MA Opportunities in Journalism, English (Lit) and Creative Writing

School of Arts

Brunel University

MA Contemporary Literature and Culture
This MA is the first in the country that allows advanced study of contemporary literature in all its diversity. We examine popular genres, the 21st century novel, contemporary innovations, postcolonial literatures, postmodern poetics and more. Designed to develop advanced theoretical understanding of cultural, social, intellectual and aesthetic contexts, it allows students to engage with some of the most exciting writing of the last thirty years.

MA Creative and Professional Writing
This course will give you experience in diverse but complementary methodologies, theories and skills in creative and constructive modes of writing. We have built up an excellent team of experts to support the existing academic staff. Together, they offer support for creative and transactional writing in areas such as novel, short story, poetry and play writing; business writing; academic writing; journalism; advertising; and specialist fields such as technical, scientific and legal writing.

MA Creative Writing - The Novel
This programme is aimed at individuals with a passion or a gift for writing, whether they are on the threshold of becoming a professional writer or considering a career in the communication-based industries. Students are taught in carefully-structured workshops and given unparalleled opportunities for individual tuition. You will benefit from the knowledge of Brunel faculty members and renowned novelists Fay Weldon, Celia Brayfield, and Sarah Penny. Guest speakers and the Writers Talking series bring acclaimed contemporary writers to campus to conduct master classes and give you insights into the writer's life.

MA Shakespeare Authorship Studies
This new MA programme, the first of its kind in the world, tackles the subject of Shakespeare and Authorship in all its diversity. We interrogate the mythologisation of Shakespeare, and examine the effects of collaboration on notions of authorship, value, genius, and authority. The programme also considers the enormously controversial phenomenon of the Shakespeare Authorship Question. Students will benefit from high-profile guest lecturers, and from the proximity of the world’s leading research libraries: the British Library and the Bodleian.

MA Journlism (NCTJ Accredited)
MA Journalism consists of a common core of study in journalism, with an offer of specialist study in print or broadcast journalism in the second term, which will facilitate your entry into different aspects of the industry. This is particularly relevant in the context of a converging media industry requiring multi-skilling and the ability to adapt to new media environments. The programme is distinctive in allowing you to develop your own cutting-edge journalistic practice, whether it's exploring 3G news, podcasts or on-screen page make-up. At the same time you learn about the impact of technological change, cultural developments and political issues on different forms of journalism. Particular attention will be paid to factors such as media ownership, the regulation of the media, journalism ethics, and the role of journalism in the political process. Students will greatly benefit from the School's excellent links with the journalism, broadcasting and publishing industries, and will be offered the opportunity for work placement. Furthermore, this will be the first London Masters in Journalism to offer NCTJ accreditation as a hallmark of its relevance to and status within the industry.

MA International Journalism
This is an intensive post-graduate journalism programme which aims to produce imaginative, creative reporters, producers and sub-editors who are capable of producing professional-quality content across one or more journalism formats for international and global media. You will gain cutting-edge skills in reporting and production in our digital multi-media newsroom. Our particular appeal will be to students looking for advanced skills in writing and sub-editing for global journalism outlets such as news agencies. In recent years we have witnessed the democratisation of many formerly closed societies and the opening of their media systems. Such systems need well-informed journalists, but very often the infrastructure needed to produce such journalists is lacking. Simultaneously, you will gain a thorough critical understanding of this shifting, dynamic industry so you are well-positioned to anticipate and navigate legal, ethical and professional changes.