Passionate about writing? Refine your storytelling skills.
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.
Whether you aspire to elevate your writing capabilities or embark on a writing-focused career, this Diploma equips you with the essential tools to excel in the realm of creative storytelling.
With the Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing, you can choose to explore six pivotal units within the course structure provided to equip you with indispensable skills needed to craft compelling narratives.
After completing your Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing, you can continue your studies to gain a Master of Creative Writing to refine your storytelling and literary finesse and reach audiences across various mediums.
*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 Diploma of Creative Writing is for students looking to enhance their writing skills. Students will learn modern writing principles and practices - empowering them to thrive as skilled wordsmiths.
The online Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing consists of 6 units from a pool of 8.
Writing Fiction
Writing Realities
Writing for Performance
Writing and Audience
Editing and Publishing
Writing for the Planet’s Future
Writing and Empathy
Writing Fiction that Scares and Unsettles
To gain entry to the Graduate Diploma 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 Diploma of Creative Writing is $23,400* for all 6 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 Diploma 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.
After successfully completing your Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing, you can continue your studies by pursuing a Master of Creative Writing. Alternatively, you can apply the skills you gain from this postgraduate diploma to advance your current career or open the door to new opportunities in content creation management and editing, brand storytelling and as a writer for media, advertising, not-for-profit sectors or in pursuit of your personal writing goals.
Whether a Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing is worth pursuing depends on your personal and professional goals. It’s important to consider:
The Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing offers a unique platform to showcase advanced writing prowess, cultivate the essential skills for successful publication, and craft captivating written material. Graduates can unlock pathways to elevated roles in writing and editing within their selected domains.
Through the Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing, students can refine their creative voices, communication expertise, and purpose-driven strategies. Graduates often find a deeper connection with their personal goals and are equipped to integrate their passions into their careers, fostering positive change and personal fulfillment.
In addition to gaining a comprehensive understanding of various writing techniques, students learn to creatively apply them to achieve their own unique career and personal objectives. They become adept at crafting impactful messages that resonate with diverse audiences while addressing the broader needs and values of the community.
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 Diploma 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 be a source of income through publishing novels, short stories, scripts, or freelance writing projects. While income may vary depending on experience, genre, and audience, completing a graduate diploma or related creative writing courses online can enhance skills, credibility, and professional networks, increasing opportunities for paid work. The ECU Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing Online provides practical, structured training in storytelling, editing and narrative craft, with a strong emphasis on mentorship and creative development. Students build professional writing skills across fiction, genre writing, poetry and other contemporary forms, while exploring themes of empathy, environment and nature that shape meaningful, socially aware storytelling. Guided by experienced writing mentors, students develop their voice within a supportive creative community designed to nurture confidence, connection and career readiness. The Graduate Diploma also offers a clear pathway to further study, articulating into the Master of Creative Writing for those who wish to deepen their practice.
Creative writing focuses on imaginative storytelling, literary expression, and narrative craft, often for artistic or entertainment purposes. Copywriting, on the other hand, is commercially driven, aiming to persuade or market products and services. Both require strong writing skills, but the intent and techniques differ. The ECU Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing Online develops advanced creative skills, enabling students to excel in narrative development and storytelling, which can complement professional writing roles alongside copywriting.
A graduate certificate is a shorter postgraduate qualification, typically 3-4 units, offering foundational knowledge and practical skills in a specific field. A graduate diploma is more extensive, often 6 units, providing deeper study, broader skill development, and a stronger pathway to a master’s program. The ECU Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing Online offers an accelerated, 6-unit structure that provides a more comprehensive development of creative writing skills than a graduate certificate, while still being flexible for part-time study.
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
