MA Creative Writing Scriptwriting (Part time)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Course Overview
Prepare for a career writing for theatre, radio, film, or television with an MA that allows you to explore and produce dramatic writing across the media.
You’ll study both the theory and practice of dramatic writing, addressing contemporary dramaturgical debates, analysing written and performance texts, and experimenting with a range of techniques in original writing. You’ll develop your skills in constructive criticism and the creative editing of your peers’ writing, creating a supportive writers’ network in the process.
You’ll be taught by renowned practitioners and visiting specialists through seminars, presentations, screenings, workshops, readings, and performance visits. All with the rigour and professional insight that are the hallmark of our creative writing teaching.
The scriptwriting strand of our world-renowned MA Creative Writing has three core modules.
Firstly, Dramaturgy, in which you’ll study the core conventions of drama as explored from Aristotle to McKee and as embodied in a range of plays, films, and TV programmes, from Antigone to I May Destroy You.
You’ll also take part in the Scriptwriting workshop, building upon your study of dramaturgical theory, where each week you’ll benefit from the scrutiny and feedback of your fellow writers and workshop leaders, such as the renowned scriptwriters Steve Waters, James McDermott, Ben Musgrave, and Sian Evans. You’ll incorporate this theory into your own writing practice in weekly creative development workshops, completing scriptwriting and planning exercises. Over the course of the workshop, you and your fellow writers will bring your exercises to the group for discussion and evaluation.
You’ll then study the Process module, where you will develop a short script for your choice of medium, building an idea from concept to realisation under the keen eye of an industry expert and exploring the modes of script development that are common practice for working writers.
Over the summer of your second year, you’ll also write a dissertation, under the supervision of a member of our faculty.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll take four taught modules (two in each year of study, one in the autumn semester, one in the spring) and write a dissertation during the summer of your second year, with tutorial supervision. This structure gets you writing from day one. From the moment you arrive, you’ll have the chance to engage with the work of your peers and study some of the most important plays and films in the repertoire.
In autumn of your first year, you’ll study Dramaturgy, gaining a thorough grounding in dramaturgical conventions across media through screenings, discussions, and practical exercises.
You’ll choose from a range of modules in spring, including options such as Creative Encounters, and Adaptation and Interpretation (other Creative Writing workshops are not available). These choices allow you to design your own course of study and enable you to extend the range of your learning, fellow students, and breadth of ideas.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll benefit from a distinguished and experienced team of lecturers on this course, all of whom are working writers who are celebrated in their given media. Our team has recently included the lecturers below, listed with their research specialisms.
You’ll also benefit from regular masterclasses with professionals in the different dramatic media in our ‘ScriptXtra’ slot and your work will receive rehearsed readings and be showcased in events with invited guests from the industry.
Steve Waters is an acclaimed writer for stage, radio, and screen. His plays include The Contingency Plan, (Sheffield Theatres, 2022), Temple (staged at the Donmar Warehouse, London, in 2015), and Limehouse, which opened in 2017 at the same venue. His interests include drama and ecology, evident in his research project 'Song of the Reed: Dramatising Conservation' and his acclaimed four-part Radio 4 drama 'Song of the Reed' starring Mark Rylance. His books include The Secret Life of Plays and A Life in 16 Films: How Cinema Made a Playwright.
James McDermott is an acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and poet, who graduated from UEA in 2016. Since then, his plays have included Rubber Ring and Time and Tide. In addition, James has written for Eastenders and has two collections of poetry, Manatomy and GreenAppleRed.
Ben Musgrave is an award-winning playwright whose plays include the Bruntwood Prize-winning Pretend You Have Big Buildings, and Crushed Shells and Mud. His plays for BBC Radio 4 include The Last Missionary of Kanaipur, and Vital Signs.
Siân Evans is a highly successful writer for stage, screen and radio; she has translated plays for the Sheffield Crucible and Liverpool Playhouse, and has had plays produced by the National Theatre, Theatre Clwyd and the Arcola among others. She has written and devised original series for ITV and the BBC and was a staff writer on continuing series like Casualty and Holby City. She is currently writing her third libretto for the contemporary opera company NOISE.
Independent study
From week to week, you’ll do a substantial amount of independent work: reading, writing, and feeding back on each other’s writing.
Assessment
For Dramaturgy, you’ll be assessed with an analytical essay. Your optional module may be assessed by a critical essay, creative writing, performance, or creative-critical writing.
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
Your Creative Writing workshops take place in autumn of your second year, enabling intense development of your writing and ability to critique and improve each other’s work.
In spring you’ll study Process, giving you an overview of the industry and how you will develop your ideas in the context of different dramatic media.
During the spring semester, you’ll also embark on your dissertation, benefiting from close supervision and advice as you write a full-length drama for the medium of your choice. You’ll create an original script, written to at least second draft stage, for stage, screen (TV or feature film), or radio. With expert supervision you’ll take your story from initial idea, through a series of drafts, to a fully-realised script. Along the way you’ll have an extract workshopped and presented by performers to an invited audience of industry professionals. You’ll also be able to publish a short piece of your choice in our professionally produced anthology.
Throughout the year, you’ll have one-to-one supervision, whilst also working closely with your peers who’ll read your work and offer you their notes. In addition, you’ll enhance your studies by attending screenings, theatre productions, and talks by visiting writers. In recent years, these have included Christopher Hampton, Roy Williams, James Graham, Lucy Kirkwood, Simon Stephens, Winsome Pinnock, Deborah Davis, Alice Birch, Rebecca Lenkiewicz and Inua Ellams.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll continue to learn from practising and celebrated writers through workshops, seminars, screenings, and tutorials.
As the second year progresses, you’ll receive supervision from your dissertation tutor. They’ll give you support and expert advice, guiding you through the different drafts of your script.
Independent Study
As well as continuing the independent reading and writing established in your first year, you’ll develop a substantial piece of independent work in your dissertation, with the support of a supervisor.
Assessment
The Creative Writing Workshop will be assessed through a portfolio of short creative pieces, while Process will be assessed through a story document, a script extract, and a portfolio of professional documents.
Your dissertation will consist of a full-length drama written to at least second-draft stage.
Your modules will be worth 20 credits each (with the exception of Research Methodology, which is worth 10 credits) and the dissertation is weighted at 90 credits.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2:1
- Degree Subject
- Any subject
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in Writing and 6.0 in all other components)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Interviews
Promising candidates will be invited to one of our online interview days, which are scheduled across the academic year. Typically a candidate will be interviewed by two members 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 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.
Additional Information or Requirements
Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of writing for assessment with their application - up to 30 pages of dramatic script/screenplay.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £9,975 (full time)
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International Students: £21,200 (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.
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.
Employability
After the Course
Graduates of the course have a variety of related careers. Some are acclaimed playwrights for the stage, such as EV Crowe and Bruntwood Prize winner Janice Okoh or nominees like Patrick Hughes and Martha Loader; some are Oscar-nominated screenwriters such as Deborah Davis; some are writer/performers who make films and sitcoms, such as James McDermott; some, like Paul Farrell and Rob Kinsman, work on television series such as Waking the Dead or Doctors; and others, like Mags Chalcraft go on to take up a PhD. Our graduates have gone on to win BAFTAs, and work in radio, teaching and script editing – even running other MAs.
Careers
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.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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Playwright, screenwriter or radio writer
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Script editor
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Theatre outreach officer
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Podcasters
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Arts administrator
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Film director
Discover more on our Careers webpages.