Pursue your passion for writing.
Turn your love of words and stories into a career with USC’s industry-focused creative writing degree. Taught by award-winning authors, book illustrators and designers, you’ll hone your writing and storytelling skills while building a portfolio of work across a variety of styles and genres.
- 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.
Turn your love of words and stories into a career with USC’s industry-focused creative writing degree. Taught by award-winning authors, book illustrators and designers, you’ll hone your writing and storytelling skills while building a portfolio of work across a variety of styles and genres.
In this program you will:
- Be introduced to a wide variety of creative-writing styles and genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, screenwriting, and writing for children and young adults.
- Study with award-winning writers, book illustrators and designers who are actively involved in the business of writing.
- Build your portfolio and develop industry-ready skills in editing, publishing, and book promotion.
- Expand your career options with a choice of electives in journalism, English literature, teaching, and design.
Career opportunities:
- Creative writer
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Publisher
- Communications officer
- Blog writer/web page content writer
Program structure
Introductory courses (5) 60 units
CMN101 Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship
CMN103 Introduction to the Creative Industries
CMN116 Playing with Words : an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
CMN117 Playing with Genre
COR109 Communication and Thought
Developing and Graduate courses (10) 132 units
CMN200 Introduction to Screenwriting: The Art of Visual Storytelling
CMN213 Editing for the Communication Professional
CMN246 Writing for Young Adults
CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN260 Writing the Short Story
CMN266 Writing Poetry
CMN304 Writing Your Novel
CMN313 Creativity, Design and Communication Project
CMN320 Creative Writing and Editing for Publication
CMN352 Professional Creative Writing Practice: Industry Engagement(24 units)
Elective courses (8) 96 units
Select 8 elective courses from the undergraduate elective course options. Students are strongly encouraged to use their electives to complete courses in the available Creative Industries disciplines.
Please note the total number of introductory courses that can be undertaken in this program is 120 units (10 courses)
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses
Program Notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 units per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on Student visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses