Master of Arts (Creative Writing) (Research/Creative)

Course 102-CW (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2009
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Course Overview:

The Masters degree is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research in creative writing. It will be undertaken as 50% research and 50% creative writing and will normally take the form of a 15,000-word creative piece and a 15,000-word critical piece. The thesis should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge in its dissertation and originality in its creative work. It should make an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of research. The creative work and research work must be presented as a coherent whole. Candidates may advance to the Doctor of Philosophy degree after successful completion of the Masters or may apply to convert to the PhD at an earlier stage. An honours grade of at least H2B (70%) must be attained to qualify for the award of the Masters degree.



Objectives: At the completion of the Master of Arts in Creative Writing (Research/Creative), the graduate should:
  • have developed writing practices to a professional level;
  • have developed and communicated a critical and theoretical understanding of what is involved in their own creative writing;
  • have presented their work in a professional manner;
  • have demonstrated advanced learning in research skills, with an informed understanding of the relationship between creative and critical writing.

Course Structure & Available Subjects: Thesis 30,000 words (100 points per year)

Combination of Dissertation and Creative Work
The research thesis will take the form of two closely related parts:

  • a creative writing component (approximately 15,000 words);
  • and a dissertation (approximately 15,000 words).

The creative work and dissertation must be presented as a coherent whole. Students will work closely with their supervisor(s) to develop a coherent research project that fits these guidelines.

Subject Options:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Entry Requirements:

A four-year BA (Honours) degree with a research component or equivalent in the appropriate area of study or closely related area. The grade for the honours thesis component must be at least equivalent to an H2A (75%) at The University of Melbourne and the overall honours result must be at least equivalent to an H2B (70%).

Applicants must include with their application a 2,000 to 2,500 word thesis proposal and a writing sample (this may be an essay from your previous degree, a chapter from your Honours or Masters thesis or a published article). The primary basis for selection is academic merit; however, consideration will also be given to the quality of the thesis proposal, research potential, and the availability of an appropriate supervisor. Two written academic references should be included with the application.
Core Participation Requirements: -
Graduate Attributes: -
Generic Skills: -
Links to further information: www.culture-communication.unimelb.edu.au

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