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- Work creatively on writing novels, poetry, short stories, creative non-fiction, memoir, and genre fiction.
- Work towards a year-long major piece of creative writing in a form and genre of your choice, as well as engage in major transdisciplinary projects with creatives from other fields.
- Gain insight into the national contexts into which your writing will enter as well as the debates and ideas that are enlivening and challenging the ways in which writers create.
- Learn about central ideas from literary theory and ways to think and write critically about texts.
- Learn from highly experienced and published authors, scholars, and experts in creative writing.
- Gain opportunities for exposure with internships at writers’ festivals, literary events, publishing houses, and public readings.
- Graduates work as fiction writers, editors, embedded creatives in technical and corporate contexts, technical writers, script writers, reviewers, travel writers, feature writers, journalists, publishers, media workers, policy workers, government employees and teachers.
Highlights
- Work creatively on writing novels, poetry, short stories, creative non-fiction, memoir, and genre fiction.
- Work towards a year-long major piece of creative writing in a form and genre of your choice, as well as engage in major transdisciplinary projects with creatives from other fields.
- Gain insight into the national contexts into which your writing will enter as well as the debates and ideas that are enlivening and challenging the ways in which writers create.
- Learn about central ideas from literary theory and ways to think and write critically about texts.
- Learn from highly experienced and published authors, scholars, and experts in creative writing.
- Gain opportunities for exposure with internships at writers’ festivals, literary events, publishing houses, and public readings.
- Graduates work as fiction writers, editors, embedded creatives in technical and corporate contexts, technical writers, script writers, reviewers, travel writers, feature writers, journalists, publishers, media workers, policy workers, government employees and teachers.
Why choose this course?
Writing is more central to our culture than ever before. The communication revolution demands written content—on the page, on the screen, and in new and evolving forms and places. Writers, storytellers and experts with nuanced and creative language are needed to provoke, entertain and connect to audiences in expanding ways.
QUT offers the largest and most comprehensive undergraduate writing course in South-East Queensland with the broadest range of units on offer. Within the BFA structure, you gain the deepest possible access to this knowledge. We take a transdisciplinary approach from the outset, encouraging you as a specialist creative writer to work in teams with others who have different creative skillsets. You will graduate with advanced writing and communication competence - a rare skill keenly sought by employers.
Visits from other writers, editors and publishers will further help you gain a unique perspective on writing as a vocation and as a critical and creative practice. Writers, editors and publishers regularly provide guest lectures for the benefit of students, and you’ll have access to the industry and national writing communities.
Real-world learning
The course is taught by highly experienced published authors and scholars. Visits and guest lectures from writers, editors and publishers will help you gain a unique perspective on writing as a vocation and provide access to the industry and national writing communities. A thriving on-campus literary culture and connections with festivals and local publishing houses will keep you connected with fellow travellers and industry tastemakers as you develop your craft.
Explore this course
What to expect
In this course you will work intensively on your writing in a number of forms including novels, short stories, creative non-fiction, memoir, genre writing, and poetry. You will develop comprehensive editing skills as well as self-editing skills. You will learn about and engage with local writing contexts, as well as enter contemporary debates around ideas that illuminate and challenge what people write and how they write it. You will learn to think and write critically about texts. You will learn how to engage readers through emotional story telling.
Later in your degree you will choose electives to tailor your course to your strengths and vocational interests. You will write a sustained piece of creative work in a genre of your choice and participate in editing and developing a manuscript for a targeted market.
Double degrees
Combine creative writing with a second study area for greater career flexibility and opportunities in other industries. Consider a double degree with:
- business to develop your career as a creative writer, publishing professional or public relations consultant
- law to use your skills for a career as an in-house lawyer, solicitor in private practice, policy adviser, intellectual property lawyer or crime writer.
If you are looking to apply your creative abilities to education settings or the teaching profession you have some options. You can complete your creative writing course first and then follow with a Master of Teaching in early childhood, primary or secondary education.* Or you can now undertake a double degree in secondary education at the same time as your creative writing degree.
*Check entry requirements for the Master of Teaching for specific teaching areas.
Career outcomes
Career outcomes
With a creative writing major you will graduate with advanced writing and communication capabilities as well as analytic and editorial experience. These are rare, real-world skills that are keenly sought by employers. Graduates also find success working as creative writers and editors in community and freelance capacities.
Opportunities exist as fiction writers, scriptwriters, reviewers, travel writers, feature writers, editors, publishers, media workers and teachers. The publishing and screen industries, advertising and public relations agencies, magazines, newspapers, digital content providers, government and large corporations all require specialist writers with a flair for language.
Possible careers
- Academic
- Advertising Professional
- Art Writer
- Copywriter
- Creative Writer
- Digital Content Producer
- Digital Copywriter
- Journalist
- Publishing Professional
Details and units
Your course
To meet the course requirements of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing), you must complete the following:
- Two common units (KYB101 and KYB102) – 24 credit points
- Creative Writing major – 168 credit points
- Complementary studies – 48 credit points from the Situated Creative Practice Extension plus 48 credit points chosen from a minor or unit options (electives).
Year 1
- Introduction to creative writing practice.
- Develop critical and analytical skills in reading and writing a variety of literature forms.
- Learn from lecturers and tutors with industry experience.
- Write and analyse short stories, creative nonfiction and youth writing.
Year 2
- Build on practical skills and conceptual backgrounds.
- Study script-writing, stylistics, poetics and corporate writing.
- Explore how a variety of notable novels were written.
- Choose electives to tailor your course to your strengths and vocational interests.
Year 3
- Write a sustained piece of creative work in a genre of your choice.
- Participate in editing and developing a manuscript for a targeted market.
- Undertake an in-depth study of long fiction and life writing.
- Learn about the real world of the writing and publishing industry.
- Expand your study with electives in creative or other disciplines.
Study overseas
Study overseas while earning credit towards your QUT creative industries degree with one of our worldwide exchange partners.
Overseas study can be for one or two semesters (or during the semester break) and the units you take can be in a creative or non-creative discipline area, depending on how they match with your QUT course. Saving your electives for exchange will allow you the most flexibility.
Your course
To meet the course requirements of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing), you must complete the following:
- Two common units (KYB101 and KYB102) – 24 credit points
- Creative Writing major – 168 credit points
- Complementary studies – 48 credit points from the Situated Creative Practice Extension plus 48 credit points chosen from a minor or unit options (electives).
Year 1
- Introduction to creative writing practice.
- Develop critical and analytical skills in reading and writing a variety of literature forms.
- Learn from lecturers and tutors with industry experience.
- Write and analyse short stories, creative nonfiction and youth writing.
Year 2
- Build on practical skills and conceptual backgrounds.
- Study script-writing, stylistics, poetics and corporate writing.
- Explore how a variety of notable novels were written.
- Choose electives to tailor your course to your strengths and vocational interests.
Year 3
- Write a sustained piece of creative work in a genre of your choice.
- Participate in editing and developing a manuscript for a targeted market.
- Undertake an in-depth study of long fiction and life writing.
- Learn about the real world of the writing and publishing industry.
- Expand your study with electives in creative or other disciplines.
Study overseas
Study overseas while earning credit towards your QUT creative industries degree with one of our worldwide exchange partners.
Overseas study can be for one or two semesters (or during the semester break) and the units you take can be in a creative or non-creative discipline area, depending on how they match with your QUT course. Saving your electives for exchange will allow you the most flexibility.
Requirements
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2019.
Don't have an OP or rank?
Starting uni in 2021?
There are some changes to subjects and the qualifications we’ll consider for entry to QUT from 2021 and beyond. Make sure you’re prepared to apply.
- Course code
- KK34
- QTAC code
- 421432
- CRICOS code
- 056185A
-
- Kelvin Grove
-
- Kelvin Grove
- 3 years full-time
- 3 years full-time
- February and July
- February and July
- OP Guarantee
- Yes
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course we assume you have sound knowledge in these areas:
- English
We assume that you have knowledge equivalent to four semesters at high school level (Years 11 and 12) with sound achievement (4, SA).
Guaranteed entry
If you receive an adjusted OP 1-5 (or equivalent selection rank), you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Advanced standing
If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.
Deferment
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
More about deferring your offer
Adjustments to your selection rank
Any adjustments you receive to your selection rank (or OP equivalent) will be applied to this course.
Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your selection rank
Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2018
The scores listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent school leavers. If you are not a school leaver, take a look at the entry thresholds box at the top of this page to see the lowest adjusted scores required overall to receive an offer.
| Excluding adjustments | Including adjustments | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP | Selection rank | OP | Selection rank | |
| Highest OP/selection rank to receive an offer |
OP
3
|
Selection rank
95
|
OP
1
|
Selection rank
99
|
| Median OP/selection rank to receive an offer |
OP
9
|
Selection rank
81
|
OP
9
|
Selection rank
81
|
| Lowest OP/selection rank to receive an offer |
OP
16
|
Selection rank
64
|
OP
13
|
Selection rank
71
|
You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.
Other admission options
If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP).
Minimum academic requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
I completed secondary school in Australia
Guide to entry thresholds
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2019.
- OP
- 13
- Rank
- 72
Did you get an OP 1-5?
If you completed secondary school in Australia and received an OP 1-5 or equivalent, and you meet the course prerequisites, you are guaranteed an offer for this course in the January offer round
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cambridge Advanced English Score
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. You must provide your Cambridge English Candidate ID and Candidate Secret Number, these are printed on your Cambridge English Confirmation of Entry. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
|
IELTS Academic
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. |
6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
Pearson PTE (Academic)
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. Please assign your test to QUT in your Pearson profile. |
58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
|
TOEFL iBT
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. |
79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Haven't completed an English language test? We can help!
If you have not completed an English language test, you can sit the IELTS test at our IELTS test centre
Fees
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2020 fees
2020 CSP $6,700 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2020 fees
2020: $31,200 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2019 fees
2019: CSP $6,700 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2019 fees
2019: $30,100 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
Find out more about undergraduate course fees
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
Scholarships
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)
A scholarship for future undergraduate students who want to study in any faculty.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Creative Industries International Scholarship
We offer merit-based scholarships for high-achieving international students who have accepted their offer and been admitted into an undergraduate course.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Equity scholarships scheme
A scholarship for low-income students studying in any faculty.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Struggling financially
QUT Sport Scholarship (Elite Athlete)
A scholarship for future and current undergraduate students who want to study in any faculty.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
Excellence in two fields
Sarah Kanake is a prize-winning author and university lecturer. She received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at QUT in 2015. Sarah has also won several awards including the QUT Postgraduate Writer’s Prize and the QUT Mentorship. Her first novel Sing Fox to Me was released in early 2016 to outstanding reviews.
Real graduate
‘I write because I love it and can’t see myself doing anything else. I chose QUT because it had produced a lot of successful writers. Many of my lecturers and tutors were writers themselves, and being surrounded by others just as passionate as I am was a wonderful experience.’
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.'
Excellence in two fields
Sarah Kanake is a prize-winning author and university lecturer. She received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at QUT in 2015. Sarah has also won several awards including the QUT Postgraduate Writer’s Prize and the QUT Mentorship. Her first novel Sing Fox to Me was released in early 2016 to outstanding reviews.
Real graduate
‘I write because I love it and can’t see myself doing anything else. I chose QUT because it had produced a lot of successful writers. Many of my lecturers and tutors were writers themselves, and being surrounded by others just as passionate as I am was a wonderful experience.’
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.'
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