 credits)
• Scriptwriting: Creative Writing Workshop 1 (20 credits)
• Professionalising the MA (20 credits)
• Creative Writing: Craft and Technique (20 credits)
• Fiction: Creative Writing Workshop 1 (20 credits)

Course Structure
Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2-3 years) basis. Part-time students typically complete one or two modules per semester. Full-time students typically complete three modules per semester.

The Pg Dip is awarded to students who successfully complete six taught modules (120 CATS points).

Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline.

All applicants are required to submit a sample of original written work which will be assessed to determine if an offer of admission can be made. The sample should be 1800-2200 words of prose fiction or 10-15 pages of script. The sample can be an extract. Writing samples that exceed the length limit will not be considered.

In certain circumstances, applicants may be admitted on the strength of their writing alone.

The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Written portfolios.

1 year (Full Time)
2 years (Part Time)

Contact Teaching Hours
Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial
6 (hours maximum)
6 hours of workshops/seminars per week

Teaching Times
Occasional and optional seminars may take place on Saturdays.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
Introduction
Graduates from these programmes have a good employment record. Professions including publishing, journalism, public relations, teaching, advertising, the Civil Service, business, industry and the media all recruit from our pool of graduates. Some students choose to continue their studies to PhD level on a chosen, specialised topic in Creative Writing.