Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing)
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Duration
Full-time 3 years Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$32,640 (2021 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
In this degree you’ll be surrounded by a group of passionate writers of different levels and experience. You’ll work closely on your writing in an intensive studio model with world-leading lecturers and creative practitioners, improving your writing and solving problems from industry.
This degree is designed to make you confident, skilled and adaptable in today’s creative industries - where writing and editing are essential skills, and so are creativity, communication, and critical thinking. Along with leading genres like fiction, screen, and digital writing, you’ll become an adaptable writer by learning the skills to adjust to a constantly changing industry, spending deep time with your creative work, making new experiments, and gaining a diversity of knowledges. Your flair for creative expression will be complemented by becoming proficient in the business side of writing, allowing you to understand the publishing process as well as learn the skills required to become a freelance writer, collaborator or creative entrepreneur, working in events and digital media.
With a strong emphasis on industry connections, you will develop a large network of relationships throughout the degree, maximising your opportunities to gain employment upon graduation, and building a lifelong network of creative peers.
Graduates in this degree can expect to work in a variety of roles, including working as writers, editors, publishers, screenwriters, screen producers, digital and mobile media writers, and producers of events like writers’ festivals
Details
You will learn how to develop your creative, critical and professional skills as a creative writer in a range of environments including workshops, seminars and intensive face-to-face studios. You’ll undertake individual projects and work in teams.
Our key staff are authors, screenwriters, essayists, playwrights, reviewers and researchers. They work across digital, screen and print writing platforms, and integrate their creative practice with a dedication to teaching and world-leading research.
This degree offers guest lectures and master classes taken by industry professionals from Australia and around the world. The work you produce will be assessed by peers, guests, and workshop leaders who get to know your work over the 3-year degree. You will receive professional feedback from industry practitioners.
You’ll also have the opportunity to work in studios with students from other communication disciplines to work together on projects such as short films, writers’ festivals, digital projects and book production.
Internships and work placements are offered as part of the degree to help you develop vital connections to the industry while you study.
All subjects are delivered in English. You can access online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal. Additional assistance is available from the RMIT Study and Learning Centre and through one-on-one academic advice throughout your degree.
This degree has close ties with all levels of the writing and publishing industry, including publishers such as Hardie Grant Books and Hachette Publishing; screen industry leaders like Film Victoria and Channel Seven; writers’ festivals including Melbourne Writers Festival, and Emerging Writers’ Festival; and cutting-edge leaders of the industry including digital publishers and literary journals.
Recent students have: collaborated with visiting writers from Singapore on an event at Melbourne Writers Festival; published comics with award-winning Risograph publisher Glom Press; and collaborated with writers from China on publishing projects through emerging mobile technologies. In these studios, students learn teamwork, responsiveness and project leadership, helping you develop diverse and flexible careers.
You will have the opportunity to meet and engage with guest lecturers and writers-in-residence, including poets and short story writers, to gain insight into the world of writing and possibilities of production and publication.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links intensive studio learning with professional or vocational practice.
You will have the opportunity to participate in overseas student exchange and volunteer for events that expose you to local and international writing opportunities and industry professionals. RMIT’s Creative Writing degrees have links with many leading Creative Writing courses in North America and Asia, which students can take advantage of through exchange studies developed with student advisors.
In addition to our ongoing collaborations with literary organisations and universities in Singapore and China, students have the chance to participate in new projects and programs that arise from time to time such as The Jakarta Post through its b/ndL Studios and Writers Immersion Cultural Exchange (WrICE), which helps students as emerging writers build relationships with writers at different stages of practice. There are opportunities to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Creative writing studios
Each semester, you’ll be immersed in a new creative writing Studio. Across the three years of the degree, these Studios will take you from the foundations of creative writing practice to the production of a major folio of work in your chosen form of creative writing. Studios will enable students to learn and apply the forms of four key genres: Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction and Screenwriting, in the context of their histories and the work of leading contemporary practitioners. Students also experiment with studios in digital media, sovereignty and Indigenous knowledges, comics and book production, editing and publishing, and performance.
You will then be able to choose which genres you would like to focus upon to explore in more detail. You will apply your writing and professional skills in collaborative and real-world industry contexts, as well as develop your own individual career vision.
Contextual studies
You will study one of five contextual strands (minors) as part of your degree. The five contextual strands are: Asian Media and Culture; Cinema Studies; Politics Economies Communication; Literary Studies; and Approaches to Popular Culture.
Electives
Creative Writing students can also take advantage of a rich choice of electives offered in the School of Media and Communication, as well as from across the University - complementing and enriching your core studies, or broadening your horizons You can pursue studies in your areas of interest including screen production, games, journalism, editing, advertising and design, as well as choose from a range of specialist creative writing electives.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) | City Campus |
3 years full-time
6 years part-time
|
3 years full-time
|
BP257 | 065130G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP257
Career
Typically there are three broad areas of work in the creative writing industry:
- writing for publication in print and online media
- writing for screenplay and script development
- writing for and about education and other research fields.
There are increasing opportunities arising in online and mobile media platforms through interactivity, games and apps as well as emerging opportunities for self-employment through ebooks and ezines, and self-publication via the internet. There are also career opportunities resulting from emerging trends such as boutique publishing.
The writing industry is a constantly changing and competitive environment as more and more people want to create their own work and see it published. Local and international projects and events are well supported through government and private funding.
This degree will prepare you for roles such as:
- writer
- editor
- publisher
- events/festival manager with writing focus
- screenwriter
- screen producer.
There are opportunities to go on to further studies in Creative Writing, through RMIT's highly regarded Honours, Masters and PhD degrees in the School of Media and Communication, in which students can choose to undertake research through creative practice, linked to internationally recognised research groups such as the nonfictionLab and Screen Cultures.
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent qualification).
Prerequisites
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL, or equivalent studies.
Rankings and adjustment factors
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on the assessment of their selection task.
Selection task
Semester 1, 2021
You must complete and submit the Creative Writing selection task.
- VTAC applicants must register and submit the selection task.
- All tasks must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Early round (Non year 12 only): 30 September 2020
- Main round (All applicants): 6 November 2020
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 12 February 2021
- All tasks must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- RMIT current or recent students please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
- All tasks must be submitted by 26 February 2021. Tasks will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior.
The selection task requires:
- A statement outlining your interests and background in creative writing, reading and/or film analysis, and how this has prepared you for this program, including any relevant work experience in creative writing or a related field (maximum 500 words).
- A statement outlining your approach to creative writing, which may include reference to ideas and theories that inform your practice and future writing ambitions (maximum 500 words).
- Three to four different pieces of creative writing. This can be a combination of fiction or non-fiction, prose, poetry, script, essay (maximum 3000 words in total).
- You must collate all of your responses, including sample writing pieces, in a single PDF.
Selection criteria by applicant type
Please select the highest level of education you have or will be completing in order to find out the selection criteria that applies to you:
Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
- The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary participation by giving priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to eligible applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.
Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12.
Equity access schemes
- Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
- This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
- Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
- If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
- If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
- The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education training, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program
STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.
You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:
Equity access schemes
- Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
- Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
- If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
- If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
- The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with higher education study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program
STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.
You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:
Equity access schemes
- Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
- Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
- If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
- If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
- The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with work or life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program
STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.
You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:
Equity access schemes
- Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
- Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
- If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
- If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
- The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Additional information
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent Year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about RMIT’s commitment to admissions transparency.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 65% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.
Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred course. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree and helping you get the degree you want.
Use our Pathways finder or contact Study@RMIT for more information.
Credit and recognition of prior learning
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience. Find out if you might be eligible.
Fees
2021 indicative fees
In 2021, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$3,700 to AU$14,500*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Paying your fees and applying for refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
The Australian Government has announced amendments to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students commencing their program in 2021 and are subject to the passage of legislation. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2021
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2021 |
Agriculture, english, languages, mathematics, nursing, postgraduate clinical psychology, teaching |
$3,700 per standard year $462 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Architecture, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, health, information technology, science |
$7,700 per standard year |
Dental, medical and veterinary science |
$11,300 per standard year |
Arts, commerce, communications, economics, humanities (excluding languages), law, management |
$14,500 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
SA-HELP Loans
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2021 is $313.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2021 is AU$32,640.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$103,680.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.