Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing

The Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing is part of an articulated program designed to meet a range of needs for those who want to start a career in writing or apply their communication skills to fiction, creative non-fiction and screenwriting. It is also for experienced writers who want to develop and enhance their practical writing skills as well as their ability to critically reflect on their practice.

The course is a good starting point for early career writers who want to develop craft skills in a range of genres and forms, and who may later develop a major project through the articulated Master of Arts in Creative Writing.

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Course aims

The aims of this degree are:

  • to enhance students’ knowledge and skills across a range of writing genres and forms,
  • to facilitate in students an ability to critically reflect on and improve their work,
  • to introduce students to the relationship between writing practice and the writing industry across a range of project types and contexts, and
  • to encourage students to reflect on the role of the writer in the creative and cultural industries.

Typical study program

Example programs are given below.

First year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Narrative Writing 8 57041
Theory and Creative Writing 8 57134
Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Creative Non-fiction 8 57031
Select 8 credit points of electives: 8

Second year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Select 16 credit points of electives: 16

First year

Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Narrative Writing 8 57041
Theory and Creative Writing 8 57134

Second year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Creative Non-fiction 8 57031
Select 8 credit points of electives: 8
Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Select 16 credit points of electives: 16
Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Narrative Writing 8 57041
Theory and Creative Writing 8 57134
Select 8 credit points of electives: 8
Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Creative Non-fiction 8 57031
Select 16 credit points of electives: 16

First year

Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Narrative Writing 8 57041
Theory and Creative Writing 8 57134
Select 8 credit points of electives: 8

Second year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
Creative Non-fiction 8 57031
Select 16 credit points of electives: 16

Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

In most cases, UTS offers domestic students entry to postgraduate courses on a fee paying basis.

Tuition fees are charged:

  • based on the particular course in which you are enrolled
  • based on the number of credit points in which you are enrolled
  • at the rates set for the current year and revised annually

Fees for future year(s) published in the online calculator, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only.  UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

Tuition fees can be found in the online calculator.

A small number of postgraduate courses offer government subsidised Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Find out whether there are CSPs available in this course by visiting our postgraduate fees page.

In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

International student

Tuition fees for international postgraduate coursework students can be found using fees search.

Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

 

For this course, the cost per credit point for 2019 is $647. The total credit points are 48.

All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:

In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' fees information page.

Careers

Graduates apply their writing skills to fields such as advertising, editing and publishing, film and television, digital and experiential media, journalism and communications. Graduates start to have their work published or produced. Many graduates articulate into the Master of Arts in Creative Writing.

Course structure

Course structure explained

The course totals 48 credit points, consisting of three core subjects and three electives. Students may select subjects beyond the list of elective subjects with the approval of the graduate adviser. Not all subjects are available each session.

Full-time students are required to undertake 24 credit points a session. Part-time students should undertake 8 or 16 credit points a session.

Course completion requirements
Requirement Credit Points
STM90815 Core subjects 24
CBK90528 Electives 24
Total 48

Additional information

Course duration

The course duration is one year of full-time or equivalent part-time study.

Full time, on campus
Part time, on campus

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.

Applicants who have not completed a bachelor's, master's, graduate diploma or graduate certificate qualification in any field of study (or overseas equivalent) must provide:

  • a personal statement (approximately 500 words) explaining why they wish to study the course they are applying for
  • a curriculum vitae (CV), which should include details of paid and voluntary work or other experiences (eg special interest groups) that could be relevant to the course.

If applicants do not submit these documents, their application may not be considered.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Check to see if there are additional admission requirements for this course.

If you don't meet the admission requirements for this course, there may be alternative pathways to help you gain admission.

Recognition of prior learning

Students who successfully completed the graduate certificate in the articulated program are eligible for recognition of prior learning for completed subjects.

Articulation with UTS courses

This course is part of an articulated program comprising the Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing (C11071), the Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing, and the Master of Arts in Creative Writing (C04109). Students who successfully complete this course and who are admitted to the master's course are eligible for recognition of prior learning for completed subjects.

Scholarships and prizes

Scholarships

For Communication students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Communication students

Download a course guide

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Course Guides

UTS: Handbook

See the Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.

Information for international students

Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.

Part of UTS Arts and Social Sciences

Domestic students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

How to apply

Domestic applicants can apply via the UTS Online Application System.

Intake

Autumn session 2020 intake for local students.
Spring session 2020 intake for local students.

Important dates

JANUARY 2019
31
Final closing date for local postgraduate coursework applications for main calendar and Calendar B Autumn session
FEBRUARY 2019
18 February - 8 March
Orientation for main calendar Autumn session
18 - 22
Orientation for Calendar B (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education) Autumn session
25
Calendar B (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education) Autumn session commences
MARCH 2019
11
Autumn session commences for main calendar
APRIL 2019
10
Census date for main calendar and Calendar B Autumn session
JULY 2019
22 - 26
Orientation for main calendar and Calendar B Spring session
22
Spring session commences for main calendar
29
Calendar B (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education) Spring session commences
AUGUST 2019
23
Census date for main calendar and Calendar B Spring session
31
UTS Open Day
SEPTEMBER 2019
TBC
Applications open for non-award and cross-institutional subjects for main calendar and Calendar B Autumn session 2020
TBC
Applications open for postgraduate coursework programs, specified direct undergraduate courses and honours courses for 2020
OCTOBER 2019
18
Formal classes end for main calendar Spring session
TBC
Enrolment opens for new postgraduate students for 2020
31
Final closing date for local postgraduate coursework applications for Summer session
NOVEMBER 2019
8
Calendar B (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education) formal classes end for Spring session
18
Summer session commences for main calendar
18 - 22
Orientation for main calendar Summer session
DECEMBER 2019
11
Census date for main calendar Summer session

Need more information?

Ask UTS

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Communication students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Communication students

International students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

You can meet an international student advisor at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.

How to apply

International applicants apply to study via UTS International.

Apply online

Download an application form

Important dates

FEBRUARY 2019
18 February - 8 March
Orientation for main calendar Autumn session
18 - 22
Orientation for Calendar B (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education) Autumn session
25
Calendar B (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education) Autumn session commences
MARCH 2019
11
Autumn session commences for main calendar
APRIL 2019
10
Census date for main calendar and Calendar B Autumn session
30
Closing date for international coursework applications for Spring session (July start) – applicants based outside Australia
MAY 2019
31
Closing date for international coursework applications for Spring session (July start) – applicants based in Australia
JULY 2019
22 - 26
Orientation for main calendar and Calendar B Spring session
22
Spring session commences for main calendar
29
Calendar B (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education) Spring session commences
AUGUST 2019
23
Census date for main calendar and Calendar B Spring session
OCTOBER 2019
18
Formal classes end for main calendar Spring session
TBC
Enrolment opens for new postgraduate students for 2020
NOVEMBER 2019
8
Calendar B (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education) formal classes end for Spring session
18
Summer session commences for main calendar
18 - 22
Orientation for main calendar Summer session
30
Closing date for international coursework applications for Autumn session 2020 (February/March start) – applicants based outside Australia
DECEMBER 2019
11
Census date for main calendar Summer session
15
Closing date for international coursework applications for Autumn session 2020 (February/March start) – applicants based in Australia

Need more information?

Ask a question

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Communication students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Communication students