UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
UCLAN
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
UCLAN
3. University School/Centre
School of Humanities and the Social Sciences
4. External Accreditation
5. Title of Final Award
MA Play Writing
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full Time / Part Time at Preston Campus
7. UCAS Code
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Creative Writing, Drama, English Literature
9. Other external influences
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
June 29th 2014
11. Aims of the Programme






To draw upon the disciplines and pedagogies of Creative Writing, Theatre Studies and English Literature to
develop the specialist skills of play writing.
To explore the development of play writing in its historical, cultural, political and social contexts.
To examine theatrical and performance innovation in relation to the contemporary practice of play
writing.
To develop professional working practices as an individual and/or as collaborative writers of play texts
including research, drafting, self-reflection, rehearsal and editing.
To encourage the pursuit of originality, imagination, creativity and innovation as playwrights.
To develop analytical and critical response to play texts and develop the ability to express an individual
response in essay form.
 To introduce practice-based-research methodologies.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the key authors, texts, critical and
theoretical debates that have shaped play writing from the early Twentieth Century to the present in
international and global contexts.
A2. Demonstrate an awareness of interactions between the play text as written and the play text as produced
and performed developed from student’s own reading and creative practice of the technical aspects of the
genre.
A3. Demonstrate the ability to write an original play exercising creativity, imagination and the specialised
awareness of the demands of writing for performance including observation, aural, spatial and visual details.
A4. Develop the ability to conduct original, independent research a following practice-led research
methodologies, and to exercise independent critical judgement.
A5. Demonstrate through practice the creative processes of research, drafting, re-drafting, reflection,
rehearsal and editing in developing play texts.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching will facilitate play writing via writing workshops that respond to students’ interests and taking
account of contemporary play writing practices, audiences and production conditions. Writing exercises will
develop specific play writing skills and students will need to prepare both writing and reading between
sessions.
Lectures and seminars will develop an understanding of key playwrights and contexts of twentieth and twenty
first century drama including a consideration of international and global contexts, theoretical considerations
and dramaturgical practices.
Research skills specific to practice led research methodologies and the production of portfolios of research,
reflection, drafting, editing and critical analysis will inform all teaching on this MA.
Assessment methods
Most assignments will take the form of a play submitted with an accompanying portfolio of research, drafting
and critical reflection (exegesis) in common with most creative writing programmes. In addition to this
students will submit formal essays, write a theatre programme, review live performance and develop a
research plan, bibliography and literature review for their dissertation.
Option module assignments include thematic play writing and critical analysis, group-devised performance
scripts, writing dramatic adaptations and researching theatre histories.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Produce writing exercises and drafts of play writing in response to workshop stimulus that demonstrate a
sophisticated understanding of the specific genre demands of drama including new developments in electronic
media and its potentials for live performance.
B2. Discuss and debate the work of a diverse range of contemporary playwrights with reference to their
writing influences and affiliations and to the wider debates informing the critical reception of their work.
B3. Articulate the complex relationship between writing the play text and the text in performance in both
seminars and essays and the exegesis accompanying creative work.
B4. Demonstrate an ability to work collegially in writing workshops with consideration and critical
understanding in response to their own creative writing and that of others.
B5. Write critical academic essays and exegeses presenting sustained and persuasive written argument using
Standard English adhering to the methodological and referencing conventions of the subject.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching will facilitate play writing via writing workshops that respond to students’ interests and taking
account of contemporary play writing practices, audiences and production conditions. Writing exercises will
develop specific play writing skills and students will need to prepare both writing and reading between
sessions.
Lectures and seminars will develop an understanding of key playwrights and contexts of twentieth and twenty
first century drama including a consideration of international and global contexts, theoretical considerations
and dramaturgical practices.
Research skills specific to practice led research methodologies and the production of portfolios of research,
reflection, drafting, editing and critical analysis will inform all teaching on this MA.
Assessment methods
Most assignments will take the form of a play submitted with an accompanying portfolio of research, drafting
and critical reflection (exegesis) in common with most creative writing programmes. In addition to this
students will submit formal essays, write a theatre programme, review live performance and develop a
research plan, bibliography and literature review for their dissertation.
Option module assignments include thematic play writing and critical analysis, group-devised performance
scripts, writing dramatic adaptations and researching theatre histories.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Develop a sophisticated understanding from their own reading and creative practices the key genre
features of play writing, its production practices and audience implications, with the ability to present that
understanding in written and oral discourse.
C2. Demonstrate the ability to engage in the creative process with critical self-reflection understanding the
roles in their own creative output of research, drafting, re-drafting in response to feedback, reflection,
rehearsal and editing.
C3. Respond creatively to specific writing briefs with imagination and the confidence to engage with and
challenge, where appropriate, genre conventions.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching will facilitate play writing via writing workshops that respond to students’ interests and taking
account of contemporary play writing practices, audiences and production conditions. Writing exercises will
develop specific play writing skills and students will need to prepare both writing and reading between
sessions.
Lectures and seminars will develop an understanding of key playwrights and contexts of twentieth and twenty
first century drama including a consideration of international and global contexts, theoretical considerations
and dramaturgical practices.
Research skills specific to practice led research methodologies and the production of portfolios of research,
reflection, drafting, editing and critical analysis will inform all teaching on this MA.
Assessment methods
Most assignments will take the form of a play submitted with an accompanying portfolio of research, drafting
and critical reflection (exegesis) in common with most creative writing programmes. In addition to this
students will submit formal essays, write a theatre programme, review live performance and develop a
research plan, bibliography and literature review for their dissertation.
Option module assignments include thematic play writing and critical analysis, group-devised performance
scripts, writing dramatic adaptations and researching theatre histories.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Demonstrate the ability to work in a group with respect and consideration for others and participate
successfully in the collaborative creative practice inherent in writing for live performance including working to
deadlines and accommodating alternative creative visions of their own writing.
D2. Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary theatre production practices and play writing requirements
including an awareness of different audiences and markets including a detailed knowledge of subsidised and
commercial theatre and performance venues and companies, funding patterns and new writer opportunities.
D3. Develop a highly nuanced ability for self-reflection as it pertains to creative practice and its methodologies
as well as on a personal level and understand the role of self-awareness both to the creative practitioner and
the importance of considered self-promotion, networking and engagement with new writing developments
(including the use of IT and new media) across the theatre industry.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching will facilitate play writing via writing workshops that respond to students’ interests and taking
account of contemporary play writing practices, audiences and production conditions. Writing exercises will
develop specific play writing skills and students will need to prepare both writing and reading between
sessions.
Lectures and seminars will develop an understanding of key playwrights and contexts of twentieth and twenty
first century drama including a consideration of international and global contexts, theoretical considerations
and dramaturgical practices.
Research skills specific to practice led research methodologies and the production of portfolios of research,
reflection, drafting, editing and critical analysis will inform all teaching on this MA.
Assessment methods
Most assignments will take the form of a play submitted with an accompanying portfolio of research, drafting
and critical reflection (exegesis) in common with most creative writing programmes. In addition to this
students will submit formal essays, write a theatre programme, review live performance and develop a
research plan, bibliography and literature review for their dissertation.
Option module assignments include thematic play writing and critical analysis, group-devised performance
scripts, writing dramatic adaptations and researching theatre histories.
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 7
14. Awards and Credits*
Module
Code
DR4001
Module Title
Play Writing Workshop 1
Credit
rating
20
DR4002
Play Writing Workshop 2
20
DR4003
Reading 20th Century Drama
20
DR4004
Contemporary Drama in English
20
DR4006
Writing to a Brief: Applied Theatre Project
20
DR4010
Dramaturgy: From Page to Stage
20
DR4011
Theatre, Histories and Methods
20
DR4007
Writing Auto/Biographical Drama
20
DR4008
Adaptations and Translations
20
DR4009
Play Writing Dissertation
60
MA Play Writing
Requires 180 credits at Level 7
Postgraduate Diploma Play
Writing
Requires 120 credits at Level 7
Postgraduate Certificate Play
Writing
Requires 60 credits at Level 7
15. Personal Development Planning
PDP is embedded within all creative writing modules in this inherently self-reflective subject and practice.
Students are specifically required to reflect upon themselves as writers and readers of drama and engage in
critical self-assessment as practitioners and, frequently, relate this to their personal and emotional
development. They are also required to speculate about future career paths and current working practices in
the poorly remunerated field of creative writing and consider how the skills of creative practice prepare them
for broader employment opportunities. The managed ‘portfolio’ careers of many writers are foregrounded in
planning personal development and opportunities for positive self-presentation and the transferability of
accurate and imaginative writing skills are emphasised throughout the delivery of the programme.
The emphasis placed upon the understanding and practice of practice led research methods prepares suitable
students for the higher research degrees of M Phil and PhD in creative writing or literature.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website
for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Students are likely to come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Some recent graduates may have a small
experience of writing plays or writing for performance, or other creative writing experience. Some recent
graduates may come from theatre studies or performing arts and want to specialise in writing for theatre and
performance. Other students may be mature students who can demonstrate a committed interest in the
subject or professional experience in the field.
All applicants will be expected to submit a portfolio of previous play writing and to attend an interview.
Selection will be made according to the suitability of the programme to the student’s needs.
17. Key sources of information about the programme


Subject Leader / Course Leader cfrances@uclan.ac.uk 01772 895691
SoLLIS web site and SoLLIS PG prospectus
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Module
Level Code
Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
Knowledge and
understanding
LEVEL 7
LEVEL 7
A1
Subject-specific Skills
A2
A3
A4
A5
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
C1
C2
C3
D1
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
DR4001 Play Writing Workshop 1
C
DR4002 Play Writing Workshop 2
DR4003 Reading 20th Century Drama
Contemporary Drama in
DR4004 English
C
C
x
C
x
DR4009 Play Writing Dissertation
C
x
x
x
x
x
x
Writing Auto/Biographical
DR4007 Drama
O
x
x
x
x
x
x
DR4008 Adaptations and Translations O
x
x
x
x
x
x
Dramaturgy: From Page to
DR4010 Stage
O
DR4011 Theatre, Histories, Methods
O
x
Writing to a Brief: Applied
DR4006 Theatre Project
O
x
Thinking Skills
Other skills
relevant to
employability
and personal
development
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
D3
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
D2
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x