Written By: Hemanth Kumar Gurram
Creative writing has evolved as a distinct academic field with carefully designed course curriculum and practical pedagogy. In India, some colleges and universities offer full-time and distance-learning programs on creative writing, which are not only comprehensive in nature, but are also extremely economical when compared to international courses. The duration of these programs vary from 2 weeks to 1 year, depending on the skill level taught.
Creative writing has evolved as a distinct academic field with carefully designed course curriculum and practical pedagogy. In India, some colleges and universities offer full-time and distance-learning programs on creative writing, which are not only comprehensive in nature, but are also extremely economical when compared to international courses. The duration of these programs vary from 2 weeks to 1 year, depending on the skill level taught.
What to expect from a creative
writing program
Creative writing programs are
structured to teach in progressive stages to ensure students’ assimilation of
information and nurture their creativity. Periodic writing assignments and
constructive feedback from instructors help students to monitor their progress,
and discover their area of interest in various forms of writing.
Creative writing curriculum usually comprises of the following
aspects:
·
Introduction to writing
·
History and creative inspiration
·
Grammar (punctuation, spelling and
syntax)
·
Introduction to literary genres
·
Final written assignment
·
Presentation of work and methods to
approach publishers
Colleges offering creative writing
courses in India
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
offers a Diploma in Creative Writing in English (DCE) through its study centers
across the country. This program includes training in feature articles, short
stories, scripts for TV and radio, and poetry. Their website has the necessary
information that applicants need to know before enrolling. Interestingly, IGNOU
has a discussion forum and video channel on Youtube,
which address students’ doubts related to admission process, curriculum,
grading, etc.
Program Details
Program type: Diploma
Mode of delivery: Distance learning
Duration: 1 year
Validity: 4 years
Eligibility: pass marks in 10+2 and aged 20 or older
Admission criterion : First come, first served
Tuition fee: Rs. 2500
Location: N/A
The British Council, Delhi, offers multiple
creative writing programs. Students who wish to enroll must take a test
(written test, interview, followed by counseling) and based on the result, they
are guided by the instructors to join an appropriate program. Because of its
short duration (4 to 8 weeks), the program focuses only on fiction (short
story, poetry and dialogue) and feature articles.
Program Details
Program type: Certificate course
Mode of delivery: Campus
Duration: 8 weeks (regular program) and 4 weeks (intensive)
Validity: N/A
Eligibility: Applicants aged 16 or older.
Admission procedure: First come, first served
Tuition fee: Rs. 8400 to Rs. 11,700 (depends on the course chosen)
Location: Delhi.
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL),
Pune, is offering a 1 year Diploma in Creative Writing in English (DCWE).
Similar to IGNOU’s diploma program, this too is a rigorous course best suited
for students seeking a comprehensive overview of the craft. SDCL has a
reputation for quality education, so their programs are often costlier than
similar programs offered by other institutes.
Program Details
Program Type: Diploma
course
Mode of delivery: Distance
learning
Duration: 1 year
Validity: 2 years
Eligibility: pass marks in
10+2 with 50% in English
Admission procedure: First
come, first served
Tuition Fee: Rs. 18,000
Location: N/A
Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC),
Mumbai, runs a certificate program in creative writing, which covers writing
exercises, critiquing and practical exercises. The course is apt for beginners
seeking quick introduction to professional writing, before embarking on more
comprehensive programs.
Program Details
Program Type: Certificate
course
Mode of delivery: Campus
Duration: 6 weeks (6
sessions of 2 hours each on Saturdays)
Validity: N/A
Eligibility: Open to all
Admission procedure: First
come, first served
Tuition Fee: Rs. 4494
Location: Mumbai.
Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication
(SACAC), New Delhi, also offers a certificate programme in creative writing in
English. This program is offered in two levels: level 1 is apt for beginners
and level 2 is apt for advanced learners. Students, depending on their level of
writing skill, can seek admission into either or both the courses by qualifying
in the entrance test. It is noteworthy that established writers, journalists,
and editors instruct this program.
Program Details
Program Type: Certificate
course
Mode of delivery: Campus
Duration: 3 months (72
hours across 24 sessions; classes on Saturday and Sunday)
Validity: N/A
Eligibility: pass marks in
10+2
Admission criterion:
Entrance test (1 hour test for Level 1 and 3 hour test for Level 2)
Tuition Fee: Level 1 - Rs.
14,500 and Level 2 - Rs. 18,500
Location: New Delhi
R.K. Film
and Media Academy, Delhi, is going to introduce programs in creative
writing and content writing from October 2012. At present, the institute is
offering only script writing courses and therefore there is little information
about the creative program on their website. Students can however call or visit
the institute for more details.
Program Details
Program Type: Certificate
Mode of delivery: Full-time
Duration: 3 months (weekly
2 sessions of 2 hours each)
Validity: N/A
Eligibility: pass marks in
10+2
Admission procedure: first
come, first served
Tuition Fee: Rs. Rs. 25,000
(plus application fee Rs. 700)
Location: Campus.
Center
for Research in Art and Film & Television (CRAFT), Delhi,
runs creative programs of 3 months, 6 months and 1 year duration.
Program Details
Program Type: Certificate
Mode of delivery: Full-time
and distance learning
Duration: 3 months, 6
months (distance learning), and 1 year full-time
Validity: N/A
Eligibility: Open to all
with fair English language skills
Admission procedure:
Interview
Tuition Fee: Rs. 30,000
(for 3 months program), Rs. 20,000 (for distance learning), and Rs. 55,000 (1
year program and if paid in installments Rs. 60,000)
Location: Delhi and distance
learning
Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University
(KKHSOU), Guwahati, is offering Diploma in Creative Writing in English (DCWE).
The university came into existence only in the year 2008 so the study centers
of this university, at present, are limited to north-east India. This program
is therefore apt for students residing in that area.
Program Details
Program Type: Diploma
course
Mode of delivery: Distance
learning
Duration: 1 year
Validity: 4 years
Eligibility: pass marks in
10+2
Admission procedure: first
come, first served
Tuition Fee: Rs. 3400
Location: N/A
Other institutes offering Creative Writing courses in India
Given below is a list of institutes offering creative writing
programs, but there is only little course-related information on their
websites. Students can obtain more information by phone (numbers are available
on their websites) or by visiting the institute.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi, is offering
Advanced English and Creative Writing program.
Central Institute of Indian languages, Mysore,
is offering a program in creative writing in English. Students can contact the
admissions coordinator on 0821 - 2345000 or 2515820.
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU),
Mysore, is offering Diploma in Functional English (DFE). Students should speak
with the helpdesk and request program information.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi,
is offering creative writing as an optional paper in Master of Arts (M.A.) in
English. This program covers the aspects of Master of Arts and creative writing
in a single program but the duration is 2 years.
A word of caution for eager minds
As you are aware by now, each creative writing program is unique
in scope, duration, cost, delivery, and pedagogy. Therefore, students must
thoroughly understand all the aspects of a program and carefully choose an
appropriate one.
Contrary to the popular insistence that the art of creative
writing can neither be taught nor learned, students must, at all times, bear in
mind that creative writing is solely an individual pursuit and that talent can
be developed and nurtured with discipline, perseverance and inspiration. A good
writing program will guide them in this literary pursuit.
Still confused about taking up a writing course? Read this post to make up your mind.
Hemanth writes feature articles, short stories, and business
content. To know more about his writing please visit www.hemanthkumar.in. Besides
writing, he loves movies and aspires to write movie scripts in future.
Goon noon sir
ReplyDeleteIam interested in doing creative writing course.being a engineering graduate ,i want to do it as part time .what are ways that i can reach through the program and which college would be preferable and iam located in chennai.
looking forward to hear from you.
THANKS AND REGARDS
R.KARTHIKEYAN
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