Postgraduate Creative Writing

it is going to be quite difficult to take on any course and you will be busy 24/7 - though if this is something you are passionate about, then it may be worth studying the course part time instead? It would be worth speaking to your manager at work about it also to see how they can support you? maybe compressing your hours or changing your shifts/ remote working

Hi Bean_cat.
Thank you for replyiing. I'm a postie, so there is zero chance of my employer being supportive. I did get to speak with Teeside & they said the 14 months version is part-time & is basically a 2 years course with all the holidays taken out. It is something I am passionate about. Hard to know what to do

Hi all. I am looking to undertake a MA Creative Writing with Teeside. I am just wondering about the intensity of the 14 months course as I work full-time, have a family, etc... Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Hi moeniuk1973,

I'm currently undertaking the MA Creative Writing with Teesside (started in September 2023), but I'm doing the 2 year route, the main difference that I can see is that the 2 year route has breaks between modules. For example, I started my first module in September 2023 which ran until December 2023 and then had a break and started my second module in February 2024. Whereas, those on the 14 month route did module 1 (September 2023 - December 2023), Module 2 (December 2023 - February 2024) and are have now started their third module.

Personally, I found working full time and having other commitments, that the 2 year route was better suited for me. The breaks between modules have also allowed me some time to practice and improve my writing skills further but appreciate everyone is different and some people may well prefer the 14 month route.

Hope this helps

Hi all. I am looking to undertake a MA Creative Writing with Teeside. I am just wondering about the intensity of the 14 months course as I work full-time, have a family, etc... Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Hey @moeniuk1973

Are you thinking of studying the course on campus or online?

We do have a postgraduate open evening on Wednesday 6 March, 4.00pm - 6.00pm and members of the academic team are available to chat to (if you haven't had chance already). They might be able to give you a better idea of the intensity and expectations of the course, whichever route you choose. I've included the booking link here if you wanted to come along.

Good luck
Kate

Hi Kate
Unfortunately I live in NI with a wife, mortgage, kids, etc... so online is my only option. Currently, I am halfway through my application with the aim of starting in May.

Hi @moeniuk1973

Ah OK so not an easy journey to get to us!

Would it be helpful if I arrange for the course leader to give you a ring for a chat and to answer your questions?

Thanks
Kate

Hi Kate

That would be perfect.

Hi all. I am looking to undertake a MA Creative Writing with Teeside. I am just wondering about the intensity of the 14 months course as I work full-time, have a family, etc... Any advice would be greatly appreciated

I know this was posted three months ago, but in case you've not made your mind up yet I thought I might as well - I've just started working on my final creative writing project for the Creative Writing MA at Teesside as a full time student, so I feel I could give a bit of wisdom.
There is a lot more work than you might realise at first, as there are 5/6 modules on this course that all happen in quick succession with each other. A lot of times we would have started a new module whilst still completing assignments for the previous module which can be a lot to juggle at once. That being said, Creative Writing in general isn't an incredibly tough degree imo, I think as all creative writing is very subjective it's harder for a marker to look at it and go 'this is objectively bad'. It all relies on your commentary and your knowledge of theoretical subjects like form, experimentation, core skills & techniques etc to back up whatever you write. They like to make you think that because it's a masters that it's 1000x harder, but honestly I found the grades I've gotten more kinder than undergrad, so that's a plus side.
There is only one three hour session a week which at this time, is 6PM till 9PM, so a lot of the work you do comes down to self directed study. Personally I've really hated the night classes. I found them inconvenient as there's a lot of work to fit into a three hour session, and that late on an evening it's way harder to fully apply yourself. My peers with family and more demanding jobs seem to have found them accommodating though, so I feel that may depend more on the specifics of your circumstances.
Personally I would practice caution if you do choose Teesside regardless of any of that, because it's come to light recently that lecturers are being offered severance as I believe the uni are contemplating getting rid of the course (this hasn't been officially announced by the uni). It's been a very awkward situation the last couple of weeks with our most recent assignment, as now it's going to be marked by a lecturer who hasn't taught us for the module, and we're being taught by a brand new lecturer we've not met before for our last two sessions. To surmise: the uni haven't been thinking of the students during this at all, and I wouldn't be surprised if it gets worse further down the line. Not to scare you off, but something to think about.

Hi there.
I've actually started the two-year online route. Have to say, I'm enjoying it at the moment but it's still all very new. Pretty disconcerting if they do decide on ending the course. Hate the thought of wasting my time. First I've heard of it, though maybe they will keep the online version.