Creative Writing Major - Bachelor of Arts

Are you thinking about writing a novel, short stories, poems or perhaps a memoir? With the Creative Writing major you develop your storytelling skills across a range of genres.

You’ll use the work you complete in class and while studying independently to produce a creative portfolio, and develop an understanding of how literature functions through analysis and essay writing. You explore style and genre, and the demands of readers, editors and publishers. You develop your skills as a writer; testing your creative ideas in an environment that challenges, critiques and supports you as you go.

Your work will range from reflective portfolios to a sustained literary or multimedia work. The degree will prepare you for employment in the creative and professional writing industries.

Apart from the courses below you also need to complete courses from your second major, your chosen minor(s) or electives.

Creative writing major courses

If you're majoring in creative writing, this is the main subject area you specialise in. It makes up one third of your degree and consists of seven creative writing-related courses you study throughout your degree (including one 30-point course).

Year 1 courses

Complete two of:

• CWRT501 Introduction to Creative Writing
• CWRT560 Kaupapa Māori Storytelling
• ENGL502 Reading New Zealand
• ENGL503 A Pacific Reader

Year 2 courses

Complete the following courses:

• CWRT602 Creative Writing: Influences, relationships and power
• CWRT603 Creative Writing: Prose, poetry, creative non-fiction
• ENGL604 The Novel

Year 3 courses

Complete the following courses:

• CWRT700 Creative Writing Project
• ENGL701 New Literatures