University of Suffolk student earns PhD in creative writing at 75 and has work longlisted for international prize

A 75-year-old is celebrating after becoming the first student at his university to earn a PhD in creative writing and having his work longlisted for an international prize.

Andrew Worrall, of Ipswich, started his course at the University of Suffolk during the Covid-19 pandemic and is due to graduate in October.

He is also waiting to hear whether his work – an unpublished novel, The Inheritance of Peter Tye – will make it to the shortlist for the McKitterick Prize, which is awarded to first novels written by authors over the age of 40.

Dr Amanda Hodgkinson, associate professor of English and creative writing at the university, said: “I am so delighted for Andrew and we all send him our congratulations.

“His story proves our PhD in creative writing can be done at any age and offers students an opportunity to really pursue their writing studies with the support of staff here.

“I am sure his story and journey will inspire others to explore their creative writing here with us at the University of Suffolk, whatever their age.”

Andrew’s PhD journey began with an exploration of family history, which he wanted to present in a more creative way.

“I was looking into my family history and had acquired a lot of material from the archives over the years and I wanted to present it in a story,” said Andrew, who was a teacher and an educational advisor.

“The people that interested me were very poor, almost invisible, and struggling in 19th-century Ipswich.

“I wanted to give these people a voice they never had – and this was my opportunity.”

Andrew said many of these people were in and out of prison and some were even transported – including a 14-year-old ancestor named Charlotte.

She was sent to Australia for stealing three dresses from someone in Woodbridge.

“I thought about doing it as a historical novel,” he said. “I came across some great stories but wasn’t sure how to tell them.”

A friend of Andrew’s suggested that Dr Hodkinson might be able to help. After reading some of her work and getting in touch with the professor, Andrew enrolled at the university in 2020.

Andrew is due to find out whether he has been shortlisted this summer.