Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing)

Your studies will begin with you working intensively on your writing in a number of forms and genres including novels, short stories, creative non-fiction, science fiction and fantasy writing, media writing, poetry, digital media, editing and scriptwriting, and new and emergent forms, while learning to think and write critically about texts.

From there, you will build specialist writing skills for professional applications via deep engagement with industry partners and contexts.

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.

Domestic Students

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.

International Students

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.

Assumed knowledge

Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:

• English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)

Offer guarantee

If you achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 87.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, 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

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, 2019

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.

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).

Careers and outcomes(DOM,INT)

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