Creative Writing Low Residency

Developed to complement the University's growing and acclaimed suite of courses in creative writing, the Low Residency gives you the option of completing the majority of your credits through distance learning while enjoying both accredited and non-accredited residency periods on campus, scheduled annually in mid-September and early June. All residency periods will combine writing workshops with critical reading seminars, masterclasses, guest readings, supervisions and visits to cultural events in London. Accommodation is located close to the University and arranged before arrival by the course team.

What will you study?

The Creative Writing Low Residency MFA follows the same general course structure as the successful and popular Creative Writing MFA.

Full-time students take two 30-credit modules in semester 1, combining the first residency module with a Writers' Workshop module. In semester 2, they will take two more 30-credit modules, this time following their choice of a Special Study workshop with their second residency module in June. During this time they will complete work on structure and style begun online during the semester, while participating in general workshops and reading sessions and tutorials with their assigned dissertation supervisor.

Students then complete a 15,000-word formatively assessed dissertation across the summer leading to the 3rd residency module, which is non-accredited and optional. They will begin to plan their 15,000-word dissertations as part of the first June residency and will receive one-to-one supervision as they work towards their September completion date. They will then be required to write a 40,000-word 120-credit advanced dissertation project to be finished in one year by full time students and two years by part time students. Supervisors for the 40,000-word dissertation will be assigned in at the time of the third residency period, with those students choosing to attend this residency given the opportunity of one-to-one tutorials with their supervisors.

Instruction during all of the residency periods will combine small group workshops and reading classes along with readings by colleagues, writers-in-residence, students and guests. Modules delivered by distance learning will be organised normally to achieve staff student ratios of 8:1 and will include individual tutorials as well as peer group discussion seminars and workshops. Students will be able to access supporting materials, including streamed lectures and readings held at or sponsored by the University.

Core modules

• Advanced Critical Reading (Residency Module 3)
• Advanced Dissertation Project (Low Residency)
• Advanced Writers Workshop (Low Residency)
• Reading, Genre and Impact (Residency Module 4)
• Teaching and Writing Workshop (Low Residency)

We normally expect applicants to have:a second class degree or above, or equivalent, in creative writing, English literature, literature and language, drama or theatre studies or a similar subject; and/ora demonstrable interest in creative writing.You must also submit a 5,000-word sample of creative writing, a personal statement (1,000 words) plus references.InterviewsWe normally invite applicants for an interview with the course director or another senior member of the teaching team. We will ask you to submit a creative writing sample of up to 5,000 words with your application.Prior learning Applicants with prior qualifications and learning may be exempt from appropriate parts of a course in accordance with the University's policy for the assessment of prior learning and prior experiential learning. Contact the faculty office for further information. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

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