We recommend submitting a writing sample that is within the word count suggested in the application form. For short stories, it is helpful if the story is complete under the 3,000 word count. For the non-fiction courses, an excerpt or extract of a large piece is fine. We recommend you only submit work your best work, which has undergone extensive editing, both by yourself and peers.
Dates for the next courses are announced when applications open. They are then listed on each course page. You can register your interest on the relevant course page to be notified when the applications open next.
Applications open four times per year. You can register your interest on the relevant course page to be notified when the applications open next.
There is one bursary place available for each course date, open to anyone who would not otherwise be able to join the course. All applications will be judged on the merit of the writing submitted.
Payment plans are available. Upon acceptance to the course, you will have the option to discuss a payment plan with a member of the Workshop team.
You will hear back from us within two weeks after the application deadline. All applications will be judged on the merit of the writing submitted. If you are successful, you will be asked to secure your place by paying a deposit payment for the course. Once the deposit has been paid, you are officially enrolled on the course, and will receive information on how to access the platform.
That’s up to you. The course is taught 100% online in our virtual classroom, with each session starting on a Monday and running over a week for the Writing Nature course or Short Fiction course or on a Wednesday and running each fortnight for Writing Memoir and Long-form Journalism.
There is no set time that you have to be online - we simply ask that you put in around 8 hours each week to work through the course materials and assignments. This isn't Zoom or video learning, where you have to be in front of the screen watching at a set time - it's active learning where you read, watch and complete writing exercises in your own time before submitting a final assignment, for peer and tutor feedback. You can contribute to discussions on forums at any point during the session, so it feels like a rich and lively shared experience.
Our teaching method is based on the science of active learning: you read/listen/watch, try out, share and reflect. It’s a social experience – you become part of a small group, feeding back on each other’s writing to build a supportive bunch of readers you trust (based on the educational philosophies of social constructivism and asynchronous online learning).
Most people on the course are working or have caring responsibilities so fit learning around their day, which is why we teach in this non-synchronous way. That said, there are a few live Zoom sessions - with the tutor and guests - which tend to take place on a weekday evening UK time. If you can't make these live sessions you can send in questions in advance and watch the recording afterwards.
However, people interact live on forums 24/7, so there are messages popping into your inbox every hour or so as participants on different time zones discuss the session topic, pull apart readings, raise questions and post their work. There's a constant exchange of ideas and back and forth of feedback.
The group size is 10-15 writers. The course tutor is supported by a moderator, who looks after tech support, general queries and housekeeping for the group, to free up the tutor to focus on the developing work.