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 4 required introductory level (100 coded) courses.
- Complete 10 required advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete 10 elective courses.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with your Faculty.
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
Introductory courses (4)
CMN102 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas
CMN116 Editing for the Communications Professional
COR109 The Writer and the Law
Plus select 1 course from:
BUS105 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN120 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN130 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
CMN140 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
Advanced courses (10)
CMN213 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
CMN238 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
CMN246 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
CMN247 Talking History: Memory and the Past
CMN260 Communication Theory and Practice
CMN266 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN267 Communication and Thought
CMN320 Introduction to Marketing
PLUS select 2 courses from:
CMN228 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
EGL120 Introduction to Journalism
EGL201 Introduction to Creative Advertising
EGL285 Editing for the Communications Professional
Elective courses (10)
Select 10 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288