Modern writing essentials, inspirational learning
Duration Our courses are designed to be studied part-time, so you can expect to spend around 20 hours per week on your studies.
Study Intakes You can begin studying at the start of any Study Period, which means you have six opportunities throughout the year to get started.
Units You will study one unit at a time over each seven week Study Period, instead of multiple units per semester. We offer six Study Periods per year, so you can study up to six units per year.
Fees These are the total fees for the course, which are subject to change. FEE-HELP are government loans which can help eligible students pay for their postgraduate study.Leave your details and we will call you back with information on your preferred program.
The Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing is designed to introduce students to fundamental principles and practices of modern creative writing.
It provides a condensed exploration of creative writing skills, empowering students to develop their writing abilities and express themselves effectively.
After completing your Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing, you can continue your studies to gain a Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing to refine your storytelling and literary finesse and a full Master of Creative Writing to master the art of storytelling.
*Duration depends on individual study path and unit availability. Please speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor for advice.
For more information about our fast-tracked master degree, contact one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 707 760 or request a call-back.
Don't just take our word for it, read the written works of our most notable staff and alumni, and feel inspired.
Images sourced from Amazon Australia.
The Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing is designed for students seeking to improve their writing skills.
You will gain an understanding of contemporary writing principles and practices, enabling you to develop as a proficient writer.
The online Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing consists of 3 units from a pool of 5.
Writing Fiction
Writing Realities
Writing for Performance
Writing and Audience
Editing and Publishing
To gain entry to the Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing, applicants must have:
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline; or
Equivalent prior learning, including at least five years of relevant professional experience; or
Students must submit a full-length publication (book), or a portfolio of creative works published in literary journals, online or in print. For example, short stories or essays or poems which constitute the equivalent of a full-length publication, or minimum 40,000 words of prose/100 pages of poetry. This excludes all self-published works.
For more information about our fast-tracked master degree, contact one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 707 760 or request a call-back.
Donna Mazza
Associate Professor
Donna, a notable fiction writer and researcher, specialises in environmental and feminist speculative fiction. Her recent novel "Fauna" (2020) was shortlisted for Aurealis Best Science Fiction Novel. She's the author of "The Albanian" (2007), winning the TAG Hungerford Award. Donna is a prominent figure in conferences, festivals, and radio discussions, while also contributing to public art projects.
Dr. Aksel Dadswell
Lecturer
Aksel Dadswell is an award-winning West Australian horror and weird fiction writer. Holding a PhD in creative writing, his work explores race and belonging, featured in anthologies like "Test Patterns: Creature Features" (2018) and "Hymns of Abomination: Secret Songs of Leeds" (2021).
To find out more about our teaching team download the course guide.
The cost of our Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing is $11,700* for all 3 units.
To assist with some or all of your tuition fees, FEE-HELP is available for eligible students. This government-supported loan scheme is designed to help eligible full-fee paying students pay their postgraduate tuition fees.
To find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP, you can contact one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 707 760.
*2026 student fees are shown and are subject to change.
Our Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing comprises 6 units and is a great option for students looking to enhance their writing skills through the application of modern principles and practices and apply these new skills to reach their creative and professional goals. Our Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing comprises 3 units and provides students with a foundational understanding of the techniques of creative writing practice.
If you do not have an undergraduate degree, you may be eligible for the Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing if you have equivalent prior learning, including at least two years of relevant professional experience or you arrange with ECU Online to submit a piece of published work. To find out more we recommend contacting our Student Enrolment Advisors to provide a tailored assessment of your eligibility.
At ECU Online we understand that everyone has different work arrangements, family responsibilities, locations and learning styles. This is why our postgraduate courses are offered 100% online, so you can balance your study with other commitments. As an ECU Online student, you will have access to academic and non-academic support.
Our accelerated online courses are developed by industry experts and engaged academics. You can easily connect with learning facilitators and course coordinators through our easy-to-use online learning environment to gain feedback and ask academic questions. You can also reach out to a Learning Advisor who can help with things like assessment writing, study skills and more.
You will have a dedicated Student Success Advisor available to you from when you start studying through to graduation. They will be available to provide non-academic support, such as assistance with scheduling time to study and more.
As an ECU online student, you also have access to all the support offered by ECU, both on-campus and online:
No, the Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing is 100% online and does not include any on-campus components. We have designed this course to be flexible so you can tailor your studies to fit your lifestyle.
Yes, creative writing can lead to professional opportunities such as publishing, content creation, freelance writing, or scriptwriting. While income varies depending on experience, market demand, and genre, completing structured creative writing courses online can improve skills, credibility, and professional networks, enhancing opportunities to earn from writing. The ECU Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing Online offers practical, structured learning in storytelling, editing and narrative craft, with a strong focus on creative development and mentorship. Students build foundational writing skills across fiction, genre writing and poetry, while exploring themes of empathy, environment and nature that inform compelling contemporary stories. Supported by experienced writing mentors and a welcoming creative community, the course is designed to help emerging writers develop confidence, refine their voice and take the first steps toward professional writing opportunities.
Creative writing focuses on storytelling, literary expression, and imaginative content, often for artistic or entertainment purposes. Copywriting is commercially driven, aiming to persuade or market products and services. Both require strong writing skills, but the intent, techniques, and outcomes differ. The ECU Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing Online develops advanced creative skills, enabling students to excel in narrative development and storytelling.
A graduate certificate is a shorter postgraduate qualification, typically three units, providing foundational knowledge and skills in a specific area. A graduate diploma is more extensive, often six units, offering broader study and deeper development. Graduate diplomas also provide a stronger pathway to a master’s degree. The ECU Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing Online offers a focused, three-unit program that can serve as a stepping stone to a Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing or the Master of Creative Writing Online.
Graduate certificates typically consist of three to four units. The ECU Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing Online is structured as a three-unit program, delivered one unit at a time over seven-week study periods, offering flexibility for part-time study. .
Yes, a graduate certificate in creative writing is a practical way to develop writing skills, explore storytelling techniques, and enhance career opportunities. It can also serve as a pathway to higher postgraduate study. The ECU Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing Online provides structured, accelerated online learning that equips students with essential creative writing skills for professional or personal development. .
Our Student Enrolment Advisors are ready to answer your questions.
Send us an email or schedule a call-back at a time that best suits you.
When Donna Fisher first landed in Australia from the North East of England, she had no idea that two decades working for the NSW Government would ultimately lead her back to
