Master of Creative Writing MCW

University of Auckland

New Zealand, Auckland

University Rank:#65

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Duration1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

NZD 25,594 / Year

Next IntakeJuly 19, 2026

Master of Creative Writing MCW

About

The MCW is for writers working on a large-scale creative writing project: a novel, short story collection, full-length work of creative nonfiction, or poetry collection.

The programme is convened by the award-winning fiction writer and essayist Paula Morris. Selina Tusitala Marsh, a former Poet Laureate, co-supervises poets in the programme.

Each week writers meet for both workshops and seminars. Our visitors include local and international writers; practitioners from the world of film, radio and theatre; and speakers from the publishing and literary arts world.

Recent visiting writers include Airini Beautrais, Teju Cole, Michel Faber, Aminatta Forna, Stephanie Johnson, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Elizabeth McCracken, Amy McDaid, Frankie McMillan, Karlo Mila, Ben Okri and Ngugi wa Thiong'o.

Master of Creative Writing sampler (PDF 497KB)

Disciplines

Arts

Requirements

Entry Requirements

2025 entry requirements

Programme requirements

The MCW is a highly competitive programme.

You should have a book project in mind or already underway and demonstrate a clear creative focus and accomplishment in your chosen genre.

To enrol in a MCW you need to have completed one of the following at a recognised university (or similar institution):

A four-year bachelors degree
An honours degree
A three-year bachelors degree, and a professional qualification in writing equivelant to one year of postgraduate study or at least three years of professional experience in writing

Professional experience can include previously published creative writing, working in a field involving writing such as journalism or copywriting, involvement in writers’ groups or participation in writing events.

You will also need to submit a portfolio of creative writing that is judged by the programme director to be of sufficient standard for entry into the programme.

Further programme requirements

English language requirements

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English you will need to provide evidence of your English proficiency.

You will require an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0. See alternative English language requirements.

English Requirements

PTEMin 58
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 90

Career

Where could this programme take you?

This programme will help refine the skills you need to finish your book and develop your creative practice. Our graduates have published books with a range of publishers including Allen and Unwin, Penguin Random House, Cuba Press, Bloomsbury, Auckland University Press, Canterbury University Press, Huia and Text. These graduates include Rosetta Allan, Caroline Barron, Rose Carlyle, Gina Cole, Jack Remiel Cottrell, Daren Kamali, Angelique Kasmara, Renee Liang, Amy McDaid, Linda Olsson, Emily Perkins and Ruby Porter. As the MCW is entirely comprised of creative practice research, it is not a qualifying programme for a PhD at the University of Auckland. If you are considering a PhD with a creating writing component please contact [email protected] to discuss entry requirements.

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Eye on the prize

A Kiwi story about a visit to a rest home and a kapa haka performance was a regional winner in a global literary prize for a creative writing alumna.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

25,594 / year

Master of Creative Writing MCW

University of Auckland

New Zealand, Auckland

Go to Official Website