Pursue a career as a professional communicator in the creative industries.
Develop advanced technical and creative skills in writing narrative. Delivered by industry professionals with hands-on teaching by published authors, courses explore a variety of styles and genres in creative writing. Choose from writing for children and young adults, and contemporary and traditional adult fiction. Undertake a minor in another discipline, such as creative advertising or computer-based design, to enhance career options.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Develop advanced technical and creative skills in writing narrative. Delivered by industry professionals with hands-on teaching by published authors, courses explore a variety of styles and genres in creative writing. Choose from writing for children and young adults, and contemporary and traditional adult fiction. Undertake a minor in another discipline, such as creative advertising or computer-based design, to enhance career options.
Career opportunities
Depending on courses selected, creative writing, advertising, editing, copywriting, professional writing, publishing, journalism, teaching (with further study).
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses.
- Complete 2 required introductory (100 level) courses.
- Complete 10 required advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Complete 4 courses towards a minor study area from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
- Complete 6 elective courses.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses, including core courses.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Electives may be used to complete an additional minor.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Introductory courses (2)
2 required courses:
CMN102 Communication Theory and Practice
CMN116 Playing with Words: an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
Advanced courses (10)
8 required courses:
CMN213
CMN238
CMN246 Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN260 Writing the Short Story
CMN266 Writing Poetry
CMN267
CMN320 Creative Writing and Editing for Publication
PLUS select 2 courses from:
EGL120 The ' English' Tradition: An Introduction to Literary Studies
EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
EGL285
CMN228 Media Law and Ethics
Minor courses (4)
Select a minor (4 courses) from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Elective courses (6)
Select 6 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288