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Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature

Postgraduate coursework

Explore the conventions of creative writing, professional writing and publishing, and kickstart the next phase of your career.

Key facts

Duration

This course is 0.5 years full-time duration or equivalent. Please see the Pathways section below for more information.

Locations

Key dates

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2024 are closed.

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Turn your love for reading and writing into a successful career with the Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature. Get an introduction to the craft and conventions of creative writing, professional writing and publishing, and use this course as a stepping stone into the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature).

Ready to explore the work of great authors while developing your own writing skills?

If you’re looking to change the narrative of your career, the Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature gives you the skills and practical experience you need to take the next step. Discover how to make your words stand out from the sea of content that exists in today’s digital age and gain a deep understanding of the theory and craft stemming from traditional literature. The course attracts a diverse group of students with a shared passion for writing, from authors to marketers, lawyers to teachers, all striving to become confident writers and brilliant communicators.

The course can be used as an entry point into the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) and includes two core units from the Masters' program.

You’ll then choose your remaining two units from a broad list of writing and literature study areas. This allows you to build specialist skills and design a degree based on your career aspirations.

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 get to 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 develop as a writer and shows you how literature can be used to make sense of different aspects of culture, place and history.

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Course information

Award granted
Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature
Year

2025 course information

Deakin code
A535
CRICOS code?
083987J Burwood (Melbourne)
Level
Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature, students must successfully complete 4 credit points of study comprised of:

  • 2 credit points of core units;
  • 1 credit point of Writing units;
  • 1 credit point of Literature units;
  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin DAI001
  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

2

Core units

1

Writing unit

1

Literature unit

4

Total

Core Units

  • Foundations in Narrative Theory
  • Foundations in Writing
  • Writing and Literature units

    Writing units

    Select 1 credit point not previously studied from:

  • Creating Your Arts Business
  • Social Media Content Creation
  • Writing the News
  • Creative Nonfiction: The Personal Essay
  • Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out
  • Editing
  • Publishing
  • Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now
  • Life Writing Now
  • Sex, the Body, and American Poetry
  • Literature units

    Select 1 credit point not previously studied from:

  • Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now
  • Fantasy and Historical Fictions
  • Graphic Narratives
  • Writing for Children
  • Texts for Young Adults
  • Life Writing Now
  • Sex, the Body, and American Poetry
  • Intakes by location

    The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

    Trimester 1 - March

    • Start date: March
    • Available at:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)*
      • Online

      * Next intake available in 2027

    Trimester 2 - July

    • Start date: July
    • Available at:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)*
      • Online

      * Next intake available in 2027

    * The next available Burwood (Melbourne) intake will be for 2027

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

    Mandatory student checks

    Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

    Participation requirements

    Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

    Work experience

    Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

    Three pages of the postgraduate writing and literature PDF.

    Take the next step to a brighter future

    Kickstart your career growth. We'll prepare you for the career you've always wanted.

    Download course guide

    Entry requirements

    Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

    Academic requirements

    To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher
    • at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)

    English language proficiency requirements

    To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

    Admissions information

    Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

    Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

    Recognition of prior learning

    The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

    You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - (CSP)?
    $6,113 - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)

    Learn more about fees.

    The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.

    Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

    You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

    Learn more about fees and available payment options.

    Scholarship options

    A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    Postgraduate bursary

    If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply directly to Deakin

    To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.

    Pathways

    This course can be a pathway to:

    Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies (A635)

     

    Contact information

    Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    You’ll graduate from this course with more than just advanced writing skills. You’ll also have expertise in communication, problem solving, critical thinking and research – the kind of skills employers across all industries value.

    This course puts you in a strong position to explore a range of career pathways, including:

    • author
    • editor
    • literary critic
    • publisher
    • advertising executive
    • communications specialist
    • copywriter
    • journalist
    • public relations practitioner
    • English teacher.
    For those looking to continue their studies, this course is an approved pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature and Master of Arts (Writing and Literature).

    For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

    Course learning outcomes

    Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

    Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
    Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities Articulate specialist knowledge of a range of literary and creative writing theories, concepts, and approaches, and apply them to the study of literature and the production of written work
    Communication Communicate through writing that employs advanced command of the critical and theoretical vocabularies and language required to interpret, argue and fluently and persuasively transmit ideas about writing and literature.
    Digital literacy Employ a range of technologies and make evaluative judgments in the use of research databases, bibliographic and digital communication technologies to research, produce and present scholarly work in writing and literature.
    Critical thinking Utilise theory and research to critically analyse and apply appropriate forms and conventions in writing and to evaluate the influence of narrative strategies, genre conventions and cultural assumptions on works of literature.
    Problem solving Apply a range of theoretical, historical and contemporary critical and analytical approaches to the design and execution of solutions to a range of scholarly, aesthetic and ideological problems that emerge from the analysis and writing of literature
    Self-management Act with autonomy and initiative while being accountable for working effectively, efficiently and to a high standard to achieve goals in writing and literature.
    Teamwork Actively contribute to peer feedback activities and make constructive, respectful, and informed contributions to creative and critical collaboration in writing and literature
    Global citizenship Identify, select, critically analyse, and apply culturally relevant literary theories, concepts, and approaches to writing and interpreting works of literature.

    Approved at Faculty Board September 2021