The Manchester Writing School at MMU
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.
The Master’s programme is designed to familiarise would-be writers and teachers with the literary industries and their place within them. This uniquely rounded course combines a strong practical element with a substantial academic component. It is one of the most successful programmes of its kind running in the UK today with 21 students and graduates launching their first books between July 2007 and July 2010.
The MA is taught by a team of distinguished practising writers and critics. In 2011/12, these include Sherry Ashworth, Heather Beck, Vicki Bertram, Andrew Biswell, Nicky Browne, Eleanor Byrne, Carol Ann Duffy, Nikolai Duffy, Catherine Fox, Rachel Genn, Robert Graham, Gregory Norminton, Adam O’Riordan, Michael Symmons Roberts, Jacqueline Roy, Nicholas Royle, Andrew Rudd, John Sears, Jean Sprackland and Dominic Williams.
Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is the School’s Creative Director. Michael Symmons Roberts is the School’s Academic Director, and Programme Leader for the MA. Jean Sprackland is the Coordinator for the Virtual Writing School. James Draper is the School’s dedicated Project Manager, and also Co-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 through a single term, 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.