Masters in Creative Writing at Rhodes University

Offered in the Institute for the Study of English in Africa

(N.B. This new programme has been accredited for implementation by the HEQC, SAQA and the
National Department of Education.)

Admission requirements –

Candidates will be admitted to the programme on the basis of an Honours

degree in any discipline or the equivalent (e.g. a 4-year B.Journ degree), plus a
portfolio of writing, or equivalent. In addition to presenting a portfolio,
candidates may be required to attend an interview.

Relevant prior learning will be recognised where appropriate.

Where a candidate has extensive experience and/or is judged to have

considerable potential as a creative writer but lacks the formal qualifications
normally required for registration for a Master’s degree, admission to a research
programme as an ad eundem gradum candidate may be possible.

The programme will be delivered and administered in English, but supervisory

capacity is available so that students can write in Afrikaans, English or Xhosa.

Length of the programme –

Minimum duration for completion Full Time is one year, and for completion Part
Time is two years.

Teaching methods—

Students learn initially through guided individual exercises and practice and by
reflecting on their own on-going experience as writers. Learning from others
through sharing experience is actively encouraged. The programme is designed
to enable students to implement activities in class and continue them at home;
to record and to reflect on the results and discuss their learning in discussion
groups. Written, reflective journals are submitted for formative comment and
assessment.

Feedback from supervisors allows for multiple re-writings and reflection on

earlier versions.

The programme is developed collaboratively by core staff using materials whose

effectiveness has been tested in practice. Readings and structured activities are
prescribed to cover standard topics and issues in the field. Individual supervisors
are encouraged to adapt materials to suit the projects undertaken by individual
students.

Carefully selected readings are prescribed and tasks set which require the
students to draw upon writing theory in order to understand their own gifts and
challenges as writers.
The intensive contact sessions and personal one-on-one supervision will provide
the necessary support.

Various other institutional programmes will be available to students, such as

assistance with using electronic collections in the Library, personal counselling,
etc.

Mode of delivery—

• Intensive contact sessions with relevant content and practical exercises

• Personal one-on-one supervision

• Maintaining a reflective journal/portfolio

• Recommended reading for self-study (both general and tailored to the

needs of the individual)

• Interaction with practicing writers in different genres

• Producing a summative theoretical reflection

• Opportunity to present work-in-progress in class

• Collegial contact within the Institute and University

• A writing expedition in the second semester of Year 1.

Length requirements for the extended piece of writing—

A minimum of 30 000 words for a prose project, a book-length collection of

poems (35+ pages) for a poetry project, or 10 finished scenes or episodes for
dramatic writing and screenplays. No project may exceed 80 thousand words.

Assessment—

Candidates will be formally assessed at the end of the first year: i.e. on their
creative exercises, on their writing journals and on progress with their
independent writing project. Reports from supervisors will be taken into
consideration.

For all candidates, final assessment takes place on completion of the extended
writing project.

Costs –

In 2010 the basic cost of doing an MA at Rhodes University was R12,010. The
2011 costs will increase by approximately 7%. Full Time and Part Time costs will
apply as per the Rhodes University Calendar for 2011.

LW/CL July 2010