Student smiling at camera in library

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March

  • Duration

    2 years full-time; 4 years part-time

  • Location

    Online

  • Placement

    Yes  Learn more

  • Course abbreviation

    AssocDegCreatWrite

  • Course code

    2207005

  • Credit points

    192

  • Equivalent units

    16

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

  • Duration

    2 years full-time

  • Location

  • Placement

    Yes  Learn more

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

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'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.

Kristie standing and smiling at camera with purple shirt

"The skills I gained from my studies include time management and writing for different audiences. I can write for community level with work, or I can write research papers, grant papers and academic writing."

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Apply analysis, reasoning and reflexivity to creative writing practices and literary studies.

Integrate broad knowledge of writing genres and theoretical ideas to understand and manage practical situations in creative writing.

GA2: Creativity

Apply analysis, reasoning and reflexivity to creative writing practices and literary studies.

Access and evaluate sources of information relevant to the study of creativity and the writing discipline to promote lifelong learning.

Demonstrate an understanding of practices of creativity and literary analysis using a variety of conceptual frameworks.

GA3: Ethical practice

Demonstrate cosmopolitan and multicultural values through appropriate ethical perspectives on social and cultural issues.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Integrate broad knowledge of writing genres and theoretical ideas to understand and manage practical situations in creative writing.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Access and evaluate sources of information relevant to the study of creativity and the writing discipline to promote lifelong learning.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Develop a broad range of communication skills using various mediums to convey knowledge and ideas within their chosen pathway.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate cosmopolitan and multicultural values through appropriate ethical perspectives on social and cultural issues.

Demonstrate an understanding of practices of creativity and literary analysis using a variety of conceptual frameworks.

Opportunities exist for writing students to undertake work placements with Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) (an education partner of our University), the Byron Writers Festival, and the Kyogle Writers Festival.

You can undertake an optional professional placement unit of 70 – 100 hours in an appropriate organisation, developing your 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
OnlineTerm  1

Career Outcomes

As a graduate, you could launch a career as a novelist or scriptwriter; a food, nature, arts or travel specialist; feature journalist; critic and reviewer; essayist; poet; editor and publisher; or as a writer in government, corporate marketing and public relations, among other options.

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

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.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.0
Listeningminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.5
Speakingminimum 5.5
Writingminimum 5.5

CountryScore
Austria AMC3.7
Bangladesh HSC3.3
Brazil SSLC7.8
Canada High School OSSD48
Chile PSU6.0, overall 600/649
China Gao Kao436
Colombia CB (NAT)73, overall 300/349
Denmark USSLE5.8
France FB10.5
German Abitur4.2
Hong Kong HKDSE13
India Higher Secondary School Certificate (best 4)7, 63%
Indonesia SMA7.8
International Baccalaureate24
Japan USSLC3.7
Korea, Republic of, CSAT3.7
Malaysia ICSSUEC65
Malaysia STPM3
Nepal Higher Secondary Education Certificate65
Nepal Proficiency Certificate78
Norway GPA1.3
Pakistan HSSC29
Papua New Guinea HSC (best 5)3.6
Peru OCSE16
Phillipines NSAT86
Russia FCCSE4.1
Saudi Arabia MESSLC78
Singapore SCGCE14.5
Spain SSSD7.8
Spain SUOY4.5
Sri Lanka GCE4
Sweden SSLC1.5
Taiwan GSAT50
Thailand CSE42, GPA 1.7
Turkey HSD3.7
UK Board GCE A Levels12
USA SAT & ACTSAT 1350, ACT 18
Vietnam (in 4 subjects)7.5 Average

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Associate Degree of Creative Writing, students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) comprising:

  • 15 core units (180 credit points), and
  • 1 project unit (12 credit points).

To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Creative Writing, students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

  • core units (96 credit points).

Other things to consider

As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us here.

There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.

Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.

SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.

Learn more

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more

The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.

Learn more


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.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

WRIT1003Written Communication
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
N/A
WRIT1002Introduction to Creative Writing
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
N/A
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
WRIT1001Introduction to Written Texts
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
POLT1002World Politics and Global Environmental Challenges
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
WRIT2001Issues and Themes in Contemporary Writing
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3,5
Term5
WRIT2005Writing Genre
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
CLST1004Critical Thinking for Digital Times
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
WRIT2006Writing for Young People
Term5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term5
N/A

Second Year

WRIT3001Theories of Text and Culture
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1
N/A
Pre-requisitesMust have completed WRIT1001 - Introduction to Written Texts
WRIT2007Writing Poetry
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2
N/A
CLST2002Australia, Asia and the World
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
WRIT2003Writing Lives
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3
N/A
WRIT2004Short Story Writing
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3
Term3
WRIT3002Introduction to Editing and Publishing
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
N/A
Option Unit
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
COMM3004Independent Project
COMM3002Professional Placement
COMM3001Community Engagement Project


Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Complete all core units
WRIT1003Written Communication
POLT1002World Politics and Global Environmental Challenges
CLST2002Australia, Asia and the World
CLST1004Critical Thinking for Digital Times
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
WRIT1001Introduction to Written Texts
WRIT1002Introduction to Creative Writing
WRIT2004Short Story Writing
WRIT2005Writing Genre
WRIT2001Issues and Themes in Contemporary Writing
WRIT2003Writing Lives
WRIT3002Introduction to Editing and Publishing
WRIT2006Writing for Young People
WRIT2007Writing Poetry
WRIT3001Theories of Text and Culture
Choose one project unit
COMM3004Independent Project
COMM3002Professional Placement
COMM3001Community Engagement Project

Why Music and Creative Arts at SCU

Major festival connections

Such as Splendour in the Grass, Mullum Music Festival and Byron Writers Festival

Extensive facilities

Outstanding visual arts, recording and performing studios

Graduate satisfaction

85% of graduates rated the facilities and resources highly, well above the median national average of 79%

(QILT 2020)

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

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Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

Online

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway