MA in Creative Writing

 ABOUT US

Rhodes University's multilingual MA in Creative Writing is committed to innovative approaches to literary culture that expand the possibilities of writing. At once critical and creative, the programme emphasises the essential relationship between reading and writing. The degree is offered in English, isiXhosa, Kaaps, or combinations thereof; genres may include poetry, prose, the graphic novel, or
combinations/variations.

STUDY REQUIREMENTS

We require a 100% attendance/completion rate for all course activities (classes, assignments, Orientation and Contact Weeks).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Portfolio of creative writing: 30-35 pages of your writing in the language or genre you want to work in for your degree (currently we support English, isiXhosa, Kaaps, or combinations thereof; genres may include poetry, prose, the graphic novel, or combinations/variations thereof).

-Brief CV
-Short Motivational letter
-Transcripts (your past academic results) – if you are currently completing an honours or equivalent degree, please ensure that you inform us and Academic Admin of this)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Honours degree in any discipline or the NQF equivalent (e.g. a 4‐year B.Journ degree; PGCE, etc). Recognised Prior Learning (RPL): if you wish to be considered for entrance without a 4-year degree, please write to us for application forms (macw@ru.ac.za) Your application must include a Literary CV (in addition to the brief CV) detailing your publication history, other literary activities (teaching, editing, proofing, reviewing, publishing, translating, awards, etc.).

APPLICATIONS

Applications for Full Time (2024) or Part Time (2024/5) study open now until 1 October, 2023.

Full Time: resident in Makhanda from the last week of January to the end of November. Semester 1: coursework. Semester 2: long writing project under supervision.

Part Time:* designed to allow you to study part time from home. Three (3) travel requirements to Makhanda for one week in duration per visit (two in the first year, and one in the second year). Year 1: weekly coursework via video conferencing. Year 2: long writing project under supervision.

*Due to rolling electricity blackouts across South Africa, applicants wishing to study part time in 2024/5 must a.) have own electricity generation capacity via inverter/batteries, or standalone power stations such as Bluetti, EcoFlow, Gizzu, etc., and b.) be in possession of a stable, fast internet connection. Our part time course is taught via video conferencing where interaction with fellow students and teachers is of paramount importance.

APPLY ONLINE

https://ross.ru.ac.za/ugadmissions or email us for application forms: macw@ru.ac.za

BURSARIES/SCHOLARSHIPS

We have a limited number of Andrew W. Mellon bursaries available for RSA citizens studying Full Time. These are comprehensive bursaries that pay tuition and living expenses. Selection is based on financial need but other factors are also taken into consideration: recognition of equity based on our history, languages that promote our multilingual reality, quality of writing (as opposed to language proficiency).

SOME FACTS ABOUT RHODES UNIVERSITY’S MA IN CREATIVE WRITING

Established in 2011
Over 160 graduates to date
98% degree completion rate
Over 70 Distinctions
More than 40 graduates have gone on to publish books
10 MACW Graduates teach on the course

MULTILINGUALISM

To qualify for any language that the MACW can support (English, isiXhosa, Kaaps) your application portfolio of creative work must be in that language. You may also apply for a dual-language option, in which case your application portfolio must be evenly split between the two languages. All seminars presented in English, but if there are sufficient enrolment numbers, additional language-specific seminars and reading groups are scheduled. All written work is done in the language/s of your entrance application portfolio. Multilingualism is encouraged in all events and activities.

CONTACT US

Email: macw@ru.ac.za

Last Modified: Wed, 03 May 2023 11:58:19 SAST