Program Overview
This low-residency MA in Nature and Travel Writing empowers writers to write compellingly about the natural world and people, based on personal experiences. With a focus on the publishing industry and career development, the program prepares students to excel as freelancers, journalists, or publishers in this specialized field.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This MA in Nature and Travel Writing is designed for writers who are passionate about the natural world, places, and people, and who have a desire to be published. The program focuses on learning to write from personal experiences in the field, developing writing skills and techniques, and gaining insights into the publishing industry.
Objectives:
- To develop the ability to write compelling and engaging nature and travel writing based on personal experiences.
- To acquire professional skills necessary for getting published across various media and outlets.
- To cultivate a strong portfolio of nature and travel writing.
Program Description:
The program is a low-residency course, allowing students to pursue their academic work while maintaining their current lifestyle. It is taken part-time over two years. The program aims to provide students with an understanding of issues and approaches to representing people, other species, habitats, places, cultures, and environments in various forms of writing.
Outline:
Course Structure:
The program is structured around four core modules:
- Writing in the Field (30 credits): This module introduces students to the skills and techniques required to write from personal experience, focusing on observation, listening, feeling, and thinking.
- Context, History, and Genres in Creative Non-Fiction (30 credits): This module provides an overview of the development of various creative non-fiction genres, including travel writing, the new nature writing, popular science, and environmental writing, exploring their relationship to social, cultural, historical, and environmental issues.
- Advanced Travel and Nature Writing (30 credits): Building upon the skills learned in "Writing in the Field," this module encourages students to push the boundaries of their writing style and content, exploring new ways of writing about the world.
- Professional Skills in Travel and Nature Writing (30 credits): This module provides practical guidance on getting published, featuring advice from senior practitioners, editors, and publishers.
Course Modules:
- Writing in the Field
- Context, History, and Genres in Creative Non-Fiction
- Advanced Nature and Travel Writing
- Professional Skills in Nature and Travel Writing
- Portfolio and Reflective Journal
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
- Creative writing pieces
- Critical and analytical essays
- Presentations
- Portfolio of writing
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
- Online seminars and lectures
- One-to-one sessions with tutors
- Guest speakers
- Residential events in Bath (Year 1: 5 days; Year 2: weekend)
Unique Approaches:
- The program emphasizes writing from personal experience and fieldwork.
- Students have the opportunity to connect with key practitioners and commissioners in the field.
- The program is taught remotely, allowing students to study from anywhere in the world.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
- Nature and travel writer
- Freelance writer
- Journalist
- Editor
- Publisher
- Blogger
- Content creator
Opportunities:
- The program provides opportunities to network with industry professionals and gain valuable experience.
- Students can develop a strong portfolio of work that can be used to launch their writing career.
Other:
- The program encourages students to develop their own fieldwork programs.
- Students have access to the Adobe Creative Suite, providing them with valuable digital skills.
- The program is low-residency, allowing students to maintain their current lifestyle.
2024 entry
- Fee shown is for the first year of entry if starting in 2024. This course is studies part-time and remotely over two years, with tuition fees payable in both years of study . Student Annual tuition fee UK part time £4,528 International part time £8,823
