Creative Writing: Research Degrees
The Creative Writing PhD offers a student the opportunity to complete a substantial work in an exciting research environment in London with the benefit of the experienced supervision of our tutors. It is an ideal progression from a Master's degree for a writer who intends to establish an academic career in this discipline.
The thesis combines a research essay of about 30,000 words with a complete creative work. This could be a novel, collection of poetry, film or play script, and should be written to the natural length of such a piece – in the case of a novel, usually around 80,000 words. We are open to a wide range of literary ambition, from experimental fiction to genre writing.
As is normal in UK universities, the Brunel Creative Writing PhD is undertaken by combining independent study with one-to-one tutorial support from two academic supervisors. Full-time students normally complete their theses in three years, in which time they can also benefit from the Writers Talking lecture series, research seminars, events with industry professionals, conferences and opportunities to participate in our comprehensive and expanding Creative Writing Programme.
The Writers Talking Series brings leading authors to our campus including:
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| Abdulrazak Gurnah | Sophie Kinsella | Gautam Malkani | Ruth Padel | Zadie Smith | Barbara Campbell |
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| Clare Pollard | Courttia Newland | Dan Rhodes | Deborah Moggach | Joel Horwood | Lindsey Davis |
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| Louisa Young | Neil Griffiths | Rukhsana Ahmad | Tim Lott | Victoria Hislop | Sarah Waters |
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| Ishmael Beah | Jonathan Coe | Xiaolu Guo |
How to Apply
You should complete and submit the University’s application form. Please add to this a detailed proposal of the work you intend to complete of at least 2,000 words, a sample of your writing in the relevant field of at least 5,000 words and an indicative bibliography. Potential research students will then be invited for interview.
Further application details
Enquiries
Dr Anshuman Mondal, Head of Research
Tel: +44 (0)1895 267066
Email: anshuman.mondal@brunel.ac.uk
