MA CREATIVE WRITING SCRIPTWRITING (PART TIME)
MA CREATIVE WRITING SCRIPTWRITING (PART TIME)
Prepare for a career writing for theatre, 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 critical 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 creative editing of your peers’ writing, creating a supportive writers’ network in the process.
You’ll be taught by renowned theorists, 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.
About
The scriptwriting strand of our world-renowned MA Creative Writing has three core modules.
First, Dramaturgy, in which you will 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 will 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, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Molly Naylor, 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 will 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 will also write a dissertation, under the supervision of a member of our faculty.

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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
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; some are writer/performers who make films and sitcoms, such as Molly Naylor or 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 and Iain Gonoude, 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.
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:
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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

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Assessment for Year 1
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.
Assessment for Year 2
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.
1st year of study.
Assessment for Year 1
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.
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.2nd year of study.
Assessment for Year 2
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.
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 (Hons) degree - 2.1 or equivalent preferredDegree subject
Any subjectAdditional entry requirements
Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of writing for assessment with their application - up to 30 pages of dramatic script/screenplay.
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 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other components)
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PTE (Pearson): 76 (minimum 76 in writing and 64 in all other components)
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
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.

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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.
Places on this course are limited so early applications are strongly encouraged.
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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