Program Overview

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.

Core Major in Arts

The core addresses all 6 program-level learning outcomes, includes substantial indigenous studies components embedded in the curriculum, and will be taught by staff from across all academic specialisations within the program. These core units provide the Bachelor of Arts with its identity as a program in its own right, and establish the liberal arts skills, knowledge and develop the application of skills to knowledge that is expected of Arts graduates.