Introduction to the MLitt Creative Writing Program

The MLitt Creative Writing program at the University of Strathclyde is designed to help students develop their writing skills and prepare them for a career in the creative industries. The program is led by experienced, published writers who know the industry and can provide students with the guidance and support they need to succeed.

Key Facts

• Start date: September
• Study mode and duration: Full-time: 12 months, Part-time: 24 months

Study with Us

The program allows students to work closely with experienced, published writers who know the industry, develop their writing practice, and benefit from workshops with peers and tutors. Students will also have the opportunity to work on an extended creative project developed on a one-on-one basis with their tutor, prepare for the practical side of literary development, experiment with new and hybrid forms, and work in a dynamic, artistic city full of history and possibility.

Why This Course?

This course is designed across three semesters, with each class intended to develop not just the skills aspiring writers need, but the right skills at the right stage in their development. The structure of the MLitt gives writers the freedom to pursue their chosen forms and genres in terms of their creative work, while providing guidance and support in an academic context too.

Course Content

The course content includes:

• Semester 1: The Shape of Stories 1, The Writing Life, and The Writers' Studio
• Semester 2: The Shape of Stories 2, The Made Project, and a module from a selection offered from across the Department of Humanities
• Semester 3: The Major Project, an extended piece of creative work in students' chosen field, developed with a supervisor who will get to know them and their work closely

Entry Requirements

• An upper second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in any subject, plus a portfolio of creative writing
• The submission of a satisfactory entry portfolio of creative writing, which should consist of one of the following:
  • 2,000 words of prose (fiction or creative non-fiction)
  • up to 10 poems (no more than 40 lines in length)
  • the page equivalent of a short, fifteen-minute play
  • an outline of creative work you might develop in the course of the degree, possibly in the context of the dissertation (no more than two A4 pages)

Fees and Funding

• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status
• Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland: Full-time: £9,550, Part-time: £4,775
• International: £21,550
• Additional costs: International students may have associated visa and immigration costs
• Available scholarships: Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities

Careers

Graduates from creative writing subjects at the University of Strathclyde have gone into writing, publishing, teaching, journalism, and many other professions. Some graduates have also gone on to further their skills by undertaking a PhD. Other have chosen to become self-employed as tutors. Writers who have taken masters and/or doctoral qualifications in creative writing at Strathclyde include Louise Welsh, Rachel Sieffert, Beatrice Colin, and Colette Paul.

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Outline:

• Semester 1:
• The Shape of Stories 1 (20 credits)
• The Writing Life (20 credits)
• Research Skills in the Humanities (20 credits)
• Semester 2:
• The Shape of Stories 2 (20 credits)
• The Made Project (20 credits)
• Optional class (20 credits)
• The Writers' Studio
• A module from a selection offered from across the Department of Humanities
• Semester 3:
• The Major Project (60 Credits)

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Assessment:

• Creative work for formal assessment in each of the core workshops
• Creative writing skills project
• Final dissertation in the form of an extended piece of creative writing

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Teaching:

• Classes are currently scheduled for weekdays, between 9am and 5pm, though in each Semester classes almost exclusively take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Optional modules may take place at other times.
• The staff team aim for a collegiate, supportive atmosphere.

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Careers:

• Graduates from creative writing subjects at the University of Strathclyde have gone into writing, publishing, teaching, journalism and may other professions.
• Some graduates have also gone on to further their skills by undertaking a PhD.
• Other have chosen to become self-employed as tutors.

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Other:

• The Convener of the MLitt in Creative Writing is the award-winning novelist, short story writer, editor and biographer Rodge Glass.
• The program is designed across three semesters, with each class intended to develop not just the skills aspiring writers need, but the right skills at the right stage in their development.

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Part-time : £4,350

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International£19,600

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Overview:

• Founded in 1796 as Anderson's Institution
• Received its Royal Charter in 1964, becoming the University of Strathclyde
• Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK for engineering and technology
• Home to the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), a world-leading research center in metal forming
• Notable alumni include Sir James Black (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Sir David Murray (former CEO of Rangers Football Club), and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (astrophysicist)

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Student Life:

• Over 23,000 students from over 100 countries
• 150+ student clubs and societies, including sports teams, cultural groups, and academic societies
• Student support services include counseling, health, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a sports center, library, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, science, business, law, and social sciences
• Faculty includes world-renowned experts in their fields
• Teaching methodologies emphasize hands-on learning and industry engagement
• Academic support services include tutoring, writing centers, and language support
• Unique academic programs include the Strathclyde MBA, which is ranked among the top 100 MBAs in the world

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Excellent reputation for teaching and research, particularly in engineering and technology
• Strong industry connections and opportunities for internships and placements
• Specialized facilities such as the AFRC and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
• Vibrant student life with a diverse and inclusive community
• Located in the heart of Glasgow, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center with a range of medical services
• Accommodation services with a variety of on-campus and off-campus options
• Library resources with over 1 million books and journals
• Technology support including IT services and free Wi-Fi
• Career development services with support for job searching, CV writing, and interview preparation