The Manchester Writing School at MMU
Manchester's much-loved Poet Laureate, Professor Carol Ann Duffy - Creative Director of the Manchester Writing School at MMU
Established in 1998 within the Department of English at MMU, the Manchester Writing School is a thriving centre of creative excellence, hosting a vibrant series of public reading events, a leading programme of outreach activities, a major international writing competition and a biennial festival of children’s literature.
At the core of the School’s work is the university’s ambitious MA Creative Writing programme, available to study on campus in Manchester, and also internationally through online distance learning in the Virtual Writing School with students based across the UK and mainland Europe, and as far afield as America, Africa, Australia, Canada, the Middle East and New Zealand. The MA combines a strong practical element with a substantial academic component, underpinning the development of a book-length project in creative workshops with the study of techniques and styles of modern and contemporary writing. Students are introduced to professionals from the publishing industries – agents, editors, publishers and publicists – and the School has strong links with many of Manchester’s major arts, educational and cultural organisations.
MMU’s MA in Creative Writing is one of the most successful programmes of its kind running in the UK today with more than 35 students and graduates launching first books in the past five years, and many more achieving publication in literary journals and magazines, winning writing awards and prizes.
The Manchester Writing School teaching team comprises distinguished practising writers and critics. In 2012/13, these include Sherry Ashworth, Paul Batchelor, Heather Beck, Andrew Biswell, N. M. Browne, Eleanor Byrne, Carol Ann Duffy, Nikolai Duffy, Catherine Fox, Rachel Genn, Livi Michael, Gregory Norminton, Adam O’Riordan, Michael Symmons Roberts, Jacqueline Roy, Nicholas Royle, John Sears and Jean Sprackland. Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is the School’s Creative Director. Michael Symmons Roberts is the School’s Academic Director, Director of Research, and Programme Leader for the MA. Jean Sprackland is the Coordinator for the Virtual Writing School. James Draper is the School’s Manager, Enterprise Lead and also a Director of the Manchester Children’s Book Festival.
You can find out more about Manchester Writing School events, readings and activities via the links on the left-hand-side of your screen, or sign up to our mailing list by contacting James on j.draper@mmu.ac.uk or +44 (0) 161 247 1787.
For full details of the MA programme, including how to apply for January or September 2012 entry, go to: MA Creative Writing or contact our Course Enquiries Team on +44 (0) 161 247 6969 or cour...@mmu.ac.uk. The Manchester Writing School also offers a suite of short continuing professional development courses available to study as discrete, one-off units, but also validated at Master’s-level for accreditation to a full postgraduate programme if you decide to apply for further study.
Doctoral study in Creative Writing is available through the Centre of Research in English (CORE) – part of the broader MMU Institute of Humanities and Social Science Research.