Writer Kit de Waal has launched a fully funded scholarship for the Creative Writing MA at Birkbeck, University of London. Recipient of the 2014 SI Leeds Literary Prize SI Readers’ Choice award for her shortlisted entry, Blue in Green, Kit’s scholarship was created to support a writer of talent who would not otherwise be able to afford the course, and it will be targeted at candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds, including BAME writers, writers who have been in care or prison, marginalised groups and people who experience socio-economic disadvantage or cultural barriers. As well as the fees, included in the bursary is a generous travel and subsistence allowance.
When asked about the rationale behind this award Kit de Waal said: “There are people of real talent out there who look at the cost of doing a creative writing masters and say ‘no chance’. Too often university education is for the few — the best doesn’t always rise to the top. So I wanted to start this scholarship to give someone the opportunity to develop their craft, to learn from the best, to take that chance. I’m convinced there’s an exciting writer with a new distinctive voice who’s ready to take the next step. If you’re thinking about applying I would say ‘Go on, be brave. It’s a privilege to be involved in your journey’.”
Applications close on 15 February 2016 and more details can be found here: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/news/fully-funded-creative-writing-scholarship-launched-at-birkbeck
