Creative Writing
Coursework
The Master of Creative Writing is designed for new, developing and established writers who wish to explore and develop their creative practice in a stimulating academic environment. We welcome students who work in experimental or traditional ways within, across or between genres and media.
As well as core units in the fundamentals of research-led creative practice, critical contexts for creative writing, writers at work, literary movements, and Sydney as a cultural centre, we offer a wide range of specialised units, including workshops in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.
Throughout their degree, students work in small groups with distinguished staff and visitors to extend and deepen their skills, their thinking, and their engagement with the work of others. As well as coursework, all master's students undertake a substantial, individually supervised creative dissertation or project and participate in a lively calendar of readings, talks and symposia.
Writers on staff include Judith Beveridge, Peter Kirkpatrick, Kate Lilley, Fiona McFarlane, Peter Minter and Beth Yahp. Visitors to the program in recent years have included Vanessa Berry, Peter Boyle, Pam Brown, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Michael Farrell, Carla Harryman, Lyn Hejinian, Gail Jones, Michelle de Kretser, David Malouf, Drusilla Modjeska, Eileen Myles, John Tranter, Barrett Watten and Charlotte Wood.
See also: English Studies
Awards and requirements
Please refer to the degree resolutions in this handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different award courses.
Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing
Candidates for Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing must complete 24 credit points of units of study, including:
- a minimum of 12 credit points from core units of study
- a maximum of 12 credit points from elective units of study including one Introductory Workshop unit of study.
Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing must complete 48 credit points of units of study, including:
- a minimum of 18 credit points from core units of study
- a maximum of 30 credit points from elective units of study including at least one Introductory and one Advanced Workshop unit of study.
Master of Creative Writing
Candidates for the Master of Creative Writing must complete 72 credit points of units of study, including:
- 30 credit points from core units of study
- a maximum of 36 credit points from elective units of study including:
- at least one Introductory Workshop unit of study
- at least one Advanced Workshop unit of study
- a minimum of 6 credit points from capstone units of study
Candidates who have completed previous study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for a reduction in the requirements in accordance with the table below:
| Level of prior learning | Full-time duration | Credit points to complete |
|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 7 eg. a bachelor's degree in the Humanities, Social Sciences or Law | 1.5 years | 72 |
| Relevant professional experience equivalent to a Graduate Certificate | 1 year | 48 |
| AQF Level 8 eg. Honours in a relevant discipline | 1 year | 48 |
Contact
Department website: sydney.edu.au/arts/english/
School website: sydney.edu.au/arts/slam
Associate Professor Kate Lilley
Phone: +61 2 9351 2426
Email: