[Johnfl]

Hi,

I've been offered places on the MA Creative Writing courses at both Birkbeck and City University. Both have positives (City guides you through the composition of an entire novel; Birkbeck is more rounded and academic , and has some great tutors.)

I'm tending towards Birkbeck but does anyone have any thoughts on this?

PS. I've also been offered a place on Manchester Met's online MA. I've been advised by most people I've spoken to not to proceed as face-to-face is better. However, it is a very cost-effective option, and the tutors there are great - again, if anyone has any thoughts I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,

J. Florence.

[ibbap38]

Hi John (or anyone else):

Did you get responses to which is a "better" program? What did you decide, how do you like your decision?

Would appreciate any responses as I'm also trying to decide between the two programs: MA Creative Writing - Birkbeck vs City University.

All responses welcome.

Thanks & Regards,
Rina

[ajp100688]

People who have money to afford MAs in Creative Writing are the definition of having too much money. You don't need a degree to write a novel, just open up Word, getting planning and go for it.

[JuliaHBell]

Too much money!!
Creative Writing Courses are an easy target I guess if you make the mistaken assumption that all our students want to do is get rich quick by writing a bestseller - and if that's their ambition they are a. unlikely to get on our courses. b. not enjoy our courses.
A good MA (like ours at Birkbeck) gives the student an opportunity to think quite deeply about the written word and about the world, generally - and at any given point in an MA workshop we might discuss matters of history, philosophy, psychology, and literature. It's rigorously reading-based and even in the depths of a recession we are hugely oversubscribed - we only take 35 students out of about 200 applications. Education, as Aristotle knew, is more than just about training - a good CW MA teaches the student to *think* in a structured and meaningful way as well as apply technique to their work. I would challenge you to try any of our courses and then you can tell me if you think they are a soft option . . .