Master the art
Oxford University is following in the footsteps of the University of East Anglia, by introducing a Master of Studies (MSt) postgraduate degree in creative writing.
The post-graduate course, beginning in October 2005, will be a two year long, part-time study of fiction, poetry, drama and other models of creative thought.
Only 12 places will be available, so competition is expected to be fierce, with its website stating that early application is 'strongly advised'.
The move is a step forwards from the undergraduate diploma in creative writing that Oxford has previously offered.
It aims to distinguish itself by means of a broad syllabus with multicultural tuition.
The diploma has been running for seven years already, and course director Clare Morgan states it was both the popularity of this and pressure from English undergraduates that resulted in the new MSt:
"A lot of students were going to other universities like Warwick and UEA to continue their studies, and we didn't want to suppress this burgeoning writing culture."
Although Morgan acknowledges that participation in the course is no guarantee of publishing success, she emphasises the practical elements of the programme which involves meeting editors, agents and publishers.
In the second year there is also a placement within the writing community itself, meaning that the focus of the MSt is both practical and analytical.
In an atmosphere where the closure of academic departments is regularly debated, with even Cambridge considering shutting down courses such as architecture, it appears Oxford is keen to respond to market pressures.
Despite the fact that the course has only been publicised for two weeks, the administrative team have already fielded many enquiries. It seems applicants from the EU and overseas have not been deterred by the £5000 £12000 price tag.
27th Jan 2005