Cambridge is set to launch a new master’s degree in writing for performance in September 2020.

The programme will be devised and taught by writers and industry professionals, covering theatre, performance poetry, film, TV, radio and stand-up comedy amongst other fields.

“Now seems the perfect time to teach this topic because there are so many outlets for writing for performance through Netflix, Amazon etc. and so many books and short stories are adapted for the other mediums. It’s become part of a writer’s tool set to know about these other forms,” said Dr Midge Gillies, the Academic Director of the Creative Writing department.

“We’ve been building up our expertise in this field over many years,” she added.

It will be run by the University’s Centre for Creative Writing, which is part of the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education.

Students on the MSt could include those currently working, or hoping to work, in the creative industries. This might include students, teachers, publishers, literary managers, journalists, broadcasters, writers and dramatists.

“The reason Cambridge has produced so many well-known performance writers is because students have been able to form collaborations and partnerships that became the basis of professional careers,” said playwright Abigail Docherty.

“We want to give more people that opportunity. There will be writers out there who want to write for the stage but don’t know anyone in theatre or have the beginnings of a fantastic film script but can’t afford film school.”

“It’s designed to help break out fresh, exciting voices.”

Similar courses are not uncommon in other UK universities. It is offered by the likes of the University of London, the University of Leeds, the University of Derby and the University of the Arts.

In October 2019, the Faculty of English launched an MSt (Master of Studies, a Master of Arts equivalent) in Crime and Thriller Writing, the first genre-specific writing course at the University.