The Master of Studies (MSt) in Crime and Thriller Writing is designed for those who wish to develop high-level skills in this particular genre. The MSt is taught over two years in short, intensive study blocks. It has been designed to be accessible to those in full- or part-time employment and to international students.

Progression for students who have completed this course is provided in a number of ways: some students may use this course as a progression route into a PhD in Creative Writing or in English Literature at other Universities, or they could go on to study the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing at ICE.

Aims of the programme

By the end of the course students should have developed their own writing and self-editing skills within the crime and thriller writing genres; Developed a solid and substantial understanding of the history (in terms of innovative developments) of crime and thriller writing and of critical, analytical and narrative theory.

The MSt in Crime and Thriller Writing is structured around four modules taught during year 1 of the course and a presentation module during year 2, each of which students must attend. In the first year, each of the four modules is preceded by guided preparatory reading and other activities, and followed by one or more writing assignments.

A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) offers learning support to students while they are on the programme, including learning resources, peer-to-peer and student-to-tutor discussion between modules to build a virtual community of practice.