To graduate, students must successfully complete a total of 120 ECTS credits. All requirements must be satisfied unless students are granted exemptions.

Customised Approaches

First of all, students can opt for a more tailored approach by undertaking the Research or Projects options. You may wish to discuss these options with us.

By Instruction (Modular approach)

Students are required to complete 8 core modules and a thesis manuscript or multi-genre portfolio of their work of approximately 100 pages. It is possible to work your way up towards the Master's by completing the Postgraduate Certificate and the Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Writing.

Program by Instruction Structure 

8 Core Modules (64 credits) + Thesis (56 credits) = MA (120 ECTS credits)

This rigorous program involves sixteen months of study: eight months of modular work and eight months of thesis composition.  Each module lasts four weeks or one month.  Since modules are sequential and build upon each other, students may only work on one module at a time.  Those who require additional time for thesis composition may petition the College for additional terms.

Students can work with their mentors to combine modules into customised programs, suited to their interests and capabilities. The descriptions will give you a sense of areas in which to proceed, at the graduate level, and professionally.  Exemptions may be awarded based on prior courses taken, professional experience, writing and research samples, and art portfolios.

General thesis requirements are as follows:

• For Poetry: The composition of a book of poems: 70 to 100 pages in length.
• For Fiction: The composition of a novella, 100 pages in length, or a collection of short stories of approximately the same length. (Specialisations include science fiction, fantasy, magical realism, or mainstream literary fiction.)
• For Playwriting: The composition of a play, 100 pages in length.
• For Creative Nonfiction: A series of essays, 100 pages in length.

Program Modules

All individual modules are 8 credits each, except where stated otherwise.

The following modules are compulsory:

• WR700 Mimesis of Texts 1
• WR715 Outlines
• WR702 Basics of Storytelling: Setting
• WR703 Basics of Storytelling: Creating Compelling Characters
• WR704 Basics of Storytelling: Point of View
• WR705 Basics of Storytelling: Plot

(The above may be substituted for other modules if the student has already completed the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma programs at Warnborough)

See HERE for a list of all modules and their descriptions.

We deliver this program via distance learning. Students work independently, with the guidance of an allocated mentor, while groups can conduct learning via the Online Moodle. Occasionally, there are optional summer workshops.

Program Director Dr Sandra Hutcheson is the author of two books and  is a humor columnist for the Sunday edition of the St. Augustine Record and her articles have appeared in Creative Nonfiction magazine, Southern Journal, and Doxie Digest. She teaches writing at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, and at the University of Phoenix.