Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)

Hone your expertise in writing and literature and gain practical tools in critical analysis, editing and research. Whether you want to develop the skills to analyse literary works, build your creative writing practice, or craft publishable pieces of professional writing, the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) will help fulfil your career aspirations.

Want to see where a mastery of the written word can take your career?

If you want to turn your lifelong passion for writing and literature into a professional career, this course gives you the practical experience to make your goals a reality. Equally, if you’re already working in the industry and looking to take the next step – whether that be in a new role or finally breaking through as a published author – we provide a high performing environment that allows your creativity to reach its full potential. Ultimately, the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) aims to inspire you, so you can inspire audiences of your own.

Choose from four study specialisations to create a unique degree that matches your interests:

• Children’s literature
• Creative writing
• Literary studies
• Professional writing

Our specialisations cater for many writing and literature professionals – from marketing professionals looking to boost sales through carefully crafted copy, to aspiring authors hoping to turn their book idea into a reality, and teachers wanting to add a new level of depth and rigour to their classroom. Alternatively, you may wish to study cross-disciplinary units that provide a broader spread of learning topics. With this option, you will gain a deep understanding of the conventions of professional non-fiction writing, as well as the theory and craft stemming from traditional literature, all in the one degree.

Importantly, the course provides more than just writing expertise. The projects and assessment tasks you work on train you in transferable skills, including critical analysis, communication, problem solving and research – incredibly valuable in every field of work. You’ll also debate literature, creativity and modern writing challenges with like-minded people from different corners of business and life. This exposure to new ways of thinking helps you grow as a writer and shows you how literature can be used to make sense of different aspects of culture, place and history.

For many students, a desired outcome of the course is to produce a published piece of work. Our academic staff are published authors and leading international scholars, so they know the process inside out, from first draft all the way to hitting the shelves.

Draw upon their experience and utilise their extensive network of writers, editors and publishers to get a foot in the door. Your thesis project, a highlight of the course, pairs you with one of our brilliant teachers. Your thesis might provide commentary on a classic piece of literature, or it could be an original piece of work. We’ll find you the ideal mentor based on your goals, interests and the writing you’re working on.

The course provides lots of exposure to industry work, trends and opportunities, better preparing you for the current and future needs of the field. Many students take advantage of our industry partnerships to secure internships at well-known publications. Verandah Journal, an annual student-run publication, showcases the best work of emerging writers and artists while giving students the chance to develop expertise in selecting, editing and proofreading submissions for publication. Better still, our academics are actively involved with a number of prominent writing festivals, ensuring we’ve got our finger on the pulse of emerging writing trends and industry needs.