Award: MA/PGDip/PGCert

Download the course prospectus, or appply online to study full-time or part-time.

Overview

If you want to make a career in writing, this course is for you. You already have talent and ideas: we will add the knowledge you need to approach your chosen market with confidence, originality and skill.

This course takes a fresh approach to the training and support of aspiring writers. In class you'll practice narrative technique, develop vocational skills and analyse the cultural context of your work. As your writing takes shape you'll have the opportunity to specialise in commercial forms, including crime fiction, science fiction and fantasy, life writing and creative non-fiction.

Uniquely, the course also offers a dynamic range of cross-disciplinary options. In the second trimester, you can choose to extend your skills by taking a module in screenwriting at Screen Academy Scotland, or in journalism, writing for interactive entertainment, or writing for graphic novels.

Your own creative work will receive ongoing attention, with regular one-to-one mentoring sessions. The course will also host an exciting programme of lectures and master classes from award-winning visiting writers and high profile industry experts. The tutors for this course are David Bishop, an award-winning screenwriter, author of 20 novels and former editor of 2000 AD, and Sam Kelly, a former literary agent, editor and critic.

Skills

Writing is a freelance occupation, and building a career requires versatile professional skills. As well as working intensively on the development of your own creative writing you will be trained in a variety of vocational techniques, including researching, reviewing, editing, adaptation and collaborative work.

Career Prospects

As a graduate of the Edinburgh Napier MA in Creative Writing, your career prospects are not limited to that elusive book publishing deal. Your technical understanding of narrative, your confidence in exploring new ideas and approaches, your knowledge of key theoretical concepts and your versatile professional skills will open opportunities for you throughout the cultural and media sectors. Whatever your background and aspirations, our aim is to enable you to put your talents to use.

What can Edinburgh Napier offer?

We are passionate about guiding a new generation of writers towards professional careers, and helping you to develop truly original, high-quality work.

You'll be encouraged to play a part in the vibrant and inspiring cultural life of Scotland's capital, home to an internationally renowned community of writers, and the world's first UNESCO City of Literature.

The course is based at Craighouse campus, a stunning set of Grade A-listed buildings close to Edinburgh city centre. As a Creative Writing MA student, you will have exclusive access to our brand new Writers' Room: a workspace, resource centre and social venue specially designed for the course.

What's involved?

The course is studied full-time over one year and is divided into three trimesters with attendance of approximately two days per week. You'll learn through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, in-class exercises and discussions, and through independent study. Regular one-to-one mentoring sessions will support the development of your own individual creative work. You will also benefit from the expertise of a wide range of visiting speakers, through a programme of tailored sessions with successful writers and publishing professionals.

I Want More!

Edinburgh-based writer Rosy Barnes has been chatting with the course tutors Sam Kelly and David Bishop - you can read the full interview on the Vulpis Libris blog.