Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) |
| Deakin course code | A764 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)*, Online *The next available Burwood (Melbourne) intake will be for 2027 |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | The time and cost could be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 2 years down to 1.5 years, or even 1 year duration. See entry requirements below for more information. |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS course code | 083999E Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
* The next available Burwood (Melbourne) intake will be for 2027 | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Research information
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Specialisations
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of specialisations
- Other learning experiences
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Hone your expertise in writing and literature and gain practical tools in critical analysis, editing and research. Whether you want to develop the skills to analyse literary works, build your creative writing practice, or craft publishable pieces of professional writing, the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) will help fulfil your career aspirations.
Want to see where a mastery of the written word can take your career?
If you want to turn your lifelong passion for writing and literature into a professional career, this course gives you the practical experience to make your goals a reality. Equally, if you’re already working in the industry and looking to take the next step – whether that be in a new role or finally breaking through as a published author – we provide a high performing environment that allows your creativity to reach its full potential. Ultimately, the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) aims to inspire you, so you can inspire audiences of your own.
Choose from four study specialisations to create a unique degree that matches your interests:
Our specialisations cater for many writing and literature professionals – from marketing professionals looking to boost sales through carefully crafted copy, to aspiring authors hoping to turn their book idea into a reality, and teachers wanting to add a new level of depth and rigour to their classroom. Alternatively, you may wish to study cross-disciplinary units that provide a broader spread of learning topics. With this option, you will gain a deep understanding of the conventions of professional non-fiction writing, as well as the theory and craft stemming from traditional literature, all in the one degree.
Importantly, the course provides more than just writing expertise. The projects and assessment tasks you work on train you in transferable skills, including critical analysis, communication, problem solving and research – incredibly valuable in every field of work. You’ll also debate literature, creativity and modern writing challenges with like-minded people from different corners of business and life. This exposure to new ways of thinking helps you grow as a writer and shows you how literature can be used to make sense of different aspects of culture, place and history.
For many students, a desired outcome of the course is to produce a published piece of work. Our academic staff are published authors and leading international scholars, so they know the process inside out, from first draft all the way to hitting the shelves.
Draw upon their experience and utilise their extensive network of writers, editors and publishers to get a foot in the door. Your thesis project, a highlight of the course, pairs you with one of our brilliant teachers. Your thesis might provide commentary on a classic piece of literature, or it could be an original piece of work. We’ll find you the ideal mentor based on your goals, interests and the writing you’re working on.
The course provides lots of exposure to industry work, trends and opportunities, better preparing you for the current and future needs of the field. Many students take advantage of our industry partnerships to secure internships at well-known publications. Verandah Journal, an annual student-run publication, showcases the best work of emerging writers and artists while giving students the chance to develop expertise in selecting, editing and proofreading submissions for publication. Better still, our academics are actively involved with a number of prominent writing festivals, ensuring we’ve got our finger on the pulse of emerging writing trends and industry needs.
Career opportunities
You’ll graduate from this course with more than just advanced writing skills. You’ll also have expertise in communication, problem solving, critical thinking and research – the kind of skills employers across all industries value.
This puts you in a strong position to explore a range of career pathways including:
- author
- editor
- literary critic
- publisher
- advertising executive
- communications specialist
- copywriter
- journalist
- public relations practitioner
- English teacher (combined with an initial teaching qualification).
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
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
Research information
Students will undertake at least 5 credit points of research units consisting of research methods, theory and research-based project units where they will be required to complete either a creative thesis with a critical component or a critical thesis.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Articulate specialist knowledge of a range of literary and creative writing theories, concepts, and approaches, and apply them to the study of literature and the production of written work |
| Communication | Communicate through writing that employs advanced command of the critical and theoretical vocabularies and language required to interpret, argue and fluently and persuasively transmit ideas about writing and literature. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of technologies and make evaluative judgments in the use of research databases, bibliographic and digital communication technologies to research, produce and present scholarly work in writing and literature. |
| Critical thinking | Utilise theory and research to critically analyse and apply appropriate forms and conventions in writing and to evaluate the influence of narrative strategies, genre conventions and cultural assumptions on works of literature. |
| Problem solving | Apply a range of theoretical, historical and contemporary critical and analytical approaches to the design and execution of solutions to a range of scholarly, aesthetic and ideological problems that emerge from the analysis and writing of literature |
| Self-management | Act with autonomy and initiative while being accountable for working effectively, efficiently and to a high standard in order to achieve goals in writing and literature. |
| Teamwork | Actively contribute to peer feedback activities and make constructive, respectful, and informed contributions to creative and critical collaboration in writing and literature |
| Global citizenship | Identify, select, critically analyse, and apply culturally relevant literary theories, concepts, and approaches to writing and interpreting works of literature. |
Approved at Faculty Board September 2021
Course rules
To complete the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) students must pass 16 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- one of:
- 6 credit point specialisation
- 6 credit points of cross-disciplinary study
- one of:
- Capstone A (4 credit points)
- Capstone B (6 credit points)
- any remaining credit points can be chosen from course electives
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Specialisations
Course structure
Capstone Units
Capstone A
| ALX705 | Fundamentals of Research |
| ALX720 | Minor Research Project (2 credit points) |
| ALX726 | Masters Research Literary Theory |
Plus 6 credit points of elective units
Or
Capstone B (Minimum 70% WAM and subject to course director approval)
| ALX705 | Fundamentals of Research |
| ALX722 | Masters Research Project A |
| ALX723 | Masters Research Project B |
| ALX724 | Masters Research Project C |
| ALX725 | Masters Research Project D |
| ALX726 | Masters Research Literary Theory |
Plus 4 credit points of elective units
Electives
Electives are to be 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.
Note: The internship unit ACC700 is also available.
Specialisation Units
Either;
6 credit points from one of the specialisation options (Children's Literature, Creative Writing, Literary Studies, Professional Writing)
Or
6 credit points of cross-disciplinary study comprising of -
| ALW740 | Foundations in Writing |
| ALL743 | Foundations in Narrative Theory |
Plus 2 credit points of Literature units (Children's Literature and/or Literary Studies)
Plus 2 credit points of Writing units (Creative Writing and/or Professional Writing)
including -
| ALL728 | Studies in the Discipline |
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of specialisations
Childrens Literature
Campuses
Online
Units
Students must complete:
| ALL743 | Foundations in Narrative Theory |
| ALL728 | Studies in the Discipline |
And complete four of the following units:
| ALL706 | Fantasy and Historical Fictions |
| ALL708 | Graphic Narratives |
| ALL721 | Writing for Children |
| ALL722 | Texts for Young Adults |
| ALL784 | Life Writing Now |
Note: Students may complete remaining units as part of their electives.
Literary Studies
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Students must complete:
| ALL743 | Foundations in Narrative Theory |
| ALL728 | Studies in the Discipline |
And complete 4 of the following units:
| ALL705 | Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now |
| ALL706 | Fantasy and Historical Fictions |
| ALL708 | Graphic Narratives |
| ALL722 | Texts for Young Adults |
| ALL784 | Life Writing Now |
| ALL727 | Sex, the Body, and American Poetry |
Note: Students may complete remaining units as part of their electives.
Professional Writing
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Students must complete:
| ALW740 | Foundations in Writing |
| ALL728 | Studies in the Discipline |
And complete 4 of the following units:
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
| ALJ716 | Writing the News |
| ALW738 | Editing |
| ALW739 | Publishing |
| ACA715 | Creating Your Arts Business |
Note: Students may complete remaining units as part of their electives.
Creative Writing
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Students must complete:
| ALW740 | Foundations in Writing |
| ALL728 | Studies in the Discipline |
And complete 4 of the following units:
| 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 |
| ALL727 | Sex, the Body, and American Poetry |
Note: Students may complete remaining units as part of their electives.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing 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.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.