Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) (Professional Writing and Publishing)

Creative Writing

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. identify, explain and apply the key disciplinary concepts in Creative Writing
2. integrate theory and creative practice; conceive, develop and evaluate innovative new writing
3. access and evaluate the sources, authority and relevance of information and synthesise key facts, themes and ideas in writing
4. communicate ideas to a range of audiences and in a variety of media and genres
5. use technologies to access resources, communicate effectively and develop writing and research skills
6. use disciplinary skills and knowledge to learn how to learn, and apply these insights to new writing and to the different intellectual and professional roles required of a writer in the broader community
7. acknowledge the interrelationship between local, national and global perspectives and the impact of this on writing and the creative industries
8. value a range of cultural knowledge and take care to represent these, where appropriate, in an ethical and professional manner
9. work independently and/or collaboratively to produce innovative and informed creative writing that contributes meaningfully to contemporary culture

Professional Writing and Publishing

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. identify, explain and apply the key disciplinary concepts and principles in professional writing and publishing
2. integrate theory and creative practice in the production and analysis of professional writing texts; conceive, develop and evaluate innovative modes of professional communication
3. access and evaluate the sources, authority and relevance of information, and synthesise key facts, themes and ideas in professional writing and publishing
4. effectively communicate ideas to a range of audiences, across a variety of media, genres, and purposes
5. use and evaluate a range of appropriate technologies to access resources, communicate effectively, and develop writing and research skills
6. use and reflect on disciplinary skills and knowledge to develop autonomous learning, and apply these insights to writing in a range of different professional contexts
7. acknowledge the interrelationship between local, national and global perspectives and the impact of this on professional writing and publishing
8. recognise and value the diversity of cultural knowledge and practices, taking care to represent these, where appropriate, in an ethical and professional manner
9. work independently and/or collaboratively to produce innovative, creative and ethical professional writing that is appropriate to a variety of professional and cultural contexts.

Graduates will have opportunities in research, writing, editing and publishing in government and industry as well as the not-for-profit sector, arts organisations and the magazine and book industries. Graduates will be equipped with relevant industry skills specific to careers as: writer, editor, publisher.

Higher education via OUA

Successful study through OUA – either:

• Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies the English language proficiency requirement) OR
• Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.

Higher education

Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required).

Secondary education

Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre link http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/prerequisites-comparison.tisc.

VET studies

• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.

Work and Life

• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
• Finished secondary education more than two years ago.
• Bridging and enabling degree entry.
  • Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady - https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/uniready-enabling-subjects-curtin-university-cur-unr-deg
• Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.

Additional Information

•  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies - http://karda.curtin.edu.au/
• Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications - https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/overseas-qualifications/

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following: 

• Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
• Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)

 Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/. 

*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.

To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/

It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.

More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).

Bachelor Degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.

This course offers students the opportunity to study one or two disciplines from a wide range of majors. Students choosing only one major will also choose the elective stream where they will be able to choose further units from the same discipline as their chosen major or may choose units from throughout the university. The first year of the course enables students to choose foundation units suitable to their needs and begin study in their chosen major(s), where appropriate.

Recommended Study Pattern

To complete the degree as a full time student, a maximum of two subjects per Study Period is recommended.

Level 1

• APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
• COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
• CWG100 Creative Writing (Creative Writing major subject)
• PWP110 Introduction to Creative and Professional Writing (Professional Writing and Publishing major subject)
• PWP121 Writing, Rhetoric and Persuasion (Professional Writing and Publishing major subject)
• Three Level 1 elective subjects.

Level 2

• Four Level 2 Creative Writing major subjects: CWG200, CWG210, CWG220 and CWG240.
• Four Level 2 Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects: PWP210, PWP211, PWP220 and PWP221.

Level 3

• Three Level 3 Creative Writing major subjects: CWG310, CWG340 (double subject) and choose from CWG300 OR CWG320.
• Four Level 3 Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects: PWP310, PWP311, PWP322 and choose from PWP323 OR PWP324.

The Bachelor of Arts degree incorporates a progressive structure of subjects designed to build knowledge and enable you to successfully progress through the degree.

NOTE: No more than 10 subjects can be completed from Level 1 subjects.

Award Requirements

To obtain the award for the Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) (Professional Writing and Publishing), students must complete a total of 23 subjects:

• 2 Common core subjects 
• 8 Creative Writing major subjects
• 10 Professional Writing major subjects
• 3 Electives