What will I learn on this module?
This module allows you to produce a cohesive body of your own work that expresses their own creative voice. The emphasis is on the production of a professionally presented portfolio of writing which demonstrates your awareness of the demands of the writing industry and the positioning of your own work in terms of the contemporary literary landscape. Against this background, teaching methods are designed to ensure that on successful completion of the module you will have had the experience of planning, researching and executing a large, independent project. You are encouraged, as appropriate, to pitch your work professionally. eg pitching to agents and submitting work for competition.
How will I learn on this module?
The emphasis in this module is on your independent development of your creative project, making use of the skills and resources you have developed through the earlier MA modules. However, you will also learn through a small number of taught workshops and feedback sessions, together with one-to-one tutorials with your tutor. Workshop sessions will provide opportunities to gain peer and tutor feedback on proposals and creative work. Individual tutorials and advice on independent learning will support the development of effective creative projects.
The module will also make appropriate use of the Virtual Learning Environment to provide you with module material.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your tutor will be available by email for advice and support during the development of your creative writing project, and can also seek support from the programme director and your guidance tutor.
Advice and support will be provided in workshops and individual tutorials and through tutor and peer feedback in groups on the development of your project. You also have access to specialised services provided by central university departments and close and effective links have been developed with student’s services, the career service, the library and information services and the students union. You are encouraged to meet and discuss your work outside the programme.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. To show an understanding of the demands of your creative form, including focalisation, choice of tense, use of language and idiom
2. To demonstrate an understanding of the requirements of the creative writing industries and your place within them
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. To produce, independently, a portfolio of revised, professionally presented creative work
4. To read as a writer, able to analyse other texts (both peers’ and published writers’) and reflect on these both orally and in reflective text
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Ability to research, revise in the light of feedback, and produce work independently and manage your own project
How will I be assessed?
Summative assessment is by a portfolio totalling 15,000 words, consisting of 10,000-13,000 wordscreative work and a critical commentary making up the remainder. MLO1-4
1,000 words of prose will be treated as equivalent to 5 pages of script or 40 lines of poetry.
Formative feedback will be offered in the workshops and in tutorials on draft work circulated. MLO 5
Feedback on summative work will be delivered according to the existing protocols of the Department of Humanities: all assessments are anonymized and double-marked with both sets of feedback (with comments on feedback sheets) returned to the student with the final moderated grade. Feedback will encourage and facilitate reflective learning through the feedback sheet grid which pinpoints particular areas of strengths/weakness and the narrative comments which encourage students to consider how they have succeeded and how they can improve.
Pre-requisite(s)
none
Co-requisite(s)
none
Module abstract
Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.
Course info
Credits 60
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Full Time
1 other options available
Department Humanities
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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