2016 Creative Writing (Non-Fiction) MA, City University of London
City University’s Non-fiction MA is the UK’s only dedicated degree in narrative non-fiction writing. Unlike the others, this program covers, biography, travel, history, life writing, true crime, sports – basically any form of sustained and structured non-fiction storytelling. Students commit to researching and completing a full-length manuscript with the aim of publication. The program is taught in the evening and so we welcome applications from mature students with work and family commitments.
There are some shared speakers (mainly on story-telling) with these two programs:
Creative Writing MA (Crime Novels or Literary Novels)
Our Creative Writing MA is unique: the only course in the world dedicated solely to novels and the only course to ensure you complete a novel ready to submit to publishers. You choose either Crime or Literary Novels: – this two-year course is for dedicated writers whose ambition is to write a full-length novel…and one in six of our students is now a published novelist.
Creative Writing MA (Playwriting and Screenwriting)
Our Playwriting and Screenwriting MA is suitable for writers who want to develop their practice and complete a full-length script. Some students are experienced playwrights who want to gain a familiarity with writing for the screen, or experienced screenwriters looking for a grounding in theatre writing.
This master’s program is designed for those with an ambition to write within the range of non-fiction genres. Running over two years, it focus on excellence and diversity attracts students from Britain and all over the world (of different ages, experiences and backgrounds). All work closely within workshop and tutorial settings to produce a publishable work. The unifying factor for all writers on the program is their intention to deliver their research or story through a narrative structure.
The definition of narrative non-fiction includes biography, travel, history, life writing, true crime, sports and other forms of sustained and structured non-fiction storytelling. The Creative Writing (Non-Fiction) MA provides essential skills and a supportive and challenging environment in which to write a full-length work of narrative non-fiction. Students develop research skills, experiment with different writing styles, and reflect on their own and other writers’ work and learn the essentials of the publishing industry.
The Creative Writing (Non-Fiction) MA provides the student with essential skills and a supportive and challenging environment in which to:
- develop reportorial and research skills
- experiment with approaches to writing narrative non-fiction
- reflect on one’s own and others’ work
- learn about the publishing industry
- shape a full-length work of narrative non-fiction into a marketable proposal.
The course, run mainly in the evening, encourages students to be ambitious and imaginative. The unifying factor for all writers accepted onto the course is their intention to deliver information through a narrative structure.
Course Content
The course focuses on writing and research skills including identifying a subject, using archives, exploring genres and structuring material. The student learns how to prepare a manuscript for publishers and agents.
It offers a taught component, one-to-one-tutoring, workshops and opportunities to hear guest speakers. The course advisors, made up of leading figures from the non-fiction world, provide expert advice and direct exposure to the publishing industry.
Page last updated: 04/04/18
Page created: 3/19/18