Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing
2021 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2021 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2021. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 0100134 Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Deakin course code | A636 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
Discover how to connect with audiences of all ages in Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing. In this one-year specialist course, you’ll be mentored by published authors as you develop and refine a body of work for publication. Explore and master a range of key writing techniques, such as the ability to edit, analyse a range of genres, and blueprint a draft and take a concept through various stages of revision.
Want the confidence, insight and creative control to bring your story idea to life?*
In core units, you’ll get to grips with the basics of constructing a great story. Learn in workshop-style classes and receive feedback as you discover how to manipulate time and perspective in narratives, experiment with genre, form and style, and refine your ability to create compelling characters and voices. In addition, you’ll be challenged to develop and employ regular writing structures, practices and modes of thinking – necessary skills for any working writer.
You’ll then tailor your studies to your preferred creative path by choosing from five writing specialisations:
- short stories
- creative nonfiction
- life writing
- writing for children
- editing.
You’ll benefit from the chance to stretch your knowledge in electives from the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Creative Arts and Master of Communication. Learn how to craft a compelling blurb, pitch a novel idea, or film a teaser trailer – skills that could apply to your novel or to a role in-industry.
This course attracts a wide range of students from all walks of life and all levels of experience, with an interest in writing. We encourage you to share your work and seek feedback, and look for opportunities to collaborate on creative projects.
We also encourage students to get involved with Verandah Journal, an annual student-run publication that showcases the best work of emerging writers and artists, and gives students the chance to develop expertise in selecting, editing and proofreading submissions for publication. You’ll also benefit from Deakin’s strong links with industry, with the opportunity to gain market knowledge and connections by securing an internship with one of our industry partners.
Career opportunities
Graduates develop their writing skills through exposure to a range of different forms and genres. They consider how their own writing sits alongside other similar forms and can articulate the similarities and differences. They develop high-level creative and critical writing skills and the capacity to undertake independent and collaborative research. Writing and literature graduates have gone on to win awards like the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award Melbourne Prize for Literature for their published works.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature (A535) |
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply general and specialised knowledge of creative writing modes and theories and their production in the context of professional, historical, cultural and stylistic frameworks, including technical skills in composition, editing, presentation and aspects of publication. |
| Communication | Communicate through writing that is technically and aesthetically proficient and demonstrates awareness of, or ability to extend, established writing conventions to produce works that communicate complex ideas effectively using suitable written forms and specialised techniques. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of generic and specialised industry digital technologies for the research, production and presentation of creative materials, including technologies for the innovative generation or dissemination of complex ideas and works, or those required in various specialised professional contexts. |
| Critical thinking | Demonstrate specialised competencies in the production of texts and discourses informed by rigorous research, close reading, critical thinking and analysis, and by selecting and applying the appropriate creative writing forms and conventions to provide solutions to complex problems or specialised writing briefs. |
| Problem solving | Analyse and respond creatively and professionally to editorial or publishing briefs or opportunities by employing specialised creative and professional writing or communication strategies to identify, solve or reframe complex aesthetic, theoretical or real-world challenges and limitations. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate personal and professional responsibility for learning through autonomy, accountability and a continued commitment to specialised learning and skill development, as a reflective practitioner in the Professional and Creative Writing industry, scholarly and other contexts. |
| Teamwork | Actively participate in and make constructive contributions to processes of creative and critical collaboration within or across disciplines, sharing of peer feedback in writing workshops and online forums, and demonstrate professional and ethical negotiation with collaborators and colleagues. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate ethical global citizenship and awareness of cultural diversity and social responsibility when engaging in scholarship and in professional roles and community collaborations. |
| Approved by Faculty Board November 2018 | |
Course rules
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing, students must complete 8 credit points of study comprising:
- 1 core unit
- 4 course electives from list A
- 3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Course structure
Core units
| ALW740 | Foundations in Writing |
Electives
3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts.
Course Electives List A
Complete four 1-credit point units chosen from the following course electives list A below:
| ALL705 | Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now |
| ALL721 | Writing for Children |
| ALL784 | Life Writing Now |
| ALW730 | Creative Nonfiction: the Personal Essay |
| ALW732 | Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out |
| ALW738 | Editing |
Students may complete all available units by taking the additional units as electives
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Other learning experiences
There will be opportunities throughout the course for students to engage with industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students will have external clients or industry representatives provide content to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices.