MA CREATIVE WRITING (NON-FICTION)
MA CREATIVE WRITING (NON-FICTION)
Literary non-fiction is changing in exciting ways and this is your chance to be a part of it.
Our best modern writers have been experimenting with new forms and subjects. Nature-writing, the personal essay, biography, food journalism, art criticism and memoir are all part of the intellectually stimulating emerging mix.
So if you want to develop your own non-fiction writing in any of these genres or one of your own, this MA programme is for you. You’ll study on one of the only dedicated non-fiction MA courses in the UK at the country’s leading university for the teaching of creative writing. This enables you to graduate with the best grounding possible for a successful and fulfilling literary career.
About
This is one of very few courses in the UK that gives you the opportunity to concentrate exclusively on writing non-fiction. Our students come from extremely varied backgrounds, and in the past have included barristers, a zoologist, actors, doctors, teachers, a master of wine and an asparagus farmer!
The age range is diverse, too: from people in their early twenties to those in their sixties and seventies. Students come from all parts of the globe, but all are united in their desire and commitment to writing non-fiction. The diversity of students and the range of their interests is one of the great strengths of the course, as is its collegiate atmosphere: you’ll learn as much critiquing your peers’ writing as you will writing your own pieces.
Some people come with a project in mind, others have no specific idea about what they want to write. Either approach is fine – the course gives you the opportunity to develop an existing project and to experiment with different subjects and voices. Your time at UEA offers you a unique opportunity to focus on your writing in a stimulating and supportive environment.
We encourage you to take advantage of UEA’s vibrant literary culture. Each year a dozen or so leading novelists, poets and non-fiction writers take part in our autumn and spring literary festival, UEA Live. You will also have the opportunity to meet some of the UK’s leading agents and publishers.
We publish an anthology of our students’ writing each year and distribute it to a key list of editors, agents and critics.
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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.After the Course
Our students’ publication record is impressive; many have gone on to have work published, some with large publishing houses including Random House and Bloomsbury, others with smaller presses.
There is a strong alumni network. Often students stay in touch after graduation and continue to read and comment on each other’s work. A significant number go on to take a PhD as they value the supportive atmosphere UEA offers its creative writers.
Career destinations
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Non-fiction author
- Journalist
- Art critic
- Essayist
- Editor
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Assessment for Year 1
Your compulsory modules are each assessed by a 5,000-word assignment. The topic is entirely your choice, and you will have ample opportunity to workshop possible assignment subjects and to discuss them with individual tutors.
The subject of your 15,000-word dissertation is also entirely your choice. You’ll work with your supervisor over the early summer and submit it at the beginning of September.
Assessment for Year 1
Your compulsory modules are each assessed by a 5,000-word assignment. The topic is entirely your choice, and you will have ample opportunity to workshop possible assignment subjects and to discuss them with individual tutors.
The subject of your 15,000-word dissertation is also entirely your choice. You’ll work with your supervisor over the early summer and submit it at the beginning of September.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalentDegree subject
Literary or related subjectAdditional entry requirements
Candidates are required to submit a sample of biographical writing or creative non-fiction of around 3000 words with their application.
Students for whom english is a foreign language
We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:
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IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.0 in each section and 7.0 in writing)
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PTE (Pearson): 76 (minimum 64 in each section and 76 in writing)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests
INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk
Interviews
Promising candidates will be invited for an online interview with a member of the Creative Writing faculty and we aim to inform candidates of the outcome within five working days. Unsuccessful candidates are welcome to re-apply, though not within the same academic year. Successful candidates will either be offered a place for the forthcoming academic year or a place for the following academic year (if it is felt that they need more time to develop as a writer). Once the forthcoming year is ‘full’ candidates will be offered a place on our reserve list with the option of a place for the following academic year if a place does not become available.
Intakes
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
Please note that those candidates offered a place on the course will not be able to defer their offer to the next year if they are unable to take up the offer of a place, however they are welcome to reapply the next year.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2023/24 are:
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UK Students: £9,500 (full time)
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International Students: £19,800 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs. #NEWWRITING.NET
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How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
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