The MPhil Masters in writing course at the University of South Wales is tutored by significant writers; our graduates have published more than fifty books since 2010. This unique, flexible learning scheme offers the chance to develop your book-length manuscript under the expert guidance of University tutors and prize-winning writers.

Notable achievements of our MPhil in Writing graduates and current students include major literary awards – first prize in the Manchester Poetry Prize and the Troubadour International Poetry Prize (both 2015) and the Dundee International Book Prize (2014) as well as bursaries in England, Wales and the Irish Republic. Novels and poetry have been published by leading publishers including Bloodaxe, Canongate, Carcanet, Faber, Harper Collins and Heinemann. Guest writers at Masters Residencies have included established names like Helen Dunmore, Andrew Davies and Michael Morpurgo, as well as new emerging talents and industry professionals.

Assessment

Your writing project will be a book-length manuscript and may be a novel, short stories or poetry. The critical study, of around 10,000 words, may be on any writer, movement, genre or theme relevant to your creative project, as agreed with the Director of Studies. As is usual for research degrees, the final assessment will be by oral examination of your written submission by two impartial examiners, one from inside the University, one outside (i.e. no one who has taught you on the course), hosted by an independent Chair.

Careers

Graduates can become published writers in their chosen medium or find work as critics, journalists or writing educators. The MPhil also offers a valuable qualification for those wishing to enhance their career prospects in publishing, editing and teaching, or proceed to PhD study.