Duration 
Study Intakes 
Units 
2024 Fees 
Course overview
Do you have a story to tell?
We have crafted an inspiring and intuitive Master of Creative Writing to nurture our writers and fuel their creativity.
Through immersive learning experiences, our graduates undergo significant professional development to emerge as confident and well-rounded writers, ready to make their mark in a range of creative pursuits.
*Duration depends on individual study path and unit availability. Please speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor for advice.
Why study a Master of Creative Writing with ECU Online?
Taught by top industry experts
Learning is led by accomplished authors who bring real-world publishing experience to the classroom. Gain invaluable insights, personalised feedback, and practical tips to elevate your writing to professional levels and turn your passion for writing into a successful and fulfilling career.-
Contemporary skill development
Our graduates are well-versed in the latest trends and techniques of creative writing, embracing the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of contemporary literature. -
Publication-ready work
Armed with a deep understanding of published forms, our graduates produce compelling and polished work, ready for submission to literary magazines, publishing houses, and other platforms.
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.
Learning outcomes
ECU’s Online Master of Creative Writing empowers aspiring writers to hone their skills and make a profound impact through innovative storytelling and literary finesse, reaching audiences across various mediums.
Craft compelling stories
- Refine and enhance your proficiency in the realm of fiction.
- Explore the appeal and nuance of various genres from Gothic Literature to Science Fiction.
- With the guidance of industry experts, you'll uncover the secrets to crafting stories that elicit powerful emotions and leave a lasting impact.
Refine your writing mastery
- Invigorate your writing craft and ignite a passion for creative expression.
- Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and artistic growth.
- Discover the art of originating new ideas and cultivating a wellspring of inspiration to fuel your imagination and breathe life into your written work.
Whether you seek to refine your creative prowess or transition into a fulfilling writing career, our Master of Creative Writing equips you with the tools to excel in the dynamic and ever-evolving realm of storytelling.
What you will study
The Master of Creative Writing consists of 12 units.
Students completing the 12-unit master’s will complete all below units, whereas students eligible to fast-track their master’s degree will complete only nine units (see entry criteria).
For more information and learning outcomes of each unit, download your course guide below.
Units you will study:
Writing Fiction
- This unit introduces the fundamentals of writing fiction through reading a range of short stories.
Writing Realities
- This unit explores writing based on actual events, including history, biography, true crime and stories of place and family.
Writing for Performance
- This unit introduces skills for writing drama or monologue for performance.
Writing and Audience
- This unit cultivates a writer's understanding of their work with consideration of genre and readership, including online audiences.
Editing and Publishing
- This unit explores the business of writing, editing, and publishing, including processes and workflow for professional editing, seeking publication, and presenting the professional author platform.
Writing for the Planet’s Future
- This unit takes an ecocritical approach to writing about place and environment in the production of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
Writing and Empathy
- This unit explores the core practice of writing and embodiment - including writing about love and characters outside our own viewpoint.
Writing Fiction that Scares and Unsettles
- This unit explores the darker aspects of fiction including genres such as horror and gothic, as well as thematic concerns like violence, trauma and conflict.
Writing Project Research and Development
- In this unit students initiate, plan, and develop a writing project which is of a significant scope.
Writing Project Resolve and Reflect
- In this unit students continue and complete the project initiated in the first Writing Project unit and create a podcast to get a feel for presenting their work to a future audience.
- Managing People and Organisations
- Marketing for Leaders
- Financial Performance, Accountability and Risk
- Data Analytics and Organisational Decision Making
- Strategic Management and International Competitiveness
- Responsible Management
- Managing Change
- Transformative Leadership
- Business Innovation Project
Entry criteria
Master of Creative Writing admission requirements:
To gain entry to the online Master 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 piece of published work.
Fast-track your Master of Creative Writing:
Eligible students can fast-track their Master of Creative Writing and complete their degree in only nine units*. To gain entry to the fast-tracked master's degree, applicants must have:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in English, Journalism, Communications, Writing or Creative Writing, Secondary English Teaching or similar (as assessed by ECU)^.
*To gain entry to the fast-track master’s, students must apply after they accept the offer for the 12-unit master's. Applications for the fast-tracked master degree are subject to ECU’s assessment.
^Bachelor degree or higher must be completed within the last 10 years.
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.
Meet the teaching team
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.
Fees and FEE-HELP
The cost of our Master of Creative Writing is $43,200* for all 12 units.
The cost of our Master of Creative Writing (Fast-Track) is $32,400* for nine 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.
*2024 student fees are shown and are subject to change.
The ECU Master of Creative Writing is for individuals looking to enhance their writing skills, with a focus on contemporary practice and published forms. It will provide opportunities to cultivate a deeper understanding of writing principles and practices in a supportive environment.
Whether a Master of Creative Writing is worth pursuing depends on your personal and professional goals. It’s important to consider:
- Career Aspirations:
The Master 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.
- Personal Growth:
Through the Master 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.
- Versatile Skills:
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.
With a Master of Creative Writing, you can unleash your imagination, refine your skills, and embark on a journey that will forever change the way you perceive the world - and the way the world receives your stories.
Some job roles that you may consider, but are not limited to, include:
- Published author
- Literary agent
- Content Manager
- Senior Content Writer
- Editor
- English Coordinator
- Chief Editor
- Magazine Editor
- Creative Lead
- Editorial Consultant
- Content Strategist
- Brand Content Manager
- Storyteller
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:
- Access and inclusion services
- Student health services
- Psychological counselling support
- Careers and employability services
- Student Guild, clubs, and associations
No, the Master 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.
