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

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 per cent research and 50 per cent creative writing and will normally take the form of a 15000 word creative piece and a 15000 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.

• 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.

Combination of dissertation and creative work
The research thesis will take the form of two closely related parts:

• a creative writing component (approximately 15000 words);
• and a dissertation (approximately 15000 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.

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 thesis proposal of 2,500 words addressing both the dissertation and creative components and outlining the proposed structure of the thesis; and a sample of previous work (up to 5000 words), demonstrating both research based critical writing and creative writing. 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.