MA MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY WRITING
MA MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY WRITING
The School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing at UEA has a long and celebrated history for its role not only in the study of modern and contemporary literature, but also in fostering its creation. Alongside our world-leading role in the teaching of creative writing and literary translation, we also boast one of the largest and most diverse groups of scholar-critics working on 20th- and 21st-century literature of any university in the world.
Our course offers a high level of flexibility. You can specialise in modernism, contemporary literature, or the period in between. You can focus on the relationship between creative and critical writing, literature across languages, on poetry or fiction, or on literature in relation to philosophy or to historical contexts. You will be able to choose optional modules from among UEA’s rich offerings in translation, philosophy, American literature, film and creative writing.
This course is unique in inviting you to explore criticism and creation through each other. At UEA we believe that reading and writing are or should be one. Distinctive optional modules will offer you the chance to develop your critical writing in ways that are themselves creative and artistic, through formal and linguistic experimentation, and through modes of literary understanding such as parody, imitation and transposition that preceded the invention of literary criticism in the 20th century.
You will also find yourself in seminars where your fellow students will be novelists, poets, playwrights, biographers and translators, as well as students of philosophy, film, and American literature.
As a postgraduate here, you will be part of a vibrant mix of MA and PhD students who are engaged in modern and contemporary literature in a variety of ways, whether it be through producing critical studies of novels, poetry or plays or through writing their own.
About
The MA Modern and Contemporary Writing has two main focuses: the relationship between key writers of modernism and contemporary literature, and between creative and critical writing. Our course draws on UEA’s strengths as one of the largest and most distinguished departments for 20th-century literature in Britain and as the UK’s leading department in Creative Writing and in Literary Translation.
We believe that the critical study of literature can also be creative, and that creative writing is always in itself an act of criticism. At UEA, literary critics and theorists encounter and exchange ideas with practising poets, novelists, dramatists and biographers.
You’ll also have opportunities to develop your interests in translation and in neighbouring disciplines such as philosophy, film, anthropology and American studies.

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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
After the course, you could follow in the footsteps of many past graduates who’ve gone onto PhD study at UEA or at other universities in Britain and internationally.
You’ll also be well placed for developing your own writing in fiction, poetry, journalism or literary criticism or moving into careers such as publishing, teaching or the media. Or you could simply see this MA as a pleasure and an end in itself.
Career destinations
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Writing
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Academia
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Teaching
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Publishing
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Media
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Publicity

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Assessment for Year 1
All of your modules will be assessed by a final 5,000-word piece, which, depending on the module, will be critical, creative, or creative-critical.
For most modules you will test your knowledge and practical skills in practice (formative) assignments before your summative assessments, which count towards your final grades. You’ll discuss your formative feedback with your tutors as part of a deepening self-reflective journey through your studies.
Your dissertation will be 15,000 words and may be critical or creative-critical, but not wholly creative.
Certain optional modules are specifically recommended to students on Modern and Contemporary Writing: in the first semester, Fiction 'After' Modernism and Criticism/Critique, and in the second semester, Ludic Literature, Creative-Critical Writing, and Contemporary Fiction. Students should exercise care if they wish to take other modules, and consult with the module convenor to make sure that they are qualified. Students should be aware that spaces may be limited on optional modules which are core for other MAs and that there are minimum and maximum numbers for all modules, which may in unusual circumstances lead to your not being allocated your first-choice module. Students are strongly encouraged to get in touch ahead of the year with the Course Director to discuss module choices, and also to write directly to the convenors of the specific modules they are interested in.
Assessment for Year 1
All of your modules will be assessed by a final 5,000-word piece, which, depending on the module, will be critical, creative, or creative-critical.
For most modules you will test your knowledge and practical skills in practice (formative) assignments before your summative assessments, which count towards your final grades. You’ll discuss your formative feedback with your tutors as part of a deepening self-reflective journey through your studies.
Your dissertation will be 15,000 words and may be critical or creative-critical, but not wholly creative.
Important Information
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.Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.1 or equivalentDegree subject
English Literature or a Related Subject PreferredAdditional entry requirements
A sample of your academic writing (for example an essay from your undergraduate degree) of up to 3000 words, to be submitted with your 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): 65 (minimum 50 in each section and 65 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
Intakes
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for the academic year 2020/21 are:
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UK/EU Students: £7,850
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International Students: £16,400
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 UK/EU students).
Living Expenses
We estimate living expenses at £1,015 per month.
Scholarships and Awards:
There are a variety of scholarships and studentships available to postgraduate applicants in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. For further information relevant to the School of Literature and Creative Writing, please click here.
Course related costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other 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.
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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