Skip to main content Skip to main navigation

Code MAAAJQ

Creative and Professional Writing Major

Creative thinkers made here.

Creative thinkers made here.

Why study at ECU?

About this Major

This major fosters creative and professional writing skills for a variety of audiences to prepare students for a highly rewarding career in writing.

Students are engaged in the writing industry and develop their own voice and style across genres, including drama, poetry, fiction and non-fiction. The major supports new writers to expand industry knowledge, prepare their writing to professional standard and build confidence to seek publishing opportunities. Writing students also gain valuable professional skills, including editing, developing an online author platform and understanding the publishing industry, ethical and legal elements of contemporary authorship.

Code MAAAJQ

Availability & Campus

Location Availability
Joondalup
Mount Lawley
South West
Online
= Available

Details

Structure

Students must complete eight (8) units totalling 120 credit points:

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT1101Language and Writing15
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT1103Creativity and Writing15
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT2213Creative Writing15
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT2110Introduction to Editing15
Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
CCC3102 ^Writing the Real15
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT3215 ^Authorship and Publication15
Plus complete two of the following units in second or third year:
WRT3107Writing Poetry15
CCC3109Speculative Fiction15
WRT3105Writing Drama15
WRT3120Biographical and Autobiographical Writing15

^ Core Option

For more detailed unit information for this Major take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Notes

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of literary, authorship and publishing context.
  2. Think critically to analyse, interpret and synthesise complex themes and strategies for written communication.
  3. Think creatively to generate original written works.
  4. Use digital, editing and author platform technologies and to access information and function as a contemporary writing professional.
  5. Communicate diverse concepts and ideas clearly, coherently and in a variety of forms with autonomy.
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence.
  7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to highlight social, environmental, and ethical issues through writing.
  8. Use reflective practice to demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional practice.

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities

Graduates are able to seek employment in the expanding communications sector and in traditional and online publishing. Creative and Professional Writing provides a valuable skill-set for a portfolio career and there are abundant opportunities for freelance and content writing.

Possible future job titles

Writer, Editor, Content Writer, Reviewer, Communications specialist, Publisher, Speech Writer, Non-fiction writer, Researcher, Biographer, Commentator, Proofreader, Editorial Assistant, Content Editor, Scriptwriter, Journalist, Publishing Assistant, Poet, Novelist, Playwright, Author, Advertising copywriter, Digital copywriter, Magazine Journalist, Publishing copy-editor, Web Content Manager, Social Media Manager, Travel Writer, Email Marketing Specialist, Columnist

This Major can be studied in the following courses

Experiences

Student stories

  • Emilie Lowe

    Emilie Lowe

    ECU Arts (Writing) student

    ECU has provided the flexibility for me to create a full-length feature at 21

    My greatest challenge has always been overcoming my struggle with dyslexia, especially something such as writing. But ECU's lecturers and staff have been vital in helping me on this journey. They taught me the knowledge and skills and provided the flexibility for me to create a full-length feature at only 21. I cannot wait to showcase all that the university has taught me on the big screen!

  • Josh Kemp

    Josh Kemp

    ECU Literature & Writing graduate

    I can truly say I wouldn't have ever achieved this award without ECU

    The skills acquired from my time at ECU have really enhanced my creative writing, refined my editing skills and given me the opportunity to learn from published authors. Also gave me invaluable insights about interacting with publishers and literary agents, and entering manuscripts into literary awards. I can truly say I wouldn't have ever won the award for my unpublished manuscript, Banjawarn without ECU.

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.

ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.