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Creative Writing and Journalism (BA)
Program calendar icon program length, program credential icon credential.
- Bachelor Degree
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Program location icon fully available at, program location icon partially available at.
- tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
Do you want to write for a living? In VIU’s Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism program, learn the skills you need to become a master of words from professors who are published, award-winning authors, poets and journalists.
Experience small class sizes for a unique workshop format in many creative writing courses, and more one-on-one time with instructors at Vancouver Island University's journalism school.
Whether you want to work in the publishing, entertainment or journalism industries, this degree in Journalism and Creative Writing will sharpen your literary skills and introduce you to the realities of working as a professional writer.
The Creative Writing and Journalism (BA) Program
The Creative Writing and Journalism department offers introductory, intermediate and advanced-level courses in book publishing, dramatic writing (including writing for the stage and scriptwriting for radio, television and film), fiction, journalism, and poetry, leading to a B.A. with a Major or Minor in Creative Writing and a B.A. with a Minor in Journalism . Students have the opportunity to combine applied and creative writing skills with a background in all aspects of print and electronic publishing including editing, distribution, promotion, and production of print materials.
Note: some courses may not be offered every year.
Program Outline
Requirements for a creative writing major.
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements , including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below.
Note: All senior-level courses require completion of at least one prerequisite course at the 200-level; students must attain a minimum grade of “B-” in the prerequisite course in order to progress to a senior-level course in the same genre.
Note : All 200-level courses have a 100-level prerequisite. Also, note that students must complete 200-level courses in at least three genres in order to have sufficient prerequisites for entry into courses in three genres at the senior level.
* Directed Studies courses CREW 450 - (Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing I) and CREW 451 - (Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing II) may, depending on the nature of the project, be used to satisfy genre requirements for any of the five genres.
** CREW 452 - (Special Projects in Writing and Publishing) can be used to meet either Non-fiction or Publishing categories depending on the nature of the student's project.
Note: Upper-level Creative Writing (CREW) courses can be taken no more than twice for credit.
Requirements for a Creative Writing Minor
Note: Required courses applied to the Journalism Minor may not also be applied to another Major or Minor.
Note: Students taking CREW 300 - (Creative Non-Fiction Workshop) and/or CREW 301 - (Advanced Feature Writing) may use ENGL 315 - (Advanced Workshop in Composition) as part of their upper-level credits.
Recommended Electives
Courses in English , Graphic Design , Media Studies , Music , Theatre , or Visual Arts are recommended. Students wishing to pursue careers in journalism should consider taking upper-level courses in Digital Media Studies , History , Political Studies , Economics , Media Studies , Philosophy , Sociology , or Women's Studies .
Requirements for a Journalism Minor
Students are advised to consider completing a Major in a complementary discipline such as Political Studies, Economics, History, Sociology, First Nations Studies, Women's Studies, Business, Criminology, or Global Studies.
Program Fees
Domestic fees.
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee .
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee .
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Start date, deadlines, and additional application details, domestic (canadian), international.
Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive .
- Future Students
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Creative Writing and Journalism (BA)
- Program Length 4 Years
- Credential Bachelor Degree
- Options Major , Minor
- Fully Available at Nanaimo
- Partially Available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
Do you want to write for a living? In VIU’s Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism program, learn the skills you need to become a master of words from professors who are published, award-winning authors, poets and journalists.
Experience small class sizes for a unique workshop format in many creative writing courses, and more one-on-one time with instructors at Vancouver Island University's journalism school.
Whether you want to work in the publishing, entertainment or journalism industries, this degree in Journalism and Creative Writing will sharpen your literary skills and introduce you to the realities of working as a professional writer.
The Creative Writing and Journalism (BA) Program
The Creative Writing and Journalism department offers introductory, intermediate and advanced-level courses in book publishing, dramatic writing (including writing for the stage and scriptwriting for radio, television and film), fiction, journalism, and poetry, leading to a B.A. with a Major or Minor in Creative Writing and a B.A. with a Minor in Journalism . Students have the opportunity to combine applied and creative writing skills with a background in all aspects of print and electronic publishing including editing, distribution, promotion, and production of print materials.
Note: some courses may not be offered every year.
Program Outline
Requirements for a creative writing major.
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements , including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below.
Note: All senior-level courses require completion of at least one prerequisite course at the 200-level; students must attain a minimum grade of “B-” in the prerequisite course in order to progress to a senior-level course in the same genre.
Note : All 200-level courses have a 100-level prerequisite. Also, note that students must complete 200-level courses in at least three genres in order to have sufficient prerequisites for entry into courses in three genres at the senior level.
* Directed Studies courses CREW 450 - (Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing I) and CREW 451 - (Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing II) may, depending on the nature of the project, be used to satisfy genre requirements for any of the five genres.
** CREW 452 - (Special Projects in Writing and Publishing) can be used to meet either Non-fiction or Publishing categories depending on the nature of the student's project.
Note: Upper-level Creative Writing (CREW) courses can be taken no more than twice for credit.
Requirements for a Creative Writing Minor
Note: Required courses applied to the Journalism Minor may not also be applied to another Major or Minor.
Note: Students taking CREW 300 - (Creative Non-Fiction Workshop) and/or CREW 301 - (Advanced Feature Writing) may use ENGL 315 - (Advanced Workshop in Composition) as part of their upper-level credits.
Recommended Electives
Courses in English , Graphic Design , Media Studies , Music , Theatre , or Visual Arts are recommended. Students wishing to pursue careers in journalism should consider taking upper-level courses in Digital Media Studies , History , Political Studies , Economics , Media Studies , Philosophy , Sociology , or Women's Studies .
Requirements for a Journalism Minor
Students are advised to consider completing a Major in a complementary discipline such as Political Studies, Economics, History, Sociology, First Nations Studies, Women's Studies, Business, Criminology, or Global Studies.
Program Fees
Domestic Fees | International Fees
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee .
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee .
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.
Start Date, Deadlines, and Additional Application Details
Domestic (canadian), international.
Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
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- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)
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Canadian Immigration Updates
Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details
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Creative Writers are at the heart of our cultural industries. Poets, novelists, screenwriters, playwrights, graphic novelists, magazine writers: they entertain, inform and inspire. For more than 50 years, UBC’s Creative Writing program has been producing writers who’ve shaped Canadian and international culture. A studio program with the writing workshop at its heart, the MFA focuses on the work created by students as the primary text. Through intensive peer critique and craft discussion, faculty and students work together with the same goal: literary excellence.
For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website
What makes the program unique?
UBC’s Creative Writing program was the first writing program in Canada, and is the largest and most comprehensive in the country. It is highly ranked internationally, and draws students from around the world for its multi-genre approach to writing instruction. Students are required to work in multiple genres during the course of the degree. As a fine arts program rather than an English program, students focus on the practice of writing rather than the study of literature.
Small, intensive workshops characterize the program, as does our breadth of offerings: with 12 genres of writing available for study there are more opportunities for learning than at any other writing program in the world.
Faculty are distinguished, working writers. We have 12 professors, an additional 9 permanent instructors and regularly bring in a wide variety of writers in residence and adjunct instructors from the writing community.
The School of Creative Writing’s quality of professors was the biggest draw for me. I also want the teaching experience TA’ing for undergraduate students can bring me. I want to ultimately teach creative writing at a post-secondary level and learning how to do so at UBC will be rigorous and rewarding.
Brandi Bird
Quick Facts
Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, program instructions.
The residency MFA program only has a September intake.
1) Check Eligibility
Minimum academic requirements.
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:
- Canada or the United States
- International countries other than the United States
Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.
English Language Test
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based
Overall score requirement : 90
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
Overall score requirement : 6.5
Other Test Scores
Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:
The GRE is not required.
2) Meet Deadlines
3) prepare application, transcripts.
All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.
Letters of Reference
A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.
Statement of Interest
Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.
Supervision
Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.
Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)
Citizenship verification.
Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.
4) Apply Online
All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.
Tuition & Financial Support
Financial support.
Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.
Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)
All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)
Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)
Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .
Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)
Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.
Financial aid (need-based funding)
Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .
All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.
Foreign government scholarships
Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.
Working while studying
The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.
International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.
A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .
Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals
Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.
Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.
Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.
Cost Estimator
Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.
Career Options
Graduates of the MFA program have found success in varied fields related to writing and communication. The MFA qualifies graduates for teaching at the university level and many graduates have gone on to teach at colleges and universities in Canada, the United States and overseas as well as holding writing residencies. Many publish books and win literary awards. Others go on to work in publishing, and graduates have become book and magazine editors.
Although the MFA is a terminal degree, some graduates go on to further study in PhD programs in the US, UK and Australia.
Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats
These statistics show data for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.
ENROLMENT DATA
Completion rates & times.
- Research Supervisors
This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.
- Belcourt, Billy-Ray (Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry)
- Hopkinson, Nalo (Creative writing, n.e.c.; Humanities and the arts; Creative Writing: Speculative Ficton, Fantasy, Science Fiction, especially Other Voices)
- Irani, Anosh
- Koncan, Frances
- Leavitt, Sarah (Autobiographical comics; Formal experimentation in comics; Comics pedagogy)
- Lee, Nancy (Fiction; Creative Writing)
- Lyon, Annabel (Novels, stories and news)
- Maillard, Keith (Fiction, poetry)
- Marzano-Lesnevich, Alex (Nonfiction)
- McGowan, Sharon (Planning of film productions from concept to completion)
- Medved, Maureen (Fiction, writing for screen)
- Nicholson, Cecily (Languages and literature; Poetry)
- Ohlin, Alix (Fiction; Screenwriting; Environmental writing)
- Pohl-Weary, Emily (Fiction; Writing for Youth)
- Svendsen, Linda (Fiction, television)
- Taylor, Timothy (fiction and nonfiction)
- Vigna, John (Novels, stories and news; Fiction, Literary Non-Fiction, Creative Writing)
Sample Thesis Submissions
Related programs, same specialization.
- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Distance) (MFA)
Same Academic Unit
- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Theatre (MFA)
- Master of Fine Arts in Film Production and Creative Writing (MFA)
At the UBC Okanagan Campus
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Further Information
Specialization.
Creative Writing combines the best of traditional workshop and leading-edge pedagogy. Literary cross-training offers opportunities in a broad range of genres including fiction, poetry, screenplay, podcasting, video game writing and graphic novel.
UBC Calendar
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Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .
Vivian (Xiao Wen) Li
I really liked what the program would be offering, and I love the mountains as well as nature—I find a lot of peace and inspiration from water, wind, and clouds. While I was at an Explore Program for a month at the University of Victoria (I wanted to explore the West Coast), I managed to visit UBC...
Fiona Revill
I have studied abroad in Australia, and at several local post-secondary institutions, but UBC has always felt like my academic home. The Creative Writing program is one of the best programs in the country, and I was really honoured to be accepted, as the competition is rigorous.
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