Master of Creative Writing

Programme Overview

The Master of Creative Writing (MCW) is an elite, highly competitive programme tailored for writers working on a large-scale creative project: a novel, a short story collection, a full-length work of creative nonfiction, or a poetry collection.Convened by award-winning authors and poets, the qualification brings a small, diverse community of writers together each week for intensive workshops and collaborative critique.Peer interaction and close mentorship from active literary figures form the absolute foundation of the learning experience.

What You'll Study

The degree is unique in that students do not pick separate elective courses; instead, they enrol in a single, immersive 120-point research block: CREWRIT 797 (Creative Writing). The workload is structured across two consecutive semesters:

Semester One (Drafting & Craft Seminars):

• The Weekly Workshop: Writers submit initial raw drafts for cohort discussion and provide deep, considered feedback on the structural developments of their peers' works.
• The Weekly Seminar: A technical forum exploring the inner mechanics, narrative structures, and stylistic devices used in successful contemporary published works.
• Literary Network Building: Engaging directly with weekly visiting local and international writers, publishers, theatre practitioners, and literary festival organizers.

Semester Two (Refinement & Capstone Portfolio):

• Advanced Supervision: Shifting focus toward editing under the close guidance of dedicated academic mentors and award-winning authors.
• Final Portfolio Capstone: The ultimate evaluation relies on a completed high-level creative manuscript:
  • Prose Track (Novel, Short Stories, Nonfiction): A completed book portfolio ranging between 40,000 and 80,000 words.
  • Poetry Track: A fully realized collection consisting of a minimum of 80 pages.

Why Choose This Programme?

• Distinguished Faculty & Mentors: Work under the leadership of renowned fiction writer Paula Morris, alongside elite co-supervisors such as former Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh.
• Vibrant Cultural Integration: Students receive direct, hands-on opportunities to integrate with Auckland’s active creative sectors, including the Auckland Writers Festival, the NZ Society of Authors, and the New Zealand Book Council.
• Unrivalled Publishing Success: The MCW at Auckland boasts a legacy stretching back to its foundation by Albert Wendt and Witi Ihimaera, resulting in an elite roster of graduates consistently picked up by major global publishers.

Entry Requirements & Compliance Checks

• Academic Minimums: To be eligible, an applicant must hold either a four-year bachelors degree, a bachelors degree with honours, or a standard three-year bachelors degree paired with a professional writing qualification or substantial professional history.
• Prerequisites & Supplemental Selection: Admission is highly conditional and decided primarily by the programme convenor based on creative excellence. Applicants must submit two completely separate applications (University Admission + MCW Faculty Form) accompanied by the following:
  • Creative Writing Portfolio: A mandatory 20-page writing sample specifically in the chosen genre (prose samples must be double-spaced, 12pt font). Note: Screenplays, drama scripts, or purely academic papers are not acceptable.
  • Summary of Intention: A concise 1-to-2 page overview describing the specific large-scale book project you intend to map out and write during the academic year.
  • Writing CV: Detailing any prior education, professional writing background (e.g., journalism, copywriting), literary prizes, or publication history.
• Language Requirement: International applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency via an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall (all sub-bands 6.0+) or an approved institutional alternative.