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Study online through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Creative Writing is designed for people who are interested in pursuing a career in Creative Writing. The Undergraduate Certificate may give student entry (and credit for the four units completed) into the Creative Writing major within the Bachelor of Arts program offered by Curtin through Open Universities Australia or the equivalent internal course, among others at Curtin and Curtin OUA.

Your introduction to creative writing at university level, and a pathway towards further study. Explore the writing process and get to know genres and forms, putting pen to paper as your write short fiction and graduating with a collection of your own.

Undergraduate Certificate in Creative Writing

The Master of Creative Writing is designed to extend and challenge emerging writers to hone their craft in a small community of writers. The focus is on developing your creativity and writing skills, and to provide expert training if you are aiming for professional publication. You are encouraged to experiment, hone your craft and to develop a technical vocabulary for critiquing your own work and the work of others. Specialist units in the degree engage with novel and short story writing, creative nonfiction (such as memoir, writing about place, personal essay), poetry, writing for young adults and manuscript development.

Enrich your writing with academic perspectives. From print to digital, you’ll cover all the genres. Explore creative non-fiction and feature writing. Develop your manuscript. Edit. Revise. Give and receive feedback. Write with peers under expert guidance.

Master of Creative Writing

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications and Professional Writing and Publishing).
This degree offers a choice of studying two single majors together and introduces students to the complementary fields of digital and social media and professional writing &amp; publishing. Digital and Social Media  major provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the internet: how people network, collaborate and share information through internet communications, media and design. You will develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur.
The Professional Writing and Publishing major prepares students for writing careers in the private, public and creative sectors through the study and practice of a range of different writing forms, including feature articles, speeches, reports, discussion papers, travel writing, history, humour, writing for the internet, promotional writing, creative non-fiction and media releases.

Write and edit content to publish online. Craft diverse writing styles and genres from features to speeches for personal and commercial audiences. Explore how people network and connect using the internet. Design websites and online experiences.

Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Professional Writing and Publishing)

If you like to express yourself creatively through writing, the Creative Writing degree will help enhance your skills across a range of writing styles, such as fiction, poetry and writing for performance, as well as emerging and experimental genres. You’ll be encouraged to improve your critical awareness and develop all the relevant professional skills required  of an author in the digital age. Each week, you will benefit from the advice and support of our tutors, many of whom are acclaimed authors, and through critical engagement with a talented peer group. Your lecturers and tutors will also advise you on processes that will prepare you to seek publication for your work.   Curtin’s creative writing graduates have had consistent success in national literary awards and publishing. The content of the major creates employment outcomes across a broad range of communications-related fields and will allow you to develop applicable language skills and conceptual understandings that will be useful across a range of other academic disciplines.

Explore styles including poetry and short fiction. Choose from electives including screen and digital. Prepare for real employment outcomes in writing, editing and publishing. Study creative writing online and transition to an online writing career.

Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing)

Bachelor Degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.This course offers students the opportunity to study one or two disciplines from a wide range of majors. Students choosing only one major will also choose the elective stream where they will be able to choose further units from the same discipline as their chosen major or may choose units from throughout the university. The first year of the course enables students to choose foundation units suitable to their needs and begin study in their chosen major(s), where appropriate.

Develop your own voice as you explore genres including poetry. You’ll learn how to plan and research your projects. Polish your grammar, practice proofreading and copyediting. Witness words transforming from wispy thoughts to professional pieces.

Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) (Professional Writing and Publishing)

The Undergraduate Professional Writing and Publishing is designed for people who are interested in pursuing a career in Professional Writing and Publishing. The Undergraduate Certificate may enable entry (and credit for the four units completed) into the Professional Writing and Publishing major within the Bachelor of Arts among others at Curtin OUA.

Work on your writing, editing, and publishing skills at university level. If you’re interested in a professional communications career, start here for core skills and experience with different mediums. Launch your future with a writing qualification.

Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Writing and Publishing

Effective storytelling connects and engages an audience, whether they read, watch or listen, and creative writing skills are highly sought after by industries worldwide.Take the first step towards making your wordsmithing career a reality by studying with renowned professional writers. This course offers a rich blend of study across fiction and non-fiction, experimental writing, journalism, life writing, poetry, writing for stage and screen, and writing for young adults.As well as being taught by published writers from the Northern Rivers arts community, you&#39;ll benefit from hands-on experience at iconic Australian literary events such as the Byron Writers Festival, and the Kyogle Writers Festival. Learn more about this degree in the creative writing showcase.

Build writing skills and develop a portfolio of creative work. You’ll cover biographies, poetry, short stories, YA fiction, and more. You’ll also touch on editing and publishing. Learn from experienced teachers. Connect with a community of writers. 

Associate Degree of Creative Writing

This program offers postgraduate training in writing as a preparation for creative and professional practice and/or advanced study. You will hone your writing skills for work as a creative writer, social commentator or narrative journalist and for careers in speech writing, public advocacy, information and media communication.You will gain certified expertise in the theory and practice of creative writing and be introduced to the intersection between writing and information publishing industries. You will develop the techniques of creative and professional written expression, learn concepts and methods in creative research and gain the foundations for advanced study in writing and related fields.

Whether you’re keen on a writing career or looking to scratch a creative itch, you’ll get an overview of the writing and information publishing industries. Build a basis for work in journalism, speech writing, public advocacy, and communications.

Graduate Certificate in Creative and Professional Writing

No longer taking applicationsThis course will no longer be taking applications from 2024 Study Period 3. The Master of Writing encourages students to explore the range of writing styles needed to work professionally and creatively in publication industries. Students will also develop their own writerly voice through learning and practice in craft, in theory that enriches their writing, and through research and long form creative projects.The goal of Swinburne&#39;s writing programs is to teach the writing skills that are needed for success in today’s writing and publishing environment, and to expose students to opportunities for publication.The Master of Writing forms the final stage in a three-stage nested suite of programs consisting of:<ul><li>Graduate Certificate of Writing</li><li>Graduate Diploma of Writing</li><li>Master of Writing</li></ul>

Immerse yourself in deeper study of writing genres. Survey writing trends, media and new practices. Graduates with advanced traditional and electronic writing skills are in demand across many different industries.

Master of Writing

No longer taking applicationsThis course will no longer be taking applications from 2024 Study Period 3. The rapid pace of change in the ways in which information is accessed, utilised and converted into knowledge means that there is a growing need for graduates with both traditional and electronic professional and creative writing skills. The Masters of Writing degree draws together print and performance-based texts, while exploring the local and global opportunities of electronic media. These areas include: creative writing; electronic writing; information management; eCommunications and writing for learning technologies. These programs will give students access to the best materials in print and online as well as to experts in their field. Students will be supported by online mentors and tutors.The Graduate Certificate of Writing forms the first stage in a three-stage nested suite of programs consisting of:<ul><li>Graduate Certificate of Writing</li><li>Graduate Diploma of Writing</li><li>Master of Writing</li></ul>

There is a growing need for graduates with traditional and electronic writing skills. Improve your ability to write for a range of genres, connect writing theory with practice plus absorb knowledge of trends in writing, media and new practices.

Graduate Certificate of Writing

Oral History

Critical Friends: The Real and Virtual Support of Writers

Australian Poetry: Storytelling and the Creative Space

An advanced, special topic in writing for children leading to the production of marketable concepts for works of children&#39;s literature.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Discuss examples of children's literature in Australia, so you can learn from other authors' narrative techniques. Discover what it takes to develop a marketable idea for a children's book. Receive valuable feedback on a work-in-progress.

Writing for Children

An introductory creative writing subject leading to completed examples of the student&#39;s own prose, poetry and writing for performance.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Unleash your inner wordsmith. Learn the narrative techniques different types of writing use and why, before putting pen to paper yourself. Develop short scenes for the stage, deconstruct poetry, and get knee-deep in creative writing workshops.

Creative Writing

This subject examines current and past contexts for writing for children and young adults in Australia and internationally. It investigates trends, issues, literary concerns and developmental influences on children&#39;s and young adults&#39; publishing, and provides opportunity for the student to develop a folio of short original works relevant to the market.The student will explore social and cultural issues including gender, race and sub-culture, adult and teenage issues, the position of the writer/reader and literary/political demands being made on producers of younger people&#39;s fiction and poetry in texts today.

Explore the blurred boundaries between children’s and young adult fiction. Sift through nursery rhymes, folk tales and fantasy fiction. Spot recurring themes like gender and sub-cultures. Experiment while creating fiction for your own folio.

Writing for Children and Young Adults

An intermediate subject in theory and practice of writing short prose fiction. The particular genres studied depend on availability of staff. Emphasis on critical workshop discussion leading to completed examples of the student&#39;s own work
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Get to know the conventions that define different fiction genres. Then conceive, write and edit a short story in your chosen style. Learn how to give and receive constructive feedback during writing workshops, where you’ll connect with other creatives.

Writing Genre Fiction

The complex processes, strategies, attitudes and language that characterise academic learning, research and writing are identified, discussed, practiced and applied in relation to set tasks to build a foundation for academic success.
Please Note: This subject cannot be used as credit towards a university degree. However, it is designed to enable students to qualify for entry to an undergraduate degree.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Restock your academic skillset with proven writing and research strategies. Understand how to plan effectively before writing starts. Get the rundown on referencing and source evaluation. Learn about the peer review process and incorporate feedback.

Fundamentals of Academic Writing

Creative and Professional Writing is a foundation subject that enables beginner and more experienced writers to develop their creative and professional writing skills across a range of genres. Throughout the Study Period, you will examine the role of structure, plot, opening lines, character development, dialogue and settings in the production of exciting and effective writing.Through a series of voluntary writing and learning tasks and formal assessment pieces you analyse and critique the following writing styles: Short story writing, dialogue and promotional writing, critical reviews. You are encouraged to become part of an online writing group and to share your work with each other in response to set writing tasks.

Creative and Professional Writing

The subject examines screening writing techniques and practices in how to develop and create a narrative screenplay for drama production across a range of genres.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Transfer ideas from your head onto the written page. Consider character motivations as you experiment with their story arcs and relationships. See how scripts use structure, genre, foreshadowing and motifs to create and fuel drama.

Introduction to Screenwriting

An intermediate subject in the theory and practice of writing short prose fiction. Emphasis on critical workshop discussion leading to completed examples of the students own work. The curriculum further encourages an appreciation of language through textual consideration and the practice of creative writing, including drafting and editing.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Start the next chapter in your literary learning. Learn about the traditions, parameters and possibilities of short fiction at an intermediate level. Join workshop discussions and dissect each other’s work. Find your flow with drafting and editing.

Writing Short Fiction

Running with the idea that the distance between pleasure and pain is never too far in popular culture narratives, this subject examines two highly successful popular fiction genres: Crime Fiction and Chick Literature/Lad Fiction.
Students will be asked to examine historical and artistic developments in these two genres, consider popular culture theory and develop practical techniques in order to produce a folio of original creative and analytical work. The folio consists of two stories written in either genre utilising different perspectives and techniques, and a critical analysis of a popular culture product.

Go populist and examine two of fiction’s most beloved genres. Stroll through the history of crime and romance. Investigate noir detective fiction. Dip into chick lit and lad fic. Put pen to paper and produce writing to fit into one of these genres.

Writing Crime and Contemporary Romance

An advanced subject which examines the techniques and problems involved in writing long fiction - specifically the long story, the novella and the novel. Students look at the work of a variety of fiction writers from the point of view of the writer who wants to learn how the authors of particular works succeeded. Students devise and carry out their own writing projects in long fiction.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Explore what it takes to write a novella or novel, and the challenges that can arise when planning a long fiction project. Analyse how other contemporary writers have succeeded. Compose several chapters and a synopsis for a new piece of work.

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