Creative Writing

Advertisement

Creative Writing allows us to interact with and shape our changing world; to study and influence artistic values and practices; and to cultivate inventive and authentic forms of expression. The UCC MA in Creative Writing encourages students to be curious about literature, to pursue creative excellence and to develop their writing in a university atmosphere. The course as a whole encourages and supports a full exploration of the creative self while also maintaining a strong vocational emphasis.

All of our courses are embedded in Corks dynamic creative milieu, rooted inexpert practice and taught by highly accomplished professionals. A rich variety of modules are available, including Fiction, Poetry and Life Writing. Creative non-fiction options include innovative courses in Food Writing and Writing for Radio.

The School of English in UCC treats writing as a living, evolving practice: students taking the course will read and write in a context in which literature is being performed, transformed and adapted. Some of Irelands greatest writers have studied or taught at UCC, including Frank OConnor, Sean OFaolain, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and John Montague. Notable poets associated with UCC include Sean Lucy, Tom McCarthy, Sean Dunne, Paul Durcan, Theo Dorgan and Leanne OSullivan. The School of English hosts an annual Writer-In-Residence and previous holders of this prestigious post havei ncluded Mary Morrissy, Claire Keegan and Matthew Sweeney.

Course Practicalities
This course will involve an exciting mixture of seminars, workshops; placement and writing practice and students will work on self-reflexive essays and projects. The expected seminar hours from September to March will be around 6-8 per week ( this may vary) and expected reading hours and writing assignments will be around another 8 hours per week.

Assessment
Students are assessed continuously during the course, submitting specified creative work alongside commentaries on their own creative practice

This MA gives you the opportunity to write in an empathetic and academically rigorous context, amidst a dynamic cultural milieu. Core modules address key creative techniques and help sustain and refresh your writing. Professional development is mentored and supported via modules in The Business of Writing and in the Creative Industries.

PART I
* Core Modules (15 credits)

These Core Modules address two of the central aims of the programme: to help students understand the practical constraints and professional opportunities of life as a writer in a variety of potential contexts; and to cultivate an inventive, authentic and self-aware writing style.

EN 6034 The Business of Writing (5 credits)
EN 6035 Writing and Experiment (10 credits)

plus 35 credits from a combination of the following elective modules:

Elective Modules

These Elective Modules allow students to experiment with, engage with, and reflect on a diversity of writing practices, and to shape their own creative journey via their chosen modules.

* EN 6031 Poetry 1 (10 credits)
* EN 6032 Fiction 1 (10 credits)
* EN 6033 Writing the Self: Fiction and non-Fiction (10 credits)
* EN 6037 Food Writing (5 credits)
* EN 6038 Writing for Radio (5 credits)
* EN 6039 Creative Industries (5 credits)
* EN 6041 Advanced Short Story (5 credits)
* EN 6042 Workshop with Writer-in-Residence (5 credits)
* EN 6043 Poetry 2 (5 credits)
* EN 6044 Fiction 2 (5 credits)

PART II
Core Module

This Core Module represents the culmination of the learning process fostered by this programme. Students produce a substantial portfolio of work and record the processes by which they write and research.
EN 6040 Dissertation (40 credits)

Lecturers

* Eibhear Walshe
* Jools Gilson
* Regina Sexton
* Bernadette Cronin
* Rachel MagShamhráin
* Mary Morrissy
* Leanne OSullivan

Applications will be considered from graduates of all disciplines. Applicants will normally have an honours primary degree at Second Class Honours level (2.2 or above) in any discipline. For North American students a cumulative GPA of 3.2 is normally expected.Applicants with relevant writing or arts experience (eg. working in publishing, journalism or arts administration) are also invited to apply.All applicants will be asked to submit a piece of creative writing of at least 1000 words (any genre). This piece of creative writing will be used by the teaching team to evaluate each applicant's suitability. Further examples of applicant's work may be requested.English Language Requirements: Minimum IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 100 English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test: 100

Postgraduate Funding - College of Arts Celtic Studies and Social Science
CACSSS Taught Masters Scholarships

These Scholarships cover the EU fee for Taught Masters programmes in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences and are awarded on a competitive basis.


CACSSS PhD Scholarships

These Scholarships cover the EU fee for PhD programmes in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences and are awarded on a competitive basis.


Other funding opportunities, such as the Erasmus Mobility Grant and the Murphy Irish Exchange with the University of Notre Dame, can be found on the Funding page of the Graduate School.