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Associate Degree of Creative Writing

Associate Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    AssocDegCreatWrite

  • Course code

    2207005

  • Credit points

    192

  • Equivalent units

    16

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

If you have a way with words and a story to tell, this degree will help build your confidence and provide professional feedback to assist in becoming published. Immerse yourself in the world of words and develop the critical and editorial skills you need to pursue a career as a writer.

Excellent writing skills are in high demand across a range of different professions, and the ability to communicate ideas is invaluable in any sector. The course offers a rich mix of creative writing and literary studies across a range of writing modes in fiction and nonfiction, including experimental writing, journalism, life writing, poetry, writing for stage and screen, and writing for young adults.

Graduates of the Associate Degree of Creative Writing may also choose to continue to study for another year and complete their Bachelor of Arts.

This program is taught by writers from the Northern Rivers arts community and beyond. It provides opportunities for hands-on experience with the Byron Writers Festival, the Bellingen Readers Writers Festival and other literary events. The University is also the education partner of Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA).

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Apply critical analysis, reasoning and reflexivity to creative writing practices.

Demonstrate the ability to develop a creative written piece incorporating a range of writing techniques.

Creativity

Develop innovative and creative textual responses to explore contemporary and historical social and cultural issues.

Ethical practice

Investigate and evaluate issues with reference to principles of creativity, according to ethical conventions in the humanities.

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate a critical understanding of practices of creativity using a variety of conceptual frameworks.

Demonstrate a command of at least one discipline within the range of writing genres. Apply theoretical ideas to understand and manage practical situations in creative writing.

Lifelong learning

Access, interpret and evaluate sources of information relevant to the study of creativity and the writing discipline.

Communication and social skills

Construct and present narratives in written text.

Negotiate contested issues and work collaboratively with others to achieve mutually agreed outcomes.

Cultural competence

Demonstrate a cosmopolitan and multicultural commitment as well as a local perspective on social and cultural issues.

Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to interact in a culturally competent way with Indigenous communities.

Opportunities exist for writing students to undertake work placements with Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA), the Byron Writers Festival, and the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival. Students can choose a professional placement unit during which they spend 70 - 100 hours in an appropriate organisation, developing their knowledge and skills. 

While this course has no majors, studies in fiction and non-fiction writing include:
  • experimental writing
  • journalism
  • life writing
  • poetry
  • writing for stage and screen
  • writing for young adults.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 333301 053301
Online Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Creative Writing a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units (192 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. three (3) units from Part B
  2. A candidate who while enrolled in the Associate Degree of Creative Writing has completed 8 units from either Part A or Part B may elect to be awarded a Diploma of Creative Writing following withdrawal from candidature for the Associate Degree.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on.
Year 1, Session 1
ENG00400 -  Introduction to Written Texts Introductory
COM10295 -  Written Communication Introductory
WRI10001 -  Introduction to Creative Writing Introductory
Choose one Part B Unit
Year 1, Session 2
WRI10003 -  Short Story Writing Intermediate
COM10627 -  Telling Tales: Introduction to Digital Storytelling Introductory
WRI20001 -  Writing for Young People Intermediate
ENG00407 -  Writing for Performance Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
WRI10002 -  The Nature of Narrative: Self, Time, Place and the Environment Intermediate
WRI20002 -  Introduction to Editing and Publishing Advanced
ENG00411 -  Writing Genre Intermediate
Choose One Part B Unit
Year 2, Session 2
ENG00401 -  Issues and Themes in Contemporary Writing Intermediate
WRI20003 -  Writing Poetry Intermediate
WRI20004 -  Writing Lives Intermediate
Choose One Part B Unit

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 2 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on.
Year 1, Session 2
COM10295 -  Written Communication Introductory
WRI10001 -  Introduction to Creative Writing Introductory
WRI20001 -  Writing for Young People Intermediate Note 1
COM10627 -  Telling Tales: Introduction to Digital Storytelling Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
ENG00400 -  Introduction to Written Texts Introductory
WRI10002 -  The Nature of Narrative: Self, Time, Place and the Environment Intermediate
ENG00411 -  Writing Genre Intermediate
Choose One Part B Unit
Year 2, Session 2
ENG00401 -  Issues and Themes in Contemporary Writing Intermediate
WRI20003 -  Writing Poetry Intermediate
WRI20004 -  Writing Lives Intermediate
WRI10003 -  Short Story Writing Intermediate
Year 2 , Session 3
ENG00407 -  Writing for Performance Intermediate
Year 3, Session 1
WRI20002 -  Introduction to Editing and Publishing Advanced
Choose two (2) Part B Units

Note 1:

Students will need to submit a Unit Approval Request through My Enrolment to study this unit concurrently with the pre-requisite unit WRI10001 Introduction to Creative Writing in Session 2.

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
ENG00400 Introduction to Written Texts Introductory
COM10295 Written Communication Introductory
WRI10001 Introduction to Creative Writing Introductory
WRI10002 The Nature of Narrative: Self, Time, Place and the Environment Intermediate
WRI10003 Short Story Writing Intermediate
ENG00411 Writing Genre Intermediate
ENG00401 Issues and Themes in Contemporary Writing Intermediate
ENG00407 Writing for Performance Intermediate
WRI20004 Writing Lives Intermediate
WRI20002 Introduction to Editing and Publishing Advanced
COM10627 Digital Media Practices Introductory
WRI20001 Writing for Young People Intermediate
WRI20003 Writing Poetry Intermediate

Part B

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Choose any three (3) of the following units:
COM00481 Journalism in the Digital Age Intermediate
COM00482 Hot Topics: Feature Journalism Intermediate
HIS10018 Writing Place: Landscapes, Memory, History Intermediate
ENG00406 Theories of Text and Culture Advanced
COM00471 Professional Placement Advanced
SOY10114 Independent Project Advanced
AAD72205 Artists' Books Intermediate
ENG10022 Writing from the Edge Advanced
COM01402 Screenwriting Intermediate