Skip to content

The John Harwood Bosworth Creative Writing Bursary

Nottingham Trent University is delighted to announce the launch of a new opportunity for aspiring writers – The John Harwood Bosworth Creative Writing Bursary.

    This transformational bursary will be awarded to a talented Nottingham(shire)-based writer who would otherwise be unable to access the opportunity to study for a Master’s degree in Creative Writing. It has been provided thanks to the generous support of Maureen Bosworth, Geof and Diana Bosworth, in partnership with Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature (NUCoL).

    Thanks to our partnership with NUCoL, the recipient will have the opportunity to discuss careers and placement opportunities and to take part in a one-to-one editorial session at Penguin Random House, as well as receiving an invitation to the publisher’s annual celebration of books and authors, Penguin Presents, in 2021.

    Applicants must:

    • currently live and / or work in Nottingham(shire) and live within a reasonable commuting distance of the University, as determined by the NTU Travel to Work area
    • have a passion and talent for creative writing in any genre
    • be unable otherwise to afford the fees to study for a Master’s degree – proof of financial status is mandatory

    This opportunity includes:

    • all tuition fees paid for our MA Creative Writing (part-time) from 2020-2022
    • access to careers and placement opportunities
    • Nottingham to London travel bursary to cover related meetings
    • Blackwell's vouchers to buy required course books and recommended texts

    Set in the heart of one of just four UNESCO Cities of Literature in the UK, our Master’s in Creative Writing is one of the longest-established postgraduate courses of its kind in the country.

    Designed for talented and committed writers, the course is taught by a team of esteemed and award-winning writers and academics, with a core module consisting of a series of lectures and seminars on different aspects of the writing process, and optional modules incorporating practical writing workshops.

    How to apply

    Full information about this bursary and how to apply can be found on our bursaries and scholarship page.

    The deadline to apply is 4 pm (BST) on Friday 11 September 2020.

    Dr Rory Waterman, Course Leader for the Creative Writing MA said: “Great writers can come to prominence from any background or tradition. Only, all too often, they don't: barriers are imposed, opportunities are lost and potential goes unfulfilled. Our MA programme, and indeed our university, has a rich heritage of working to push aside those barriers, and of allowing excellence to prosper, irrespective of derivation. This bursary is a wonderful thing, completely in keeping with our ambitions and legacy. It will allow a superb writer who would not otherwise have been able to do so to prosper under the best possible guidance, and make strong steps towards a career in writing. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to offer it, and greatly look forward to working with the successful applicant.”

    "Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature are absolutely delighted that Maureen Bosworth, Geof and Diana Bosworth have chosen to support Creative Writing at NTU. We’re extremely lucky to have the support of major partners, Penguin Random House and Writing East Midlands to give someone the opportunity to develop their craft and learn from the best. It’s an important boost in our efforts to promote an inclusive literary community and help address the gap between talent and opportunity."

    Sandeep Mahal – Director, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature.

    Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature is an NTU Strategic Partner – they work closely together to connect students and staff with projects and opportunities.

    Published on 10 August 2020
    • Subject area: English, history and philosophy
    • Category: Current students; NTU Arts; School of Arts and Humanities