About this course

This Writing MA from LJMU will provide you with the opportunity to read, write, reflect and develop your identity as a writer.

• Study on a unique programme providing lectures, discussion and detailed peer critique workshops
• Learn from published writers including LJMU staff and visiting writers
• Enjoy strong links with the creative writing industry

This unique programme will help you to learn about writing, develop your own writing style and practice, share ideas with teachers and peers, develop a contemporary and traditional foundation in creative writing, find a creative voice of your own.

The programme explores the process of writing from first inspiration to final draft and publication and reflects the need for writers to keep up-to-date with advances in contemporary publishing. You will benefit from the close study of writerly techniques and strategies, develop your work to a professional standard and gain access to professional practitioners, such as visiting novelists, poets and screenwriters as well as editors and publishers. In this way your work will be able to thrive in the wider world.

Although you will be encouraged to explore a number of genres of writing across the programme, you will be free to specialise in any genre. Workshops form the heart of the course, sharing your work, developing your editing skills, defining and enhancing your identity as a writer.

Other activities involve reading as a writer, as well as meeting representatives from industry. These further develop the programme’s aim of finding the best ways for you to advance and perfect your writing.

Assessment

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme. Assessment techniques vary from module to module to reflect relevant assessment approaches and the key learning points of each topic.

Assessment focuses on helping you realise the skills needed to be the kind of writer you want to be. Programme knowledge and understanding are assessed through creative and analytical coursework in written, oral and electronic form. Knowledge of technique and an understanding of research is assessed through the workshop process.