Master of Writing
MWrit
Overview
For anyone with an interest in professional, academic, creative, and technical writing, this coursework-based Master’s degree allows you to specialise and deepen your expertise.
You will apply skills of advanced textual analysis and written communication to a wide range of contexts, audiences, and styles, and also connect your studies to the community and the workplace. By bringing together a diverse range of writing modes, graduates of the Master of Writing degree will be set up for diverse careers, from creative industries to business and government.
Students of this highly versatile degree will study, produce, and be assessed on their professional, technical, and fiction and non-fiction writing.
- One year, taught master’s degree.
- Graduates who are confident and competent in many different written communication styles will stand out in a competitive job market.
You should have achieved at least a B Grade Point Average in 300-level courses in your undergraduate degree, which should have also had a strong written component.
If English is your additional language, you will also need to provide evidence of your English language ability as IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with no individual score below 6.5. Preference will be given to those with a score of 7 or over.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Writing or use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
You can enrol online at myUC. Find out more about how to apply for graduate and postgraduate qualifications.
For an information and inquiry form, see the Department of English website.
Within the MWRIT you will complete 180 points of coursework, including one 60-point project.
This can be completed in 1 year or up to 18 months of full-time study, or up to 3 years part-time.
MWRIT requires 180 points of coursework, with two compulsory courses:
And a choice of:
- WRIT402 Professional Writing and/or WRIT403 Creative Writing, and
- 30 points (or 60 if only doing one of WRIT402 or WRIT403) from 400 or 600-level English courses, or another subject approved by the Head of Department
You can choose to go on to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English.
Graduates of this applied Master’s degree will be able to:
- apply advanced skills in writing to a range of professional, technical, organisational, community, and creative contexts;
- write effectively within a range of registers and genres, and for a range of purposes;
- respond to the requirements of different audiences and media;
- engage the creative dimensions of professional writing and the professional dimensions of creative writing;
- undertake research relevant to their writing tasks;
- analyse critically the writing of others and apply what they discover to their own writing;
- provide editorial advice for other writers;
- understand and articulate the implications of being a writer in Aotearoa New Zealand/Niu Sila, especially in regard to te ao me te reo Māori, and the Pasifika philosophy of teu le va.
Useful information:
- Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student and graduate profiles.
- Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers, or find a job.
- For research into career destinations by qualification, visit Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand website.
- Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
2023 | 180 | Fee estimate. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $11,942 |
2022 | 180 | Fee estimate. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $11,622 |
Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
2022 | 180 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $42,300 | $36,783 |
2023 | 180 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $43,500 | $37,826 |
Contact us
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Writing.
For study planning help, contact the Department of English.
Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Phone +64 3 369 3377
Email english@canterbury.ac.nz