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Master of Writing
PostgraduateSWI-WRI-MAS2024
Course information for 2024 intake
Become a technically proficient and creative writer
Immerse yourself in deeper study of writing genres. Survey writing trends, media and new practices. Graduates with advanced traditional and electronic writing skills are in demand across many different industries.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Writing
About this degree
Students who successfully complete this degree will be able to:
- Apply cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical writing–related knowledge and to reflect critically on creative writing theory and professional writing practice or scholarship.
- Demonstrate technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories related to writing practice and research, and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice across a range of writing genres, styles, and research approaches.
- Initiate cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level within and to creative and professional texts from the discipline and field of writing.
- Use communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences related to professional and creative content production industries.
- Technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship in the field of creative and professional writing.
- Demonstrate the application of knowledge & skills, with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional writing and publishing practice and/or for further learning.
- Apply a high level of personal autonomy and accountability across a range of professional and creative interactions and projects.
No longer taking applications
This course will no longer be taking applications from 2024 Study Period 3.
The Master of Writing encourages students to explore the range of writing styles needed to work professionally and creatively in publication industries. Students will also develop their own writerly voice through learning and practice in craft, in theory that enriches their writing, and through research and long form creative projects.
The goal of Swinburne's writing programs is to teach the writing skills that are needed for success in today’s writing and publishing environment, and to expose students to opportunities for publication.
The Master of Writing forms the final stage in a three-stage nested suite of programs consisting of:
- Graduate Certificate of Writing
- Graduate Diploma of Writing
- Master of Writing
Recommended study pattern
To qualify for a Master of Writing, a student must complete all twelve core subjects. A subject can only be counted once. The program is delivered entirely online and is supported with eTutors, tutorials, print materials, websites and CD-ROMs.
Each subject is worth 12.5 credit points so a total of 150 credit points (12 subjects) must be studied to complete the Master of Writing qualification. In each year, eight subjects normally constitute a full-time load of 100 credit points and four subjects normally constitute a part-time load of 50 credit points.
Students who did not commence their program in the current year are required to follow the program structure available to them at the time of admission.
Taking time off from study (Absent Without Leave and Leave of Absence): Visit Taking time off from Study to find out how to apply for an approved leave of absence and minimise the risk of having to reapply for degree admission.
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Master of Writing students must complete 150 credit points comprising of:
- Twelve (12) core subjects (150 credit points)
Please note: You cannot re-enrol into Swinburne subjects that you have already passed.
Exit points
The Master of Writing has two early exit points:
- Graduate Certificate of Writing (4 subjects)
- Graduate Diploma of Writing (8 subjects)
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
From Study Period 1 2019, the Master of Arts (Writing) changed to the Master of Writing. The Course Structure will remain the same with some minor changes to subjects.
Master of Writing and nested courses including the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma
Students may choose to stay in the current Course title or transfer to the new Course title. Students who wish to transfer to the new Course title must complete the online Course Transition Application to change your Course before the close of enrolments for SP1, 2020.
Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma students
If you are enrolled in one of the nested levels of the Course (Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma) and are interested to apply for and enrol in the Masters, you must submit an OUA Course Transition Application online before close of enrolments for SP4, 2019. This is the last date that enrolments will be accepted.
For all students
The following changes to subjects apply from 2019:
PWR70002 Online Writing changing to PWR70002 Writing for Digital Media
PWR70003 Script Adaptation: Stage, Screen and Multimedia replaced by PWR70005 Scriptwriting
PWR80001 Critical and Creative Practices: The Writerly Identity changing to PWR80001 Creativity for Practice
PWR80002 Script Writing will no longer be offered
PWR80004 Writing and New Media replaced by PWR80006 Creative Industry EnterpriseOpen Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $41,100
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.
Learn more about Swinburne.
Explore Swinburne courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
No longer taking applications
This course will no longer be taking applications from 2024 Study Period 3.
You must meet one of the following requirements:
- A recognised bachelor degree in any of the fields of: creative arts, society and culture, education, health, and management and commerce; or
- A Graduate Certificate of Writing or Graduate Certificate of Arts (Writing)
English language requirements: (International students only)
IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0; or Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 70% and all skills 65% or above; or TOEFL iBT: minimum score 79 (Reading no less than 18, Writing no less than 20); or equivalent measures available at Swinburne Entry Requirements.
Please note: This course is not available to international students who will be studying in Australia on a student visa (subclass 500).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. For further details for students considering Higher Education degrees visit Swinburne RPL.
Credit Transfer
Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this degree may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the degree with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please visit Credit for Prior Study or Experience.
Career opportunities
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Authors, and Book and Script Editors | N/A^ | Down 8.5% |
| Bloggers, Critics, Sports and Other Writers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
| Copywriters | N/A^ | N/A^ |
| Journalists and Other Writers | $75K to $93K | Up 0.9% |
| Technical Writers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
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Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
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Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.