MA Contemporary Creative Writing Programme Specification

Programme Summary

The Master of Arts in Contemporary Creative Writing at Northeastern University London equips students with the knowledge, craft skills and discipline needed to be a creative writer now. From the moment they join the programme, students are considered writers and supported in achieving their personal and professional creative goals.

Contemporary authors and modern publication platforms are foregrounded, contextualised by the study of significant shifts in the literary landscape in the last 25 years. This helps students situate their creative work in today’s marketplace, develop awareness of avenues for artistic expression and gain valuable professional skills suitable for the creative industries. All courses are led by academics who are both experienced lecturers and published authors, including established poets, novelists, scriptwriters, short story writers and creative non-fiction specialists.

This fully online programme aims to be flexible and inclusive, with a September entry, full- or part-time study options, and a range of exit qualifications: Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate and Masters. Writers evolve their creative practice in a supportive and structured online learning environment, suitable for a diverse writing community of recent graduates, lifelong learners, returners to education, and writers with wellbeing or access needs.

Students will take courses which explore fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, scripts and screenplays alongside each other, and others which enable them to specialise in favoured forms. A combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning tasks means writers can work in a way which accommodates individual lifestyles. These include online forums, interactive learning activities, creative writing workshops, face-to-face webinars and bespoke feedback from tutors on works-in-progress. Community is central: although working at distance, students work closely with peers and tutors on developing craft, critical and editing skills, preparing them to work professionally with editors, producers, agents, publishers and publicists.

Writers can choose to enrich their online experience by attending Northeastern University London’s annual in-person ‘Summer Writing Series’ at an additional cost. This option is open to all students who have taken at least one course from the programme but is not a required element. Participants will be able to meet peers and tutors, write together, and attend a special series of live literary events curated by the University. Events may include author talks, creative industry Q&As, guest lectures, mini-book clubs, professional role plays and live workshops.

This MA aims to draw together writers from across the world. This enables diverse experiences, encounters and perspectives to inform a truly global outlook on being a creative writer today.

Programme Integration

All courses align with the expertise of the faculty at Northeastern University London.

Required Courses

Required Courses provide the core knowledge, skills and resources that any contemporary creative writer needs to master.

• ‘Creative Writing Now’ introduces modern creative writing practices, publishing knowledge, and topical writing issues via a diverse post-millennium reading list and interactive writing activities.
• ‘Publishing Your writing’ explores different routes to publication, encouraging students to adapt creative works for purpose and embrace a range of readers and audiences.

Although the range of each required course is broad, students can focus on their preferred mode or modes of creative writing within each and develop their writing skills in that area.

Required courses are taken by all students and guaranteed to run in each MA cycle.

Optional Courses

Students can refine their artistic expertise by specialising in preferred literary forms in ‘Masterclass’ Optional Courses (30 credits each). They can choose two courses from:

• LCWRI7202 Masterclass: Creative Nonfiction
• LCWRI7203 Masterclass: Poetry
• LCWRI7204 Masterclass: Scripts and Screenplays
• LCWRI7205 Masterclass: Short Stories and Novels

These constitute a representative mix of the most popular forms of creative writing with contemporary audiences. All ‘Masterclass’ courses have been designed with an eye both to their centrality to the further the study of creative writing and the refinement of specialist skills.

Masterclass courses run subject to student uptake, with minimum numbers of students required. At least two ‘Masterclass’ courses are guaranteed per MA cycle.

Dissertation Course

The MA programme culminates with a Dissertation Course (60 credits).

• LCWRI7206 Publication Portfolio sees students produce an extended creative work in a form of their choosing, informed by a significant research base. Students receive regular one-to-one guidance from a supervisor with expertise in their area, in addition to learning content focused on developing a long-term creative project, supporting writing post-university, and next steps towards publication.

Enrichment Course (non-compulsory)

Students can choose to enrich their online MA experience by participating in an annual in-person ‘Summer Writing Series’ at an additional cost. Designed by Northeastern University London faculty, this bespoke programme of literary events enables students to meet and work with peers and tutors in-person.

Literary events may include: live classes and workshops, talks from lecturers and creative industry insiders, readings and Q&As with published authors, professional role plays, networking, themed literary discussions, ‘mini-book clubs’, guided writing time and bespoke publication advice.

• The ‘Summer Writing Series’ is costed separately to the MA programme.
• Participation is non-compulsory and non-credit bearing. Students do not need to attend to complete an MA, PGCert or PGDip qualification.
• Students must have completed at least one 30-credit course to attend.
• Details of speakers and sessions will be confirmed in advance of full payment.

The ‘Summer Writing Series’ runs subject to uptake each year, with a minimum number of students required.

Qualification Requirements

• For an MA qualification, students must pass two required courses and two optional courses and one dissertation course.
• For a Postgraduate Diploma (four 30-credit courses), students must pass two required courses and two optional courses.
• For a Postgraduate Certificate (two 30-credit courses) students must pass any two 30-credit courses from the programme.

All qualifications must be completed within the university’s Maximum Registration Period for full – or part-time study. For further information see AQF7: Academic Regulations.

Programme Structures

Semester dates vary each year and can be viewed on the website.

Each semester typically comprises 12 taught sessions, spread over 15 weeks. There will usually be a two-week break each semester and a Consolidation Week (no taught content) to check in with your tutor.

All courses are subject to availability and minimum student numbers.

Autumn Start: Full-time Programme Structure
Autumn Start: Part-time Programme Structure
Spring Start: Full-time Programme Structure
Spring Start: Part-time Programme Structure

Autumn Start: Full-time

Year 1

Autumn Semester

Students must take ONE required course

Required Course:

LCWRI7200 Creative Writing Now (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7201 Publishing Your Writing (30 credits)

and ONE optional course

LCWRI7205 Masterclass in Short Stories and Novels (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7203 Masterclass Poetry (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7202 Masterclass Creative Nonfiction (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7204 Masterclass Scripts and Screenplays (30 credits)

Spring Semester

Students must take ONE required course

Required Course:

LCWRI7200 ‘Creative Writing Now (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7200 Publishing Your Writing (30 credits)

and ONE optional course

Optional Course:

LCWRI7205 Masterclass: in ‘Short Stories and Novels (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7203 Masterclass: Poetry (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7202 Masterclass: Creative Nonfiction (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7204 Masterclass: Scripts and Screenplays (30 credits)

Summer Semester

Students must take ONE required course

Required Course:

LCWRI7206 Publication Portfolio (Dissertation) (60 credits)

Optional: Summer Writing Series (non-compulsory/non-credit bearing).

Autumn Start: Part-time

All courses subject to availability and minimum student numbers.

Year 1

Autumn Semester

Students must take ONE 30 credit course

Required Course:

LCWRI7200 Creative Writing Now (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7200 Publishing Your Writing (30 credits)

Spring Semester

Students must take ONE 30 credit course

Optional Course:

LCWRI7205 Masterclass: Short Stories and Novels (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7203 Masterclass: Poetry (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7202 Masterclass: Creative Nonfiction (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7204 Masterclass: Scripts and Screenplays (30 credits)

Optional Summer Writing Series (non-compulsory/non-credit bearing)

Summer Semester

Students must take ONE 30 credit course

LCWRI7206 Publication Portfolio (Dissertation) (60 credits) (Part 1)

Year 2

Autumn Semester

Students must take ONE 30 credit course

Optional Course:

LCWRI7205 Masterclass: Short Stories and Novels (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7203 Masterclass: Poetry (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7202 Masterclass: Creative Nonfiction (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7204 Masterclass: Scripts and Screenplays (30 credits)

Spring Semester

Students must take ONE 30 credit course

Required Course:

LCWRI7200 Creative Writing Now (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7200 Publishing Your Writing (30 credits)

Summer Semester

Students must take ONE required course

Required Course:

LCWRI7206 Publication Portfolio (Dissertation) (60 credits)

Optional Summer Writing Series (non-compulsory/non-credit bearing)

Spring Start: Full-time

Year 1

Spring Semester

Students must take ONE required course

Required Course:

LCWRI7200 Creative Writing Now (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7201 Publishing Your Writing (30 credits)

and ONE optional course

Optional Course:

LCWRI7205 Masterclass in Short Stories and Novels (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7203 Masterclass Poetry (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7202 Masterclass Creative Nonfiction (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7204 Masterclass Scripts and Screenplays (30 credits)

Summer Semester

Students must take ONE required course

Required Course:

LCWRI7200 ‘Creative Writing Now (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7200 Publishing Your Writing (30 credits)

and ONE optional course

Optional Course:

LCWRI7205 Masterclass: in ‘Short Stories and Novels (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7203 Masterclass: Poetry (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7202 Masterclass: Creative Nonfiction (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7204 Masterclass: Scripts and Screenplays (30 credits)

Optional: Summer Writing Series (non-compulsory/non-credit bearing).

Autumn Semester

Students must take ONE required course

Required Course:

LCWRI7206 Publication Portfolio (Dissertation) (60 credits)

Spring Start: Part-time

Year 1

Spring Semester

Students must take ONE 30 credit course

Optional Course:

LCWRI7205 Masterclass: Short Stories and Novels (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7203 Masterclass: Poetry (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7202 Masterclass: Creative Nonfiction (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7204 Masterclass: Scripts and Screenplays (30 credits)

Summer Semester

Students must take ONE 30 credit course

Required Course:

LCWRI7200 ‘Creative Writing Now (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7201 Publishing Your Writing (30 credits)

AND

Optional Summer Writing Series (non-compulsory/non-credit bearing)

Autumn Semester

Students must take ONE 60 credit course

LCWRI7206 Publication Portfolio (Dissertation) (60 credits) (Part 1)

Year 2

Spring Semester

Students must take ONE 30 credit course

Required Course:

LCWRI7200 Creative Writing Now (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7201 Publishing Your Writing (30 credits)

Summer Semester

Students must take ONE 30 credit course

Optional Course:

LCWRI7205 Masterclass: Short Stories and Novels (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7203 Masterclass: Poetry (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7202 Masterclass: Creative Nonfiction (30 credits) OR

LCWRI7204 Masterclass: Scripts and Screenplays (30 credits)

Autumn Semester

Students must take ONE required course

Required Course:

LCWRI7206 Publication Portfolio (Dissertation) (60 credits)

Optional Summer Writing Series (non-compulsory/non-credit bearing)

Entrance Requirements

Undergraduate Degree: A minimum upper second-class honours (2:1) undergraduate degree or equivalent in an academic subject such as Economics, English, History, Languages, Philosophy, Politics, Sociology, Psychology. However, each applicant will be assessed on an individual basis, including relevant professional experience and/or creative writing experience or ability, where applicable.

Personal Statement: Applicants must also submit a 300 to 500 word personal statement outlining their reasons for applying for this course, and their creative writing experience and interests.

Creative Writing Sample: 1,500 to 2,000-words prose (fiction or nonfiction) or 8 to 12 pages of script or 4 to 6 poems or a combination of equivalent length. All creative work should be original and written to the best standard the applicant can attain. The work should be titled, and subtitled with form (e.g. ‘Boundary: memoir extract’).

Language Proficiency: If English is not an applicant’s native language, they will need to demonstrate proficiency in English. For this course, a 7.0 IELTS score with minimum 6.5 in each skillor an equivalent English language proficiency qualification is required.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Where a student wishes to apply for the recognition of prior learning on the basis of certificated or experiential learning, they should follow the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy. 

Aims of the Programme

The overall aims of the programme are to:

• Advance students’ ability to engage artistically and critically with contemporary creative writing and publication platforms.
• Hone students’ powers of artistic expression through inculcation of advanced scholarly techniques such as information gathering, understanding of formal conventions, development of craft skills, editorial practice and analysis.
• Support students to develop wide-ranging knowledge of the systematic connections between a broad range of topics at the forefront of the discipline.
• Guide and support students to research, develop and deliver a substantial and original piece of publishable creative writing.
• Provide students with the ability to direct their future writing careers effectively, to take initiative and respond creatively to challenges.
• Provide a teaching and learning environment which achieves the above aims by enabling students to demonstrate the learning outcomes below.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this programme, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

For the exit awards see Appendix A.

Map of Courses to Programme Learning Outcomes

Teaching and Learning Strategies

As an online programme, this course has a dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with a syllabus and a range of learning resources to orientate and engage students in their studies for each course. All scheduled teaching and learning activities for this course are delivered online via the VLE. These include:

• Webinars
• Lectures
• Discussion forums
• Learning activities
• Small-group learning
• Peer-review
• Individual dissertation supervisions
• Written feedback on formative work
• Summative assessment
• Office Hours

Students are to attend and participate in all the scheduled teaching and learning activities for this course and to manage their directed learning and independent study.

Indicative total learning hours per 30-credit course: 300 (typically including induction, course activities, consolidation or revision and assessment activity hours).

Learning Opportunities

At the University, we teach in small groups and are committed to providing individual attention and guidance. Webinars always include tutor and student interaction and dialogue. Students also have direct contact with peers and their tutor via online learning activities and receive bespoke written feedback on their creative and critical work at regular intervals. Faculty also hold regular ‘Office Hours’, which are opportunities for students to explore ideas, raise questions, or seek targeted guidance or verbal feedback on a one-to-one basis.

Assessment is in a variety of modes, which may include portfolios of original creative work, craft commentaries, professional pitches, workshop contributions and the dissertation. All assessments are accompanied by detailed written feedback in addition to a grade.

Students will also be encouraged to attend the broad programme of talks, discussions and professorial lectures at the University, many of which are available online. In-person learning opportunities, events and networking are offered through the optional annual ‘Summer Writing Series’.

Inclusive Teaching and Learning

The Creative Writing team is deeply committed to widening participation in creative writing, through providing a teaching and learning environment that is inclusive towards a variety of backgrounds and learning styles. Members of the faculty are engaged in the public dissemination of their discipline, hosting open lectures, engaging with the media, and publishing in accessible formats.

The high staff-student ratio at the University is especially important to the faculty’s ability to give individualised attention to students, and thus be inclusive towards a variety of backgrounds and learning styles. The faculty also facilitates a wide range of academic and social events in which faculty and students are brought together.

The University will make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities in accordance with the recommendations of the Student Support and Development. Where necessary, alternative forms of assessment will be offered. 

The variety of modes of assessment in this programme may render it more inclusive than those which assess in more uniform ways.

E-Learning

The University ensures students are supported by means of the Virtual Learning Environment, through which students access learning materials, reading, and communicate with fellow students and faculty. Students are enrolled onto their degree courses on the VLE, as well as relevant forums pertaining to the Creative Writing community at NU London.

Students can additionally access past faculty lecture videos and general study information on such topics as time-management skills, professional formatting and how to read effectively.

Writing Consultation slots are also available online to assist students with technical writing skills.

Research-Led, Practice-Driven Teaching

All members of the Creative Writing team have been chosen on the basis of their research activity, as well as their talents in teaching, and are encouraged to remain active in their research field, partly by being given an individual annual research budget and regular sabbatical leave.

Teaching has been developed and allocated on the basis of research interests and expertise. The faculty is committed to supporting a lively, open, and interactive teaching environment, in which research and teaching are mutually complementary.

Assessment

Assessment Methods

• Portfolio (comprising at least two tasks, typically a creative piece and a critical or professional component)
• Set Exercises (typically Creative Writing Workshop editorial contributions)
• Dissertation

Appendix B is the programme structure and assessment summary.

Assessment Regulations

The University’s Assessment Regulations can be found here.

Student Support

Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Difficulties (SPLDS)

Students are strongly encouraged to inform the University of any medical conditions, disabilities, specific learning difficulties (SpLD) or neurological differences as soon as is practical. Students will be asked to submit supporting documentation from a doctor, clinical or educational psychologist detailing the nature of their disability and the impact it is likely to have on their studies in order to help us put in place appropriate support and accommodations. More information can be found in the Student Disability Policy here. This data is managed and securely stored by Student Support and Development (SSD).

During Welcome Week, a number of talks and events are held which are designed to support and inform students with regard to mental health, disabilities, safety and learning support.

SSD meet with students as soon as possible, and preferably before the start of the academic year, to discuss their needs and draft a Learning Support Plan (LSP) which outlines the support to be provided both within the University (if appropriate) and externally. If requested by the student, the SDD will then arrange to inform relevant faculty of the student’s needs and any reasonable adjustments required.

If a student is undiagnosed but believes they may have a SpLDS (e.g. Dyslexia) the SDD will help them to access diagnostic services.  If the assessment confirms a SpLDS, the SDD will work the student in preparing a LSP and will provide advice about accessing additional funding and support through the Disabled Students Allowance, where a student may be eligible.

For more information, please click here.

Employability Skills

• Work independently, creatively, and to deadlines
• Deploy sophisticated language skills
• Deploy knowledge of contemporary creative industries and publishing platforms
• Conduct research and explore relevant existing knowledge
• Analyse, contextualise, and interpret complex ideas and materials
• Synthesise and evaluate information
• Present findings in a clear, structured manner in writing
• Engage in collaborative and constructive discussion
• Deliver, absorb and apply constructive critiques

Careers Education, Information and Guidance

Students will have access to the University’s Careers Advisory Service. This includes our electronic Careers Centre, containing features and functionality for careers guidance, interview advice and job searching.

In addition, Careers Advisers, supplemented with support from tutors, offer advice, often one-to-one, on securing a professional future tailored to students’ skills and ambitions.

Quality Evaluation and Enhancement

Award Standards

Every programme of study is developed by the Faculties, utilising their subject specialists, and is approved by the University’s Academic Board.

Review and Evaluation Mechanisms

The University has robust procedures, as described in AQF4 Programme and Course Approval and Modifications and AQF5 Annual Monitoring and Reporting, in place to assure the quality of the programme development, delivery, management, systematic monitoring and ongoing review and enhancement of all University programmes. Enhancements are made as necessary to ensure that systems remain effective and rigorous.

The University utilises constructive feedback from a variety of sources, internal and external, to inform its decision-making process to enhance the programme and student experiences. These feedback sources are listed below:

• Annual Course Reviews, written by the Course Leader, are prepared to enable the Course Leader to reflect on the course, using a variety of data and student/faculty feedback to enhance the course and support the Head of Faculty in writing the Annual Faculty Review.
• Annual Programme Reports, written by the Programme Director, are prepared in order to enhance individual programmes and to plan ahead.
• Annual Examiner reports are prepared by independent External Examiners, as appointed by the University, to confirm that a programme has been assessed in accordance with the approved documentation and that the student performance meets the appropriate academic standards.
• Formal student feedback mechanisms consist of termly student representatives attending Faculty Meetings and Student-Staff Liaison Committee meetings; course satisfaction surveys; and annual programme satisfaction surveys.
• Informal student feedback is also valued by the University and this can take the form of students talking to their Programme Director, Head of Faculty or professional staff.

Version History

Disclaimer

The University has checked the information provided in this Programme Specification and will aim to deliver this programme in keeping with this Programme Specification. However, changes to the programme may sometimes be required arising from annual monitoring, student feedback, and the review and update of courses and programmes. Where this activity leads to significant changes to courses and programmes there will be prior consultation with students and others, wherever possible, and the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise disruption to students.

It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a course or programme for reasons outside of its control, for example, due to the absence of a member of staff or low student registration numbers. Where this is the case, the University will aim to inform applicants and students as soon as possible, and where appropriate, will facilitate the transfer of affected students to another suitable programme.

Copyright

The contents of this Programme Specification are the copyright of the University and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, such as electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without the prior consent of the University

Appendix A – Exit Awards

Postgraduate Certificate

2 x 30-credit Level 7 courses = 60 credits

Postgraduate Diploma

4 x 30 credit Level 7 courses = 120 credits

Master of Arts

4 x 30 credit + 1 x 60 credit Level 7 courses = 180 credits

Appendix B – Programme Structure and Assessment Summary

• Course Type:   C = Compulsory; O = Option; E = Enrichment.         
• Course Mode:   CD = Campus Delivery; BK = Block Delivery; BL = Blended Learning; DL = Distance Learning and Self-Directed Learning; EL = E-Learning; EX = Experiential; PL = Placement; WB = Work Based Learning,
• Assessment Weighting: AE1 = Assessment Element 1; AE2 = Assessment Element 2; AE3 = Assessment Element 3;
• AE4 = Assessment Element 4
• Assessment Activity Type                                        Code  
• Written assignment                                                   WA
• Exam                                                                          Exam
• Presentation                                                              Pres
• Role play                                                                    RP
• Portfolio                                                                     P
• Set exercise                                                                Set
• Practical                                                                     Pract