CF08 - Master of Creative Writing

Overview

Course Overview

The Master of Creative Writing at CQUniversity provides a flexible course of postgraduate study. It is organised to allow you to build your skills in a variety of creative writing genres before embarking on a dissertation in creative writing. The course presents you with a literary tool kit of stylistic writing techniques across various genres, including traditional fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry and script-writing, as well as hybrid genres such as flash fiction, speculative fiction, personal essays, narrative journalism, and concrete poetry, among others. Your final dissertation units enable you to apply these skills in a sustained piece of creative writing and accompanying exegesis.

As one of CQUniversity's Be Different Flexible Online courses, you can enrol, study and undertake assessment at times that suit you. Our Master of Creative Writing is not bound by term dates or submission deadlines. You have up to 3 years to complete the course.

 

Career Information

Turn your interest into expertise. This course is for graduates looking to advance or diversify their careers or to fulfill a personal interest in creative writing.

Course Details
Duration 3 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 48
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Postgraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) MCrWriting
AQF Level Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework)
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $17,616
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $16,836
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $15,588
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $21,624

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?

Domestic Availability

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2026

Online

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2025

Online

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2024

Online

Overseas Availabilities

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2026

Sorry, no overseas availabilities found.

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2025

Sorry, no overseas availabilities found.

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2024

Sorry, no overseas availabilities found.
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Entry scores are not available, please contact the Student Advice Team for more information
Academic Requirements

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must hold one of the following:

  • A completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree, or higher equivalent qualification with a minimum cumulative course Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0; or
  • A completed AQF Bachelor degree, or higher equivalent qualification with a minimum cumulative course GPA of at least 4.0 with a minimum of 2 years’ employment experience which demonstrates the use of professional or creative writing skills; or
  • A minimum of 5 years’ employment experience demonstrates the use of professional or creative writing skills.
  • Successful completion of CM14 Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing

Employment experience must be shown in a letter of employment which is presented on company letterhead as well as signed and dated by a delegated authority. The letter must contain position title, duties performed and length of service. Applicants being admitted on the basis of employment experience may be referred to the Head of Course to confirm employment experience meets the course requirements.

English Language Proficiency Requirements:

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma-level qualification, or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years full-time with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall & minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or - Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of the study and must appear on a single result certificate.

International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

 

 

Assumed Knowledge

As per entry requirements.

Security Requirements

Nil

Health Requirements

Nil

Fees and Charges
Be Different
  • Indicative Year - 2025
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $17,616
  • Indicative Year - 2024
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $16,836
  • Indicative Year - 2023
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $15,588
  • Indicative Year - 2022
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $21,624
Higher Education
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards CM14 - Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing
Exit Awards CM14 - Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing
Accreditation
  • Core

    not applicable

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 9
2023 12
2022 19
2021 26
2020 20
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating honesty and integrity in the academic and humanities and social science context.
  • Respecting, and being able to interact with, an individual’s or group’s religion, culture and other differences.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Reflecting on personal behaviours appropriate to creative writing/studies and be positive and receptive to processing constructive feedback or criticism from a supervisor/lecturer or professional creative writing/arts industries professional.
  • Processing and coping with your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with other creative writing/arts individuals in the professional creative writing/arts environment.
  • Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner in difficult to deal with situations.
  • Contributing to on-line discussion forums and tutorials with peers and academics using respectful language and tone.
  • Effectively controlling emotions, responses and behaviour when dealing with challenging situations in professional settings.
  • Complying with the behavioural standards identified in academic and non-academic policies and procedures such as the Student Charter, the Student Misconduct Policy, and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures.
Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Complying with the policies and practices of professional organisations which regulate such issues as copyright, plagiarism, liable and fair use laws in relation to creative writing/arts practice.
  • Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
  • Understanding and adhering to university and workplace policy around the use of social media online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
  • Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
  • Formally observing academic and non-academic policies and procedures such as Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, Assessment of Coursework Policy, and the Assessment of Coursework Procedure.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Verbally communicating in the English language with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness.
  • Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group, professional context or workplace.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions: eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries, and a range of body movements and gestures.
  • Using your nominated creative writing/arts form/s to communicate with an audience both inside and outside of the university.
  • Having sufficient computer knowledge and skills to engage in the online learning environment that may include completing relevant on-line assessments and participating in on-line forums and/or accessing, reading and responding to emails.
  • Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation, and referencing to the required academic standards.
  • Expressing the required information in a logical and legible report or other written format that clearly communicates the intended message, and do so in a timely manner that meets professional standards.
  • Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form that meets creative writing/arts practice requirements.
  • Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
  • Accessing a computer for your studies, and possess sufficient computer knowledge and skills to engage in the on-line learning environment that may include accessing learning support resources, completing and/or submitting relevant on-line assessments, responding to emails, and/or participating in on-line forums.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • Using a variety of computer programs suitable to your course of study.
  • Being adept and proficient in manipulating formatting and displaying information necessary in creating the creative artefact/text.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and using appropriate creative writing/arts knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Applying theoretical and other relevant knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures in creative writing/arts practice.
  • Constructing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech, including being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions of the discipline (e.g. Harvard Author-Date referencing style).
  • Competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in creative writing/arts projects and services.
  • Producing accurate, concise and clear creative writing/arts documentation in order to progress your creative writing/arts career.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

Examples are:

  • Employing sufficient visual and/or auditory capacity and/or acuity to access course learning materials in order to use and apply appropriate creative writing/arts knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Employing sufficient visual and/or auditory capacity and/or acuity to apply theoretical and other relevant knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures in creative writing/arts practice.
  • Employing sufficient visual and/or auditory capacity and/or acuity to construct written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech, including being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions of the discipline (e.g. Harvard Author-Date referencing style).
  • Employing sufficient visual and/or auditory capacity and/or acuity to competently read, write and accurately interpret information to convey language effectively in creative writing/arts projects and services.
  • Employing sufficient visual and/or auditory capacity and/or acuity to produce accurate, concise and clear creative writing/arts documentation in order to progress your creative writing/arts career.
Relational Skills

Examples are:

  • The ability to be able to rapidly build rapport with other students/colleagues/clients in order to engage them professionally.
  • The capacity to be able to respond empathically and respectfully to multiple viewpoints and perspective.
  • The ability to engage with effective communication skills to convey creative and innovative thinking.
  • The ability to display empathy when engaging with peers, colleagues, professional and academic staff.
Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Reflecting on topics taught during the course.
  • Identifying when your own art practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions.
  • Reflecting on personal situations that may be difficult and sensitive.
  • Recognising in your own work an understanding of, and adherence with, academic and non-academic policies and procedures such as the Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy, Assessment of Coursework Policy, and the Assessment of Coursework Procedure.
Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

  • You have the ability to actively participate in tasks related to the course.
  • You are able to effectively demonstrate the required mental energy and endurance in performing creative writing skills and completing the learning activities of the course, as well as according to set time frames.
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

 

Examples are:

  • You will be able to interact with a computer through input devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
  • You will be able to interact with mobile devices through inputs such as buttons and a touchscreen.
  • You will be able to operate electronic equipment such as computer video cameras and associated audio functions where required.
  • You will be able to draw with a pencil or pen.
Interpersonal Engagement

 

Examples are:

  • You will be able to demonstrate the skills of collaborating with fellow students and colleagues, modifying and reflecting on practice during a project, and in response to supervisor feedback.
  • You will be able to critically self-reflect on situations that may/may not have gone well, and take the learning point(s) from that situation.
  • You will be able to interact and engage with individuals and/or groups in a respectful and culturally competent manner.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

Examples are:

  • Using a computer for studies, regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email system for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • Using word processing for development of assignments.
  • Accessing and interacting with other students and lecturers through Learning Management Systems such as Moodle and Zoom.
  • Using a variety of computer programs and online platforms suitable to your course of study.
  • Submitting assessment work that complies with academic and non-academic policies and procedures such as Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy, Assessment of Coursework Policy, and the Assessment of Coursework Procedure.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Analyse and explain advanced and current specialist knowledge in creative writing from selected disciplinary perspectives
  • 2. Identify, analyse and evaluate discipline relevant problems in creative writing and articulate the critical debates surrounding them
  • 3. Reflect upon feedback to identify and enact improvements as regards creative writing practice
  • 4. Research and deploy evidence, data and information effectively
  • 5. Communicate cogent arguments and/ or research results in appropriate creative writing and disciplinary formats.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice
2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship
4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability
10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
More Details
There is no additional information for this course.