Jodie Louise
Price

Why did you decide to do postgraduate study?

“After undergraduate, I realised that I wanted to take a year to advance what I enjoyed the most. Now the postgraduate loan exists, it meant I could look at studying writing and turn it from a hobby into a feasible career with the right people and course.”

What made you choose NTU?

“After studying in Lincoln for undergraduate, I really wanted to study in my home county! NTU stood out to me at the open day I attended, it was the first university where the head lecturer sat down with me and answered all of the questions I had about the course. That really made me think I mattered to the course and it wasn’t just about gaining the numbers. Rory seemed genuinely interested in my writing and how NTU could help me improve.”

What do you enjoy most about your course at NTU?

“I love how you can choose your units. A lot of the courses I looked at meant that I had to study all forms of prose and poetry – typically by era which doesn’t interest me. NTU gives me the freedom to study what I want to advance in as well as giving me chance to learn writing theory in the core module. I don’t feel limited at NTU which is lovely.”

What do you think about the course staff – include lecturers, tutors, administrators and technical staff within this. How do they support your learning and University experience?

“The lecturers are always there to email and listen to a variety of issues from course-related to pastoral. Each lecturer offers something different but all of them have experience in the writing field so know what battles we face as writers.”

What do you think about the facilities available to you?

“The Pavilion at Clifton where all my sessions are based is great. There are quiet spaces to study and booths with computer screens if you want to workshop in small groups. There are places to sit and talk about ideas over a coffee or out in the courtyard. It’s ideal for an informal writing workshop!”

Why would you recommend your course / NTU to someone looking to study in that area?

“It’s one of the longest established creative writing courses so that leaves it in good standing. You’re given more freedom at NTU, plus the anthology that the students self-publish at the end of the course means we leave with a publishing credit. It’s a student-led project so we have complete control over what happens. It’s a great insight into publishing process.”

How do you think the course, and having a postgraduate qualification, will help you to progress your career?

“It makes me feel more confident in my abilities already, so I can’t wait for how I’ll feel by the end of the course! It puts me in good standing to work within the English community and will hopefully allow me to progress into doing an English Literature doctorate in a few years’ time.”

What has been your greatest achievement at NTU so far?

“Before coming to NTU, I entered the Tennyson Poetry award which I found out I’d won in October! It gave me a boost and made me feel more confident to show my work during the workshops. I feel like every time I show something, and it receives careful criticism that makes my work better, it is a small victory in itself because it makes me a better writer overall.”