Maia Winter, UK

MA Creative and Critical Writing

Why did you choose to study at the University of Liverpool?

Having studied for my Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at the University of Liverpool where I thrived both academically and personally, I was certain that I wanted to return to study for my Master’s degree. Whilst I had initially been drawn to the liveliness of the city and the wide array of independent cafes, shops, museums and bars, as well as to landmarks such as the Albert Dock and Formby Beach, when returning for my postgraduate studies I knew the high standard of teaching and support that lecturers in the English Department would provide. I had built fantastic relationships with tutors and peers, and was excited to return to a positive learning environment that was structured around insightful and meaningful discussions where both my academic and personal growth were supported.

What’s the best thing about studying your programme?

One of the best things about my programme is getting feedback on my writing from tutors and peers through engaging group discussion which is always thoughtful, encouraging and motivating. This style of teaching has been invaluable when developing my writing and means that I can learn from others around me. It has been amazing to be a part of a small community of writers and have a supportive space where pieces can be shared and refined with no fear of judgement, even if it is only an outline of an idea or an early draft.

My programme pushes me to think in ways that I wouldn’t normally and has given me the confidence to be vulnerable and share my writing with others, as well as to write in a variety of forms and genres that I likely would not have explored otherwise. There has been an amazing breadth of modules available to me, and I have been able to write for the screen and stage which I had never done previously.

How do the facilities and/or staff help you with your studies?

The staff in the Department of English are incredibly supportive and I regularly attend office hours with many of my tutors to talk through ideas, essay plans or to seek help when I’m stuck. I always enjoy these discussions and leave these meetings with new ideas or a fresh perspective, and they have been invaluable to my academic and personal growth. My lecturers have never failed to make time outside of seminars to help me in any way they can and often go above and beyond.

I enjoy coming into university as the campus is bustling, vibrant and welcoming, and I spent much of my time in Sydney Jones Library which offers quiet or silent spaces to study (depending on your preference), bookable study rooms and a garden space to work in the summertime. It also has a breadth of online and physical academic resources and texts, as well as one of the largest science fiction archives in the world – a fantastic asset for sci-fi lovers and for those studying science fiction modules.

What has been your highlight of your time at Liverpool so far?

Over the last few years, Liverpool has hosted a variety of incredible events which I have been lucky to experience. In 2023, the city hosted Eurovision and in the weeks leading up to it the city was covered in blue and yellow flags, decorations and photo opportunities, and there was a culture festival and seller’s market on Castle Street to support Ukrainian vendors. There was an open sunset concert on the docks, and the overall atmosphere was amazing with Liverpool pulling out all the stops. Most recently, I was also able to go to Radio One Big Weekend in Sefton Park and to see some of my favourite artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sam Fender and Good Neighbours.

How do you believe undertaking postgraduate study will help your career prospects?

Studying at a postgraduate level has not only given me a clearer idea of the career avenues I want to pursue, but it has given me some additional opportunities to explore the variety of paths open to me. There has been a variety of career events where I was able to talk to employers and speak to experts in industries I am interested in, and my lecturers go out of their way to alert us to opportunities to share our writing in local competitions, networking events or various other opportunities to enhance our CVs and refine our writing skills.

I also attended a fantastic workshop run by the university with Aubrey Allegretti who is Chief Political Correspondent for The Times, where he spoke about his experiences in political journalism, gave advice about navigating such industries and discussed other places that my writing might take me. Whilst my ultimate dream is to write a novel, I am looking at pursuing content writing or a career in publishing which are avenues I would not have pursued before undertaking my Master’s.

What advice would you give to anybody considering postgraduate study at Liverpool?

My advice for any prospective students is to take advantage of as many opportunities as you can. It is a fantastic time to throw yourself into the city and university life, both of which have so much to offer. There are so many different ways to benefit from postgraduate study in addition to academia, and I would stay on the lookout for events, talks and societies that further enrich your university experience.

Postgraduate study is also a great way of meeting new, like-minded individuals, and I have met so many amazing people and made many new, life-long connections which I will carry into the future. If you are passionate about your subject area and are looking for a place where you can excel with the unwavering support of staff and tutors, the University of Liverpool is a fantastic place to start.