16.12.05
First crop of professional writing students complete new MA course at University College Falmouth

The first batch of students to complete the MA in Professional Writing at University College Falmouth have something extra to celebrate this Christmas, four gained distinctions and four have succeeded in placing their work with literary agents. Several others have already managed to find rewarding work in various branches of the media.

Course leader Christina Bunce, said: "We were extremely pleased at the quality of the students' final writing projects and I'm happy to say that the external examiners felt the same way. They were impressed not only by the sheer variety of the writing, everything from chick-lit novels to comedy screenplays and commercial websites, but also by the very high standard overall."

Helen Shipman, whose novel-in-progress 'Learning to Drown' gained a distinction, said: "It's been a challenging year and I think we've all found that the course has made big demands on our energy and creativity. It's a wonderful feeling to know that all the hard work was worthwhile." Helen's novel is now with a leading London literary agency.

Sam Bowhay based her MA project on copywriting and publicity work that she undertook for Cornish Oasis, a new website showcasing Cornish plants and plant-based products. Sam said: "It's been a fantastic learning experience for me, and it was particularly exciting to be able to use my work on a live commercial project as the basis for my MA. Sam is planning to work as a freelance copywriter and has already succeeded in landing several commissions since finishing her studies.

The MA/PgDip in Professional Writing is a one-year course that prepares students to participate as writers in today's demanding media industries. Students can choose between a range of units including Fiction, Feature Writing, TV Scriptwriting and Writing Creatively for Business, all of which are taught by successful practising writers. For their final MA projects, each student is matched with a writer working in their specific field of interest.

Work by this year's intake of professional writing students can be seen in the award-winning online magazine they run at www.bloc-online.com.

For further information about the MA/PgDip in Professional Writing at University College Falmouth, please contact admissions on 01326 211077 or email: admissions@falmouth.ac.uk.

For further information please contact Jilly Easterby, public relations officer on 01326 211077 or email: jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall project, Phase 1 and Phase 2 through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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