Explore your creativity with Australia’s most established writing program

The University of Canberra’s writing program is the oldest of its kind in Australia, with a long and established record of excellence. The Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) is staffed by award-winning, industry-active novelists, poets, screenwriters, editors and publishers who’ll help you emerge from your degree with an impressive portfolio of dynamic, creative and professional work. 

You’ll have the opportunity to experiment in different modes of creative writing, including prose fiction, poetry, writing for young people, screenwriting and narrative non-fiction. You’ll learn to build narratives, craft language and hone your critical skills, and will graduate with a broad and flexible set of skills and knowledge.

Study a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) at UC and you will:

• employ narrative and the crafting of language to solve problems
• engage with communities, and invent new ways of navigating professional and cultural environments
• compose imaginative fiction, non-fiction, poetic and screen-based works
• work individually, collaboratively and ethically while building professional relationships in the creative and cultural sectors.

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning is at the very centre of the Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing). You’ll learn from industry-active professionals and world-class scholars and work and study in real-world situations through project work, internships, professional experience and mentorships.

You’ll complete units designed to help you develop the professional skills essential for employment in the creative industries, and will have the opportunity to participate in international work and study experiences as part of your degree. Past Creative Writing internships have included placements with the ACT Writers Centre, the Canberra Writers Festival, and the International Poetry Studies Institute ­– a research facility which is part of the University of Canberra.

Course duration

Standard 3 years full-time or equivalent. Maximum 10 years.

Learning outcomes

Majors

• Core Major in Arts (CM0001)
• Specialist Major in Creative Writing (SM0001)

Awards

Honours

High performing students may be eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Arts and Design (Honours) course.

Alternative exits

Master of Arts in Creative and Cultural Futures.

Enrolment data

2023 enrolments for this course by location. Please note that enrolment numbers are indicative only and in no way reflect individual class sizes.

Enquiries

• Author
• Copywriter
• Journalist
• Playwright
• Screenwriter
• Scriptwriter
• Communications manager
• Publisher
• Editor
• Media analyst
• Technical writer
• Web content manager

For international students studying an Australian Year 12 qualification, your selection rank is your ATAR plus any adjustment factors you may be eligible for. If you’re an international stud

Academic IELTS of 6.0 or equivalent, with no band score below 6.0; TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 60 with: R: 13; L: 12; S: 18; W: 21; Pearson Test of Academic English: 50 with no skill score below 50; Cambridge English Scale: 169 with no sub-score below 169: Occupational English Test: No grade lower than 'C' in any of the sub-tests.