Why Bachelor of Arts?
Combine your imagination with your natural curiosity when you study creative writing. The literary field is exciting and ever evolving, spanning a range of genres and modes from true crime to BookTok. Explore fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, poetry and more, while developing your own creative writing practice.
Delve into historical and contemporary literary and publishing cultures and build your understanding of ethics, representation, narrative and literary criticism.
You’ll graduate an expert storyteller, with a portfolio of genre-spanning writing and the ability to respond imaginatively and creatively to the world around you.
Overview
Creative writing is more than just words on a page. The Bachelor of Arts majoring in Creative Writing will teach you to observe and respond to the world around you using literary and compositional skills, and change the way you think about social dynamics, justice and interpersonal relationships. You’ll develop skills in literary analysis and learn to situate your own practice relative to a broad range of literary traditions across multiple contexts.
Delve into a range of literary genres including fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, poetry and practice-based research; learn to share, revise and improve your work; and graduate with a professional portfolio that demonstrates your creative writing ability.
Explore professional pathways in sectors aligned with your interests when you undertake experiential learning. You’ll build valuable connections with industry representatives through work placements and internships, and access networking opportunities to help you explore your career aspirations.
Key features
Train in a broad range of literary genres, including prose, poetry, biography and memoir, satire, writing for screen, and more. - Build your storytelling, research, creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Develop a portfolio of writing spanning short fiction, creative non-fiction, film scripts and poetry.
- Create a unique degree tailored to your interests by pursuing a double major.
- Choose from a wide range of elective courses to enhance your learning.
- Explore professional pathways into your future career as you engage with community and industry partners.
What you'll learn
Your creative writing degree will explore a range of literary forms, from prose fiction and creative non-fiction to poetry, writing for performance and screen. You’ll discover life writing styles including memoir and biography and learn about what it means to be a writer, from representation to ethics.
Learn to critically analyse and interpret texts and apply this knowledge to your own work as well as others. Throughout your degree, you’ll complete a range of creative writing pieces including short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and film scripts, and graduate with a portfolio of work.
You’ll study common core courses throughout your degree and build your ability to solve problems, communicate clearly and collaborate with diverse groups of people, giving you the skills we know employers value. You can also add a second major to your Bachelor of Arts, and pursue two areas of interest to boost your employment prospects.
Research potential career pathways and destinations in sectors aligning with your disciplinary interests and expertise to participate in experiential learning. An internship in your final year will enable you to apply your understanding of potential career pathways and focus on mentoring and networking experiences.
Majors
The Bachelor of Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Aboriginal Studies
- Archaeology and Classical Studies
- Art History and Visual Culture
- Anthropology
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural Studies
- English Literature
- Environmental Management
- French Studies
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Geography
- German Studies
- History
- International Development
- International Security
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Population and Migration Studies
- Screen Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish Studies.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for all Electives
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
Complete exactly 48 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 1: Prose, Poetry, Performance
|
Course code
WRIT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Writing Life: From Concept to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 2: Narrative Theories, Forms and Approaches to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fiction: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Screenwriting: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Nonfiction: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Forms: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 3: The Writer as Researcher
|
Course code
WRIT3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Poetry: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3005
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Studies
|
Course code
ABORBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology
|
Course code
ANTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Archaeology and Classical Studies
|
Course code
ARCYBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Art History and Visual Culture
|
Course code
ARTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
English Literature
|
Course code
ENGLBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Management
|
Course code
ENVMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
French Studies
|
Course code
FRENBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Geography
|
Course code
GEOGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
German Studies
|
Course code
GERMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Chinese Studies
|
Course code
CHINBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Cultural Studies
|
Course code
CULTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
Course code
GENDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
History
|
Course code
HISTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Development
|
Course code
INTDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Security
|
Course code
INTSBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Italian Studies
|
Course code
ITALBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese Studies
|
Course code
JAPNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
|
Course code
LINGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy
|
Course code
PHILBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Politics
|
Course code
POLIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Population and Migration Studies
|
Course code
POPUBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Studies
|
Course code
SCRNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Sociology
|
Course code
SOCIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Spanish Studies
|
Course code
SPANBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Social Research and Policy Analysis
|
Course code
SOCRBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Kaurna Languages
|
Course code
KAURBARTS
|
Units
48
|
Career outcomes
Bring your original perspectives and creative abilities into your career in creative writing. You might write the next bestselling novel or screenplay. You could source and edit manuscripts in a publishing company. You could even write copy, headlines and scripts in an advertising agency, or be employed through online or print media outlets, marketing and advertising agencies, publishers, libraries, film companies or education institutions.
Your double major will provide you with versatility and the ability to shape your career. Depending on your chosen specialisations, you may work in a range of roles such as:
- Writer or novelist
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Playwright
- Publishing assistant.
This degree also provides a pathway for further postgraduate study or research.
Industry trends
Digital disruption, from the use of artificial intelligence to the impact of social media, is changing the writing and publishing industry. However, there is still a strong demand from employers for people with high level communication, creativity and adaptability skills. It's predicted that demand for journalists and other writers will grow by approximately 7% in the coming decade (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024 ).
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
