Creative Writing (MA)

How will I be taught?

Teaching and learning is by a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutor led one-to-ones, guest talks and panels, and showcasing events; it also includes the opportunity to attend a writing retreat and a creative industries symposium.

Throughout the course of your studies you will be expected to read and analyse a range of critical and literary texts, read and assess peer work, and develop self-reflective writing skills.  As you progress in your learning you will move from a wider consideration of the craft to a greater focus on your genre area(s).

Specific learning activities will vary from module to module, but may include writing exercises, critical reading, analysis of craft, the presentation of critical and creative work to others, teaching activities, etc. In the workshop-based modules you will be expected to read and critique the work of your peers, and give focused and constructive feedback in our supportive group environments.

Additional information

As part of the programme, Open Mic sessions take place at regular intervals throughout the academic year, often featuring a professional guest writer, providing you with the opportunity to present your work to an audience. These sessions usually take place in the evenings and at a public venue in the city. These evening sessions are not assessed and are optional (though attendance is very strongly encouraged), and they offer formative preparation for an assessed presentation.

Our annual Creative Writers’ Retreat usually takes place at the beginning of December with costs included in your course fee. The retreat involves a combination of seminars, workshops, and showcase events, as well as time set aside for writing, reading, and reflection.

Each year, at the end of the spring semester we aim to hold an annual Creative Industries Symposium, which involves guest talks, panels discussions, and presentations by industry professionals: authors, editors, agents, and/or publishers.    

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will vary from module to module. On your taught modules, assessment may consist of but is not limited to: portfolios of creative work, academic essays, reflective essays, journals, critical commentaries, video blogs and/or presentations.  The assessment for Stage 2 is made up of an extended portfolio of work that includes a combination of creative and critical writing.

We often (but not always) assess our modules at the end of teaching with a single piece of work because of the nature of creative writing as a discipline: you need to have the opportunity to experiment with your work and try things out formatively with support from staff during the semester without worrying about being assessed summatively too soon.

How will I be supported?

You’ll be assigned a personal tutor for the duration of your studies, who is available to discuss your general academic progress and student experience. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet your module tutors to discuss particular aspects of their respective modules. On some modules – and in particular during Stage 2 of the programme – you’ll also be assigned a supervisor with whom you will discuss your writing and work-in-progress through one-to-one tutorials.

There is extensive opportunity for formative feedback throughout the course, particularly in the workshop-based modules, in which you will share your own work in progress and receive constructive critique and advice from your peers and tutors. Each module culminates in a summative assessment, and for these assessments along with the mark (where applicable) in-depth feedback is provided by the module tutor.

Module leaders are available in their office hours or by appointment to discuss any matters relating specifically to their modules. You are encouraged to discuss topics and readings for assessments with your module leaders in the first instance.

You can meet the Creative Writing MA Director to discuss your progress and any difficulties that you might face.

Writing skills support is available to all students from academic staff and via the School’s Writing Development Centre.

Careers support includes one-to-one career planning advice meetings and information about placement opportunities. 

Beyond the School, the University offers a range of support services and events to help you plan your career, manage your emotional, mental, and physical health, advise you on finance or money matters, and access support related to disabilities and dyslexia. These services are located at the University’s Centre for Student Life.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Systematically comprehend the creative processes of published and established writers, both past and present.
• Understand key aspects of creative writing theory and practice.
• Systematically comprehend the use of voice, point of view, character, setting, plot, and theme in creative works.

Intellectual Skills:

• Critique specific writing modes, styles, genres, and techniques with an awareness of current problems and new insights in the field.
• Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of others’ writing and its methodologies.
• Critically assess and evaluate your own writing methodologies and how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline of creative writing.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Generate and develop creative works with a comprehensive understanding of relevant techniques.
• Develop and undertake research to inform creative writing and/or sustain a complex critical argument.
• Systematically comprehend standards and conventions of the creative industries.
• Communicate information and ideas clearly and professionally, applying advanced knowledge and skills.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Develop, edit and revise creative and/or critical writing.
• Develop initiative by taking responsibility for and time-managing a major research task.
• Demonstrate creative and original problem-solving skills/thinking.
• Communicate persuasively, conveying advanced academic ideas and technical arguments to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, using written or oral techniques.