MA Creative Writing - which Manchester uni?

I'm currently very lucky to be holding offers for the MA in Creative Writing at both the University of Manchester and MMU. I'm really torn over which one to pick, as both courses are very similar for those like me who want to write a novel.

MMU has more genre-based options for the course units, but I don't think that's as important as the workshop/writing theory elements, which both courses have. Both courses boast teaching staff that I really respect and admire.

Does anyone have any advice on how to choose between them? Thanks in advance.

Reply 1

HopefulBarR

6

Advice on how to choose:
- Write out a definitive pros and cons list of each course and uni
- Write out what holds the most value to you
- Cross reference the two lists and see who wins out

If you want an opinion of where to go - Uni of would be mine. Always go with a Russell Group if you've got the offer, you never know where life might take you and i think unfortunately 'brand name' universities still have gravitas!

Reply 2

some_writer

OP

3

Original post by HopefulBarR

Advice on how to choose:
- Write out a definitive pros and cons list of each course and uni
- Write out what holds the most value to you
- Cross reference the two lists and see who wins out

If you want an opinion of where to go - Uni of would be mine. Always go with a Russell Group if you've got the offer, you never know where life might take you and i think unfortunately 'brand name' universities still have gravitas!

Thank you, I'll have a go at making those lists! I did think that about the whole Russell Group thing, but I have the impression that both writing schools are held in very high regard generally. I'll look into that further too, though!

Reply 3

mike23mike

16

Original post by some_writer

I'm currently very lucky to be holding offers for the MA in Creative Writing at both the University of Manchester and MMU. I'm really torn over which one to pick, as both courses are very similar for those like me who want to write a novel.

MMU has more genre-based options for the course units, but I don't think that's as important as the workshop/writing theory elements, which both courses have. Both courses boast teaching staff that I really respect and admire.

Does anyone have any advice on how to choose between them? Thanks in advance.

You want a career as a writer. Look at what MMU state, "The most successful programme of its kind in the UK today with more than 95 students and graduates publishing first books in the past ten years." Manchester University does not maks such claims. There you have it.

Looking at the course content MMU seems to have more variety and specialisation - crime fiction, children's writing etc. MMU for me.

Reply 4

hlrobinson32

4

I agree that you need to write a pros and cons list. Also look closely at the writers teaching and lecturing there and see who you would rather study with and who writes what you are interested in.

I have been in the exact same position as you during this last month or so and have decided on Uni of Manchester. It's a personal choice though. My reasoning is that I love Jeanette Winterson and I think i would kick myself not to go to uni of Manchester because of that. Also, i felt that MMU tie you in to doing the MFA year to get any input on the publishing industry which i wasn't sure i wanted to commit to. But MMU also seems very successful and perhaps better if you are a genre or fantasy writer. I have heard Manchester is more literary or commercial fiction focused.

Reply 5

some_writer

OP

3

Original post by hlrobinson32

I agree that you need to write a pros and cons list. Also look closely at the writers teaching and lecturing there and see who you would rather study with and who writes what you are interested in.

I have been in the exact same position as you during this last month or so and have decided on Uni of Manchester. It's a personal choice though. My reasoning is that I love Jeanette Winterson and I think i would kick myself not to go to uni of Manchester because of that. Also, i felt that MMU tie you in to doing the MFA year to get any input on the publishing industry which i wasn't sure i wanted to commit to. But MMU also seems very successful and perhaps better if you are a genre or fantasy writer. I have heard Manchester is more literary or commercial fiction focused.

Thanks for this! I did do a pros and cons list, and I'm leaning towards UoM at the moment too. The big selling point for MMU for me is that they have a more diverse staff list (I'm from a minority background), but UoM have provided more detail on how teaching might look in the coming year and, as you say, they have a couple of really great authors at the Centre for New Writing too.

I'm going to see what UoM's virtual open week this week is like and then make a decision. Perhaps I'll see you on the UoM course!

Reply 6

hlrobinson32

4

Original post by some_writer

Thanks for this! I did do a pros and cons list, and I'm leaning towards UoM at the moment too. The big selling point for MMU for me is that they have a more diverse staff list (I'm from a minority background), but UoM have provided more detail on how teaching might look in the coming year and, as you say, they have a couple of really great authors at the Centre for New Writing too.

I'm going to see what UoM's virtual open week this week is like and then make a decision. Perhaps I'll see you on the UoM course!

Yes maybe you will! It is a hard decision, i also had an offer at Lancaster so it took me quite a bit of time to decide. The pros/cons helped me but I have studied at Uni of Manchester before and liked it and I also liked that they do (did?!) lots of events. The team at MMU is definitely bigger though and it seems a well established course. You really must just go with your heart and see what feels right for you. I kept telling myself that maybe the decision isn't the be all and end all, if you are going to write you should be able to do it anywhere with some support. I don't think either is a bad choice.

Reply 7

silvanblue

2

Hey you! I don't know if you'll read this, but what did you end up choosing? I am making the exact same choice right now (for playwriting) and I am so so stuck!

Reply 8

some_writer

OP

3

Original post by silvanblue

Hey you! I don't know if you'll read this, but what did you end up choosing? I am making the exact same choice right now (for playwriting) and I am so so stuck!

Hi! I followed my instincts and went with UoM in the end. It's been good so far but obviously the pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works and so the first year was all online, which was largely okay but not the best (although I have no idea what MMU's delivery was like!). However, I got a lot out of the workshop unit in particular, and the industry talks have been really illuminating.

I don't know anything about the playwriting course, but if you're genuinely torn, I suppose it's about identifying what you most want to get out of the course and then seeing which uni will best support that. There's a lot to be said for going with a Russell Group uni, but that didn't factor into my decision at all in the end! You'll make good friends and useful connections wherever you go. Good luck!

MA Creative Writing - which Manchester uni?

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