The one-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing offers aspiring and published writers a program which examines the process and practice of producing prose fiction.

This hybrid program offers a unique learning experience. Students without visa requirements attend in-person classes at Oscar Wilde's childhood home, while those needing a study visa participate live online.

Using a mentoring and critical workshop format, students are provided tuition and advice to complete either a novel or a short story collection. Consideration is given to the intellectual, psychological, economic and cultural influences that underpin and drive the creative writing process. The program also emphasizes the business and professional environment of writing, with seminars presented by agents and publishers and master classes by established writers. Students are provided with both expert guidance in producing a substantial written work of publishable standard, and a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and practical requirements of successful participation in the activity of writing, whether as a professional career or as part of a lifelong personal commitment to creative endeavor.

The program develops a broad spectrum of transferable skills, including advanced and adaptable writing techniques, informed responsiveness to critical and editorial commentary, self-management and organizational competencies, and a high level of expertise in understanding and locating creative work within a historical and critical context. These skills are applicable not only in careers that draw directly on the ability to write creatively but also in a wide array of related business, cultural and social activities such as keeping a web page, blogging, advocacy and grant writing, criticism and commentary.

Finally, the degree highlights the beauty and, amid such suffering as is necessary, the joy of creative expression. Regardless of the particular path a graduate follows, they will leave the program with an enhanced, lifelong appreciation of the manifold intellectual and emotional benefits and consolations to be found in the practice of creative writing. After finishing the program students should be in a position to consider submission of a complete and polished work to a literary agent or publisher.

Instructors

Students will study modules such as:

Imagination and storytelling
Writing workshop 1: the novel
Writing workshop 1: the short story
The writer as critic
The craft of creative writing
The business of writing and publishing
Writing workshop 2: the novel
Writing workshop 2: the short story
Masterclass in fiction writing
Creative writing project

An honours bachelor's degree in a cognate discipline may be an advantage but is not a necessity for entry to the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. The principal requirements for admission to the program are a demonstration of sufficient interest in the activity of creative writing and furnishing evidence of an ability to undertake and benefit from a course of master’s level study and tuition in creative writing.

In addition to completing an application online, applicants are asked to upload a 500-word personal statement of their interest in undertaking the course and a 3,000-word portfolio of their prose writing. The portfolio may consist of a single piece of writing or a collection of up to four samples.

Along with the academic knowledge students receive throughout their program, they will also acquire and develop transferable career skills from their degree discipline.

These skills include:

Advanced written and academic research capabilities
Strong attention to detail
Creativity
Self-management and organisational competencies
Critical thinking and editorial commentary