
Introduction to Creative writing
Discover practical online writing courses that will help you grow as a writer. Whether you want to pen the next great Australian novel, create poetry, or write for the fun of it, there’s a study option to suit you here.
Choose from full qualifications, or specialise in a specific area with a short course.
Either way, you will learn from published authors and editors who can guide you towards wherever you want to be in your writing career.
Explore creative writing courses
Discover creative writing courses
Online creative writing subjects and short courses
Undergraduate
GRF-CWR111- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 14 Jul 2025
Next enrolment closes 6 Jul
Introduction to Creative and Professional Writing
Undergraduate
CUR-PWP110- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 1 Sep 2025
Australian Poetry: Storytelling and the Creative Space
Undergraduate
MUR-EGL207- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Undergraduate
TAS-FPB255- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Online creative writing degrees
Undergraduate
MAQ-ART-DEGAn arts degree that no one else has
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Available majors
- Ancient History,
- Creative Writing,
- English,
- Critical Indigenous Studies,
- International Relations,
- Modern History,
- Philosophy,
- Politics,
- Sociology
Undergraduate
GRF-ART-DEGInnovators, communicators and creators start here!
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Available majors
- Art History,
- Creative Writing,
- Criminal Justice,
- History,
- Journalism,
- Literature,
- Public Relations,
- Screen and Media Studies,
- Sociology
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
Undergraduate
LAT-AHS-DEGMake the world a healthier place. Your way.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Available majors
- Anthropology,
- Archaeological and Heritage Studies,
- Asian Studies,
- Creative and Professional Writing,
- Crime, Justice and Legal Studies,
- Digital Media,
- English,
- Ethics and Social Justice,
- Hindi Studies Beginners,
- History,
- International Studies,
- Linguistics,
- Philosophy,
- Politics,
- Sociology,
- Sustainabilty and Development,
- Visual Cultures,
- Digital Health,
- Environmental Health,
- Health Promotion,
- Health, Wellbeing and Performance,
- Psychological Science,
- Public Health,
- Rehabillitation Counselling
Postgraduate
CUR-ART-GCEEmbrace your creativity and build your expertise
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
Need help choosing the right course?
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- Finding a study option that suits your needs
- Understanding your funding options



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Creative writing study FAQs
What will I learn in a creative writing course?
Online creative writing courses are both inspiring and practical. You’ll be given the space to experiment with your writing, understand different genres, navigate the publishing industry and edit your own work.
Depending on your course, you’ll explore how to:
Develop a distinctive writing style
Think critically about other writers’ work
Write short fiction, long-form fiction, genre fiction, poetry and children’s fiction
Act on feedback
Deliver constructive feedback during virtual workshop discussions
Submit your work for publication
Can I specialise in a particular genre, like fiction, poetry or screenwriting?
Typically, your creative writing course will cover specialty areas like poetry, short fiction, genre fiction, or even travel writing, but the exact subjects on offer differ by course.
If there’s a specific area you’d like to explore, consider completing a single subject in that area. Single subjects are available on topics like:
Popular genre writing
Australian poetry
Poetry
Long and short fiction
Writing for children
Scriptwriting
Novel and novella writing
Will I get the chance to workshop my writing?
Yes. You and your peers are there to learn to better your writing, so workshopping your writing will form an important part of your course. Remember not to take constructive feedback personally. Your peers and tutors are there to help you become the best writer you can be.
Are there any networking opportunities with authors or publishers?
As you’ll be studying online, networking opportunities may be limited, although you’ll likely find plenty of published authors, editors, or agents amongst the teaching staff for creative writing degrees.
You may, however, want to explore events in this space on your own time. Writers’ festivals are held around the country, and there are genre specific writing events available throughout the year as well. Your university and classmates will likely make you aware of these events and encourage you to go.
How long is a creative writing course?
It depends on the course and whether you choose something short or long-term. Here’s a general guide:
Course | Duration |
---|---|
Single subject | 10-18 weeks |
Short course | 10-18 weeks |
Undergraduate certificate | 6 months (if full time) |
Diploma | 1 year (if full time) |
Associate degree | 2 years (if full time) |
Bachelor degree | 3 years (if full time) |
Graduate certificate | 6 months (if full time) |
Graduate diploma | 1 year (if full time) |
Masters degree | 2 years (if full time) |
If you study a degree in creative writing through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.
Is creative writing difficult to learn?
Creative writing is a skill that requires practice and patience—but it’s a skill anyone can learn with the right guidance.
If you can take constructive feedback to heart, have a love of words, and want to deepen your writing skills, a creative writing course could be the perfect fit for you.
Can I study creative writing while working part- or full-time?
Yes, you can! Many students who study creative writing online do so while working. When you pursue one of the online creative writing degrees available through Open Universities Australia, you choose your study load. You can drop down to as little as one subject per study term, or ramp up your workload and finish your course sooner.
Do I need prior writing experience to enrol?
For undergraduate courses, like an undergraduate certificate or bachelor degree, you won’t need prior experience in writing. These courses are designed to give you foundational skills and experience.
Postgraduate study assumes you have some foundational skills in the subject area, but the level of experience assumed varies from course to course.
What careers can I explore after studying creative writing?
Creative writing graduates have the critical thinking and writing skills to work across many different industries. Graduates commonly pursue work as:
Authors
Journalists
Copywriters
Digital marketers
Magazine publishers and editors
Book publishers and editors
Screenwriters
Arts administrators
Teachers (further study is required)
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.
Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.
For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
Creative writing isn’t right for me. Are there courses in related fields?
Yes! There are plenty of options to choose from if you feel like creative writing isn’t the right fit for you. Use the table below to find a more suitable choice.
If you want to | Consider exploring |
Break the news and cover the issues important to the public | |
Explore how books and stories have shaped culture and history | |
Help people access knowledge and provide a critical public service | |
Use your writing skills in a wide range of settings | |
Contribute to Australia’s vibrant film and TV sector |
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