Fast-track your degree with eligible experience
Learn from published authors and researchers
Get career-ready with industry internships
Why choose arts (writing and literature) at Deakin
Hone your expertise in writing and literature and gain practical tools in critical analysis, editing and research. Deakin’s Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) gives you the skills to analyse literary works, build your creative writing practice and craft publishable pieces of professional writing.
Designed for emerging and established writers alike, the course helps you refine your craft, deepen your literary knowledge and take the next step in your career. Undertake core discipline study in Literature and Writing including graphic narratives, writing for children, crime fiction and film and more. Learn from published authors, build skills in research, communication and critical analysis, and complete projects shaped by contemporary industry practice. Debate literature, creativity and modern writing challenges with like-minded people. With mentoring, internships and work-integrated learning opportunities you will graduate ready to write, publish and make your mark.
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Multiple disciplines
Develop a deep understanding of core literary and writing skills to progress your future career.
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Mentored by published authors
Learn from published authors and leading international scholars with strong industry and research networks.
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Build your practise
Complete a capstone project with expert mentoring, take an internship and build publishable work.
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Proven outcomes
9 in 10 Deakin postgraduate graduates are employed within four months.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Advance your writing and literary expertise for careers across writing, editing, publishing and communications. Build publishable work, strengthen critical and research skills, and gain industry experience through internship options.
Editor
Work with writers to shape books, articles and digital content, improving structure, style, clarity and accuracy while helping written work connect effectively with its intended audience.
- $110k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 4/5
Job satisfaction
Writer
Develop original written work for creative and professional contexts, drawing on research, storytelling and advanced writing skills to communicate ideas and engage different audiences.
- $105k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 9.5%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Other jobs include:
- Author
- Copywriter
- Communications specialist
- Journalist
- Literary critic
- Publisher
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)?
Build advanced skills in writing, literary analysis and research, then shape your studies through electives and a supervised capstone.
Core foundations and direction
Build foundations
Develop advanced skills in analysing texts, understanding narrative and writing with purpose across creative, critical and professional contexts.
Expand your practice and options
Use electives to broaden your skill set and connect your main study with related areas, including creative, communication or internship-based learning.
Strengthen your skillset
Learn transferable skills, including critical analysis, communication, problem solving and research – incredibly valuable in every field of work.
Capstone research and refinement
Undertake a capstone pathway
Complete a supervised research project, it might provide commentary on a classic piece of literature, or it could be an original piece of work.
Produce substantial original work
Be guided by a mentor whose expertise aligns with your goals, interests and the writing you’re working on.
Test your work
Gain exposure to industry work, trends and opportunities. Strengthen your editing, publishing and professional awareness through internship options, industry links and opportunities connected to student publication.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), you must pass 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Literature Discipline Core
Writing Discipline Core
Capstone A
Or
Capstone B
(Minimum 70% WAM and subject to Course Director approval)
Electives are to be chosen from units within the specialisations/disciplines of the Master of Communication, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Film and Television or Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice.
Course electives may be used to form a specialisation/discipline by selecting 4 credit points from the ONE specialisation/discipline.
The internship unit
Please Note: Course elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.
Students will undertake at least 5 credit points of research units consisting of research methods, theory and research-based project units where they will be required to complete either a creative thesis with a critical component or a critical thesis.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Articulate specialist knowledge of a range of literary and creative writing theories, concepts, and approaches, and apply them to the study of literature and the production of written work |
| Communicate through writing that employs advanced command of the critical and theoretical vocabularies and language required to interpret, argue and fluently and persuasively transmit ideas about writing and literature. |
| Employ a range of technologies and make evaluative judgments in the use of research databases, bibliographic and digital communication technologies to research, produce and present scholarly work in writing and literature. |
| Utilise theory and research to critically analyse and apply appropriate forms and conventions in writing and to evaluate the influence of narrative strategies, genre conventions and cultural assumptions on works of literature. |
| Apply a range of theoretical, historical and contemporary critical and analytical approaches to the design and execution of solutions to a range of scholarly, aesthetic and ideological problems that emerge from the analysis and writing of literature |
| Act with autonomy and initiative while being accountable for working effectively, efficiently and to a high standard in order to achieve goals in writing and literature. |
| Actively contribute to peer feedback activities and make constructive, respectful, and informed contributions to creative and critical collaboration in writing and literature |
| Identify, select, critically analyse, and apply culturally relevant literary theories, concepts, and approaches to writing and interpreting works of literature. |
Approved at Faculty Board September 2021
- Award granted
- Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- A764
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$29,200
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.