Writing for Performance and Publication MA

Overview

Discover how to write for theatre, radio, film, television, and prose fiction, in collaboration with creatives and researchers who are actively engaged in the cultural industries.

This course allows you to engage with a wide variety of genres from both creative and critical perspectives. You’ll develop your imaginative writing skills and analyse the writing process, with opportunities to produce practical work in our state-of-the-art facilities.

Our diverse but close-knit community of professional writers, creative practitioners, and innovative researchers are dedicated to developing emerging talent. You’ll be encouraged to test the limits of style and genre, and to explore how your work connects with our increasingly complex world.

You’ll have opportunities to pursue areas of interest, including tailored pathways in screenwriting or writing for theatre. You can also gain industry experience by delivering a project in collaboration with an external partner.

Leeds has a thriving cultural scene, and our industry connections allow you to work closely with local theatres, museums, radio stations, television studios, publishers, and more. Our partnership with Leeds Playhouse offers a programme of specially created joint writing projects, work experience placements, and workshops with leading creatives.

Learning and teaching

Our tutors are professional dramatists and academic specialists in a range of genres, with experience of dealing with theatres, agents, production companies, editors and publishers. We also invite guest speakers from the worlds of theatre, broadcasting, film and publishing to share their insights into the creative industries.

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, seminars and tutorials as well as practical sessions and workshops. Independent study is also a vital component of this degree, allowing you to conduct your own research and develop your own ideas.

Career opportunities

Many students will want to pursue a career as a professional writer. Although this is a fiercely competitive field, this degree is designed to try to help you realise your ambitions. Alternatively, you could use your additional experience and qualification to progress in your current career or pursue a related path within the creative arts.

You’ll also be well equipped for a future in education, arts administration, script editing, literary management, broadcasting, journalism, advertising, the media, publishing, literary agencies, marketing, PT and many other areas.

The course has established a powerful record for developing successful writers and creative leaders, from playwrights and television writers to novelists, directors and lecturers.