The programme is distinctive in its combination of expertise in creative writing and cultural geography. It combines the expertise of internationally respected leaders in each of these fields including Jo Shapcott| (winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award in 2011 as well as the Forward Prize for best collection of poetry in 1999), Andrew Motion| (former Poet Laureate, novelist and biographer) and Tim Cresswell| (leading cultural geographer, author of Place: A Short Introduction and Managing Editor of cultural geographies).
This programme seeks to develop the writing skills of students in the context of an engagement with and understanding of creative place-based writing as well as a grounding in theoretical explorations of environment, place and landscape.
The programme lasts for one year (fifty weeks), beginning in September, or two years (one hundred and two weeks) for part-time students. It consists of three terms. In the Autumn and Spring terms, students will meet for a workshop each week. In addition to the weekly workshop, students will take GG xxxx Environment, Landscape, Place (Autumn Term) and then EN5116 Reading as a Writer (Spring Term). All courses will be supported by one-to-one tutorials with course tutors. No formal workshops will be held in the Summer term, but students will be expected to have regular individual meetings with their tutors. In addition, during the summer term there is a programme of visiting speakers from the publishing industry, including writers, agents and editors.
Environmental Writing
This is a weekly three-hour workshop, in which work by the students will be discussed. At each of these workshops, around three students will present work for critical feedback from the group.
Environment, Landscape, Place
This is a weekly one-and-a-half hour seminar in the Autumn term. It involves critical and theoretical reading designed to supply students with appropriate critical and theoretical knowledge of environmental themes for discussing their own work and others. Students will need this for the Practical Work Project.
Reading as a Writer
This is a weekly one-and-a-half hour seminar in the Spring term. Students will read a selection of contemporary fiction, non-fiction and poetry from the perspective of the writer.
Practical Work Project
From May to September, students will undertake a major extended fiction or poetry writing project (under supervision).
Dissertation
From May to September, students will be required to produce a critical and/or theoretical piece of writing relating to their Practical Work Project.
Research training is given in the Methods and Materials course.
The entry requirement for the course is normally at least an Upper Second in Single Honours English or Combined Honours English, but applicants with degrees in other subjects, particularly geography and other environment related subjects, or with relevant publications will also be considered and are encouraged to apply.
Applicants will need to display some ability in the area of creative writing.Applicants will be required to complete the application form and to provide a 5000-word sample of their work (prose) or at least twenty-five pages of their work (poetry).
All applicants are also required to submit an example of their critical work [reviews will be accepted], up to 5,000 words in length. Applicants who get through to the second stage of consideration will normally be interviewed.
An equivalent level of achievement is looked for in applications from overseas students.Non-standard applicants will be considered on their merits.
Please visit Royal Holloway's online application system| for details about how to apply.
The fees for this one year masters programme will be £5,900 for Home and EU students and £12,800 for overseas students.