Most of us have heard of an MBA but few of us know what it actually means — an MBA in Creative Writing is a Master of Business Administration with a speciality in Creative Writing. It’s a bit of a mouthful but perhaps not as tricky to understand as it might seem.
Here we’re going to run down the key things you need to consider before applying, the admissions requirements, how to structure your curriculum and much more.
The Difference Between An MBA and And An ME
Let’s start by clearing up some of the more common misconceptions about MBAs. Firstly, while most often used as a standalone degree, an MBA can also be acquired alongside a master’s degree in other subjects (such as Business and Marketing) or even a bachelor’s degree. In fact, many students opt to use their undergraduate degrees to gain work experience before applying for an MBA.
The key distinction to make is that an MBA is a completely independent degree, typically requiring the completion of three or four years of study. It is not a prerequisite for any other degree and, unlike an MBA, an ME is often an integral part of a bachelor’s degree.
Admissions & Requirements
Just like any other university, University of Brighton also requires that you meet certain requirements in order to be able to study there.
Depending on the course you’re applying for, you may be required to have a specified number of credits or units of study at the minimum level, or you may be required to have a certain amount of work experience or a professional qualification.
All universities have individual admission requirements and it’s essential you meet as many of these requirements as possible.
How To Structure Your Curriculum
An MBA in Creative Writing is a broad degree and, as such, you’ll have a choice of more than a dozen different paths you can take in your studies.
In practice, however, you’ll only have about three years to complete your studies before you’re expected to sit for your final exams. Considering the cramming sessions and lack of holiday time that most of us experience as students, it’s crucial you map out a study strategy that keeps you ahead of the game.
Make sure you’ve got a study schedule in place and stick to it — a bad attitude could see you falling behind before you even begin.
Your curriculum will depend on your intended career path and the specifics of your chosen course (e.g. whether you’re going for a job in marketing or publishing).
For instance, if you’re applying for a job in financial services, you might want to consider taking modules such as marketing, finance and accounting — all vital subjects in the real world.
Getting To Know More About The Subject
An MBA is a broad degree and, as such, your lecturers will often refer to texts and literature that are outside of your normal curriculum vitae.
While this can be a good thing as it means you’re learning new things, make sure you’re not overloaded with information.
Too much exposure to information outside of your normal undergraduate studies can put you at risk of failing to retain what you have learned and potentially even causing you to underperform academically.
The Cost Of An MBA
When you’re applying for a student loan, you’ll need to consider the cost of your MBA.
On the one hand, many universities, colleges, and professional bodies offer generous discounts for those on a low income.
On the other, you’ll need to make sure you’re not being tricked by scammers who claim to have financial aids packages from prestigious universities.
It’s worth looking into all the different schemes available especially if you’re on a tight budget.
The Career Path For An MBA In Creative Writing
Depending on your chosen course, you’ll start your professional life with a somewhat different career trajectory than you would otherwise.
In general terms, an MBA in Creative Writing will lead you to a managerial role within an organisation – possibly a start-up or a small business, but more often than not, a large company.
You might find yourself working in a senior management position or even heading up a department — all important roles that take you beyond the traditional boundaries of editorial or advertising agencies.
Your job will be to coordinate the efforts of a team of creative or marketing professionals and, as such, you’ll be expected to have excellent managerial and communication skills.
Depending on your background, you might also be placed in a brand management position, where you’ll be responsible for developing and implementing strategies for the management of corporate brands.
The only way to reach this level in your industry is by gaining an MBA and, as such, this is a key consideration when shaping your future career strategy.
Above all else, make sure you’re not getting tricked by fake job offers that promise you big things but involve little to no actual work.
You’ll never be able to tell where opportunities await you until you start exploring — that’s the beauty of being an educated, open-minded, entrepreneurial student.