Fast-track your degree using prior learning
$35,080 | 18 months | 7 units
Course overview
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.
Why study a Master of Creative Writing with ECU Online?
Taught by top industry experts
Learning is led by accomplished authors who bring real-world publishing experience to the classroom. Gain invaluable insights, personalised feedback, and practical tips to elevate your writing to professional levels and turn your passion for writing into a successful and fulfilling career.
Contemporary skill development
Our graduates are well-versed in the latest trends and techniques of creative writing, embracing the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of contemporary literature.
Publication-ready work
Armed with a deep understanding of published forms, our graduates produce compelling and polished work, ready for submission to literary magazines, publishing houses, and other platforms.
What you will learn
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.
- Refine and enhance your proficiency in the realm of fiction.
- Explore the appeal and nuance of various genres from Gothic Literature to Science Fiction.
- With the guidance of industry experts, you'll uncover the secrets to crafting stories that elicit powerful emotions and leave a lasting impact.
- Invigorate your writing craft and ignite a passion for creative expression.
- Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and artistic growth.
- Discover the art of originating new ideas and cultivating a wellspring of inspiration to fuel your imagination and breathe life into your written work.
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.
What you will study
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
This unit introduces the fundamentals of writing fiction through reading a range of short stories. - Writing Realities
This unit explores writing based on actual events, including history, biography, true crime and stories of place and family. - Writing for Performance
This unit introduces skills for writing drama or monologue for performance. - Writing and Audience
This unit cultivates a writer's understanding of their work with consideration of genre and readership, including online audiences. - Editing and Publishing
This unit explores the business of writing, editing, and publishing, including processes and workflow for professional editing, seeking publication, and presenting the professional author platform.
- Writing for the Planet’s Future
This unit takes an ecocritical approach to writing about place and environment in the production of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. - Writing and Empathy
This unit explores the core practice of writing and embodiment - including writing about love and characters outside our own viewpoint. - Writing Fiction that Scares and Unsettles
This unit explores the darker aspects of fiction including genres such as horror and gothic, as well as thematic concerns like violence, trauma and conflict.
- Writing Project Research and Development
In this unit students initiate, plan, and develop a writing project which is of a significant scope. - Writing Project Resolve and Reflect
In this unit students continue and complete the project initiated in the first Writing Project unit and create a podcast to get a feel for presenting their work to a future audience.
Course information
Admission requirements
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.
Not sure if this course is right for you?
Get personalised course advice before you apply
Pathway to further study
Remain flexible while you pursue your postgraduate degree with our gateway qualifications. If you need to exit early, you could still receive a Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing after completing your first three units.
Graduate Certificate
3 units
or continue studying
Graduate Diploma
+3 units
(6 units total)
Master Degree
+ 4 units
(10 units total)
Or
Master (Fast-Track)
+ 1 unit
(7 units total)
Frequently asked questions
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:
Career Aspirations:
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.
Personal Growth:
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.
Versatile Skills:
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:
- Published author
- Literary agent
- Content Manager
- Senior Content Writer
- Editor
- English Coordinator
- Chief Editor
- Magazine Editor
- Creative Lead
- Editorial Consultant
- Content Strategist
- Brand Content Manager
- Storyteller
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:
- Access and inclusion services
- Student health services
- Psychological counselling support
- Careers and employability services
- Student Guild, clubs, and associations
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.
Still have questions?
Download a course guide or speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor. Our team can assist you with:
- Eligibility & enrolment enquiries
- Course duration & fees
- Flexible entry & study pathways
- How online study will fit with your schedule
