As one of the most established MA's in Creative Writing in the country, Chichester has a long record of student successes. All our courses are taught by practicing novelists, short story writers, poets and dramatists. In addition to this, there are regular visits by other writers. The final taught module includes a session given by agents and editors. Staff are also willing to advise on professional issues of placing work.

'The Chichester MA in Creative Writing is setting exceptionally high standards. In general, a great strength of the MA is the liveliness and innovative spirit of the work produced.' Professor Jo Shapcott, External Examiner (2008)

The aim of the MA is to develop you as a writer. Each of the four modules will offer you a way into the writing process. However, the choice of genre is up to the student. Some students may choose to experiment with different forms, while others may spend the course working on one novel, for example. All written assignments, apart from the related commentaries on the process of creating the work, are creative.

The culmination of the course is the dissertation, where you work alone with one tutor. Some MA writers also decide to continue self-directed workshops with their group through this period.

Students on Chichester's MA Creative Writing have forged a wide range of fascinating careers. While many are establishing reputations as novelists, poets and short story writers, others have gone on to write for stage, screen and radio.

Jane Rusbridge’s first novel, The Devil’s Music, was published by Bloomsbury in the summer of 2009. It is described as ‘a beautifully told story of family secrets and betrayal, involving knots, Harry Houdini and the shifting landscape of memory.’ The novel was started as part of her MA dissertation project. Jane has won or been placed in several national and international short story competitions, including the WritersInc ‘Writer of the Year’ award (2005), the Ilkley literature Festival competition (2005), the Bluechrome Short Story competition (2005), the Bridport (2003, 2005) and the Fish Prize (2006). All these stories were written while studying on the MA. MA assignment poems have featured in The Interpreter's House, Red Hot Fiesta, New Beginnings, First Time, and the Surrey Poetry Competition anthology. Jane’s story ‘Sputnik’ was published in Mslexia (2006) and ‘The Devil’s Music’ – a chapter from the novel – was published by Route (2006). Jane has a two-book contract with Bloomsbury and is now working on her second novel.

On the Third Day by Kate Betts won Channel 4’s ‘The Play’s The Thing’ script-writing competition in 2006. The play was performed in The New Ambassadors Theatre, London. Michael Billington, renowned theatre critic for The Guardian, wrote, ‘Betts reveals a bold theatrical sense’ and ‘a gift for wry humour’ while Charles Spencer of The Telegraph praised the ‘emotional candour and generosity’ of the script.   Kate featured each week in the major Channel 4 serial documentary, The Play’s The Thing.

Bethan Roberts' second novel, The Good Plain Cook, was released in July 2008. It was the book at bedtime on Radio 4 in July and received excellent reviews.  Bethan's first novel, The Pools, which evolved from her MA dissertation, was published by Serpent's Tail in the summer of 2007. Bethan was also selected for the prestigious Arvon/Jerwood mentoring scheme for writers under 35.  Entry was highly competitive, with only 9 creative writers chosen from MA courses throughout the country. As part of the scheme, Bethan completed her novel under the guidance of an experienced novelist. Bethan has also published short stories, all written for the MA, including 'Family Portrait' (MsLexia, 16, 2003). She won The Olive Cook Award (Society of Awards) for another short story in 2006.

You can view a case study about Bethan on the National Association of Writers in Education

MA Creative Writing - AHRC Professional Preparation Masters’ Awards at the University of Chichester

Do you wish to write fiction, poetry, drama or memoir to a high level? Are you looking for a successful imaginative MA in Creative Writing course? We are able to offer one AHRC funded studentship, where your fees will be paid and in addition you will receive a stipend of about £9, 490 per year (pro-rata for the part-time route). The MA in Creative Writing course starts in early September 2012 and runs in the evening. Further information is available here - http://www.chiuni.ac.uk/english/MAcreativeWriting.cfm

Applicants should be UK or EU nationals and should have a first class or 2:1 honours degree in English/English & Creative Writing or related Arts subjects or publications.
(NB Applications for the AHRC studentship cannot be considered from those who already hold MA, M.Phil. or Ph.D. qualifications, though such applicants are welcome to apply for the course.)

Closing date for applicants for MA Creative Writing award: 10.00 am 5th March 2012.
Interviews will take place on 23rd March 2012. 1-4pm.
Decision: the successful candidate will be notified by telephone on Monday 26th March 2012 of our intention to offer a bursary based on successful references and acceptance of the offer. Once this process is completed the successful candidate will be given a formal offer letter, after which they will be guided through the completion of the necessary AHRC documentation.

Candidates being offered a place on the MA without a Bursary will be informed of this decision within a week and have a month to accept the offer.

How to Apply

Your documents must be addressed MA Creative Writing AHRC Bursary application, and include the following:

1. An electronic application to the relevant course (apply online here); or a copy of your offer letter if you have already been offered a place on the course. Guidelines on how to fill in the application form can be found on the University of Chichester website
2. In addition, send the following to Lorna Sargent, Programme Administrator, MA Creative Writing, Room 221 New Hall, University of Chichester, Bishop Otter Campus, College Lane, Chichester, West Sussex. PO19 6PE
   
   
   1. A hard copy of your completed application form.
   2. A portfolio of creative writing: this could comprise three chapters of a novel OR a selection of poetry OR three short stories OR an act of a play OR three chapters of a memoir (hard copies, please).
   3. Case for Support: please provide 500 – 800 words in a separate document outlining how attending this MA in Creative Writing will help to further your writing ambitions and practice (hard copy)
   4. Two references: at least one should be academic and from someone who knows your writing. Please send direct to Lorna Sargent, Programme Administrator, MA Creative Writing, Room 221 New Hall, First Floor, New Hall (full postal address below) l.sargent@chi.ac.uk
   5. Confirmation that you are available for interview on 23rd March.

Unfortunately late applications cannot be considered. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted with an interview time.

Postal address:

University of Chichester,
Bishop Otter Campus,
College Lane,
Chichester,
West Sussex,
PO19 6PE.

Email address: l.sargent@chi.ac.uk Stephanie Norgate S.Norgate@chi.ac.uk

 

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