Master storytelling, fuel your passions, enhance your skills.
Duration Our courses are designed to be studied part-time, so you can expect to spend around 20 hours per week on your studies.
Study Intakes You can begin studying at the start of any Study Period, which means you have six opportunities throughout the year to get started.
Units You will study one unit at a time over each seven week Study Period, instead of multiple units per semester. We offer six Study Periods per year, so you can study up to six units per year.
Fees These are the total fees for the course, which are subject to change. FEE-HELP are government loans which can help eligible students pay for their postgraduate study.Leave your details and we will call you back with information on your preferred program.
Do you have a story to tell?
We have crafted an inspiring and intuitive Master of Creative Writing to nurture our writers and fuel their creativity.
Through immersive learning experiences, our graduates undergo significant professional development to emerge as confident and well-rounded writers, ready to make their mark in a range of creative pursuits.
*Duration depends on individual study path and unit availability. Please speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor for advice.
Don't just take our word for it, read the written works of our most notable staff and alumni, and feel inspired.
Images sourced from Amazon Australia.
ECU’s Online Master of Creative Writing empowers aspiring writers to hone their skills and make a profound impact through innovative storytelling and literary finesse, reaching audiences across various mediums.
Whether you seek to refine your creative prowess or transition into a fulfilling writing career, our Master of Creative Writing equips you with the tools to excel in the dynamic and ever-evolving realm of storytelling.
The Master of Creative Writing consists of 10 units.
Students completing the 10-unit master’s will complete all below units, whereas students eligible to fast-track their master’s degree will complete only seven units (see entry criteria).
For more information and learning outcomes of each unit, download your course guide below.
Writing Fiction
Writing Realities
Writing for Performance
Writing and Audience
Editing and Publishing
Writing for the Planet’s Future
Writing and Empathy
Writing Fiction that Scares and Unsettles
Writing Project Research and Development
Writing Project Resolve and Reflect
For more information about our fast-tracked master degree, contact one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 707 760 or request a call-back.
To gain entry to the online Master of Creative Writing, applicants must have:
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline; or
Equivalent prior learning, including at least five years of relevant professional experience; or
Students must submit a full-length publication (book), or a portfolio of creative works published in literary journals, online or in print. For example, short stories or essays or poems which constitute the equivalent of a full-length publication, or minimum 40,000 words of prose/100 pages of poetry. This excludes all self-published works.
Fast-track your Master of Creative Writing:
Eligible students can fast-track their Master of Creative Writing and complete their degree in only seven units*. To gain entry to the fast-tracked master's degree, applicants must have:
*To gain entry to the fast-track master’s, students must apply after they accept the offer for the 10-unit master's. Applications for the fast-tracked master degree are subject to ECU’s assessment.
^Bachelor degree or higher must be completed within the last 10 years.
Donna Mazza
Associate Professor
Donna, a notable fiction writer and researcher, specialises in environmental and feminist speculative fiction. Her recent novel "Fauna" (2020) was shortlisted for Aurealis Best Science Fiction Novel. She's the author of "The Albanian" (2007), winning the TAG Hungerford Award. Donna is a prominent figure in conferences, festivals, and radio discussions, while also contributing to public art projects.
Dr. Aksel Dadswell
Lecturer
Aksel Dadswell is an award-winning West Australian horror and weird fiction writer. Holding a PhD in creative writing, his work explores race and belonging, featured in anthologies like "Test Patterns: Creature Features" (2018) and "Hymns of Abomination: Secret Songs of Leeds" (2021).
To find out more about our teaching team download the course guide.
The cost of our Master of Creative Writing is $46,780* for all 10 units.
The cost of our Master of Creative Writing (Fast-Track) is $35,080* for 7 units.
To assist with some or all of your tuition fees, FEE-HELP is available for eligible students. This government-supported loan scheme is designed to help eligible full-fee paying students pay their postgraduate tuition fees.
To find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP, you can contact one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 707 760.
*2025 student fees are shown and are subject to change.
The ECU Master of Creative Writing is for individuals looking to enhance their writing skills, with a focus on contemporary practice and published forms. It will provide opportunities to cultivate a deeper understanding of writing principles and practices in a supportive environment.
Whether a Master of Creative Writing is worth pursuing depends on your personal and professional goals. It’s important to consider:
The Master of Creative Writing offers a unique platform to showcase advanced writing prowess, cultivate the essential skills for successful publication, and craft captivating written material. Graduates can unlock pathways to elevated roles in writing and editing within their selected domains.
Through the Master of Creative Writing, students can refine their creative voices, communication expertise, and purpose-driven strategies. Graduates often find a deeper connection with their personal goals and are equipped to integrate their passions into their careers, fostering positive change and personal fulfillment.
In addition to gaining a comprehensive understanding of various writing techniques, students learn to creatively apply them to achieve their own unique career and personal objectives. They become adept at crafting impactful messages that resonate with diverse audiences while addressing the broader needs and values of the community.
With a Master of Creative Writing, you can unleash your imagination, refine your skills, and embark on a journey that will forever change the way you perceive the world - and the way the world receives your stories.
Some job roles that you may consider, but are not limited to, include:
At ECU Online we understand that everyone has different work arrangements, family responsibilities, locations and learning styles. This is why our postgraduate courses are offered 100% online, so you can balance your study with other commitments. As an ECU Online student, you will have access to academic and non-academic support.
Our accelerated online courses are developed by industry experts and engaged academics. You can easily connect with learning facilitators and course coordinators through our easy-to-use online learning environment to gain feedback and ask academic questions. You can also reach out to a Learning Advisor who can help with things like assessment writing, study skills and more.
You will have a dedicated Student Success Advisor available to you from when you start studying through to graduation. They will be available to provide non-academic support, such as assistance with scheduling time to study and more.
As an ECU online student, you also have access to all the support offered by ECU, both on-campus and online:
No, the Master of Creative Writing is 100% online and does not include any on-campus components. We have designed this course to be flexible so you can tailor your studies to fit your lifestyle.
To pursue a career as a creative writer, formal qualifications are not strictly required, but a postgraduate qualification can enhance skills, credibility, and career opportunities. A Master of Creative Writing Online provides advanced knowledge in storytelling, narrative structure, and editing, helping writers refine their craft and pursue careers in publishing and content creation. The ECU Master of Creative Writing Online delivers advanced, intensive creative development for writers seeking to deepen their practice and professional pathways. Through sustained mentorship with experienced writers, students hone their craft across fiction, genre writing and poetry, while critically engaging with themes of empathy, environment and nature that shape meaningful contemporary work. Embedded within a supportive and connected creative community, the course prepares graduates for long-term creative practice, professional writing careers and leadership within the literary and creative industries.
Salaries for creative writers in Australia vary widely depending on industry, experience, and type of employment. While exact figures are subject to change, completing recognised creative writing courses online, such as the ECU Master of Creative Writing Online, can enhance employability, access to professional networks, and opportunities for freelance or salaried writing roles.
Becoming a creative writer requires dedication, practice, and persistence. While natural talent helps, completing a structured program like a Master of Creative Writing Online provides guidance, feedback, and structured development to help writers overcome challenges, improve their skills, and gain confidence in publishing their work. The ECU Master of Creative Writing Online offers a supportive, flexible learning environment with mentorship, workshops, and immersive writing experiences designed to nurture creativity and professional capability.
Our Student Enrolment Advisors are ready to answer your questions.
Send us an email or schedule a call-back at a time that best suits you.
When Donna Fisher first landed in Australia from the North East of England, she had no idea that two decades working for the NSW Government would ultimately lead her back to
