MA Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University

Programme overview

This specialist creative writing MA is designed for writers for children, teenagers and young adults who aim to complete a novel, series of picture books or shorter stories for young children. Taught by published writers for children and young people and by publishing professionals, this practical course will help you refine your craft while learning about the interaction of creative and business considerations in the modern publishing industry. This course is available both on campus and online so you can work in the way that suits you best.

Faculty: School of Creative and Cultural Arts | Duration: One year full time or two years part time. | Study mode: full-time; part-time | Location: Bath, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Trimester one The first Context module explores the main categories of books published for children and young people, with a focus on reading as a writer and on understanding your audience at the different stages of childhood and adolescence. We consider a wide range of texts from picture books and chapter books to middle grade and young adult novels; verse novels and some non-fiction and graphic novels are also included. The first Writing Workshop module is an opportunity to explore various aspects of the craft of writing for children and young people.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

It's not necessary to have a degree in English, Creative Writing or related disciplines; your engagement with children’s and Young Adult literature as a reader and writer is more important than the field of previous study. This course requires an IELTS test (or equivalent) with an overall grade of 7.0 and with no less than 6.0 in each component. We review all applications and try to provide a small amount of feedback if your application is not successful. Our most common feedback to applicants is: - A recommendation to join a writing group and gain experience of showing strangers your work and receiving feedback - To spend more time reading recently published children’s and Young Adult literature.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,450 a year (2027/28). Annual tuition fee, UK full time Source

International applicants: GBP 20,350 a year (2027/28). Annual tuition fee, International full time Source

Duration: One year full time or two years part time.

Apply through the official page: https://apphub.bathspa.ac.uk/Connectors/Paperless/MAWY

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