Creative writing postgraduate courses allow you to refine your writing and enhance your skill set. You will learn about a variety of genres, including science fiction, gothic literature, and everything in between. A master of creative writing also takes you on a journey as you grow as an artist and an individual. Deciding if this is the right course for you can be challenging, but with our guide, we can help you decide if it's right for you. 

What is a master of creative writing?

A master of creative writing is a postgraduate course that allows you to enhance your writing skills. The course will help to nurture and fuel your creativity, providing you with a variety of learning experiences that develop you as a writer, exposing you to new styles and genres to help you become the best writer possible. 

The course is offered full-time, part-time, and online, with many students completing in 18 to 24 months. The course can be studied entirely online for complete flexibility, allowing you to study alongside work or other caring commitments. 

What will I learn on a master of creative writing?

What you will learn on a master of creative writing course will vary depending on the course provider you choose. The learning outcomes are usually similar, ensuring everyone gets the same from their course. While the wording might change, you can expect to find the following learning outcomes in your course brochure: 

• Explore the appeal and nuance of various genres

• Refine and enhance your proficiency in fiction 

• Uncover the secrets to crafting stories with powerful emotions that leave a lasting impact 

• Invigorate your writing craft and ignite a passion for creative expression 

• Embark on a journey of artistic growth and self-discovery

• Discover the art of originating new ideas and cultivating inspiration to fuel your imagination 

A master of creative writing is split into 10 units, where you will learn about the realities of a career as a writer and how to add performance and emotion into your work. The unit titles and descriptions might vary depending on the course provider, but you can expect to see the following: 

• Editing and publishing - teaches you about the business of writing, editing, and publishing. You will learn about processes and workflow for professional editing and how to seek publication 

• Writing fiction - where you will be introduced to the fundamentals of writing fiction through reading a variety of short stories

• Writing realities - where you will explore writing based on actual events, like history, biography, stories of place and family, and true crime 

• Writing for performance - provides skills for writing drama or monologue for performance 

• Writing and audience - provides you with an understanding of your work, considering genre, readership, and online audiences 

• Writing for the planet’s future - teaches you about writing about place and environment in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry 

• Writing and empathy - explores the core practices of writing and embodiment, including writing about characters and love outside of your viewpoint 

• Writing fiction that unsettles and scares - highlights the darker aspects of fiction, like gothic and horror 

• Writing project research and development - shows you how to initiate, plan, and develop a writing project 

• Writing project resolve and reflect - teaches you how to reflect on your work and create a podcast 

What do I need to apply for a master of creative writing?

The entry requirements for a master's in creative writing varies depending on your course provider, but you can expect similar entry requirements. The requirements typically involve needing either: 

• A bachelor’s degree in any discipline 

• Equivalent prior learning, with five years of relevant experience or a piece of published work 

Some course providers, like ECU, offer fast-track options, where you can complete the course in just seven units. For a fast-track application, you will need a bachelor’s degree or higher in English, journalism, communications, writing, creative writing, secondary English teaching, or something similar. The qualification you have must be approved by the course provider, so it is best to speak to them directly if you wish to study a fast-track master of creative writing. 

Find your creative writing course today 

A master in creative writing can be the perfect postgraduate course for most students. You can choose to study these in a variety of course providers, with ECU, offering fast-track and standard options where you can explore your writing and expand your skills. With tutors available to support you and online support groups to access, the postgraduate in creative writing course could be the ideal choice for you. 

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