Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative and Professional Writing)

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Real graduate

'I was especially attracted to QUT because the degree offers a genuine and cohesive synthesis of creative practice with industry-based theory and practical knowledge. It's not just how to write, but how to make a place within the writing industry for myself. I have gained so much invaluable knowledge about good writing. The degree has given me the confidence to aim high.'

Wendy Murphy

Guide to entry cut-offs

OP 11

Rank 77

Work creatively on your writing in novels, short stories, non-fiction, youth writing, media writing and poetry.
Gain professional skills in web writing, corporate writing, persuasive writing, editing and script writing.
Learn from highly experienced and published authors, scholars, and experts in professional writing.
Opportunities for exposure with internships at writers festivals, literary events, publishing houses, public readings and festivals.
Graduates work as fiction writers, corporate writers, script writers, reviewers, travel writers, feature writers, editors, journalists and publishers.

QTAC course code	421432
QUT course code	KK34
Attendance	Full-time
Course duration	3 years full-time
Start month	2013 February
Deferment	You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
Delivery	On campus Kelvin Grove
Faculty	Creative Industries Faculty
Course contact	Student Business Services (SBS) Admissions: Email: askqut@qut.edu.au Telephone: +61 7 3138 2000
CRICOS code	060810B
Careers	Academic Advertising Professional Art Writer Creative Writer English Teacher Government Officer Information Officer Internet Professional Journalist Media Industry Specialist Organisational Communication Specialist Policy Officer Public Servant Publishing Professional Teacher

Double degrees

Writers are in demand across a number of fields. The publishing and screen industries, advertising agencies, magazines and newspapers, websites, the public service and large corporations all require specialist writers with a flair for language.

More than 10 000 new books are published in Australia every year, and more local authors than ever are having success with their work. If you can channel your creativity into words, you are in a unique position in today's media-rich world.

This course will provide you with opportunities to work intensively on your writing in a number of forms and genres, including novels and short stories, creative non-fiction, youth writing, media writing and poetry. In addition, it will help you build specialist writing skills for professional applications such as corporate writing, persuasive writing, editing and script writing. Elective study is available in feature writing and interactive web writing, and you can also undertake project work to write a sustained work in a genre of your choice.

Why choose this course?

QUT offers the largest and most comprehensive undergraduate writing course in South-East Queensland with the broadest range of units on offer. There is also a strong honours and postgraduate program. You will graduate with advanced writing and communication competence, a rare skill keenly sought by employers.

You will be taught by highly experienced, published authors; experts in professional writing; and distinguished scholars in the fields of creative writing and literary studies. You will gain a unique perspective on writing as both a vocation and creative practice. Writers, editors and publishers regularly provide guest lectures and have residencies in the Faculty for the benefit of students.

You will have exposure to industry through our major sponsorship of the Brisbane Writers Festival, internships with literary events and publishing houses, and through opportunities to perform at public readings and festivals. You will be encouraged to submit your creative work to journals and to competitions including the QUT Writing Prize, in which you may win $2000 or the opportunity to be published in QUT’s annual creative writing anthology.

Career outcomes

Graduates can work as creative or professional writers and editors in corporate, community and freelance capacities. Opportunities exist as fiction writers, corporate writers, scriptwriters, reviewers, travel writers, feature writers, editors, journalists, publishers, media workers and teachers. Pathways exist to prepare you for further study including honours, research, or creative practice and analysis.

Your course

Year 1

You will be introduced to creative writing practice and develop critical and analytical skills in reading and writing a variety of forms including fiction and poetry. Learning from lecturers and tutors with industry experience, you will both write and analyse short stories, creative non-fiction and youth writing.

Year 2

Building on the practical skills and conceptual background acquired in first-year units, you will study script writing, stylistics and poetics as well as corporate writing and how the classic and most popular novels were written. You will undertake electives in areas of interest, allowing you to tailor this course to take advantage of your strengths and vocational interests.

Year 3

You will write a sustained piece of creative work, within the genre of your choice, such as a key section of an original novel. You will be introduced to editing and developing a manuscript for a targeted market, and the real world of the writing and publishing industry, as well as in-depth study of longer fiction and life writing. You can add to your knowledge of creative and literary studies by continuing with electives of your choice.