Writing for Young People

Entry requirements

Normally, but not invariably, you will have a degree that may be in subjects other than Creative Writing. For more information please contact our admissions team or telephone 01225 876180.

Months of entry

October

Course content

• Excellent links with authors, agents and publishers, and a programme of visiting speakers.
• Annual prize for the ‘most promising writer for young people’ awarded by a leading literary agent.
• Excellent track record of graduates achieving publication.

This specialist creative writing MA is designed for writers for children, teenagers and young adults who aim to complete a novel, series of picture books or shorter stories for young children. It is a practical course, taught by experienced lecturers who are all published children’s writers and/or industry professionals.

The course is for writers for children of all ages, from the picture-book age through to young adult (YA). Prose fiction is likely to be the main area studied, but students will have the chance to look at writing in all forms, including poetry, picture book texts and narrative non-fiction for young people.

The course supports you to create a significant body of writing, with practical plans for its place in the real world of publishing. It is based on the principle that most writers learn and benefit from working closely with their fellow writers, in a disciplined supportive setting, and with tutors who are practising and published writers in their field. Most of our students aim to complete a novel by the end of the MA.

Career opportunities
More than thirty-five of our MA Writing for Young People graduates have achieved publication deals with a range of different children’s publishers, and many more graduates have secured literary agents. Other graduates have subsequently taught Creative Writing at university level. Some have combined their writing with careers in journalism, teaching, publishing, television etc.

Information for international students

For further information visit our website.

Fees and funding

For more information on funding please refer to our website.

Assessment