Program Overview

About this Course

The University of Liverpool offers a stimulating environment to study Creative and Critical Writing, thanks to its unique placement module and exciting programme of events. Students will develop their skills and knowledge through a combination of creative engagement with prose and drama.

Introduction

The programme offers a unique placement module through which students will have the opportunity to gain practical experience as a writer in residence at one of the University of Liverpool's partner institutions in the city. As a writer in residence in locations such as museums and galleries, students will be able to develop professional skills through activities such as writing in response to exhibitions, or running creative writing workshops.

Course Content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

• Semester one:
  • Compulsory modules:
    • CREATIVE WRITING I: THE SOCIAL TEXT (ENGL792) - 15 credits
    • CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP 1 (ENGL790) - 15 credits
  • Optional modules:
    • SHAKESPEARE & CO (ENGL751) - 15 credits
    • EDITING THE EARLY MODERN (ENGL752) - 15 credits
    • VICTORIAN MURDER AND OTHER CRIMES (ENGL763) - 15 credits
    • VICTORIAN APOCALYPSE (ENGL764) - 15 credits
    • THE MODERN (ENGL770) - 15 credits
    • LITERATURE AND CRISIS (ENGL771) - 15 credits
    • GENRE DEFINITIONS (ENGL780) - 15 credits
    • SCIENCE FICTION AND/AS THE ARCHIVE (ENGL781) - 15 credits
• Semester two:
  • Compulsory modules:
    • CREATIVE WRITING II: THE SOCIAL VOICE (ENGL793) - 15 credits
    • CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP II (ENGL791) - 15 credits
  • Optional modules:
    • LITERATURE, SLAVERY AND EMPIRE (ENGL750) - 15 credits
    • YORE VICTORIANS (ENGL760) - 15 credits
    • READING VICTORIANS (ENGL762) - 15 credits
    • THE CONTEMPORARY (ENGL772) - 15 credits
    • THE BODY (ENGL773) - 15 credits
    • HAUNTED: SHAKESPEARE AND THE GOTHIC IN RENAISSANCE AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE (ENGL774) - 15 credits
    • FICTIONS OF TECHNOLOGY (ENGL782) - 15 credits
    • BODIES IN SPACE (ENGL783) - 15 credits
    • WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT (ENGL795) - 15 credits
• Final project:
  • CREATIVE WRITING DISSERTATION (ENGL794) - 60 credits

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching is delivered through a combination of seminars and tutorials held on campus. Depending on which module options are taken, there may be lectures and separate seminar sessions scheduled, but all classes will take place on campus in person. Class sizes for Masters programmes in the Department of English tend to be small, and a typical class in English will include between 8-10 students.

• Assessment:
  • Students will for the most part be assessed by a combination of formative and summative coursework.
  • This will take a number of different forms, including essays, essay plans, research proposals, and a dissertation.
  • In addition, students will be assessed by presentations in certain modules.

Your Experience

The Department of English is based in the School of the Arts. The department is committed to small group teaching, which encourages a more rewarding learning experience, where ideas are shared and explored with peers and supervisors. Students will be part of a genuine international postgraduate community and will be able to participate in the lively research culture through attending regular seminars and lectures by guest speakers as well as the department's own staff and students.

Careers and Employability

The course emphasizes both creative and critical practice, so graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad range of skills to potential employers. The placement module will offer employability skills and career opportunities through professional experience as a writer in residence embedded in a partner institution.

• Career support:
  • Career planning
  • Help with career planning, understanding the job market, and strengthening networking skills
  • A dedicated student services team can help students get assistance with their studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
  • Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
  • Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees, funding studies, and other costs to consider.

• Tuition fees:
  • UK fees: ｣12,500 (full-time), ｣6,250 (part-time)
  • International fees: ｣28,000 (full-time), ｣14,000 (part-time)
• Additional costs:
  • Buying a laptop, books, or stationery
• Scholarships and bursaries:
  • Bracken Scholarship: ｣5,000
  • John Lennon Memorial Scholarship: up to ｣4,500
  • Sport Liverpool Performance Programme: tailored training support
  • The Aziz Foundation Scholarship: full cost of master's tuition fees

Entry Requirements

The qualifications and exam results needed to apply for this course.

• Postgraduate entry requirements:
  • 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution
  • Degree should be in English Literature or Creative Writing
  • Applicants with honours degrees in other subjects will be considered on an individual basis and may be invited for interview
• International qualifications:
  • Select country or region to view specific entry requirements
• English language requirements:
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
  • TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19, and speaking 20
  • Duolingo English Test: 125 overall, with writing not less than 125, speaking and reading not less than 115, and listening not below 110
  • Pearson PTE Academic: 61 overall, with no component below 59
  • LanguageCert Academic: 70 overall, with no skill below 65
  • PSI Skills for English: B2 Pass with Merit in all bands
  • INDIA Standard XII: National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English, Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English
  • WAEC: C6 or above

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course? The length of the Pre-sessional English course you'll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.