In order to apply, you will need to submit a completed application form, a sample of creative writing, a critical review and one reference.
On the application form, you will be asked to give a personal statement and should use this to tell us a bit about yourself and give a good sense of what you have been reading and writing, what has led you to apply for our course, and which one of our specialist routes you are applying for. Personal statements should be up to 500 words long.
For the creative sample, applicants to the Novel, Children's/YA and Creative Non-Fiction routes should submit up to 2,000 words of prose (a complete piece, or an extract/extracts from a longer work); poetry applicants should submit up to 15 poems; and scriptwriting applicants should submit up to 15 minutes running time of script.
The critical review should focus on a piece of 21st century work, be up to 500 words long, and show evidence of close reading, explaining what it is about the piece you find useful as a writer. Both the creative and critical samples should be relevant to the specialist route to which you are applying to (Novel OR Poetry OR Writing for Children/YA OR Scriptwriting OR Creative Non-Fiction).
Your reference can be from anyone of professional standing (e.g. a current/former employer or tutor) who can vouch for your suitability for study at postgraduate level or the quality of your writing, or, if you are unable to obtain a reference from someone who is familiar with your written work, simply verify your identity.
Please collate and submit the application form, writing sample, review and reference, where possible. It will not speed up the processing of your application if you send some elements now with others to follow.
We have intakes into the programme in September and January each year. While there is no set deadline for the receipt of applications, we recommend applying before the end of August for September entry, and by the end of November for January entry. We normally aim to respond to applications within four weeks of receipt of all four elements: application form, writing sample, review and reference, although it may take a little longer outside of term time.
In each application assessed we will be looking for evidence of:
- A very high standard of written English;
- Creative talent and potential;
- Control of form, style and technique;
- Commitment to the craft of writing and willingness to engage with the editorial process of receiving feedback and redrafting work-in-progress;
- Experience of the development of writing skills through workshops, supervision, mentoring or previous study;
- Commitment to the craft of writing and the development of writing skills through workshops and supervision;
- Substantial reading within the relevant field.
Applicants whose first language is not English are required to produce evidence of English Language proficiency. Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 overall, with no sub-component below 5.5, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.
If your application meets these criteria, a tutor may contact you to arrange a telephone or face-to-face interview at a mutually convenient time.
