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How to apply

You can apply for a research degree via our online application form.

First you'll need to:

  • make sure you meet the entry and English language requirements
  • find a supervisor
  • prepare your supporting documents
  • complete your research proposal.

Then you can submit your expression of interest (EOI) via the online form. If successful, you'll receive an invitation to submit your final application. It usually takes between 6 to 8 weeks from submitting your EOI until you receive your admission outcome.

If you're applying in the annual scholarship round, it may take longer to receive your outcome. Make sure you check the eligibility and dates for  applying for a research scholarship .

Already submitted your expression of interest and application? Find out what happens next , including important information for international students.

1: Am I eligible?

Academic entry requirements.

You'll need to show that you are prepared for research studies. You can do this by providing evidence of:

  • your research experience
  • your university degree, completed no more than 10 years ago
  • meeting the English language requirements.

Use our research degree eligibility check tool to find out if you're likely to meet the requirements for your chosen course.

Check your academic eligibility

Find all course entry requirements, including English language requirements, detailed under each of our research courses:

Master of Philosophy

  • Doctor of Philosophy
  • professional doctorates .

Do I need to meet English language requirements?

Students should check the course entry requirements, where you'll find a specialised guide to countries and qualifications which meet the requirements. The guide will help you decide if you need to take an English language proficiency test.

You'll need to meet the English language requirements prior to submitting your expression of interest. We recommend booking a test as soon as possible.

We accept test results from:

  • IELTS (Academic)
  • TOEFL iBT (Internet-based)
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

If you are registering for a TOEFL test, you can organise to send your results directly to us. Our TOEFL institution code is 9778.

Do I need to use a QUT representative to apply?

We assess the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirements for all international applicants as part of the Australian Government's simplified student visa framework (SSVF).

If you are self-funded, we may request additional information to help assess your eligibility.

If your country of citizenship is listed below, you will need to use a QUT official representative to lodge your application. Some agents may charge a fee.

You can find a representative near you .

All countries

Middle East

  • Afghanistan
  • North Korea (DPRK)
  • Myanmar (Burma)

This list is subject to change. Australian sanction laws enforce United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Australian Autonomous sanctions regimes. Up to date details on country specific sanctions can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

2: Find a supervisor in your research area

Find a supervisor in your research area.

Start by exploring our research strengths and our experts to find research areas aligned to your skills and interests.

Our high-quality research and research training are undertaken in collaboration with end users and deliver tangible economic, environmental and societal benefits to corporate, government and community partners.

Explore areas like:

  • accounting, governance and social enterprise
  • business innovation
  • organisational behaviour
  • employment and labour markets
  • behavioural economics
  • entrepreneurship
  • econometrics
  • consumers, stakeholders and markets.

Creative industries, education and social justice

We aim to achieve real and positive sustainable impacts by leading the world in rigorous discipline-based and interdisciplinary research that engages authentically with communities, professions and industry.

Explore areas from:

  • Creative Industries
  • Communication

Doctor of Philosophy (Hosted by Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice Faculty)

Engineering

Our research tackles significant real-world problems and delivers innovations that respond to existing and emerging economic, societal, spatial, management and technological challenges. Our research outputs are wide ranging, covering areas such as:

  • architecture, landscape architecture, and interior architecture
  • construction management, project management, and quantity surveying
  • urban and regional planning, development and governance
  • civil, infrastructure, transport, structural, geotechnical and construction engineering
  • environmental engineering, and integrated water resources management
  • electrical, electronics and communications engineering
  • robotics, autonomous systems, computer vision, and image and signal processing
  • mechanical and materials engineering, computational modelling, and asset management
  • biomedical engineering and technologies
  • process engineering, sustainable industrial biotechnology, and bioprocessing.

Get hands-on experience with patients and students, and collaborate with government, community groups, hospitals and institutions from around the world. Your work has the potential to advance health care in areas including:

  • behavioural neuroscience and mental health
  • chronic conditions, including cancer
  • healthy lifestyles, ageing and environments
  • emergency care and health services
  • infection and injury prevention
  • genomics and personalised health
  • vision and eye impairment and treatment
  • childhood nutrition and adversity
  • air quality, allergies and respiratory illnesses
  • tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and wound care
  • road safety and connected vehicle technologies.

As our commercial, social and digital worlds, and ecological footprint continue to shift and change, our laws and regulatory governance systems at the national and international level must progress with them. Our research is helping to shape the law and guide policy reform in areas like:

  • environmental law
  • commercial and property law
  • international law and global governance
  • intellectual property law
  • technology, data and automation, innovation and the law.

Our world-class and internationally recognised scientists explore the frontiers of biological, physical, and digital worlds to drive innovation and develop solutions to complex, real-world challenges. Strong connections and long-standing partnerships enable us to meet industry and societal demands for scientific, data-driven and technological solutions that will transform the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of people across the globe. Join us to explore research in:

  • biology and environmental science
  • chemistry and physics
  • computer science
  • earth and atmospheric sciences
  • information systems
  • mathematical sciences .

Explore all areas of focus and research strengths

Contact your proposed supervisor

Once you're identified your research area, contact a QUT researcher with relevant experience and ask if they are willing to supervise your project.

Not all academics at QUT are available to supervise research students, so contact your preferred potential supervisor early to check their availability. You'll need your proposed supervisor's written support before you can submit your expression of interest.

Search for a supervisor

Your supervisory team are the most important people you'll work with while you're researching. You'll meet with them regularly, and they'll provide support and guidance throughout your project.

Find a research topic

As part of your application, you must propose a research topic and develop a research proposal.

You can search our student topics database for available research projects or propose your own research topic.

Available student topics

3: Your research proposal

Your research proposal.

Your research proposal must be uploaded with your expression of interest. It is a key requirement of your application. Writing a research proposal is an essential step in defining and conveying your research interests and goals.

We recommend that you align your research project and proposal to one of your key research areas.

Once you have your proposed supervisor's written agreement to support your project, work with them to develop your research proposal.

Preparing your proposal

Each of our research areas has individual criteria for a research proposal.

Find the template for your research area.

Use the Faculty of Business and Law research proposal template (DOCX file, 90.7 KB) if your research relates to:

  • accountancy
  • advertising, marketing and public relations
  • economics and finance
  • management.

Consult your supervisor for advice and write your own research proposal using this template.

Creative industries

You must use the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice research proposal template (DOCX file, 86.9 KB) if your research will be hosted by the:

  • School of Communication
  • School of Creative Practice
  • School of Design.
  • School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education
  • School of Teacher Education and Leadership.

Use the Faculty of Engineering research proposal template (DOCX file, 191.2 KB) if your research relates to:

  • architecture, including landscape architecture and interior design
  • built environment
  • engineering (civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical, medical and process)

Work with your supervisor to align your proposal with our engineering discipline requirements.

You must use the Faculty of Health research proposal template (DOCX file, 85.4 KB) if your research will be hosted by the:

  • School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
  • School of Clinical Sciences (including Optometry and Vision Sciences)
  • School of Biomedical Sciences
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Public Health and Social Work.

You must use the School of Psychology and Counselling research proposal template (DOCX file, 752.9 KB) if your research will be hosted within this school including CARRS-Q.

You must use the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice research proposal template (DOCX file, 86.9 KB) if your research will be hosted by the School of Justice.

Use the Faculty of Business and Law research proposal template (DOCX file, 90.7 KB) if your research will be hosted by the School of Law.

Write your own research proposal using the template.

You must use the Faculty of Science research proposal template (DOCX file, 96.1 KB) if your research relates to:

  • environmental science
  • mathematical sciences.

Work with your supervisor to align your proposal with our science discipline requirements.

4: Prepare your expression of interest

Your expression of interest.

In your expression of interest, you need to:

  • provide all your personal and academic information
  • upload evidence of support from your proposed supervisor
  • provide your English language certification (check your course requirements)
  • project objectives
  • overview of research topic
  • proposed methods
  • potential for industry engagement (if relevant)
  • previous research experience.
  • upload your academic records
  • upload your CV
  • upload proof of your citizenship or residence
  • upload your research proposal.

Required documentation

Academic records.

If you have undertaken study at QUT or any other Australian university listed as a QualSearch participating institution you don't need to submit these academic records, as we can verify them online.

If you have studied at other institutions, either international or not listed on the Australian QualSearch participating institutions, you must submit at the expression of interest:

  • a high-resolution copy of your academic transcripts, award certificate, or other evidence of completion
  • the grading scale of your university (this may be on the back page of your transcript)
  • if the documents are in a language other than English, you must also provide an official English translation
  • if you receive an offer of admission you may need to provide certified copies of your documentation.

English language certification

If you've completed any English language course or test to meet the English language requirements for your course, you must provide evidence. If you’re applying for a QUT scholarship, you’ll need to provide the evidence with your expression of interest.

CV (curriculum vitae) or resume

Your resume should outline your relevant research activities, including:

  • research-related employment
  • research publications
  • other research achievements.

Include any documents that demonstrate proof of your research activities and abilities.

You can follow our guide to formatting a curriculum vitae (PDF file, 156.58 KB) .

Employment experience

If professional experience is an entry requirement for your course, or you believe it will add to your application, you must provide statements from your employers.

These statements should be on company letterhead, be signed and dated, and include:

  • your position title and duties
  • whether you were employed full time, or the full-time equivalent you worked
  • the dates you were employed.

Proof of residence or citizenship

Provide a certified copy of either:

  • the relevant pages of your passport
  • your birth certificate
  • your certificate of citizenship.

Confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent

If you're applying for a scholarship for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students, you'll need to provide confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent before your scholarship can start. Find out more about confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent via the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website .

I’ve changed my name

You must provide evidence of your name change, such as your marriage certificate or deed poll, if:

  • the name you provide on your application form is different to the name on any supporting official documents
  • you have official documents issued in more than one name.

Different study arrangements

Depending on the circumstances of your proposed research degree, you may need to provide further documentation to help us process your application.

I've organised to do a PhD or masters as part of an international partner agreement

Your application may be linked to an existing international agreement that will allow you to study jointly at QUT and another leading university overseas.

You should discuss this agreement with your potential supervisor and get their help to complete an individual student agreement. If you need a copy of this agreement, email [email protected]

Read the collaborative Higher Degree Research programs student guide (PDF file, 232KB) for more information.

I’m being supported by an external organisation

If your research is being supported by an organisation external to QUT, a person authorised by the organisation needs to supply a statement indicating the support the organisation will provide.

I want to transfer to QUT from another university

If you want to transfer to research at QUT, you still need to complete a full application. You'll also need to provide an official letter from your university that includes:

  • degree or course type
  • milestone dates
  • start of candidature and consumed load
  • maximum candidature date
  • Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset (Domestic) entitlements (previously Research Training Scheme)
  • scholarship commencement, if you hold a scholarship
  • approved leave of absence dates
  • date withdrawn
  • completion date of confirmation process.

You must also supply:

  • the name of your former principal supervisor
  • the reason you're transferring
  • your most recent progress report
  • ethics approval, if applicable. Either attach your prior ethics approval, or details of any QUT ethics approval applications in progress.

5: When to apply

When should i apply.

Usually you receive your outcome 6-8 weeks after you've submitted your expression of interest. If you apply during the scholarship round, it may take longer.

If you have to apply for an Australian visa to study, you will need an offer of admission first. We recommend you submit your application at least 6-7 months before you intend to start the degree.

When should I apply for a scholarship?

Check the opening and closing dates for the scholarships you are interested in and follow the advice about applying for a research scholarship .

I want to research in creative industries or education

Creative industries and education have specific dates when you can submit your expression of interest. These dates relate to admission only. If you want to apply for a scholarship, follow the advice about applying for a research scholarship and check the relevant scholarship application dates so you apply at the right time.

PhD and Master of Philosophy

You'll start your research degree at the beginning of either Semester 1 or Semester 2 so that you can complete compulsory coursework.

Submit your expression of interest:

  • between 14 June and 31 October to start in Semester 1 of the following year
  • between 1 February and 31 May to start in Semester 2 of the same year.

We recommend you submit your expression of interest 6-7 months before your proposed start date.

Doctor of Education

You'll start your research degree in January. Submit your expression of interest between 14 June and 31 October to start studying next year.

6: Scholarships and fees

Scholarships.

If you want to apply for a QUT scholarship, check your eligibility and the deadlines for applying.

Applying for a research scholarship

Explore our research scholarships

International students

International students can find out about the costs of studying a research degree below. When you apply for a visa, you may need to provide evidence to the Australian government of your financial capacity for paying to live and study in Australia. We will ask you about this in your online application.

Tuition for your research degree

Find out more about how much your research degree will cost, including types of funding available, tuition details and study-related costs.

Tuition and financial assistance

Submit your expression of interest

If you've prepared your expression of interest information and collated your documents, you're ready to submit.

What happens next?

Already submitted your online expression of interest and application? Find out what happens next, including important information for international students.

If you've got any questions about how to apply, contact us today.

Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Australia

Blueprints: Constructing the creative writing PhD

O'Grady, Emily , Jeffery, Ella , & Philp, Alexandra (2018) Blueprints: Constructing the creative writing PhD. In Australasian Association of Writing Programs 23rd Annual Conference , 2018-11-28 - 2018-11-30, Perth , Australia, AUS.

View at publisher

Description

This panel uses architectural analogies to explore the complexities of planning and executing a practice-led PhD project in contemporary Australian writing. Louisa Hall argues that ‘from Chaucer to Heaney, the writing of a poetic line has been linked with the construction of a sure foundation, the use of a carpenter’s level, the solidity of physical enclosure’ (2002, 207). Is a PhD like a bridge, built from either side of a river? What happens if or when the creative and critical components don’t connect? Or is it more like a home renovation project, fixing up past ideas? A PhD always involves some aspect of planning – but to what extent can the creative practice be planned for? What happens when the project outpaces the planning, or when a writer finds herself in unscaffolded space? This 60-minute panel presentation examines practice-led research methodologies drawn from the experiences and insights of Emily O’Grady, Ella Jeffery and Alex Philp, three award-winning creative practitioners who are also current and recently-completed PhD candidates. The panellists discuss the creative work they produced during the PhD, and speak to the concerns of developing creative writing projects that operate in different mediums and styles. Each panellist will present a ten-minute paper followed by a short discussion with fellow panellists and questions from the audience. Their perspectives reveal the multiplicity of approaches available in creative practice research and the potential for dismantling the structures of traditional research.

Impact and interest:

Citation counts are sourced monthly from Scopus and Web of Science® citation databases.

These databases contain citations from different subsets of available publications and different time periods and thus the citation count from each is usually different. Some works are not in either database and no count is displayed. Scopus includes citations from articles published in 1996 onwards, and Web of Science® generally from 1980 onwards.

Citations counts from the Google Scholar™ indexing service can be viewed at the linked Google Scholar™ search.

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  • How to use citation counts
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QUT offers three presentation options for the PhD thesis:

  • Traditional Monograph
  • Thesis by Publication
  • Thesis by Creative works.

Details and guidelines can be found on the  Writing a thesis page. 

Your faculty will be able to provide you with guidance on acceptable presentation options for Professional Doctorate and Masters students.

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Postgraduate study

Creative Writing PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Creative Writing

Discovery Day

Join us online on 18th April to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh

View sessions and register

Research profile

The PhD in Creative Writing offers committed and talented writers the opportunity to study Creative Writing at the highest level.

Supported by an expert supervisory team you will work independently towards the production of a substantial, publishable piece of creative writing, accompanied by a sustained exercise in critical study.

The academic staff you will be working with are all active researchers or authors, including well-published and prize-winning writers of poetry, prose, fiction and drama. They include:

  • Dr Jane Alexander - Fiction
  • Dr Lynda Clark - Fiction
  • Dr Patrick Errington - Poetry
  • Dr Miriam Gamble - Poetry
  • Dr Alan Gillis - Poetry
  • Nicola McCartney - Drama
  • Dr Jane McKie - Poetry
  • Dr Allyson Stack - Fiction
  • Kim Sherwood - Fiction
  • Alice Thompson - Fiction

Find out more about the programme and our team

Training and support

We encourage you to share your research and learn from the work of others through a programme of seminars and visiting speakers.

We have an in-house Writer-in-Residence, annual writing prizes, and a range of opportunities to learn from experts in the publishing industry.

We also offer access to opportunities provided by the Sottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities.

Our postgraduate journal, Forum, is a valuable conduit for research findings and provides an opportunity to gain editorial experience.

  • Forum: postgraduate journal of culture and the arts

A UNESCO World City of Literature, Edinburgh is a remarkable place to study, write, publish, discuss and perform prose, poetry and drama.

Take a PhD with us and you will be based in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) in the historic centre of this world-leading festival city.

Our buildings are close to:

  • National Library of Scotland (where collections include the Bute Collection of early modern English drama and the John Murray Archive)
  • Edinburgh Central Library
  • Scottish Poetry Library
  • Scottish Storytelling Centre
  • Writers’ Museum
  • Traverse Theatre

We have strong links with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which annually welcomes around 1,000 authors to our literary city.

There are lots of opportunities to write and share your work, from Forum to The Selkie, which was founded by Creative Writing students in 2018 to showcase work by people who self-identify as underrepresented.

Around the city, you’ll find library readings and bookshop launches, spoken word gigs, cabaret nights and poetry slams, including events run by celebrated publishing outlets, from Canongate and Polygon / Birlinn to Luath Press, 404 Ink, Taproot Press and Mariscat.

You will have access to the University’s many literary treasures, which include:

  • William Drummond library
  • Lewis Grassic Gibbon library
  • Hugh MacDiarmid library
  • Norman MacCaig library
  • W.H. Auden collection
  • Corson collection
  • works by and about Sir Walter Scott
  • Ramage collection of poetry pamphlets

The Centre for Research Collections also holds a truly exceptional collection of early Shakespeare quartos and other early modern printed plays. These have been put together by the 19th century Shakespearean James Halliwell-Phillipps, the correspondence of Thomas and Jane Welsh Carlyle (the focus of one of the major editorial projects in Victorian studies of the last half-century), and the extensive Laing collection of medieval and early modern manuscripts.

You will also have access to letters and papers by - and relating to - authors including:

  • Christopher Isherwood
  • Rudyard Kipling
  • John Middleton Murry
  • Walter de la Mare
  • George Mackay Brown
  • Compton Mackenzie

Many of the University's Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, Computing Labs, and dedicated PhD study space in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).

Look inside the PhD study space in LLC

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK masters degree, or its international equivalent, in creative writing, normally with distinction.

We may also consider your application if you have equivalent qualifications or experience. For additional information please refer to the pre-application guidance in the 'How to apply' section.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

  • Entry requirements by country
  • English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

  • UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

  • Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

There are a number of scholarship schemes available to eligible candidates on this PhD programme, including awards from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Please be advised that many scholarships have more than one application stage, and early deadlines.

  • Find out more about scholarships in literatures, languages and cultures

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Search for funding

Further information

  • Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
  • Contact: [email protected]
  • School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
  • 50 George Square
  • Central Campus
  • Programme: Creative Writing
  • School: Literatures, Languages & Cultures
  • College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Creative Writing - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd creative writing - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through a competitive process.

Deadlines for applicants applying to study in 2024/25:

  • How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

  • Pre-application guidance

Before you formally apply for this PhD, you should look at the pre-application information and guidance on the programme website.

This will help you decide if this programme is right for you, and help us gain a clearer picture of what you hope to achieve.

The guidance details the writing samples you should send us as part of your application (either fiction or poetry, along with a shorter sample of your academic writing).

It will also give you practical advice for writing your project summary – one of the most important parts of your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

  • Enroll & Pay
  • Prospective Undergraduate Students
  • Prospective Graduate Students
  • Current Students

Aerial of Frasier and Jayhawk Boulevard

Ph.D. Creative Writing

Ph.d. in creative writing.

A rigorous program that combines creative writing and literary studies, the Ph.D. in Creative Writing prepares graduates for both scholarly and creative publication and teaching. With faculty guidance, students admitted to the Ph.D. program may tailor their programs to their goals and interests.

The creative writing faculty at KU has been widely published and anthologized, winning both critical and popular acclaim. Faculty awards include such distinctions as the Nebula Award, Hugo Award, Osborn Award, Shelley Memorial Award, Gertrude Stein Award, the Kenyon Review Prize, the Kentucky Center Gold Medallion, and the Pushcart Prize.

Regarding admission to both our doctoral and MFA creative writing programs, we will prioritize applicants who are interested in engaging with multiple faculty members to practice writing across genres and forms, from speculative fiction and realism to poetry and playwriting/screenwriting, etc.

The University of Kansas' Graduate Program in Creative Writing also offers an  M.F.A degree .

Opportunities

A GTA appointment includes a tuition waiver for ten semesters plus a competitive stipend. In the first year, GTA appointees teach English 101 (first year composition) and English 102 (a required reading and writing course). Creative Writing Ph.D. students may have the opportunity to teach an introductory course in creative writing after passing the doctoral examination, and opportunities are available for a limited number of advanced GTAs to teach in the summer.

Department Resources

  • Graduate Admissions
  • Graduate Contacts
  • Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

Affiliated Programs

  • LandLocked Literary Magazine
  • The Project on the History of Black Writing
  • Center for the Study of Science Fiction
  • Ad-Hoc African/Americanists and Affiliates

Degree Requirements

  • At least 24 hours of credit in appropriate formal graduate courses beyond the M.A. or M.F.A. At least 15 hours (in addition to ENGL 800 if not taken for the M.A.) of this course work must be taken from among courses offered by the Department of English at the 700-level and above. English 997 and 999 credits cannot be included among the 24 hours. Students may petition to take up to 6 hours outside the Department.
  • ENGL 800: Methods, Theory, and Professionalism (counts toward the 24 required credit hours).
  • The ENGL 801/ENGL 802 pedagogy sequence (counts toward the 24 required credit hours).
  • Two seminars (courses numbered 900 or above) offered by the Department of English at the University of Kansas, beyond the M.A. or M.F.A. ENGL 998 does not fulfill this requirement.
  • ENGL 999, Dissertation (at least 12 hours).

If the M.A. or M.F.A. was completed in KU’s Department of English, a doctoral student may petition the DGS to have up to 12 hours of the coursework taken in the English Department reduced toward the Ph.D.

For Doctoral students,  the university requires completion of a course in responsible scholarship . For the English department, this would be ENGL 800, 780, or the equivalent). In addition, the Department requires reading knowledge of one approved foreign language: Old English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Greek, Latin, or Hebrew. Upon successful petition, a candidate may substitute reading knowledge of another language or research skill that is studied at the University or is demonstrably appropriate to the candidate’s program of study.

Doctoral students must fulfill the requirement  before  they take their doctoral examination, or be enrolled in a reading course the same semester as the exam. Students are permitted three attempts at passing each foreign language or research skill. Three methods of demonstrating reading knowledge for all approved languages except Old English are acceptable:

  • Presenting 16 hours, four semesters, or the equivalent of undergraduate credit, earned with an average of C or better.
  • Passing a graduate reading course at the University of Kansas or peer institution (e.g., French 100, German 100, etc.) with a grade of C or higher. In the past, some of these reading courses have been given by correspondence; check with the Division of Continuing Education for availability.
  • Passing a translation examination given by a designated member of the English Department faculty or by the appropriate foreign language department at KU. The exam is graded pass/fail and requires the student to translate as much as possible of a representative text in the foreign language in a one-hour period, using a bilingual dictionary.
  • Passing a translation examination given by the appropriate foreign language department at the M.A.-granting institution. Successful completion must be reflected either on the M.A. transcript or by a letter from the degree-granting department.

To fulfill the language requirement using Old English, students must successfully complete ENGL 710 (Introduction to Old English) and ENGL 712 (Beowulf).

Post-Coursework Ph.D. students must submit, with their committee chair(s), an annual review form to the DGS and Graduate Committee.

Doctoral students must take their doctoral examination within three semesters (excluding summers) of the end of the semester in which they took their final required course. If a student has an Incomplete, the timeline is not postponed until the Incomplete is resolved. For example, a student completing doctoral course work in Spring 2018 will need to schedule their doctoral exam no later than the end of Fall semester 2019. Delays may be granted by petition to the Graduate Director in highly unusual circumstances. Failure to take the exam within this time limit without an approved delay will result in the student’s falling out of good standing. For details on the consequences of falling out of good standing, see “Falling Out of Good Standing,” in General Department Policies and Best Practices.

A student may not take their doctoral exam until the university’s Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement is fulfilled (ENGL 800 or equivalent and reading knowledge of one foreign language or equivalent).

Requirements for Doctoral Exams

Reading Lists: 

All students are required to submit three reading lists, based on the requirements below, to their committee for approval. The doctoral exam will be held on a date at least twelve weeks after the approval from the whole committee is received. To facilitate quick committee approval, students may copy the graduate program coordinator on the email to the committee that contains the final version of the lists. Committee members may then respond to the email in lieu of signing a printed copy. Students should work with their committee chair and graduate program coordinator to schedule the exam at the same time as they finalize the lists.

During the two-hour oral examination (plus an additional 15-30 minutes for a break and committee deliberation), a student will be tested on their comprehension of a literary period or movement, including multiple genres and groups of authors within that period or movement. In addition, the student will be tested on two of the following six areas of study:

  • An adjacent or parallel literary period or movement,
  • An author or group of related authors,
  • Criticism and literary theory,
  • Composition theory, and
  • English language.

No title from any field list may appear on either of the other two lists. See Best Practices section for more details on these six areas. See below for a description of the Review of the Dissertation Proposal (RDP), which the candidate takes the semester after passing the doctoral exam. 

While many students confer with the DGS as they begin the process of developing their lists, they are also required to submit a copy of their final exam list to the DGS. Most lists will be left intact, but the DGS might request that overly long lists be condensed, or extremely short lists be expanded.

Review of Literature

The purpose of the Review of Literature is to develop and demonstrate an advanced awareness of the critical landscape for each list. The student will write an overview of the defining attributes of the field, identifying two or three broad questions that animate scholarly discussion, while using specific noteworthy texts from their list ( but not all texts on the list ) as examples.

The review also must accomplish the following:

  • consider the historical context of major issues, debates, and trends that factor into the emergence of the field
  • offer a historical overview of scholarship in the field that connects the present to the past
  • note recent trends and emergent lines of inquiry
  • propose questions about (develop critiques of, and/or identify gaps in) the field and how they might be pursued in future study (but not actually proposing or referencing a dissertation project)

For example, for a literary period, the student might include an overview of primary formal and thematic elements, of the relationship between literary and social/historical developments, of prominent movements, (etc.), as well as of recent critical debates and topics.

For a genre list, the Review of Literature might include major theories of its constitution and significance, while outlining the evolution of these theories over time.

For a Rhetoric and Composition list, the review would give an overview of major historical developments, research, theories, methods, debates, and trends of scholarship in the field.

For an English Language Studies (ELS) list, the review would give an overview of the subfields that make up ELS, the various methodological approaches to language study, the type of sources used, and major aims and goals of ELS. The review also usually involves a focus on one subfield of particular interest to the student (such as stylistics, sociolinguistics, or World/Postcolonial Englishes).

Students are encouraged to divide reviews into smaller sections that enhance clarity and organization. Students are not expected to interact with every text on their lists.

The review of literature might be used to prepare students for identifying the most important texts in the field, along with why those texts are important to the field, for the oral exam. It is recommended for students to have completed reading the bulk of (if not all) texts on their lists before writing the ROL.

The Reviews of Literature will not be produced in an exam context, but in the manner of papers that are researched and developed in consultation with all advisors/committee members,  with final drafts being distributed within a reasonable time for all members to review and approve in advance of the 3-week deadline . While the Review of Literature generally is not the focus of the oral examination, it is frequently used as a point of departure for questions and discussion during the oral examination.

Doctoral Exam Committee

Exam committees typically consist of 3 faculty members from the department—one of whom serves as the Committee Chair—plus a Graduate Studies Representative.  University policy dictates the composition of exam committees . Students may petition for an exception for several committee member situations, with the exception of  the Graduate Studies Representative .

If a student wants to have as a committee member a person outside the university, or a person who is not in a full-time tenure-track professorship at KU, the student must contact the Graduate Secretary as early as possible. Applications for special graduate faculty status must be reviewed by the College and Graduate Studies. Requests for exam/defense approval will not be approved unless all committee members currently hold either regular or special graduate faculty status

Remote participation of committee members via technology

Students with committee members who plan to attend the defense via remote technology must be aware of  college policy on teleconferencing/remote participation of committee members .

A majority of committee members must be physically present for an examination to commence; for doctoral oral examinations this requirement is 2 of the 4 members, for master’s oral examinations the requirement is 2 of the 3 members. In addition, it is required that the student being examined, the chair of the committee, and the Graduate Studies Representative all be physically present at the examination or defense. Mediated attendance by the student, chair and Grad Studies Rep is prohibited.

The recommended time between completion of coursework and the doctoral examination is two semesters.

Final exam lists need to be approved and signed by the committee at least 12 weeks prior to the prospective exam date. This includes summers/summer semesters. The lists should then be submitted to the Graduate Program Coordinator. Reviews of Literature need to be approved and signed by the committee at least 3 weeks prior to the exam date. Failure to meet this deadline will result in rescheduling the exam. No further changes to lists or Reviews of Literature will be allowed after official approval. The three-week deadline is the faculty deadline--the last date for them to confirm receipt of the ROLs and confer approval--not necessarily the student deadline for submitting the documents to the faculty. Please keep that timing in mind and allow your committee adequate time to review the materials and provide feedback.

Students taking the Doctoral Exam are allowed to bring their text lists, the approved Reviews of Literature, scratch paper, a writing utensil, and notes/writing for an approximately 5-minute introductory statement to the exam. (This statement does not need to lay out ideas or any aspect of the dissertation project.)

Each portion of the oral examination must be deemed passing before the student can proceed to the Review of the Dissertation Proposal. If a majority of the committee judges that the student has not answered adequately on one of the three areas of the exam, the student must repeat that portion in a separate oral exam of one hour, to be taken as expeditiously as possible.  Failure in two areas constitutes failure of the exam and requires a retake of the whole.  The doctoral examining committee will render a judgment of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory on the entire examination. A student who fails the exam twice may, upon successful petition to the Graduate Committee, take it a third and final time.

Students cannot bring snacks, drinks, treats, or gifts for committee members to the exam. Professors should avoid the appearance of favoritism that may occur if they bring treats to some student exams but not others.

The doctoral oral examination has the following purposes:

  • To establish goals, tone, and direction for the pursuit of the Ph.D. in English for the Department and for individual programs of study;
  • To make clear the kinds of knowledge and skills that, in the opinion of the Department, all well-prepared holders of the degree should have attained;
  • To provide a means for the Department to assess each candidate’s control of such knowledge and skills in order to certify that the candidate is prepared to write a significant dissertation and enter the profession; and
  • To enable the Department to recommend to the candidate areas of strength or weakness that should be addressed.

In consultation with the Graduate Director, a student will ask a member of the Department’s graduate faculty (preferably their advisor) to be the chairperson of the examining committee. The choice of examination committee chair is very important, for that person’s role is to assist the candidate in designing the examination structure, preparing the Review of Literature (see below), negotiating reading lists and clarifying their purposes, and generally following procedures here outlined. The other three English Department members of the committee will be chosen in consultation with the committee chair. (At some point an additional examiner from outside the Department, who serves as the Graduate School representative, will be invited to join the committee). Any unresolved problems in negotiation between a candidate and their committee should be brought to the attention of the Graduate Director, who may choose to involve the Graduate Committee. A student may request a substitution in, or a faculty member may ask to be dismissed from, the membership of the examining committee. Such requests must be approved, in writing, by the faculty member leaving the committee and by the Graduate Director.

Reading Lists

Copies of some approved reading lists and Reviews of Literature are available from the Graduate Secretary and can be found on the U: drive if you are using a computer on campus. Despite the goal of fairness and equity, some unavoidable unevenness and disparity will appear in the length of these lists. It remains, however, the responsibility of the examining committee, and especially the student’s chair, to aim toward consonance with the most rigorous standards and expectations and to insure that areas of study are not unduly narrow.

To facilitate quick committee approval, students may copy the graduate secretary on the email to the committee that contains the final version of the lists and reviews of literature. Committee members may then respond to the email in lieu of signing a printed copy.

Comprehension of a literary period (e.g., British literature of the 18th century; Romanticism; US literature of the 19th century; Modernism) entails sufficient intellectual grasp of both the important primary works of and secondary works on the period or movement to indicate a student’s ability to teach the period or movement and undertake respectable scholarship on it.

Comprehension of an author or group of related authors (e.g., Donne, the Brontës, the Bloomsbury Group, the Black Mountain Poets) entails knowledge, both primary and secondary, of a figure or figures whose writing has generated a significant body of interrelated biographical, historical, and critical scholarship.

Comprehension of one of several genres (the short story, the lyric poem, the epistolary novel). To demonstrate comprehension of a genre, a student should possess sufficient depth and breadth of knowledge, both primary and secondary, of the genre to explain its formal characteristics and account for its historical development.

Comprehension of criticism and literary theory entails a grasp of fundamental conceptual problems inherent in a major school of literary study (e.g., historicist, psychoanalytic, feminist, poststructuralist, etc.). To demonstrate comprehension of that school of criticism and literary theory, a student should be able to discuss changes in its conventions and standards of interpretation and evaluation of literature from its beginning to the present. Students will be expected to possess sufficient depth and breadth of theoretical knowledge to bring appropriate texts and issues to bear on questions of literary study.

Comprehension of composition theory entails an intellectual grasp of fundamental concepts, issues, and theories pertaining to the study of writing. To demonstrate comprehension of composition theory, students should be able to discuss traditional and current issues from a variety of perspectives, as well as the field’s historical development from classical rhetoric to the present.

Comprehension of the broad field of English language studies entails a grasp of the field’s theoretical concepts and current issues, as well as a familiarity with significant works within given subareas. Such subareas will normally involve formal structures (syntax, etc.) and history of the English language, along with other subareas such as social linguistics, discourse analysis, lexicography, etc. Areas of emphasis and specific sets of topics will be arranged through consultation with relevant faculty.

Ph.D. candidates must be continuously enrolled in Dissertation hours each Fall and Spring semester from the time they pass the doctoral examination until successful completion of the final oral examination (defense of dissertation).

  • Students enroll for a minimum of 6 hours each Fall and Spring semester until the total of post-doctoral exam Dissertation hours is 18. One hour each semester must be ENGL 999. In order to more quickly reach the 18-hour minimum, and to be sooner eligible for GRAships, it is highly recommended that students enroll in 9 hours of Dissertation in the Spring and Fall semesters. 
  • Once a student has accumulated 18 post-doctoral exam  hours, each subsequent enrollment will be for a number of hours agreed upon as appropriate between the student and their advisor, the minimal enrollment each semester being 1 hour of ENGL 999.
  • A student must be enrolled in at least one hour of credit at KU during the semester they graduate. Although doctoral students must be enrolled in ENGL 999 while working on their dissertations, per current CLAS regulations, there is no absolute minimum number of ENGL 999 hours required for graduation.
  • Students who live and work outside the Lawrence area may, under current University regulations, have their fees assessed at the Field Work rate, which is somewhat lower than the on-campus rate. Students must petition the College Office of Graduate Affairs before campus fees will be waived.

Please also refer to  the COGA policy on post-exam enrollment  or the  Graduate School’s policy .

As soon as possible following successful completion of the doctoral exam, the candidate should establish their three-person core dissertation committee, and then expeditiously proceed to the preparation of a dissertation proposal.  Within the semester following completion of the doctoral exam , the student will present to their core dissertation committee a written narrative of approximately  10-15 pages , not including bibliography, of the dissertation proposal. While the exam schedule is always contingent on student progress, in the first two weeks of the semester in which they intend to take the review , students will work with their committee chair and the graduate program coordinator to schedule the 90-minute RDP. Copies of this proposal must be submitted to the members of the dissertation committee and Graduate Program Coordinator no later than  three weeks prior  to the scheduled examination date.

In the proposal, students will be expected to define: the guiding question or set of questions; a basic thesis (or hypothesis); how the works to be studied or the creative writing produced relate to that (hypo)thesis; the theoretical/methodological model to be followed; the overall formal divisions of the dissertation; and how the study will be situated in the context of prior scholarship (i.e., its importance to the field). The narrative section should be followed by a bibliography demonstrating that the candidate is conversant with the basic theoretical and critical works pertinent to the study. For creative writing students, the proposal may serve as a draft of the critical introduction to the creative dissertation. Students are expected to consult with their projected dissertation committee concerning the preparation of the proposal.

The review will focus on the proposal, although it could also entail determining whether or not the candidate’s knowledge of the field is adequate to begin the composition process. The examination will be graded pass/fail. If it is failed, the committee will suggest areas of weakness to be addressed by the candidate, who will rewrite the proposal and retake the review  by the end of the following semester . If the candidate abandons the entire dissertation project for another, a new RDP will be taken. (For such a step to be taken, the change would need to be drastic, such as a move to a new field or topic. A change in thesis or the addition or subtraction of one or even several works to be examined would not necessitate a new proposal and defense.)  If the student fails to complete the Review of the Dissertation Proposal within a year of the completion of the doctoral exams, they will have fallen out of departmental good standing.  For details on the consequences of falling out of good standing, see “Falling Out of Good Standing,” in General Department Policies and Best Practices.

After passing the Review of the Dissertation Proposal, the student should forward one signed copy of the proposal to the Graduate Program Coordinator. The RDP may last no longer than 90 minutes.

Students cannot bring snacks, drinks, treats, or gifts for committee members to the review. Professors should avoid the appearance of favoritism that may occur if they bring treats to some student exams but not others.

The Graduate Catalog states that the doctoral candidate “must present a dissertation showing the planning, conduct and results of original research, and scholarly creativity.” While most Ph.D. candidates in the Department of English write dissertations of a traditional, research-oriented nature, a creative writing candidate may elect to do a creative-writing dissertation involving fiction, poetry, drama or nonfiction prose.  Such a dissertation must also contain a substantial section of scholarly research related to the creative writing.  The precise nature of the scholarly research component should be determined by the candidate in consultation with the dissertation committee and the Graduate Director. Candidates wishing to undertake such a dissertation must complete all Departmental requirements demanded for the research-oriented Ph.D. degree.

Scholarly Research Component (SRC)

The Scholarly Research Component (SRC) of the creative-writing dissertation is a separate section of the dissertation than the creative work. It involves substantial research and is written in the style of academic prose. It should be 15-20 pages and should cite at least 20 sources, some of which should be primary texts, and many of which should be from the peer-reviewed secondary literature. The topic must relate, in some way, to the topic, themes, ideas, or style of the creative portion of the dissertation; this relation should be stated in the Dissertation Proposal, which should include a section describing the student’s plans for the SRC. The SRC may be based on a seminar paper or other work the student has completed prior to the dissertation; but the research should be augmented, and the writing revised, per these guidelines. The SRC is a part of the dissertation, and as such will be included in the dissertation defense.

The SRC may take two general forms:

1.) An article, publishable in a peer-reviewed journal or collection, on a specific topic related to an author, movement, theoretical issue, taxonomic issue, etc. that has bearing on the creative portion. The quality of this article should be high enough that the manuscript could be submitted to a peer-reviewed publication, with a plausible chance of acceptance.

2.) A survey . This survey may take several different forms:

  • A survey of a particular aspect of the genre of the creative portion of the dissertation (stylistic, national, historical, etc.)
  • An introduction to the creative portion of the dissertation that explores the influences on, and the theoretical or philosophical foundations or implications of the creative work
  • An exploration of a particular technical problem or craft issue that is salient in the creative portion of the dissertation
  • If the creative portion of the dissertation includes the results of research (e.g., historical novel, documentary poetry, research-based creative nonfiction), a descriptive overview of the research undertaken already for the dissertation itself
  • A combination of the above, with the prior approval of the student’s dissertation director.

The dissertation committee will consist of at least four members—two “core” English faculty members, a third faculty member (usually from English), and one faculty member from a different department who serves as the Graduate Studies representative. The committee may include (with the Graduate Director’s approval) members from other departments and, with the approval of the University’s Graduate Council, members from outside the University. If a student wants to have a committee member from outside the university, or a person who is not in a full-time tenure-track professorship at KU, the student must contact the Graduate Secretary as early as possible. Applications for special graduate faculty status must be reviewed by the College and the Office of Graduate Studies. Requests for defense approval will not be approved unless all committee members currently hold either regular or special graduate faculty status.

The candidate’s preferences as to the membership of the dissertation committee will be carefully considered; the final decision, however, rests with the Department and with the Office of Graduate Studies. All dissertation committees must get approval from the Director of Graduate Studies before scheduling the final oral exam (defense). Furthermore, any changes in the make-up of the dissertation committee from the Review of the Dissertation Proposal committee must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Once the dissertation proposal has passed and the writing of the dissertation begins, membership of the dissertation committee should remain constant. However, under extraordinary circumstances, a student may request a substitution in, or a faculty member may ask to be dismissed from, the membership of the dissertation committee. Such requests must be approved, in writing, by the faculty member leaving the committee and by the Graduate Director.

If a student does not make progress during the dissertation-writing stage, and accumulates more than one “Limited Progress” and/or “No Progress” grade on their transcript, they will fall out of good standing in the department. For details on the consequences of falling out of good standing, see “Falling Out of Good Standing,” in General Department Policies and Best Practices

Final Oral Exam (Dissertation Defense)

When the dissertation has been tentatively accepted by the dissertation committee (not including the Graduate Studies Representative), the final oral examination will be held, on the recommendation of the Department. While the exam schedule is always contingent on student progress, in the first two weeks of the semester in which they intend to defend the dissertation, students should work with their committee chair and graduate program coordinator to schedule it.

Although the dissertation committee is responsible for certification of the candidate, any member of the graduate faculty may be present at the examination and participate in the questioning, and one examiner—the Graduate Studies Representative—must be from outside the Department. The Graduate Secretary can help students locate an appropriate Grad Studies Rep. The examination normally lasts no more than two hours. It is the obligation of the candidate to advise the Graduate Director that they plan to take the oral examination; this must be done at least one month before the date proposed for the examination.

At least three calendar weeks prior to the defense date, the student will submit the final draft of the dissertation to all the committee members (including the GSR) and inform the Graduate Program Coordinator. Failure to meet this deadline will necessitate rescheduling the defense.  The final oral examination for the Ph.D. in English is, essentially, a defense of the dissertation. When it is passed, the dissertation itself is graded by the dissertation director, in consultation with the student’s committee; the student’s performance in the final examination (defense) is graded by the entire five-person committee

Students cannot bring snacks, drinks, treats, or gifts for committee members to the defense. Professors should avoid the appearance of favoritism that may occur if they bring treats to some student defenses but not others

These sets of attributes are adapted from the Graduate Learner Outcomes that are a part of our Assessment portfolio. “Honors” should only be given to dissertations that are rated “Outstanding” in all or most of the following categories:

  • Significant and innovative plot/structure/idea/focus. The writer clearly places plot/structure/idea/focus in context.
  • Thorough knowledge of literary traditions. Clear/flexible vision of the creative work produced in relation to those literary traditions.
  • Introduction/Afterword is clear, concise, and insightful. A detailed discussion of the implications of the project and future writing projects exists.
  • The creative dissertation reveals the doctoral candidate’s comprehensive understanding of poetics and/or aesthetic approach. The application of the aesthetic approach is innovative and convincing.
  • The creative dissertation represents original and sophisticated creative work.
  • The creative dissertation demonstrates thematic and/or aesthetic unity.

After much discussion about whether the “honors” designation assigned after the dissertation defense should be for the written product only, for the defense/discussion only, for both together, weighted equally, or eradicated altogether, the department voted to accept the Graduate Committee recommendation that “honors” only apply to the written dissertation. "Honors" will be given to dissertations that are rated "Outstanding" in all or most of the categories on the dissertation rubric.

Normally, the dissertation will present the results of the writer’s own research, carried on under the direction of the dissertation committee. This means that the candidate should be in regular contact with all members of the committee during the dissertation research and writing process, providing multiple drafts of chapters, or sections of chapters, according to the arrangements made between the student and each faculty member. Though accepted primarily for its scholarly merit rather than for its rhetorical qualities, the dissertation must be stylistically competent. The Department has accepted the MLA Handbook as the authority in matters of style. The writer may wish to consult also  the Chicago Manual of Style  and Kate L. Turabian’s  A Manual for Writers of Dissertations, Theses, and Term Papers .

Naturally, both the student and the dissertation committee have responsibilities and obligations to each other concerning the submitting and returning of materials. The student should plan on working steadily on the dissertation; if they do so, they should expect from the dissertation committee a reasonably quick reading and assessment of material submitted.

Students preparing their dissertation should be showing chapters to their committee members as they go along, for feedback and revision suggestions. They should also meet periodically with committee members to assess their progress. Prior to scheduling a defense, the student is encouraged to ask committee members whether they feel that the student is ready to defend the dissertation. Ideally, the student should hold the defense only when they have consulted with committee members sufficiently to feel confident that they have revised the dissertation successfully to meet the expectations of all committee members.

Students should expect that they will need to revise each chapter at least once. This means that all chapters (including introduction and conclusion) are shown to committee members once, revised, then shown to committee members again in revised form to assess whether further revisions are needed, prior to the submitting of the final dissertation as a whole. It is not unusual for further revisions to be required and necessary after the second draft of a chapter; students should not therefore simply assume that a second draft is necessarily “final” and passing work.

If a substantial amount of work still needs to be completed or revised at the point that the dissertation defense is scheduled, such a defense date should be regarded as tentative, pending the successful completion, revision, and receipt of feedback on all work. Several weeks prior to the defense, students should consult closely with their dissertation director and committee members about whether the dissertation as a whole is in a final and defensible stage. A project is ready for defense when it is coherent, cohesive, well researched, engages in sophisticated analysis (in its entirety or in the critical introduction of creative dissertations), and makes a significant contribution to the field. In other words, it passes each of the categories laid out in the Dissertation Rubric.

If the dissertation has not clearly reached a final stage, the student and dissertation director are advised to reschedule the defense.

Prior Publication of the Doctoral Dissertation

Portions of the material written by the doctoral candidate may appear in article form before completion of the dissertation. Prior publication does not ensure the acceptance of the dissertation by the dissertation committee. Final acceptance of the dissertation is subject to the approval of the dissertation committee. Previously published material by other authors included in the dissertation must be properly documented.

Each student beyond the master’s degree should confer regularly with the Graduate Director regarding their progress toward the doctoral examination and the doctorate.

Doctoral students may take graduate courses outside the English Department if, in their opinion and that of the Graduate Director, acting on behalf of the Graduate Committee, those courses will be of value to them. Their taking such courses will not, of course, absolve them of the responsibility for meeting all the normal departmental and Graduate School requirements.

Doctoral students in creative writing are strongly encouraged to take formal literature classes in addition to forms classes. Formal literature classes, by providing training in literary analysis, theory, and/or literary history, will help to prepare students for doctoral exams (and future teaching at the college level).

FALL SEMESTER            

  • GTAs take 2 courses (801 + one), teach 2 courses; GRAs take 3 courses.
  • Visit assigned advisor once a month to update on progress & perceptions. 1st-year advisors can assist with selecting classes for the Spring semester, solidifying and articulating a field of specialization, advice about publishing, conferences, professionalization issues, etc.

SPRING SEMESTER

  • GTAs take 2 courses (780/800/880 + one), teach 2 courses. GTAs also take ENGL 802 for 1 credit hour. GRAs take 3 courses.
  • Visit assigned advisor or DGS once during the semester; discuss best advisor choices for Year 2.

SUMMER SEMESTER

  • Enroll in Summer Institute if topic and/or methodology matches interests.
  • Consider conferences suited to your field and schedule; choose a local one for attendance in Year 2 and draft an Abstract for a conference paper (preferably with ideas/materials/ writing drawn from a seminar paper).  Even if abstract is not accepted, you can attend the conference without the pressure of presenting.
  • Attend at least one conference to familiarize yourself with procedure, network with other grad students and scholars in your field, AND/OR present a paper.

FALL SEMESTER

  • Take 2 courses, teach 2 courses.
  • Visit advisor in person at least once during the semester.

WINTER BREAK

  • Begin revising one of your seminar papers/independent study projects/creative pieces for submission to a journal; research the journals most suited to placement of your piece.
  • Begin thinking about fields and texts for comprehensive examinations.
  • Choose an advisor to supervise you through the doctoral examination process.
  • Visit assigned 1st-year advisor in person at least once during the semester (at least to formally request doctoral exam supervision OR to notify that you are changing advisors).
  • Summer teaching, if eligible.
  • Continue revising paper/creative writing for submission to a journal.
  • Begin reading for comprehensive exams.
  • Attend one conference and present a paper. Apply for one-time funding for out-of-state travel  from Graduate Studies .
  • Teach 2 courses; take 997 (exam prep).
  • Finalize comps list by end of September; begin drafting rationales.
  • Circulate the draft of your article/creative piece to your advisor, other faculty in the field, and/or advanced grad students in the field for suggestions.
  • Revise article/creative piece with feedback from readers.
  • Teach 2 courses; take 997 or 999 (dissertation hours). Enroll in 999 if you plan to take your comps this semester, even if you don’t take them until the last day of classes.
  • Take comps sometime between January and May.
  • Summer teaching, if available.
  • Submit article/creative work for publication.
  • Continuous enrollment after completing doctoral exam (full policy on p. 20)
  • Research deadlines for grant applications—note deadlines come early in the year.
  • Attend one conference and present a paper.
  • Teach 2 courses, take 999.
  • Compose dissertation proposal by November.
  • Schedule Review of Dissertation Proposal (RDP—formerly DPR).
  • Apply for at least one grant or fellowship, such as a departmental-level GRAship or dissertation fellowship. (Winning a full-year, non-teaching fellowship can cut down your years-to-degree to 5 ½, or even 5 years.)
  • Conduct research for and draft at least 1 dissertation chapter.
  • Conduct research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter.
  • Revise & resubmit journal article, if necessary.
  • Attend 1st round of job market meetings with Job Placement Advisor (JPA) to start drafting materials and thinking about the process.
  • Research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter, if teaching (1-2 chapters if not).
  • Visit dissertation chair  and  committee members in person at least once during the semester.
  • Research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter (1-2 chapters if not teaching).
  • Apply for a departmental grant or fellowship, or, if already held, try applying for one from outside the department, such as those offered by KU’s Hall Center for the Humanities or the Office of Graduate Studies. For  a monthly list of funding opportunities , visit the Graduate Studies website.
  • Research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter.
  • Attend job market meetings with JPA in earnest.
  • Apply for external grants, research fellowships, postdoctoral positions with fall deadlines (previous fellowship applications, your dissertation proposal, and subsequent writing should provide a frame so that much of the application can be filled out with the “cut & paste” function).
  • Research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter (1-2 if not teaching).
  • Visit dissertation chair and committee members in person at least once during the semester.
  • Polish dissertation chapters.
  • Apply for grants and fellowships with spring deadlines.
  • Defend dissertation.

Creative Writing Faculty

Darren Canady

  • Associate Professor

Megan Kaminski

  • Professor of English & Environmental Studies

Laura Moriarty

  • Assistant Professor

Graduate Student Handbook

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This program features a hands-on, studio-based learning approach that provides depth of knowledge in your chosen study area. You collaborate with students and teaching staff from across disciplines to reflect industry practice, work on real-world projects briefed by real clients, and get career planning assistance to help you on your creative journey. With transdisciplinary project-driven capstone experiences in your final year, you are prepared for a highly professional and entrepreneurial approach to your creative practice. In the creative writing major, you work intensively in a number of areas including novels and short stories, creative non-fiction, poetry, corporate writing and editing, manuscript development, and new and emergent forms. You can also take complementary studies from creative industries or other faculties across the university.

This course is covered by the QUT Offer Guarantee and Year 12 Early Offer Scheme .

For more course information, visit Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing) at QUT .

There are additional course requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. These requirements may have associated costs. Information is available from qut.edu.au/study.

A Suitability Card may be required; refer to institution.

For additional information about the admissions criteria for QUT and for this course, refer to QUT’s website.

Applicant must be 16; Completion of Year 12 or attained age 18 years

English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)

Minimum selection threshold explained .

For more information about the ATAR/Selection Rank profile, please visit ATAR/Selection Rank profile explained .

Highest Rank to receive an offer

Median Rank to receive an offer

Lowest Rank to receive an offer

ATAR/Selection Rank excluding adjustment factors

ATAR/Selection Rank including adjustment factors

Excluding: The lowest ATAR/Selection Rank to which an offer was made, excluding adjustment factors. Including: The lowest ATAR/Selection Rank to which an offer was made including any adjustment factors that may have been applied.

For more information about the Student profile, please visit Student profile explained .

Higher education study

Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

Work and life experience

Recent secondary education

Recent secondary education admitted solely on the basis of ATAR/Rank

Admitted where both ATAR/Rank and additional criteria were considered

Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR/Rank was not a factor

International students

All students

Number of students

Percentage of all students

* “<5" – the number of students is less than 5

Academic, advertising professional, art writer, copywriter, creative writer, digital content producer, digital copywriter, journalist, publishing professional.

qut phd creative writing

15 Jan 2024 6 Jun 2024

3 years Full time

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Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing) / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Queensland university of technology (qut).

Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution Level: Undergraduate CRICOS: 00213J

Combine writing skills and law for roles such as an in-house lawyer, solicitor in private practice, policy adviser, intellectual property lawyer, or crime writer. This double degree prepares you to work as a professional creative writer, as a barrister or solicitor in private practice, or to practise with large companies, in government agencies, or as a policy adviser. Through the combination of creative writing with law, you will enhance your employability in your chosen field, whether in the legal fraternity or as a creative practitioner. You can advise on the legalities in the publishing or creative writing industries, or in relation to copyright or intellectual property law, or work as an editor of legal-related publications or in a position specialising in law in the publishing industry. Immerse yourself in the creative writing major with up to 16 discipline units and gain in-depth knowledge in your specialisation. Your law degree component comprises nineteen core units and eight law elective units, which can include a third study area as a minor or electives from across QUT.

In order to complete this course, you must complete a total of 528 credit points made up of 192 credit points from the Bachelor of Fine Arts and 336 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws (Honours).

  • Creative writing

Standard entry requirements

  • Year 12 or equivalent
  • English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)

Recognition

Graduates satisfy the academic requirements for admission as a solicitor and/or barrister in all Australian states and territories. It is also recognised for admission purposes in West and East Malaysia, India, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Study pathways

Pathways to the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Master of Teaching (Secondary), or Master of Philosophy are available. Students may be able to claim advanced standing for part of their course, on the basis of completed or partially completed studies, and other assessable learning outcomes. QUT advanced standing rules apply.

Study information

Further information.

QUT offers a range of scholarships that provide real support for students. Our offer guarantee can give you peace of mind about your study choices. If you receive an ATAR or selection rank equal to or higher than the offer guarantee, you are guaranteed a place in the course regardless of the threshold. This means that when you know your ATAR or selection rank you can check your eligibility for a QUT course before receiving an offer. You still need to lodge a QTAC application by the closing date. A small number of courses do not participate in the offer guarantee scheme.

Related courses

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Graduate Diploma in Asian Law

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Edith Cowan University ECU

Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce

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Bachelor of Media and Communications

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Murdoch university, request information update, technical writer.

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Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing)

Work intensively on your writing and graduate with real-world skills keenly sought by employers.

Guide to entry thresholds

  • Kelvin Grove
  • 3 years full-time

These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2024.

  • Work creatively on writing novels, poetry, short stories, creative non-fiction, memoir, and genre fiction.
  • Work towards a year-long major piece of creative writing in a form and genre of your choice, as well as engage in major transdisciplinary projects with creatives from other fields.
  • Gain insight into the national contexts into which your writing will enter as well as the debates and ideas that are enlivening and challenging the ways in which writers create.
  • Learn about central ideas from literary theory and ways to think and write critically about texts.
  • Learn from highly experienced and published authors, scholars, and experts in creative writing.
  • Gain opportunities for exposure with internships at writers’ festivals, literary events, publishing houses, and public readings.
  • Graduates work as fiction writers, editors, embedded creatives in technical and corporate contexts, technical writers, script writers, reviewers, travel writers, feature writers, journalists, publishers, media workers, policy workers, government employees and teachers.

Why choose this course?

Writing is more central to our culture than ever before. The communication revolution demands written content—on the page, on the screen, and in new and evolving forms and spaces. Writers, storytellers and experts with nuanced and creative language are needed to provoke, entertain and connect to audiences in expanding ways. QUT offers the largest and most comprehensive undergraduate writing course in South-East Queensland with the broadest range of units on offer. Within the BFA structure, you gain the deepest possible access to this knowledge.

Real-world learning

The course is taught by highly experienced published authors and scholars. Visits and guest lectures from writers, editors and publishers will help you gain a unique perspective on writing as a vocation, and provide access to the industry and national writing communities. A thriving on-campus literary culture and associations with festivals and local publishing houses will keep you engaged with fellow travellers and industry tastemakers as you develop your craft. You will benefit from a transdisciplinary approach from the outset, encouraging you as a specialist creative writer to work in teams with others who have different creative skill sets. We aim to produce writers who not only have sophisticated writing skills, but who are critically engaged thinkers with knowledge about the debates and cultural contexts informing our practices today.

Explore this course

What to expect.

Your studies will begin with you working intensively on your writing in a number of forms and genres including novels, short stories, creative non-fiction, science fiction and fantasy writing, media, poetry, digital media, editing and scriptwriting. There will be a focus on new and emergent forms, while learning to think and write critically about texts. From there, you will build specialist writing skills for professional applications via deep engagement with industry partners and contexts. Later in your degree you will choose electives to tailor your course to your strengths and vocational interests. You will write a sustained piece of creative work in a genre of your choice and participate in editing and developing a manuscript for a targeted market.

Double degrees

Combine creative writing with a second study area for greater career flexibility and opportunities in other industries. Consider a double degree with:

  • business to develop your career as a creative writer, publishing professional or public relations consultant
  • law to use your skills for a career as an in-house lawyer, solicitor in private practice, policy adviser, intellectual property lawyer or crime writer.

If you are looking to apply your creative abilities to education settings or the teaching profession you have some options.  You can complete your creative writing course first and then follow with a Master of Teaching in early childhood, primary or secondary education.*  You can undertake a double degree in secondary education at the same time as your creative writing degree.

*Check entry requirements for the Master of Teaching for specific teaching areas. 

Careers and outcomes

With a creative writing major you will graduate with advanced writing and communication capabilities as well as analytic and editorial experience. These are rare, real-world skills that are keenly sought by employers. Graduates also find success working as creative writers and editors in community and freelance capacities.

Opportunities exist as fiction writers, scriptwriters, reviewers, travel writers, feature writers, editors, publishers, media workers and teachers. The publishing and screen industries, advertising and public relations agencies, magazines, newspapers, digital content providers, government and large corporations all require specialist writers with a flair for language.

Possible careers

  • Advertising professional
  • Creative writer
  • Digital content producer
  • Digital copywriter
  • Publishing professional

Details and units

Course structure, your course.

To meet the course requirements of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing), you must complete the following:

  • Two common units (KYB101 and KYB102) – 24 credit points
  • Creative Writing major – 168 credit points
  • Complementary studies – 48 credit points from the Situated Creative Practice Extension plus 48 credit points chosen from a minor or unit options (electives).
  • Introduction to creative writing practice.
  • Develop critical and analytical skills in reading and writing a variety of literature forms.
  • Learn from lecturers and tutors with industry experience.
  • Write and analyse short stories, creative nonfiction and youth writing.
  • Build on practical skills and conceptual backgrounds.
  • Study script-writing, stylistics, poetics and corporate writing.
  • Explore how a variety of notable novels were written.
  • Choose electives to tailor your course to your strengths and vocational interests.
  • Write a sustained piece of creative work in a genre of your choice.
  • Participate in editing and developing a manuscript for a targeted market.
  • Undertake an in-depth study of long fiction and life writing.
  • Learn about the real world of the writing and publishing industry.
  • Expand your study with electives in creative or other disciplines.

Study overseas

Study overseas while earning credit towards your QUT creative industries degree with one of our worldwide exchange partners.

Overseas study can be for one or two semesters (or during the semester break) and the units you take can be in a creative or non-creative discipline area, depending on how they match with your QUT course. Saving your electives for exchange will allow you the most flexibility.

  • Study script-writing, stylistics, poetics and corporate writing.

Requirements

Don't have a ATAR/selection rank?

Find out other ways you can apply

You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.

Assumed knowledge

Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:

  • English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)

More about assumed knowledge

Year 12 early offer scheme

If you're a current Queensland Year 12 student, you may be eligible to receive an offer for this course on the last day of Queensland Year 12, before receiving your ATAR or selection rank.

Find out more about the QUT Year 12 Early Offer Scheme

Offer guarantee

If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

Advanced standing

If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.

More about advanced standing

More about deferring your offer

Adjustments to your ATAR/selection rank

Any adjustments you receive to your ATAR or selection rank will be applied to this course.

Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your ATAR or selection rank

Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2023

The figures listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent ATAR students. The entry thresholds box at the top of this page shows the lowest adjusted ATAR/selection rank required to receive an offer for all applicants for the most recent January QTAC offer round.

You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile .

Other admission options

If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP) .

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

  • Completed International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with final aggregate score of 28.<br><br>Send your results to QUT through your online IB account. QUTs institution code is 003148.<br> <br>Depending on the structure of your course, you can receive advanced standing up to 4 units towards your degree. You can apply for advanced standing based on your completed IB Diploma studies, after you have been accepted into your course. For information on Credit for Prior Learning, please refer to https://www.advancedstanding.qut.edu.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/AdvStand.woa/wa/precedents?institution=IBD
  • Indian School Certificate academic stream awarded by CISCE with overall average of 60% in best five academic subjects (two languages and three academic subjects), excluding physical education.
  • All India Senior School Certificate academic stream awarded by CBSE with an overall average of 60% in best five academic subjects (two languages and three academic subjects), excluding physical education.
  • Senior/Higher Secondary School Certificate/Pre-University certificate from QUT recognised state education boards with an overall average of 75% in best five academic subjects (2 languages and 3 academic subjects), excluding physical education.
  • Ylioppilastutkintotodistu/Finnish Matriculation Certificate with a grade average of 3 over 4 exam results.
  • German Abitur: Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife with an overall grade point average of 3.4 on 6-point scale (where 1 is best).
  • HKDSE with an aggregate score of 16 over the five best HKDSE subjects (across Core and category A or C electives) where 2 is the minimum accepted grade.
  • Higher Diploma or Associate degree from recognised Hong Kong institutions with an overall grade average of 2.0 on a 4 point scale where 2=pass. Requirement for other scales: 1.7 on a 4.0 point scale where 1.7=pass; 1.7 on a 4.3 point scale where 1.7=pass or 2.0 on a 4.5 point scale where 2=pass).
  • Senior Secondary Matriculation Examination (Stúdentspróf) with a grade average 6 in the final year results.
  • An aggregate score of 8 based on the best three A-Level subjects from  General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level.  <br> <br>A or A2-Level subject: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1, U=0 <br> <br>A maximum of two Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level subjects can be counted in place of one A-level  subject provided that the subject has not been taken at A level.  AS Levels are equivalent to half points, e.g. B=2.<br> <br>Awarded by: AQA, Cambridge/CIE, CEA, Pearson/Pearson International/ Edexcel, OxfordAQA,OCR, WJEC.
  • Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) 3/Certificate of Graduation (Nilai Ujian Sekolah) with an overall average of 80% in the best 5 academic subjects (Bahasa Indonesia, Matematika, Bahasa Inggris and 2 other academic subjects from Group C).
  • An aggregate score of 8 based on the best three A-Level subjects from  General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced (A2) Level.  <br> <br>A or A2-Level: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1<br> <br>A maximum of two Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level subjects can be counted in place of one A-level  subject provided that the same subject has not been taken at A level.  <br>AS-or A1 Level: A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5.<br> <br>Awarded by: AQA, Cambridge/CIE, CEA, Pearson/Pearson International/ Edexcel, OxfordAQA,OCR, WJEC.
  • Prior to 2020: Pre-University Certificate with a grade average of 15 on a 20-point scale.
  • From 2020: National High School Diploma/Secondary School Leaving Certificate with a grade average of 15 on a 20-point scale in final year (Grade 12).
  • Leaving Certificate with a grade average of 4.0 in the best 5 Higher, Ordinary, or LCVP subjects.
  • Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shosho (Upper Secondary School Certificate of Graduation) with an overall grade average of 4.0 on a 5 point scale in the final year.<br> <br>Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shosho (Upper Secondary School Certificate of Graduation) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 1100.
  • Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education with a Mean Grade of  B
  • An aggregate score of 8 from Brunei-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced (A) Level and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level subjects including at least two A Level pass subjects.<br><br>Aggregate is calculated based on the best three A Levels.  AS Levels can be included and are counted as half of an A Level.<br>A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1, U=0 for A Level subjects; and<br>A(a)=2.5, B(b)=2, C(c)=1.5, D(d)=1, E(e)=0.5, U=0 for AS Level subjects.
  • QUT Intensive Program with an overall grade average of at least 4.4 (on QUT's 7 point scale).
  • QUT Foundation Program with an overall grade average of at least 4.4 (on QUT's 7 point scale).
  • QUT Diploma program with successful completion.
  • Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in general academic stream with an overall grade point average of 4.0 on 5 point scale.
  • Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate with an overall average of 60% in best five academic subjects (2 languages and 3 academic subjects), excluding Internal Assessment.
  • Studentereksamen (STX) with an overall grade average of 4 in the final year.
  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with an overall grade average of 60% using the best six Grade 12 subjects of course types: University preparation (U); University / college preparation (M); or College preparation (C).
  • British Columbia Senior Secondary School Graduation Diploma with an overall grade average of 60% using Language Arts 12 provincially examined subject (English 12; English 12 First Peoples, Communication 12, English Literature 12) and four Grade 12 academic subjects (4 credit point).
  • Alberta High School Diploma with an overall grade average of 60% using the best five Level 30 Provincial Diploma Exams
  • Manitoba High School Graduation Diploma with an overall grade average of 60% using the best  five Grade 12 subjects of course types: University based (40U, 42U) or Specialised (40S, 42S)
  • GAOKAO 60% in best 4 academic subjects.<br>GAOKAO score converted to percentage using Chinese, English/Foreign Language, Mathematics and one other subject (excluding Technology). Percent is the [sum of scores attained for the four units] / [sum of maximum grades for the four units].
  • Senior High School Certificate/Diploma and Korean College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CSAT) aggregate level of 12 from Language Arts, Mathematics and Foreign Language (English).  
  • Year 12 with an overall grade average of 7.5 (on a 10-point scale) from all Year 12 subjects and an overall passing grade in Bang Tot Nghiep Trung Hoc Pho Thong.
  • Senior High School Diploma (Academic) with final year overall average pass and AST 60% (5 subjects).
  • Senior High School Diploma (Academic) with final year overall average pass and GSAT 60% (4 subjects).
  • Senior High School Diploma (Academic Senior III)  with final year overall percentage average of 90%.
  • Diploma or Advanced Diploma with an overall grade average of 2 on a 4 point scale from Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Republic, Singapore or Temasek Polytechnic.
  • An aggregate score of 8 from Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education H2 Level and H1 Level subjects including at least two H2 Level pass subjects.<br><br>Aggregate is calculated based on the best three H2 Levels.  H1 Levels can be included and are counted as half of H2 Level.<br>A=5; B=4; C=3; D=2; E=1 for H2 Level;<br>A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5 for H1 Level.<br>General Paper is not included in the calculation.<br>Bonus aggregate points are applied for ONE H3 Level pass as: Distinction=2, Merit=1.5, Pass=1.
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) with average of 4.6 over best five subjects in final year (excluding Life Orientation); where 7=80-100%; 6=70-79%; 5=60-69%; 4=50-59%; 3=40-49%; 2=30-39%; 1=0-29.
  • Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education ('Advanced' Level) with aggregate score of 8 over best three A Level subjects excluding General Paper/English where A=5, B=4, C=3, S=0.
  • Högskoleförberedande examen with an overall grade average of 14 out of 20; where A=20, B=17.5, C=15, D=12.5, E=10, F=0.
  • Certificate of Secondary Education in Academic stream with overall grade point average 2.7 or higher in Grade 12/Matayom 6
  • Advanced Placements (APs)<br>High School Diploma with completion of 12 years of schooling and an aggregate of 9 in Advanced Placements (APs) subjects.<br> <br>A minimum of two and a maximum of four APs may be used. Aggregate determined where: A=5, B=4, C=3 (Pass), D=2, E=1. Where more than four APs have been taken,  best four results are used.<br> <br>AP results must be issued by The College Board Advanced Placement Program.
  • SAT-I* and High School Diploma (HSD)<br>SAT 1 of 1100 (out of 1600) and Senior High School Diploma.<br> <br>Nominate your score report to be sent to QUT using the Designated Institution (DI) code is 7971 - Queensland University of Technology.<br>*Composite SAT-1 Score since March 2016
  • Enhanced ACT* and USA High School Diploma (HSD)<br>ACT 24 and USA High School Diploma.<br> <br>Nominate your score report to be sent to QUT using the College Code 5437 - Queensland University of Technology.
  • Aggregate score of 6 from best three Scottish Advanced Highers where A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2.
  • Aggregate score of 2 from best 8 Scottish Highers Examinations where A=4; B=3; C=2; D=1.
  • United Examination Certificate for Independent Chinese Secondary Schools (UEC) with grade average of 4.4 from five major subjects (excluding Chinese, Malay, PE); where A1=1; A2=2; B3=3; B4=4; B5=5; B6=6; C7=7; C8=8; F9=Fail.
  • Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) (Malaysian Higher School Certificate Examination) with an aggregate score of 8 over the best three A Level subjects (excluding General Paper) where:<br>A/A-=5; B+=4; B=3; B-/C+=2; C=1; less than C=0.
  • Matrikulasi (Matriculation) with overall grade point average of 2.75 on 4-point scale.
  • Diploma of Pre-University Education (VWO) Voorbereidend Wetenschappellijk Onderwijs with grade average of 6.4 in final year.
  • A certified copy of your Record of Achievement issued by the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) confirming you have qualified for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (Level 3) and meet the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR/ITI) equivalent for the course. Please refer to the Guide to entry thresholds https://www.qut.edu.au/study/applying/international-year-12-students/queensland-op-atar-and-ib-acceptance-thresholds<br><br>The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) calculates an Interstate Transfer Index (ATAR/ ITI), you must authorised your information to be released to us, so we can verify your ATAR/ITI online. The ATAR/ITI will not be released to you, NZQA will provide the score to us.
  • Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate with grade point average of 3.6 on the 6-point scale in final year.
  • Pre-Engineering & Pre-Medical stream - Higher Secondary Education Certificate (HSSC) or Intermediate Examination Certificate with an overall average of 65%.
  • SAT 1 of 1100 (out of 1600) and Senior High School Diploma.<br> <br>Nominate your score report to be sent to QUT using the Designated Institution (DI) code is 7971 - Queensland University of Technology.<br>*Composite SAT-1 Score since March 2016
  • Grade 12 Senior High School Diploma in an Academic Track from a PAASCU accredited Secondary Education or Senior High School program with an overall average of 90%.

I completed secondary school in Australia

If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

Minimum English language requirements

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.

Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.

UTS (University of Technology Sydney) Insearch - Academic English

English program.

Academic English 5 (AE5) program with a final overall grade of PASS or higher completed within one year of starting at QUT.

Bachelor studies

Higher education.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor from RMIT Vietnam, completed within two years of starting at QUT.

A completed bachelor degree (or higher) with a minimum of 1 year full-time studies with a passing grade point average from RMIT Vietnam, completed within five years of starting at QUT.

USA High School Diploma - completed in the USA or at an overseas American International School

Senior secondary.

USA High School Diploma completed in an approved English Speaking country with a grade of C or better in Grade 12 English.<br> <br>USA High School Diploma completed in a non-English Speaking country with a grade of C or better in Grade 12 English and SAT score of at least 640 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing within the last five years.

Post Secondary

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a recognised in a Diploma or Associate degree an accredited USA institution, with all prior schooling/studies in an approved English speaking country.<br> <br>1 year full-time on-campus studies with passing grade point average in a recognised Diploma or Associate degree an at an accredited USA institution. These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in a non- English Speaking country.

Bachelor or higher

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a recognised Bachelor or higher program at an accredited USA institution, with all prior schooling/studies in an approved English speaking country.<br> <br>1 year full-time on-campus studies with passing grade point average in a recognised Bachelor or higher program at an accredited USA institution. These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in a non- English Speaking country.

Advanced Placement (AP)

A grade of 3 or higher in AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition.

Bachelor or Higher

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised Danish institution, with all prior schooling/studies in Denmark. Diploma Supplement or an official letter from home institution stating English as the language of instruction.

Danish Studentereksamen(Upper Secondary School Diploma)

7 in A-level English OR 10 in B-level English completed within five years of starting at QUT.

General Certificate of Education (GCE)

English Language, English Literature or English Lanague and Literature with a minimum grade of C or an A2 level in a humanities subject with a minimum grade of C or A2 grade of C in General Paper.<br> <br>Qualifications issued by: Pearson/Edexcel; Cambridge/CIE; AQA; OxfordAQA; CEA; OCR; WJEC.

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) O level / International GCSE (IGCSE)

O Level: Minimum grade C or 5 in English, English Language, English (First Language), English as a Second Language or English Literature.<br> <br>Qualifications issued by: Pearson/Edexcel; Cambridge/CIE; AQA; CEA; OCR; WJEC.

Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation

TAFE Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation subjects studied in Australia: with both Language and Learning units (ATPALS401A Research, plan and present academic essays, reports and reflections, and ATPALS402A Write academically to persuade/ argue and critically analyse, and present academic speeches) completed within two years of starting at QUT.

QUT Intensive Program

QUT Intensive Program with Academic English 2 grade of 5 (on a 7 point scale).

On-campus Bachelor or higher program studies with an overall passing grade point average at a recognised Australian institution (the duration of studies must be 1 year or more full-time), with all prior schooling/studies in an approved English speaking country. <br> <br>On-campus Bachelor or higher program studies with an overall passing grade point average at a recognised Australian institution (the duration of studies must be 1 year or more full-time). These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in a non- English Speaking country.

Diploma programs

AQF Diploma award of 1 full-time year equivalent studies undertaken at an Australian University, University college or TAFE institution. These studies must be successful with a passing grade point average and must be completed in Australia in on-campus mode within two years of starting at QUT.

QUT Foundation program

QUT Foundation Program with Academic English 2 grade of 5 (on a 7 point scale).

Australian University Foundation Programs

Foundation program with final semester English and communication subject(s) with a grade of 5 (on a 7 point scale) . Studies must be on-campus in Australia and completed within 2 years of starting at QUT.

QUT English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

QC36 English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 2 Standard or QC37 English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 2 Extended with 65% completed within one year of starting this course at QUT.

QUT Diploma

QUT Diploma program with a grade of 4.0 (out of 7) in the unit Professional Communication 2/Academic Communication 2; completed within two years of starting this course at QUT.

Australian senior high school - completed in Australia or overseas at an International School

Queensland High School with a minimum grade of C in Unit 3 and 4 in English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language, within five years of starting at QUT.<br>

Advanced Diploma and Associate Degrees

AQF Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree award of 1 full-time year equivalent studies undertaken at an Australian University, University college or TAFE institution. These studies must be successful with a passing grade point average and must be completed in Australia in on-campus mode within two years of starting at QUT.

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD)

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD) completed 2 year program with achievement in one of the following subjects with grade of 3 (higher level) or 4 (standard level)<br>English A: Language and Literature<br>English A: Literature<br>English B.<br>Completed within five years of starting at QUT..

All India Senior School Certificate awarded by CBSE

65% in English Core subject completed within five years of starting at QUT.

Indian School Certificate awarded by CISCE

Higher diploma or associate degree.

Higher Diploma or Associate degree (minimum of 1 year full-time on-campus studies) at a recognised Hong Kong institution with: <br>a passing grade point average and these studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT; and<br>an official language of instruction letter is required if the academic transcripts doesn't clearly state English is the Language of Instruction; and<br>evidence of minimum HKDSE Level 2 overall in the English Language.

1 year full-time on-campus studies in a Bachelor or higher program at a recognised Hong Kong institution with: <br>a passing grade point average and these studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT; and<br>an official language of instruction letter is required if the academic transcripts doesn't clearly state English is the Language of Instruction; and<br>evidence of minimum HKDSE Level 2 overall in English Language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Level 4 overall in English Language subject completed within two years of starting at QUT.

Diploma Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs (Dutch HAVO) Getuigschrift (from a Hogere Burgerschool) Dutch HAVO

A grade of 8 or better in final year English completed within five years of starting at QUT.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised institution in Netherlands completed within five years of starting at QUT, with all prior schooling/studies in Netherlands. Diploma Supplement or an official letter from home institution stating English as the language of instruction.

Diploma of Pre-University Education (VWO) Voorbereidend Wetenschappellijk Onderwijs

A grade of 7 or better in final year English completed within five years of starting at QUT.

Ylioppilastutkintotodistu/Lukion päättötoditus

Ylioppilastutkintotodistu: score of 4 in English subject in final year of secondary school completed within five years of starting at QUT.<br> <br>Lukion päättötoditus: at least a grade 8 English A in final year of secondary school completed within five years of starting at QUT.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised Finnish institution completed within five years of starting at QUT, and a pass in English subject from Finnish High School. Diploma Supplement or an official letter from home institution stating English as the language of instruction.

A Level: English Language, English Literature or English Language and Literature with a minimum grade of C. GCE A level in a humanities subject with a minimum grade of C.<br> <br>AS Level: English Language, English Literature, English Language and Literature or General Paper/General Studies with a minimum grade of C.<br> <br>Qualifications issued by: Pearson/Edexcel; Cambridge/CIE; AQA; OxfordAQA; CEA; OCR; WJEC.

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD) completed 2 year program with achievement in one of the following subjects with grade of 3 (higher level) or 4 (standard level)<br>English A: Language and Literature<br>English A: Literature<br>English B.<br>Completed within five years of starting at QUT.

O Level: Minimum grade C or 5 in English, English Language, English (First Language), English as a Second Language or English Literature.<br> <br>Qualifications issued by: Pearson/Edexcel; Cambridge/CIE; AQA; OxfordAQA; CEA; OCR; WJEC.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised German institution, with all prior schooling/studies in Germany.

Abitur - Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife

Grade of 3 in English within five years of starting at QUT.

DAAD English Language Certificate

B2 (4 star in all bands) within five years of starting at QUT.

South African National Senior Certificate (NSC):

A grade of Achievement Level 5 or 60% in English Home Language or English First Additional Language

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised South African institution, with all prior schooling/studies in an approved English speaking country.<br> <br>1 year full-time oncampus studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised South African institution. These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in a non- English Speaking country.

Vitnemal For Videregaende Opplaering (Certificate for Upper Secondary Education and Training)

Grade of 4 or better in English in any year of Vitnemal fra den videregaende skolen (Upper Secondary Education - Grade 11,12,13) completed within five years of starting at QUT.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised Norwegian institution, with all prior schooling/studies in Norway.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised Swedish institution, with all prior schooling/studies in Sweden.

Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg / Examensbevis yrkesexamen or Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskola/ Högskoleförberedande examen

C in English 5 within five years of starting at QUT.<br> <br>Pass in English 6 or English 7 completed within five years of starting at QUT.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised English institution, with all prior schooling/studies in an approved English speaking country.<br> <br>1 year full-time on-campus studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised English institution. These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in a non- English Speaking country.

Brunei - Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level

A Level: English Language, English Literature or English Lanague and Literature with a minimum grade of C. GCE A level in a humanities subject with a minimum grade of C.<br> <br>AS Level: English Language, English Literature, English Lanague and Literature or General Paper/General Studies with a minimum grade of C.

Brunei - Cambridge General Certificate of Education O Level

O Level: Minimum grade C or 5 in English, English Language, English (First Language), English as a Second Language or English Literature.

Matriculation Examination -Stúdentspróf

A grade of 6.0 in English completed within five years of starting at QUT.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised institution in Iceland completed within five years of starting at QUT, and a pass in English subject from Studentsprof. Diploma Supplement or an official letter from home institution stating English as the language of instruction.

New Zealand National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA)

18 credits at NCEA Level 3 English and completed within five years of starting at QUT.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised New Zealand institution, with all prior schooling/studies in an approved English speaking country.<br> <br>1 year full-time oncampus studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised New Zealand institution. These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in non- English Speaking country.

On-campus Bachelor or higher studies with an overall passing grade point average at a recognised Papua New Guinean institution (the duration of studies must be 1 year or more full-time) within the last five years.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised Irish institution, with all prior schooling/studies in an approved English speaking country.<br> <br>1 year full-time oncampus studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised Irish institution. These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in non- English Speaking country.

Irish Leaving Certificate Scrúdú Cruthaithe na hArdteistiméireachta

English Language Higher with a grade of D1 (prior to 2017) or grade of 4 (from 2017).

Singapore - Cambridge General Certificate of Education OLevel

C5 in English Language.

Singapore - Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level

Singapore - Cambridge H2 Level: English Language and Linguistics or Literature in English or Knowledge and Inquiry subject or approved humanities subject with a minimum grade of C. <br> <br>Singapore - Cambridge H1 Level: A grade of C in General Paper.

Diploma from Singapore Polytechnics

Post secondary.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Diploma program at a recognised Singapore Polytechnic, with all prior schooling/studies in Singapore.<br> <br>1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Diploma program at a recognised Singapore Polytechnic. These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in a non-English Speaking country.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor program at a recongised Singapore institution, with all prior schooling/studies in Singapore.<br> <br>1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor program at a recongised Singapore institution. These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in a non-English Speaking country.

Canadian High School Diploma - completed in Canada or at an overseas International School

Alberta High School Diploma with a grade of 60% or better in an English Level 30 Provincial Diploma Exam completed within five years of starting at QUT.<br> <br>British Columbia Senior Secondary School Graduation Diploma with a grade of 60% or better in English 12 or English Studies 12 completed within five years of starting at QUT.<br> <br>Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a grade of 60% or better in English at Grade 12 Level (i.e. ENG4U or ENG4C) completed within five years of starting at QUT.

1 year full-time studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised Canadian institution, with all prior schooling/studies in an approved English speaking country.<br> <br>1 year full-time on-campus studies with passing grade point average in a Bachelor or higher program from a recognised Canadian institution. These studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT, if all prior schooling/studies were studied in a non- English Speaking country.

1 year full-time on-campus Bachelor studies at a recognised Malaysian institution with: <br>a passing grade point average and these studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT; and<br>an official language of instruction letter is required if the academic and transcripts doesn't clearly state English is the Language of Instruction; and<br>evidence of a pass in the English subject in a recongised high school qualification: SPM, STPM, UEC, A levels and O levels or equivalent.

1119 (GCE-O) English

1119 (GCE-O) English with a grade 5C.

STPM: Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia

C pass in 920 English or humanities subject.

A completed recognised Diploma (minimum of 1 year full-time on-campus studies) at a recognised Malaysian institution with: <br>a passing grade point average and these studies must have been completed within five years of starting at QUT; and<br>an official language of instruction letter is required if the academic and transcripts doesn't clearly state English is the Language of Instruction; and<br>evidence of a pass in the English subject in a recognised high school qualification: SPM, STPM, UEC, A levels and O levels or equivalent.

We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.

Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!

We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.

When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.

Applying for this course

qut phd creative writing

Applicants with recent secondary education

qut phd creative writing

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

qut phd creative writing

Applicants with higher education study

qut phd creative writing

Applicants with work and life experience

Find out more if you are an international applicant

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.

2025: CSP fees available from September

2025: Available from July

2024: CSP $12,100 per year full-time (96 credit points)

2024: $34,300 per year full-time (96 credit points)

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Find out more about undergraduate course fees

HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

Find out more about government loans

Scholarships

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

Browse all scholarships

QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)

QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.

Equity scholarships scheme

Qut elite sport scholarship, international merit scholarship, qut real world international scholarship.

A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.

You may also be eligible for

Centrelink payments

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Applying guide

When you're preparing your application, make sure you have all the important information. This includes understanding the entry requirements, and checking if you're eligible for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply

You'll need to know this course's QTAC code when you apply through QTAC.

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If you're ready for the next step, apply online today.

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today or contact our MBA Program Manager (07) 3138 7731 or [email protected]

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today or contact our MBA Program Manager (07) 3138 7731 (Brisbane), (02) 6198 3098 (Canberra), [email protected]

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  • Study with UniSQ
  • Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing)

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  • Springfield
  • 3 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
  • Jan, May, Sep

Career outcomes

Entry requirements, degree structure, fees and scholarships.

  • The Creative Writing major provides you with an understanding of the practice of creative writing, as well as introduce you to the ideas, theories, and philosophies that inform professional writers and the writing industry. 
  • Experiment with diverse forms, genres, and styles of writing and learn how to conceive, write, edit, and proofread your work to a publishable standard.
  • Learn to think critically about how, why, where and when we write about experiences, landscapes or people; how to write creatively and critically; and how to produce compelling, professional narratives in both fiction and non-fiction. 
  • You will join a vibrant and active online and on-campus community that will connect you with local and national writing communities.

Industry partners

You will work collaboratively with other emerging and established writers, editors, and publishers to produce online and print publications. You will also be exposed to industry opportunities such as internships and volunteer positions, writers’ panels and festivals, and other literary events.

Further study

Extend your study in Creative Writing in UniSQ's  Graduate Certificate of Editing and Publishing , the Bachelor of Arts (Honours)  or Master of Research .

  • Graduates are equipped for various roles across the creative and communications industries, as freelancers, or in corporate and community sectors such as arts, business, communications, law, education, and the media.
  • Careers may include professional writer (fiction, non-fiction, or poetry), editor, publisher, travel writer, script writer, reviewer, corporate writer, game writer, workshop facilitator/teaches, media worker, digital copywriter, and the like.

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

Recent secondary education

Pre-requisites.

To study this degree we assume you have sound knowledge in:

  • English (Units 3 & 4, C) 

We assume that your knowledge is equivalent to a grade C or higher in Units 3 and 4 at high school level (typically studied in Year 12). Find out more about assumed knowledge .

Further admission information

Adjustments are additional points given in certain circumstances that may increase your Rank. Find out if you qualify for any  adjustment factor pathways  such as educational disadvantage where you live, and subjects you passed.

UniSQ is committed to greater admissions transparency. Learn more about the education and work experience, as well as average Ranks for this degrees' student cohort from the previous year.

Tafe (VET) qualification

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE  or qualified private provider, you may be able to use these qualifications to meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience  and other adjustment factors  to increase your selection rank and meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements  and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent . If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program .

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning  if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

  • Diploma of Arts
  • Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Tertiary Preparation Pathway

If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent you may be eligible to enter the Indigenous Higher Education Pathways Program (IHEPP) .

To complete this degree students must complete 24 units.

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.  

Other majors

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  • English Literature
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • First Nations Australia
  • International Relations
  • Legal Studies
  • Physiology & Human Movement
  • Social Justice & Entrepreneurship
  • Visual Arts Curation

Double degrees

  • Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business
  • Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws
  • Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs 1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2024. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees  as part of your course costs.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level.  Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP .

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink .

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship  that works for you.

How to apply

Apply via qtac.

Apply via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) if you:

  • have never studied with UniSQ before, or
  • are a Year 12 student, or
  • want to transfer to UniSQ from another university.

Copy your QTAC code and continue through to the QTAC website to complete your application.

If you are applying via QTAC, please check our application closing dates .

Apply directly to UniSQ

You may be able to apply directly to UniSQ if you:

  • are a current or previous UniSQ student returning to study with complete or incomplete qualifications (excluding Head Start students), or
  • have recently graduated from TAFE.

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

More information on applying  key dates  is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Got questions?

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

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    How to apply. You can apply for a research degree via our online application form. First you'll need to: complete your research proposal. Then you can submit your expression of interest (EOI) via the online form. If successful, you'll receive an invitation to submit your final application. It usually takes between 6 to 8 weeks from submitting ...

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    QUT offers three presentation options for the PhD thesis: Traditional Monograph; Thesis by Publication; Thesis by Creative works. Details and guidelines can be found on the Writing a thesis page.. Your faculty will be able to provide you with guidance on acceptable presentation options for Professional Doctorate and Masters students.

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  6. Moscow City Teachers' Training University

    Moscow City Teachers' Training University (Russian: Московский городской педагогический университет) is a public university located in Moscow, Russia. It was founded in 1995. History. In 1993, the Moscow Department of Education proposed to the Russian Ministry of Education a project to create a pedagogical university on the basis of several ...

  7. Creative Writing PhD

    Research profile. The PhD in Creative Writing offers committed and talented writers the opportunity to study Creative Writing at the highest level. Supported by an expert supervisory team you will work independently towards the production of a substantial, publishable piece of creative writing, accompanied by a sustained exercise in critical ...

  8. PhD Creative Writing

    A rigorous program that combines creative writing and literary studies, the Ph.D. in Creative Writing prepares graduates for both scholarly and creative publication and teaching. With faculty guidance, students admitted to the Ph.D. program may tailor their programs to their goals and interests. The creative writing faculty at KU has been ...

  9. Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing)

    You can also take complementary studies from creative industries or other faculties across the university. This course is covered by the QUT Offer Guarantee and Year 12 Early Offer Scheme. For more course information, visit Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing) at QUT.

  10. Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing)

    students and our research programs have a global impact. QUT actively engages with business representatives and industry professionals who contribute to course development and lend practical perspectives to students' theoretical education. QUT's undergraduate and postgraduate study options include: Business; Creative industries; Education ...

  11. Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing) / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

    This double degree prepares you to work as a professional creative writer, as a barrister or solicitor in private practice, or to practise with large companies, in government agencies, or as a policy adviser. Through the combination of creative writing with law, you will enhance your employability in your chosen field, whether in the legal ...

  12. Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing) / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

    Combine writing skills and law for roles such as an in-house lawyer, solicitor in private practice, policy adviser, intellectual property lawyer, or crime writer. This double degree prepares you to work as a professional creative writer, as a barrister or solicitor in private practice, or to practise with large companies, in government agencies, or as a policy adviser. Through the combination ...

  13. QUT

    Writers, storytellers and experts with nuanced and creative language are needed to provoke, entertain and connect to audiences in expanding ways. QUT offers the largest and most comprehensive undergraduate writing course in South-East Queensland with the broadest range of units on offer. Within the BFA structure, you gain the deepest possible ...

  14. Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing)

    The Creative Writing major provides you with an understanding of the practice of creative writing, as well as introduce you to the ideas, theories, and philosophies that inform professional writers and the writing industry. Experiment with diverse forms, genres, and styles of writing and learn how to conceive, write, edit, and proofread your ...

  15. Katherine Guseva

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  17. Study Master's degrees in Moscow, Russia

    Moscow has long, cold winters usually lasting from November to the end of March. Temperatures can fluctuate between the city centre and the suburbs between 5-10°C (41-50°F). Heat waves may occur during summer. Average low temperatures are -10°C (15°F) in February, while average highs reach 24°C (76°F) in July. Study a Master's degree in ...