MLitt in Playwriting and Screenwriting
St Andrews, United Kingdom
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
07 Aug 2027
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
GBP 25,880 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* overseas / home: £11,680
Key Summary
About: The MLitt in Playwriting and Screenwriting at The University of St Andrews is a one-year taught programme in the School of English. You’ll develop writing for radio, theatre and screen, focus on voice and style, and graduate with a professional portfolio and practical knowledge of approaching theatres and securing commissions. Teaching combines mentors, contemporary playwrights, small classes and studio work in the Byre Theatre, where you’ll work with directors, actors and writers to hone playwriting, screenwriting, scriptwriting and dramaturgy skills.
Career Outcomes: Graduates become published writers and work in journalism, marketing, publishing and teaching; move into television, film and radio writing, dramaturgy, script development, producing and arts administration, backed by industry contacts and a portfolio.
The MLitt in Playwriting and Screenwriting provides a gateway into the professional world of writing for stage, radio, or screen.
Course details
The MLitt in Playwriting and Screenwriting is a one-year taught program run by the School of English. In this course, you will develop your skills in writing for radio, theatre, and screen with an emphasis on your voice and style.
You will graduate with a portfolio of pieces and an understanding of how to approach theatres, secure commissions and work as a playwright
The MLitt will provide you with technically oriented tuition by leading contemporary playwrights and world-class academics, with an emphasis on best practices in recent and contemporary writing.
Highlights
- Individual mentors help you hone your creative practice and further develop your expressive voice
- The course emphasizes best practices in recent and contemporary writing, and modules are taught by award-winning professional playwrights
- Small class sizes allow for extremely high levels of individual attention
- The course is normally delivered in the Byre Theatre Studio, making full use of a professional theatre
- Students have the opportunity to meet and work with professional theatre directors, actors, and writers while studying at St Andrews.
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your program.
Compulsory
- Writing for Performance 1 and 2: Introduces key playwriting and screenwriting skills as well as writing for younger audiences and radio
- Research Skills for Creative Writing: An introduction to primary skills such as proofreading and copy-editing; the literary marketplace, and the roles of editors, publishers, agents, and festival organizers; the use of IT resources and library materials
Performance Project
In August, students will submit an original piece of writing of about 45 minutes of performance time (8,000 to 10,000 words). This should be developed in consultation with a supervisor.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.
Teaching
Teaching format
The course consists of two semesters with taught components followed by an individual creative writing project taking place over the whole year but with a particular focus during the last three months.
Teaching methods include weekly seminars, dramaturgy workshops, and individual tutorials.
Class sizes typically range from three to ten students, ensuring high levels of individual attention.
Students will normally participate in some theatre visits and will be required to meet additional costs of approximately £200.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through sample scenes, play scripts, screenplays, and essays.
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
All School of English study applicants will be given access to the My Application portal. The Scholarships and Funding area of the portal includes an online catalog through which you can apply for available relevant awards.
The University of St Andrews offers postgraduate scholarships and other financial awards. These may be held in addition to external funding or awards from a government body. These may also cover (fully or partially) tuition fees, maintenance (living costs including accommodation), or both.
Scholarships are available based on academic merit and financial need. There are scholarships available for both home and overseas fee status. The scholarship team recommends reading the terms of each award carefully and applying to a range of funding sources.
Postgraduate scholarships
Postgraduate study is an investment in your intellectual development and career potential. The University of St Andrews provides scholarships to help as many students as possible continue in higher education.
Scholarship availability may depend on your area of study or fee status (for example, whether you are a 'Home' or 'Overseas' student).
Graduates of the course have gone on to become published writers or pursue careers in a range of sectors including journalism, marketing, publishing, and teaching.
Further study
Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programs at St Andrews.