Key facts
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent.
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
With Deakin’s Bachelor of Creative Writing, you can turn your fascination with writing into a fulfilling life-path that fosters your natural creativity and professionalises your skills. Graduate from this industry-led degree as a polished and agile writer, with skills across a broad range of styles.
Gain practical experience writing compelling prose, creating characters and worlds that leap off the page, all while discovering the specific techniques that bring each genre to life. Build industry experience through internships at publishing houses and festivals or spend a year on the editorial team of Deakin's own international writing and creative arts journal, Verandah, honing your writing and editing skills alongside aspiring professional creatives like you.
Under the guidance of teachers who are published writers themselves, you'll explore many genres of writing, including short and extended fiction, creative nonfiction, digital approaches, poetry and script writing.
Do you have an eye for detail and an idea for a good story?
Collaborate and improve your skills working with peers in interdisciplinary teams for writing, film, drama and new technologies.
You’ll be supported to identify and pursue opportunities for writing and editing in new media, cross-genre experimentation and creative production with an awareness of entrepreneurial initiative and know-how.
You’ll benefit from unique opportunities to:
- gain industry experience
- work on studio projects
- conduct creative research work
- produce content for professional-standard digital and print publications.
Work on studio projects to develop and extend your style and craft and undertake creative research work, producing professional-standard publications for web and print before you graduate.
We also encourage you to pursue opportunities for writing and editing in new media, including for our own international writing journal, Verandah.
Read MoreCourse structure
Students must complete 24 credit points as follows:
- 9 credit points of core units
- 3 credit points chosen from course elective listing A
- 6 credit points chosen from course elective listing B
- 6 credit points of open elective units
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
18
Core units
6
Elective units
24
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Course electives
Complete three 1-credit point units chosen from List A below:
Complete six 1-credit point units chosen from List B below including a minimum of three level 3 units:
Level 2
IND201 - Aboriginal Knowledges and Experiences: Historical Journeys-Contemporary Perspectives [No longer available for enrolment]
Level 3
Electives and Majors
Plus 6 credit points of general elective units
We suggest students complete at least 4 units in a subject area different to their degree, preferably a linked sequence of study in the same area. This choice can include units from any degree in the University but is best chosen from the subject areas in the Bachelor of Arts. Electives can be used to:
- Explore fields of study and ideas that inspire you. You may consider history, literary studies, philosophy, creative arts such as photography, film and so on, gender studies, children's literature, journalism, design, language (other than English) or other fields.
- Complete a 4 unit suite that complements the main study.
- Complete a number of units that have some degree of coherency by completing at least two units in one area of study.
Note: Regarding majors, students who wish to graduate from the Bachelor of Creative Writing with a parallel major can be in consultation with the course director to plan the necessary course structure. Ideally, this is done in the early trimesters of your degree and before completion of any course electives or general electives.
Key information
2021 course information
1400514123 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Entry information
General admission requirements for entry into undergraduate courses for international students at Deakin are summarised in the undergraduate course requirements.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you're from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2020 students (PDF, 581.6KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Cloud studies
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered via Cloud (online). International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as Cloud (online) study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer.
Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are calculated depending on the course you choose.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about international student fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
How to apply
Applications for study for Trimester 1 must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
As a creative writing graduate, you will have the practical skills to work with interdisciplinary teams in writing, film, drama and new technologies. Career opportunities include:
- author
- book editor
- copyeditor
- copywriter
- journalist
- magazine editor or writer
- publisher
- scriptwriter
- speechwriter
- technical writer.
You may also choose to transition into fourth-year solo projects in Deakin's selective Honours program, or postgraduate studies in creative writing research and production.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply knowledge of creative writing modes and theories and their production in the context of professional, historical, cultural and stylistic frameworks, including skills in composition, editing, presentation and aspects of publication |
| Communication | Communicate through writing that is technically and aesthetically proficient and demonstrates awareness of, or ability to extend, established writing conventions to produce works that communicate effectively using suitable written forms and techniques |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of generic and industry-specific digital technologies for the research, production and presentation of creative materials, including technologies for the innovative generation or dissemination of work, or those required in various professional contexts |
| Critical thinking | Demonstrate competencies in the production of texts and discourses informed by rigorous research, close reading, critical thinking and analysis, and by selecting and applying the appropriate creative writing forms and conventions |
| Problem solving | Analyse and respond creatively to editorial or publishing briefs or opportunities by employing creative and professional writing or communication strategies to identify, solve or reframe aesthetic, theoretical or real-world challenges and limitations |
| Self-management | Demonstrate responsibility for personal learning through autonomy, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skill development, as a reflective practitioner in the Professional and Creative Writing industry and scholarly and other contexts |
| Teamwork | Actively participate and make constructive contributions to processes of creative and critical collaboration within or across disciplines, sharing of peer feedback in writing workshops and online forums, and demonstrate professional and ethical negotiation with collaborators and colleagues |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate ethical global citizenship and awareness of cultural diversity and social responsibility when engaging in scholarship and in professional roles and community collaborations |
| Approved by Faculty Board December 2014 | |