This program prepares students to pursue careers as professional communicators in the creative industries, and develop advanced technical and creative skills in writing narrative.
Delivered by industry professionals with hands-on teaching by published authors, courses explore a variety of styles and genres in creative writing. Students choose from writing for children and young adults, and contemporary and traditional adult fiction. They can take a minor in another discipline, such as creative advertising or computer-based design, to enhance career options.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Delivered by industry professionals with hands-on teaching by published authors, courses explore a variety of styles and genres in creative writing. Students choose from writing for children and young adults, and contemporary and traditional adult fiction. They can take a minor in another discipline, such as creative advertising or computer-based design, to enhance career options.
Career opportunities
Depending on courses selected, creative writing, advertising, editing, copywriting, professional writing, publishing, journalism, teaching (with further study).
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 1 core course.
- Complete 3 required introductory (100 level) courses.
- Complete 10 required advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Complete 10 elective courses.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses, including the core course.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Electives may be used to complete an additional minor.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
Core course (1)
COR109 Writing Poetry
Introductory courses (3)
2 required courses:
CMN102 The ' English' Tradition: An Introduction to Literary Studies
CMN116 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
Plus select 1 course from:
BUS105 Imagined Homelands: An Exploration of Australian Literature
CMN120 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of Theory and Fiction
CMN130 Communication and Thought
CMN140 Communication Theory and Practice
Advanced courses (10)
8 required courses:
CMN213 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN238 Introduction to Marketing
CMN246 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
CMN247 Introduction to Journalism
CMN260 Introduction to Creative Advertising
CMN266 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN267 Paperback Hero
CMN320 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
PLUS select 2 courses from:
CMN228 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
EGL120 Novel Ideas
EGL201 Creativity and Literature
EGL285 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
Elective courses (10)
Select 10 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288