Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) |
| Deakin course code | A764 |
| Course credit points | 16 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2016 - 2025 |
| Campus | Offered to continuing students only at Burwood (Melbourne) and Online |
| Final intake | The final intake to this course was in Trimester 2, 2025. Students should contact Student Central for course, course map and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the handbook archive. |
| 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. |
| CRICOS code | 083999E Burwood (Melbourne) |
Course sub-headings
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Specialisations
- Course structure
- Details of specialisations
- Fees and charges
Alternative exits
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Actively contribute to peer feedback activities and make constructive, respectful, and informed contributions to creative and critical collaboration in writing and literature |
| 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
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) you must pass 16 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your 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
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Specialisations
Course structure
Course units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Capstone Units
Capstone A
| ALX705 | Fundamentals of Research |
ALX726 Masters Research Literary Theory [No longer available for enrolment]
ALX720 Minor Research Project [No longer available for enrolment]
Plus 6 credit points of elective units
Or
Capstone B (Minimum 70% WAM and subject to course director approval)
| ALX705 | Fundamentals of Research |
ALX720 Minor Research Project [No longer available for enrolment]
ALX722 Masters Research Project A [No longer available for enrolment]
ALX723 Masters Research Project B [No longer available for enrolment]
| ALX724 | Masters Research Project C |
| ALX725 | Masters Research Project D |
ALX726 Masters Research Literary Theory [No longer available for enrolment]
ALX722 Masters Research Project A [No longer available for enrolment]
ALX723 Masters Research Project B [No longer available for enrolment]
ALX726 Masters Research Literary Theory [No longer available for enrolment]
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 [No longer available for enrolment]
| ALL743 | Foundations in Writing and Literature |
ALW740 Foundations in Writing [No longer available for enrolment]
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 |
Details of specialisations
Childrens Literature
Campuses
Online
Units
Students must complete:
| ALL743 | Foundations in Writing and Literature |
| 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 | Writing Beyond Boundaries: Finding Form |
Note: Students may complete remaining units as part of their electives.
Literary Studies
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Students must complete:
| ALL743 | Foundations in Writing and Literature |
| ALL728 | Studies in the Discipline |
And complete 4 of the following units:
| ALL706 | Fantasy and Historical Fictions |
| ALL708 | Graphic Narratives |
| ALL722 | Texts for Young Adults |
| ALL784 | Writing Beyond Boundaries: Finding Form |
ALL705 Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now [No longer available for enrolment]
ALL727 Sex, The Body, and American Poetry [No longer available for enrolment]
Note: Students may complete remaining units as part of their electives.
Professional Writing
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Students must complete:
| ALL728 | Studies in the Discipline |
And complete 4 of the following units:
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
ALJ716 Writing the News [No longer available for enrolment]
ALW738 Editing [No longer available for enrolment]
ALW739 Publishing [No longer available for enrolment]
ALW740 Foundations in Writing [No longer available for enrolment]
ACA715 Creating Your Arts Business [No longer available for enrolment]
Note: Students may complete remaining units as part of their electives.
Creative Writing
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Students must complete:
| ALL728 | Studies in the Discipline |
And complete 4 of the following units:
| ALL721 | Writing for Children |
| ALL784 | Writing Beyond Boundaries: Finding Form |
| ALW727 | Clued In: Crime Fiction and Film |
| ALW732 | Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out |
ALW738 Editing [No longer available for enrolment]
ALW740 Foundations in Writing [No longer available for enrolment]
ALL705 Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now [No longer available for enrolment]
ALL727 Sex, The Body, and American Poetry [No longer available for enrolment]
Note: Students may complete remaining units as part of their electives.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.