With over 60 graduate degrees to choose from, planning your postgraduate education can be a difficult choice. If you’re panicking about what to study for your Masters, this article is for you. Here, we’ve covered the most popular options for those seeking a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and spoken to some of our experienced lecturers about which degree is right for you.
Thesis vs Non-Thesis Options
When deciding on your postgraduate studies, the first thing you’ll need to decide is whether you want to write your thesis or not. If you decide on writing a thesis, you’ll need to choose which one to write on. While both options have their pluses, there are clear disadvantages to choosing a thesis topic in Creative Writing. For example, you’ll have to find a university that is willing to host you as a student. Moreover, you’ll need to spend a significant amount of time preparing for your comprehensive examsin either a thesis or non-thesis option. Lastly, a thesis isn’t officially recognised as a Master’s degree until it has been defended (in front of an audience of some sort) at least once. Therefore, if you decide on writing a thesis, make sure you have all clearances in order to be able to attend classes and complete your studies.
Creative Writing as a Subject
If writing is something that you enjoy doing and feel confident about, then why not consider studying Creative Writing as a subject? Although the options for Masters in Creative Writing are numerous, many universities offer specialist degrees in Screenwriting or Novel Writing. A degree in Creative Writing simply gives you the skills to write creatively and effectively – no matter what format you prefer. Whether it’s film or book form, you’ll be able to take this degree and land yourself a high-paying job in a content-related field, such as journalism or marketing.
If you decide to study Creative Writing as a subject, you’ll need to take into account that it is a fairly niche subject. The more diverse your postgraduate studies, the better. Once you’ve completed your Master, you’ll be able to set up your own freelance writing business or take a role in a larger media company. Alternatively, if you’d like to become a literary agent, you’ll need to specialise in either representing authors or publishers in the writing world. A degree in any creative field will put you ahead of the competition.
An MFA in Creative Writing: The Degrees and What to Expect
An MFA in Creative Writing is a highly competitive degree to attain. According to the latest data, only around 150 students are admitted to an MFA per year worldwide. The competition for places is fierce, with only a few courses available on campus and thousands of applicants per position. Students who are admitted to an MFA in Creative Writing must achieve at least a 2.0 grade point average in their undergraduate degree. Moreover, they’ll need to have excellent writing and analytical skills in order to be considered for a place on campus. Once you’ve been admitted, you’ll be required to take a series of essays and tests which will contribute to a cumulative final grade (usually around 80% of your final grade will come from these assessments). The essays and tests which you’ll need to take for an MFA in Creative Writing will depend on the degree you’ve chosen. If you’re interested in film production, you’ll need to take a Film and Media Studies course followed by a film-specific master’s degree. Alternatively, if you’d like to become a literary agent, you’ll need to complete a Novel Writing course and an extensive work experience placement (usually in an ad agency or publishing house). Once you’ve completed your studies, you’ll be able to set up your own freelance writing business, take a role in a larger media company, or work as a brand ambassador for a pharmaceutical company.
As you can see, planning your postgraduate education can be pretty taxing. The decision-making process can be difficult, but by taking some time to think about what you want from your studies and how you want to go about attaining it, the decision will seem more reasonable. If you’re looking for a career in creative writing, make sure to get yourself a good night’s sleep and enjoy the process. You won’t be able to enjoy your new job if you’re constantly worrying about how you’ll pay the bills. Moreover, if you’ve decided that an MFA in Creative Writing is right for you, start looking into what universities offer the degree and what courses they require you to take. Good luck!