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Course code F92

Bachelor of Creative Writing

Creative thinkers made here.
Creative thinkers made here.

Why study at ECU?

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About this Course

What makes a piece of writing attractive to both publishers and readers?

If you study this course, designed for lovers of writing and reading,
you’ll find out.

Here, you’ll develop your awareness of and attention to voice, empathy, purpose, and influence, while being introduced to the techniques of writing for a variety of forms, including fiction, poetry, non-fiction and dramatic scripts.

You’ll also explore contemporary approaches and the commercial realities of creative writing and publishing with an emphasis on popular forms and genres, ethics, and environmental issues.

Course code F92

Entry requirements

70 Indicative ATAR

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT PT FT PT
South West
Online FT PT FT PT
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

About this Course

What makes a piece of writing attractive to both publishers and readers?

If you study this course, designed for lovers of writing and reading,
you’ll find out.

Here, you’ll develop your awareness of and attention to voice, empathy, purpose, and influence, while being introduced to the techniques of writing for a variety of forms, including fiction, poetry, non-fiction and dramatic scripts.

You’ll also explore contemporary approaches and the commercial realities of creative writing and publishing with an emphasis on popular forms and genres, ethics, and environmental issues.

Course code F92

CRICOS code 115040C

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT FT
South West
Online FT PT FT PT
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • AQF Cert IV;
    • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Undergraduate Certificate;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • University Preparation Course;*
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
    • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Don't have an ATAR?

Some of the majors in this course don't require an ATAR for entry. Find out how to apply using our Creative Humanities Portfolio Entry pathway.

How to apply

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • AQF Cert IV;
    • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Undergraduate Certificate;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • University Preparation Course;*
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
    • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Don't have an ATAR?

Some of the majors in this course don't require an ATAR for entry. Find out how to apply using our Creative Humanities Portfolio Entry pathway.

How to apply

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Mount Lawley or Online

Semester 1: Study part-time at Mount Lawley or Online

Semester 2: Study full-time at Mount Lawley or Online

Semester 2: Study part-time at Mount Lawley or Online

Course Structure

Students are required to complete 15 core units and 8 elective units. Students may choose electives from the recommended electives list, or with the approval of the Course Coordinator, complete any other combination of major, minors, or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other Schools.

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT1600Creative Writing15
WRT1605Writing Craft and Practice15
ENG1140Discovering Literature15
Core UnitChoose 1 unit from list of 4 core options15
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT1610Writing Short Stories15
WRT1615Writing Drama15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SPR2600Screenwriting15
WRT2110Introduction to Editing15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Core UnitChoose 1 unit from list of 4 core options15
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT2605Writing Creative Non-Fiction15
WRT2610Writing Poetry15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT3600Writing Speculative Fiction15
WRT3605Creative Writing and the Market15
CCC3106Contemporary Australian Literature15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT3650Creative Writing Project30
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Core Options
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
JBM2600 ^Storytelling and Social Media Influence15
CMM2600 ^Digital Content Creation15
JBM1605 ^Fundamentals of Journalism15
ENG2118 ^Literature and Theory15

Students can choose any combination of electives from the core options, the recommended elective list, or with the approval of the Course Coordinator, any other combination of major, minors, or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other schools where available.

General Recommended Electives
Unit Code Unit TitleCredit Points
NOTE: Acceptance into SAH2650, SAH3650 and SAH3660 is by application only
IAS2340BlaK Matters: Indigenous Sci-fi and Futurisms, Ancient Knowledge for an Exciting Future15
CMM1610Understanding Audiences15
CMM1615Media Content Strategy15
JBM1615Media Law and Ethics15
PHO1125Camera Work and Lighting15
PHO1130Studio Work15
PHO3201Photojournalism and Editorial Practice15
VIS1805Dialogues with Art15
VIS2800Printmaking + Artists Books15
VIS1810Drawing15
DES3610Design Futures15
TSM2202Introduction to Event Management15
ENG1060English Grammar for Professionals15
ENG2120Popular Texts for Young People15
ENG3140From Fiction to Film15
ENG3160Graphic Novels15
ENG3050Poetry and Passion15
ADM1605Creating the Arts in the Contemporary World15
PAD3400Writing for Performance15
SAH2650Professional Experience: Internship or Project15
SAH3650Professional Placement 130
SAH3660Professional Placement 230

^ Core Option

F92|1

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

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • In SAH2650 Professional Experience: Internship or Project, students will be able to select workplace-based or project-based environments. In the workplace-based track, students will embark on a minimum of 100 hours of professional placement work experience within a public, private or not-for-profit organisation relevant to their academic studies. In the project-based track, students will engage in a project for a public, private or not-for-profit organisation that tackles a real-world challenge in collaboration or consultation with an industry partner.

    In SAH3650 Professional Placement 1 and SAH3660 Professional Placement 2, students will gain relevant work experience by undertaking a minimum of 225 hours (per unit) of professional placement with a public, private or not-for-profit host organisation which is relevant to their academic studies.

  • This course will include Entrepreneurial WIL as its assessed WIL activity in WRT3650 Creative Writing Project (30 credit points). In this unit, students will engage in a robust publishing experience as they both produce their own original creative work for an anthology, and work collaboratively to publish an anthology of creative work.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of literary, authorship and publishing contexts.
  2. Think critically to research, analyse, interpret and synthesise complex ideas to inform creative writing practice.
  3. Think creatively and apply creative writing techniques to generate original written works.
  4. Use digital, editing and author platform technologies 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 social responsibility, Indigenous cultural responsiveness and inclusive professional practice.
  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, career planning and professional practice.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Mount Lawley or Online

Semester 1: Study part-time Online

Semester 2: Study full-time at Mount Lawley or Online

Semester 2: Study part-time Online

Course Structure

Students are required to complete 15 core units and 8 elective units. Students may choose electives from the recommended electives list, or with the approval of the Course Coordinator, complete any other combination of major, minors, or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other Schools.

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT1600Creative Writing15
WRT1605Writing Craft and Practice15
ENG1140Discovering Literature15
Core UnitChoose 1 unit from list of 4 core options15
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT1610Writing Short Stories15
WRT1615Writing Drama15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SPR2600Screenwriting15
WRT2110Introduction to Editing15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Core UnitChoose 1 unit from list of 4 core options15
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT2605Writing Creative Non-Fiction15
WRT2610Writing Poetry15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT3600Writing Speculative Fiction15
WRT3605Creative Writing and the Market15
CCC3106Contemporary Australian Literature15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
WRT3650Creative Writing Project30
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Elective UnitUnit from general recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Core Options
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
JBM2600 ^Storytelling and Social Media Influence15
CMM2600 ^Digital Content Creation15
JBM1605 ^Fundamentals of Journalism15
ENG2118 ^Literature and Theory15

Students can choose any combination of electives from the core options, the recommended elective list, or with the approval of the Course Coordinator, any other combination of major, minors, or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other schools where available.

General Recommended Electives
Unit Code Unit TitleCredit Points
NOTE: Acceptance into SAH2650, SAH3650 and SAH3660 is by application only
IAS2340BlaK Matters: Indigenous Sci-fi and Futurisms, Ancient Knowledge for an Exciting Future15
CMM1610Understanding Audiences15
CMM1615Media Content Strategy15
JBM1615Media Law and Ethics15
PHO1125Camera Work and Lighting15
PHO1130Studio Work15
PHO3201Photojournalism and Editorial Practice15
VIS1805Dialogues with Art15
VIS2800Printmaking + Artists Books15
VIS1810Drawing15
DES3610Design Futures15
TSM2202Introduction to Event Management15
ENG1060English Grammar for Professionals15
ENG2120Popular Texts for Young People15
ENG3140From Fiction to Film15
ENG3160Graphic Novels15
ENG3050Poetry and Passion15
ADM1605Creating the Arts in the Contemporary World15
PAD3400Writing for Performance15
SAH2650Professional Experience: Internship or Project15
SAH3650Professional Placement 130
SAH3660Professional Placement 230

^ Core Option

F92|1

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

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • In SAH2650 Professional Experience: Internship or Project, students will be able to select workplace-based or project-based environments. In the workplace-based track, students will embark on a minimum of 100 hours of professional placement work experience within a public, private or not-for-profit organisation relevant to their academic studies. In the project-based track, students will engage in a project for a public, private or not-for-profit organisation that tackles a real-world challenge in collaboration or consultation with an industry partner.

    In SAH3650 Professional Placement 1 and SAH3660 Professional Placement 2, students will gain relevant work experience by undertaking a minimum of 225 hours (per unit) of professional placement with a public, private or not-for-profit host organisation which is relevant to their academic studies.

  • This course will include Entrepreneurial WIL as its assessed WIL activity in WRT3650 Creative Writing Project (30 credit points). In this unit, students will engage in a robust publishing experience as they both produce their own original creative work for an anthology, and work collaboratively to publish an anthology of creative work.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of literary, authorship and publishing contexts.
  2. Think critically to research, analyse, interpret and synthesise complex ideas to inform creative writing practice.
  3. Think creatively and apply creative writing techniques to generate original written works.
  4. Use digital, editing and author platform technologies 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 social responsibility, Indigenous cultural responsiveness and inclusive professional practice.
  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, career planning and professional practice.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

Fees for this course have yet to be confirmed for the next calendar year and are scheduled to be available on the Course Fee Calculator from October.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

Writing is a profession. And writing skills are required beyond the conventional publishing industry. It’s why this course covers a wide range of fields that require knowledge and skills applicable to creative writing – some you may never have thought of! So, you can translate your creative writing skills into fields like writing web content, marketing, advertising and internal company communications. And as a high proportion of authors freelance or are self-employed, the course will introduce you to the entrepreneurial skills needed to promote your work and earn income from creative writing.

Possible future job titles

Creative Writer, Author, Publisher, Editor, Content Writer, Copywriter, Poet, Playwright, Scriptwriter, Reviewer

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

Fees for this course have yet to be confirmed for the next calendar year and are scheduled to be available on the Course Fee Calculator from October.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

Writing is a profession. And writing skills are required beyond the conventional publishing industry. It’s why this course covers a wide range of fields that require knowledge and skills applicable to creative writing – some you may never have thought of! So, you can translate your creative writing skills into fields like writing web content, marketing, advertising and internal company communications. And as a high proportion of authors freelance or are self-employed, the course will introduce you to the entrepreneurial skills needed to promote your work and earn income from creative writing.

Possible future job titles

Creative Writer, Author, Publisher, Editor, Content Writer, Copywriter, Poet, Playwright, Scriptwriter, Reviewer

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Creative thinkers start here

Creative thinkers start here

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.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Bachelor of Creative Writing?

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.