- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Distance) (MFA)
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Creative Writers are at the heart of our cultural industries. Poets, novelists, screenwriters, playwrights, graphic novelists, magazine writers: they entertain, inform and inspire. For more than 15 years, UBC's Creative Writing program has been educating writers through distance education in a program which complements our long-standing on-campus MFA program.
A studio program with the writing workshop at its heart, the distance MFA focuses on the work created by students as the primary text. Through intensive peer critique and craft discussion, faculty and students work together with the same goal: literary excellence.
The MFA granted to distance students is the same degree as granted to on-campus students, and the same criteria of excellence in multiple genres of study apply.
For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website
What makes the program unique?
UBC's Optional-Residency (Distance) MFA was the first distance education MFA program in Canada and remains the only full MFA which can be taken completely online. It is designed to be uniquely flexible, allowing students across Canada and around the world to study writing at the graduate level while still living in their local communities and fulfilling career and family obligations.
The program is unique globally for its multi-genre approach to writing instruction: students are required to work in multiple genres during the course of the degree. As a fine arts program rather than an English program, students focus on the practice of writing rather than the study of literature. Students may work on a part-time basis, taking up to five years to complete the degree.
My time in the Creative writing grad program at UBC has given me the discipline and focus I need to complete long-form writing pieces and larger poetry projects.
Kwaku Darko-Mensah Jnr.
Quick Facts
Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, program instructions.
The optional residency MFA (distance) program only has a July intake.
1) Check Eligibility
Minimum academic requirements.
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:
- Canada or the United States
- International countries other than the United States
Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.
English Language Test
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based
Overall score requirement : 90
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
Overall score requirement : 6.5
Other Test Scores
Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:
The GRE is not required.
2) Meet Deadlines
3) prepare application, transcripts.
All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.
Letters of Reference
A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.
Statement of Interest
Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.
Supervision
Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.
Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Distance) (MFA)
Citizenship verification.
Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.
4) Apply Online
All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.
Tuition & Financial Support
| Fees | Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat | International |
|---|---|---|
| $114.00 | $168.25 | |
| Tuition * | ||
| Tuition per credit | $679.79 | $1,322.47 |
| Other Fees and Costs | ||
| Student Fees | Vary | |
Financial Support
Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.
Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)
All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)
Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)
Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .
Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)
Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.
Financial aid (need-based funding)
Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .
All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.
Foreign government scholarships
Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.
Working while studying
The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.
International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.
A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .
Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals
Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.
Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.
Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.
Cost Estimator
Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.
Career Options
Graduates of the MFA program have found success in varied fields related to writing and communication. The MFA qualifies graduates for teaching at the university level and many graduates have gone on to teach at colleges and universities in Canada, the United States and overseas as well as holding writing residencies. Many publish books and win literary awards. Others go on to work in publishing, and graduates have become book and magazine editors.
Although the MFA is a terminal degree, some graduates go on to further study in PhD programs in the US, UK and Australia.
The Optional-Residency MFA is particularly well suited to teachers: our teacher-students have been able to gain an advanced degree while continuing their careers.
- Research Supervisors
This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.
- Belcourt, Billy-Ray (Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry)
- Hopkinson, Nalo (Creative writing, n.e.c.; Humanities and the arts; Creative Writing: Speculative Ficton, Fantasy, Science Fiction, especially Other Voices)
- Irani, Anosh
- Koncan, Frances
- Leavitt, Sarah (Autobiographical comics; Formal experimentation in comics; Comics pedagogy)
- Lee, Nancy (Fiction; Creative Writing)
- Lyon, Annabel (Novels, stories and news)
- Maillard, Keith (Fiction, poetry)
- Marzano-Lesnevich, Alex (Nonfiction)
- McGowan, Sharon (Planning of film productions from concept to completion)
- Medved, Maureen (Fiction, writing for screen)
- Nicholson, Cecily (Languages and literature; Poetry)
- Ohlin, Alix (Fiction; Screenwriting; Environmental writing)
- Pohl-Weary, Emily (Fiction; Writing for Youth)
- Svendsen, Linda (Script development; Novels, stories and news; Writing for Television; Fiction)
- Taylor, Timothy (fiction and nonfiction)
- Vigna, John (Novels, stories and news; Fiction, Literary Non-Fiction, Creative Writing)
Related Programs
Same specialization.
- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)
Same Academic Unit
- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Theatre (MFA)
- Master of Fine Arts in Film Production and Creative Writing (MFA)
At the UBC Okanagan Campus
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Further Information
Specialization.
Creative Writing combines the best of traditional workshop and leading-edge pedagogy. Literary cross-training offers opportunities in a broad range of genres including fiction, poetry, screenplay, podcasting, video game writing and graphic novel.
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48 Best universities for Creative Writing in Canada
Updated: February 29, 2024
- Art & Design
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
- Mathematics
Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 246K citations received by 19.8K academic papers made by 48 universities in Canada was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.
We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.
Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.
1. University of Toronto
For Creative Writing
2. University of British Columbia
3. University of Alberta
4. McGill University
5. York University
6. University of Calgary
7. University of Victoria
8. Simon Fraser University
9. Western University
10. Queen's University
11. University of Ottawa
12. McMaster University
13. University of Waterloo
14. Carleton University
15. University of Montreal
16. University of Manitoba
17. Memorial University of Newfoundland
18. Wilfrid Laurier University
19. Dalhousie University
20. University of Saskatchewan
21. Brock University
22. Ryerson University
23. Concordia University
24. University of Windsor
25. University of Guelph
26. University of Regina
27. Trent University
28. University of Quebec in Montreal
29. Laval University
30. Laurentian University
31. St. Francis Xavier University
32. University of Lethbridge
33. University of New Brunswick
34. University of Winnipeg
35. Lakehead University
36. Mount Saint Vincent University
37. University of Sherbrooke
38. University of Northern British Columbia
39. Saint Mary's University
40. Acadia University
41. University of Prince Edward Island
42. Nipissing University
43. Ontario Tech University
44. Thompson Rivers University
45. Brandon University
46. Mount Royal University
47. MacEwan University
48. Mount Allison University
The best cities to study Creative Writing in Canada based on the number of universities and their ranks are Toronto , Vancouver , Edmonton , and Montreal .
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- Writing at Concordia
Program overview
Fast-track your skills in the company of other writers. Pursue your thesis with a professor whose expertise complements your area of interest. Take literature seminars that broaden your understanding of others’ work and your own. The literary culture you encounter will enhance every aspect of your development as a writer.
You’ll have the freedom to explore your creative vision and find your voice as a writer and scholar in the artistically vibrant city of Montreal. Our program’s flexibility allows you to propose a thesis project in traditional or innovative genres and media, including digital.
By pursuing training as a writer in the context of a literature program, you’ll experience a learning environment informed by a multiplicity of insights. Your classmates will include people pursuing scholarly interests as well as those with their sights set on writing careers, publishing and editing, gaming, and teaching.
You’ll also have the opportunity to forge professional and artistic relationships that will last throughout your career. Concordia is home to the Centre for Expanded Poetics, the Mordecai Richler Reading Room , numerous publications, and the Writers Read series , which attracts renowned and emerging writers alike.
Program Details
Admission requirements, english literature ma with thesis (option a).
| 21 | credits of 600-level Courses with a minimum of 6 credits of courses designated by the Graduate Committee as fulfilling the "Period" requirement and a minimum of 3 credits of courses designated as fulfilling the "Theory" requirement. |
| 24 | credits: Bibliography (6.00) Research Thesis (18.00) |
English Literature MA with Thesis (Option B) (45 credits)
Note: Admission to this option has been suspended | |
| 21 | credits, with a minimum of 6 credits of courses designated by the Graduate Committee as fulfilling the "Period" requirement and a minimum of 3 credits of courses designated as fulfilling the "Theory" requirement. |
| 24 | credits: Thesis (24.00) |
Creative Writing with Thesis (Option C)
| 12 | credits of 600-level Courses chosen from the regular academic course offerings |
| 12 | credits of Creative Writing Courses: Seminar in Creative Writing: Prose Fiction, Poetry and Drama (3.00) Seminar in Creative Writing: Prose Fiction, Poetry and Drama (3.00) Seminar in Creative Writing: Prose Fiction, Poetry and Drama (6.00) Seminar in Creative Writing: Prose Fiction, Poetry and Drama (3.00) Seminar in Creative Writing: Prose Fiction, Poetry and Drama (3.00) Note: and are Creative Writing courses. Only six credits of creative writing workshops (from , , ) may be elected in any year. |
| 21 | credits: Creative Writing Thesis (21.00) |
Degree requirements
Degree requirements.
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
Please see the English Courses page for course descriptions.
English MA (45 credits)
| 45 | credits chosen from:
|
Program options
Degree options
You may choose one of three options. English Literature MA with Thesis (Option A) English Literature MA with Thesis (Option B) Creative Writing with Thesis (Option C)
Application process
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of Purpose (2 pages maximum) outlining your academic and creative writing background and areas of interest, potential thesis area, and objectives in pursuing graduate studies
- Creative Writing portfolio
- For international students, a sample of your written work, such as a course paper (15 pages maximum).
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores , unless exempted.
Please apply online . Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
Application deadlines
| (September) | (January) | (May/June) |
| English | MA | Jan. 15 | n/a | n/a |
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of courses and read about upcoming, current and past course offerings .
Portfolio information
How to submit your portfolio
Upload a PDF version of your portfolio on or before the application deadline.
If you are experiencing issues with uploading your portfolio, please send it to the Graduate Program Assistant [email protected] .
Your portfolio MUST include the portfolio cover page and a copy of your statement of purpose.
The subject line should read: Last name, first name - graduate portfolio submission
About the portfolio
It is not necessary to submit all three genres; though you may wish to reflect your strengths in various genres, the focus should be on that in which you propose to complete your thesis. If you write prose, submit 35 to ( a maximum of ) 45 pages (double-spaced); if poetry, 20 to ( a maximum of ) 25 pages (single-spaced). If you are applying in drama, you must submit one complete play. In the case of a combined-genre portfolio, the total should not exceed 35 pages (unless drama is included). Submit your strongest work that which you feel accurately represents your abilities and interests. Where possible, complete works are preferable to excerpts.
Students not accepted into the Creative Writing program may enter the Literature Option if they have met admission requirements and have indicated that they are interested in the other option on the portfolio cover page form.
We’re committed to providing students the support they need to focus on their studies. Top students benefit from scholarships and teaching assistantships, and all students are eligible for conference awards and other funding .
Please also consult the English Department’s funding page and Financial Aid and Awards .
Faculty research interests
Our faculty members are accomplished scholars across many fields of literature. Learn about the diverse research interests through our research initiatives and recent publications .
Student initiatives
Graduate students hold writing sessions and workshops, host literary and scholarly events, and publish a journal. Learn more about Concordia Write Nights , Headlight , and visit SAGE to get involved.
Your professional future
An MA in English prepares you for careers that require strength in research, writing, and communication.
You’ll also be qualified to teach in Quebec’s CEGEP system.
Our graduates are well-placed to take on advanced study in a PhD program, in either English or Creative Writing. Others have become icons of the Canadian literary scene. Still others work in such fields as editing (literary, copy), publishing (as employees or as small press publishers themselves), writing for online and print magazines (e.g. Maisonneuve , The Walrus ), developing video games, teaching CEGEP, teaching ESL, translating, and technical writing.
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- MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing
The Department of English at the University of Toronto launched the MA Program in English in the Field of Creative Writing (MA CRW) in 2004-05. The program draws both on the expertise of faculty at the University of Toronto and on the extraordinary vitality of Toronto’s writing community. Internationally acclaimed writers, a multiplicity of cultural traditions, and an energetic publishing industry provide the environment for nurturing new talent. Students have at their disposal the academic and creative resources of the English Department, including its strengths in historical research and traditional scholarship, numerous interdisciplinary collaborations, its acknowledged expertise in world literature, and a faculty engaged in new theoretical studies in culture, race, and gender. Students also have access to one of the world’s great library systems, including the manuscript collections at the Fisher Rare Book library. While the program is designed to prepare participants for careers as professional writers, it will also qualify those wishing to pursue further graduate studies.
Admission Requirements
The MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing requires students to attend graduate-level English courses. The degree can lead to a PhD in English. Therefore, students must have at least seven full-year undergraduate courses in English or the equivalent in half-year courses (i.e., fourteen), or any combination of full- and half-year courses that add up to the equivalent of seven full-year courses . It is not necessary to have an English major, as long as you have the seven undergraduate English courses. Students who do not meet this requirement cannot be admitted into the program.
A B+ average (GPA of 3.3) is the minimum requirement for entry into the program. Once this is met, the primary basis for the selection of candidates is the quality of the portfolio submission. It is not expected that students will have publication credits. Applicants do not need to provide GRE results.
Applications must be submitted online and are considered complete only when the following documentation has been received by the Department of English:
- Two academic letters of reference submitted online by academic referees/recommenders, each addressing your performance in university English and/or Creative Writing coursework. At least one letter must discuss your performance in English coursework. Do not use editors, publishers, employers, or fellow writers as referees.
- A statement of purpose, submitted electronically
- Digital Transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended (in pdf format), uploaded to the application, and UPON REQUEST ONLY official paper transcripts mailed directly to the Department. For more detailed information and instructions regarding submitting transcripts, please visit "Checklist for a Complete GradAPP Package" in the section entitled Academic Transcripts on our APPLICATION INFORMATION page.
- Do not submit academic essays.
- To view the application details and requirements, please visit the SGS website here SGS Admissions & SGS Application Requirements and the application instructions on the SGS How to apply page. Additionally, here is the link to the School of Graduate Studies pages for Future Students .
Program Requirements
The MA program in English in the Field of Creative Writing usually requires 18-24 months to complete. Applicants must have an overall average of B+ or better and evidence of first-class work in English for admission to the program. The program requires the completion of two FCE’s (full course equivalents) in English; ENG6950Y Writing Workshop; and a supervised Writing Project (the equivalent of a thesis) completed under the direction of a mentor.
All candidates must complete the Writing Workshop in the first year of their program. Some sessions may feature on-campus visits from editors, publishers, professional archivists, researchers, and agents so that students can learn the pragmatics of the publishing industry. In their second year, students undertake a book-length Writing Project in a genre of choice – poetry, drama, fiction, or creative non-fiction. Each student is assigned a faculty member or adjunct faculty member with whom to consult on a regular basis about the Project. All advisors are published writers.
Writing Workshop
ENG6950YY: All candidates for the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing must complete this workshop in the first year of their program. Students will also submit creative work in order to receive feedback from the instructor and fellow students, and this will allow them to develop their portfolios.
Writing Project
In the second year of the program, students will undertake a book-length Writing Project in a genre of choice (poetry, drama, fiction, or creative non-fiction). Each student will be assigned a faculty member or adjunct faculty member with whom to consult on a regular basis about the Project. All mentors will be published writers. The completed Project should normally be submitted before the beginning of April of the second year. The Department will then arrange an oral defense, to be chaired by the Director of the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing. The Writing Project can be designated as Pass, Fail, or Distinction.
Student Funding
Students accepted into the MA Program in English in the Field of Creative Writing are eligible for teaching assistantships, including a number in Creative Writing courses. All incoming students are considered for incoming scholarships.
Students are strongly encouraged to apply for external funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. For more information visit the Department of English Finances & Awards webpage.
Faculty, Mentors, and Alumni
- MA CRW Program Adjunct Faculty (Mentor) Biographies
- MA CRW Faculty Biographies
- MA CRW Alumni Biographies
How many students are admitted each year?
We admit seven students each year.
I do not have 7 full-year (or equivalent) undergraduate courses in English. Can I still apply?
Because the program is an MA in English, students must have a strong background in English literature. Students who do not have sufficient undergraduate training may wish to take additional courses in English in order to qualify for admission.
My average is less than a B+. Can I still apply?
The academic requirements for admission to the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing are very strict. The B+ minimum must be met or a student’s portfolio will not be considered. Students who do not have an adequate GPA may wish to take additional courses in order to improve their academic standing and qualify for admission.
I have taken courses in literature in a language other than English. Can I apply?
Unless the texts were studied in English translation, courses in literature in a language other than English do not qualify students for admission to the program.
How should I choose what to submit?
Choose your best writing.
Can I apply to enrol in January?
There is only one entry point for students in the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing, which is September. Students may not begin the program in January.
Can I enrol in the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing part-time?
Students must enrol full-time.
How much Financial Support can I expect?
Currently we are able to offer students in the Creative Writing program a TAship each year (number of hours TBA at the start of the program), to a maximum of two years. Successful applicants for the SSHRC CGS-M award can expect $17,500. OGS award holders can expect up to $15,000. All incoming students are considered for incoming scholarships.
For more information please contact us by e-mail, phone or by mail.
[email protected] Director, MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing Department of English 170 St. George Street University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario Canada M5R 2M8
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English and Creative Writing (MA)
Feed your love of literature and creative writing through our English and Creative Writing graduate programs. Our graduate-level course seminars are guided by the expertise and research of our faculty, letting you become immersed in engaging topics—from the historical reception of the works of William Shakespeare, to the writing of the formal lyric, to the figure of the zombie in contemporary culture—all under the guidance of specialists in the subject. Our programs cultivate not only critical writers and readers, but also accomplished researchers and public speakers.
In our creative writing Master of Arts programs, you can find your voice and hone your craft as a writer of verse, fiction, and creative non-fiction.
Our graduate students have the choice of not only diverse course offerings and accomplished mentors and supervisors, but also of several distinct degree paths, allowing for extensive learning through coursework, for intensive individual study in the project or thesis route, and for the pursuit of one’s own craft as a writer through creative writing projects and theses.
We offer the following graduate programs:
Master of Arts in English (course-based)
The course-based Master of Arts consists of 10 seminar courses. In this program, you will achieve a breadth of knowledge in many areas of English literature and in the most current developments in the subject.
Master of Arts in English (thesis-based)
The thesis-based Master of Arts consists of five courses plus a thesis requiring in-depth research on one area of English literature.
Master of Arts in English (project-based)
The project-based Master of Arts consists of seven courses plus an academic project. In this program, students study English while completing a project the size of a scholarly journal article. This program includes a public presentation of the completed project.
The Master of Arts in Creative Writing and English (thesis-based)
This program includes a creative writing workshop requirement. Of the five courses required, at least two graduate courses in creative writing must be taken. The remaining courses are advanced seminars in English literature or literary theory. The creative writing thesis takes the form of a substantial manuscript of poems, short stories, or creative nonfiction, and it must include a critical introduction explaining the aims, methods and contexts for the creative work.
Master of Arts in Creative Writing and English (project-based)
This Master of Arts program has an emphasis on creative writing and requires the submission of an extended creative work (e.g., a chapbook collection of poetry; 1-2 short stories or creative nonfiction pieces; an excerpt from a novel). This program includes a public presentation of the completed project.
Of the seven courses required, at least two graduate courses in creative writing must be taken. The program also requires a substantial amount of work in the subject of English, which is a valuable part of the education of creative writers. It is intended for students who have aspirations in the fields of creative writing and editing but who have not had the extensive professional experience required with gaining admission to a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program.
Regardless of the route you choose, all of our English and creative writing graduate programs offer excellent preparation for graduate studies at the doctoral level or in related fields, or for a wide range of careers.
English Meet Your Faculty
Quick facts, connect with us, why study english and creative writing at the university of regina.
The writing, reading, and research demands of our seminar courses and intensive, self-directed study equip students to be independent thinkers capable of processing complex information, of researching intricate issues, of identifying and solving problems, and of communicating findings clearly and compellingly. This sets them up to succeed in a wide range of workplaces.
By allowing students to cultivate their own voice in both creative and critical writing, and to pursue their passions in readings and assignments, our graduate programs also enrich our students’ lives and empower them to speak and write with eloquence and confidence.
Our faculty is noted for its diversity, its renown, its record of innovation, and is committed to mentoring graduate students.
A choice of routes – thesis, course-based, or project
Graduate students have the choice of five program routes: coursework, English thesis, English project, Creative Writing and English thesis, Creative Writing and English project. The new project route emphasizes professionalization, while the English department’s ongoing commitment to a thesis degree gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a major independent research project under the supervision of expert professors. This is an experience fewer and fewer graduate programs in the field still offer.
Student support
The English department has a long-standing tradition of professorial availability and mentoring. Since the master's degree is the highest degree offered by the English department at the U of R, we can offer close support of Master's students and high-priority supervision of Master's theses that is often unavailable in departments with doctoral programs.
Expert faculty members
We have a number of celebrated professors, including the U of R’s Canada Research Chair in Truth, Reconciliation, and Indigenous Literatures, Dr. Michelle Coupal, as well as award-winning creative writers, scholars, and teachers.
Our faculty research interests include:
- Renaissance, Romantic, and Modernist periods
- Post-colonial literature
- Prison writing
- Fantasy literature
- Literary and political theory
- Canadian Indigenous literature
- Creative writing in prose and verse
- Film adaptation
- Creative writing faculty members include novelists, Fantasy writers, short story writers, poets, and writers of memoir and creative nonfiction.
University library
The holdings of the University Library are ample for Master’s research in all traditional areas of literary study, and have particular strengths in the following areas:
- Victorian writers and periodicals
- Romantic poets and novelists
- Literary theory
- American fiction and periodicals 1741-1910
- Hemingway and Fitzgerald
- Canadian Institute for Historical Microproductions archive
- Utopian literature
- Criticism of fantastic literature (science fiction, fantasy, horror)
- North American Indigenous Literature
- Literature and religion, e.g. Patrologiae Cursus Completus
The University Library’s databases include extensive holdings in primary materials, such as:
- Shakespeare in Quarto
- Women Writers Online
- Nineteenth Century Collections Online
- Eighteenth Century Collections Online
- Early English Books Online
- British Library Manuscripts Online
- Gale Primary Sources
The Library’s databases also include substantial secondary materials for literary research, such as:
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- Artemis Literary Sources
- Literature Criticism Online
- MLA Bibliography
The Dr. John Archer Library houses the University Archives, with archival staff to facilitate primary research using archival materials. Graduate students also have access to hands-on personal research support from the English Librarian, opportunities for digital humanities research supported by the Research & Scholarship Librarian, and more.
English and Creative Writing Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s degree in English with an overall grade point average of at least 75 per cent. Applicants with a strong background in English who hold degrees in other disciplines may be considered for admission as Qualifying students. Applicants must have successfully completed ENGL 399 or an equivalent course in Literary Theory.
You must also submit a writing sample and other supplementary materials (depending on which program you are applying to.)
Creative Writing: Writing Genre
This graduate-level creative writing seminar will focus on popular genres, including fantasy/science-fiction, detective fiction, horror, young adult literatures, and digital genres. Students will workshop their own creative texts while also reading criticism on genre studies and the craft of writing.
Life Writing: Experimental Memoir
This course introduces students to the creative non-fiction memoir and personal, lyric essay. It is a hybrid course; both academic and creative writing students can enroll.
Shakespeare as Cultural Icon
By studying the cultural reception of four popular, contested plays in the Shakespeare canon, this course examines the ways Shakespeare has been used as a national and international icon, both to maintain institutionalized power and to serve as a resistance point for underprivileged groups.
Indigenous Science Fiction and Speculative Storytelling
This course examines Indigenous science fiction and speculative storytelling as an emerging genre. Beginning with its origins in oral traditions and ending with contemporary short fiction and film, this course asks what makes Indigenous science fiction distinct from Western science fiction, and also from historical fiction about Indigenous peoples.
The Rhetoric of Apology in Canada
This course examines the rhetoric of government apologies in Canada as national mythologies or narratives of forgiving and forgetting government policies that defined, “who belongs and who does not belong to the nation.” We will examine ideological underpinnings of apologies and attempts at reconciliation through Canadian tragedies.
Security and Surveillance: The Making of "Bad" Subjects
This course will use Foucault's mid-1970s lectures on security and surveillance as a starting point to discuss how bodies and behaviours are policed. We will discuss how some cultural texts play a role in producing "good" citizens, while others challenge the boundaries that delimit what it is to be human.
Yes! Once you have been accepted as a fully-qualified graduate student with no conditions or holds on your admission, then you are eligible to apply for our scholarships, awards, or graduate teaching assistant positions.
English Scholarships and Awards
- Dorothy and Leon Goldman Award
- Morris Shumiatcher Graduate Scholarship in English
- Lloyd Person Scholarship
- Lucy Murray Scholarship
- Ken Probert Memorial Scholarship.
The English department also offers support for student travel to scholarly conferences.
Apply for these scholarships, and more, by visiting our Graduate Awards Portal (GAP), the U of R online graduate scholarship application system.
All Graduate Funding Opportunities
Visit our Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research website to learn about all graduate funding opportunities including:
- National Scholarships (including Tri Council funding)
- Awards to Study Abroad
- FGSR Funding/Special Awards
- Funding for Indigenous Students
- Funding for International Students
- Other Awards and Scholarships
- External Scholarship Opportunities
- External Student and Faculty Awards
Yes! Mitacs Globalink is a student mobility and research funding program in Canada with many options for travel for graduate students for the purpose of conducting research. Some programs are open to all countries and applications are accepted throughout the year, while other programs are limited to partner countries and are call-based.
What Can You Do With an English and Creative Writing Degree?
Upon successfully completing your graduate program in English, you will be ready for the next step of your career. Some of our graduates pursue a doctoral degree or other advanced studies. The jobs that graduates go on to include:
- Published author
- Composer of hit pop songs
- Senior policy analysts
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Graduate studies
Unique in Canada
UVic's grad program is the only one of three in Canada offering an MFA in writing, rather than an MA in English with a creative-writing option.
We are also the only Canadian institution with an emphasis not only on writing but on the teaching of writing, which is a specialized area of education. You'll take on teaching assistantships to gain experience in evaluating and assisting undergrads, and to acquire actual classroom teaching skills in the area of writing (rather than in English literature). Our program is designed so that teaching will be one of the skills you'll graduate with, to better prepare you for the job market.
MFA in Creative Writing
Our MFA program offers you:
- a supportive environment in which to create a publishable or producible body of work in one of five genres (fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, film and poetry), and
- training in the teaching of creative writing at the post-secondary level and for community groups.
You will work closely with internationally known and published faculty who respect and encourage their creative visions and voices. Through participation in workshop classes that simulate an editorial environment of critical feedback and positive reinforcement, you can develop a significant body of work in your genre.
Our department is connected to the lively literary community of Greater Victoria through off-campus readings and events, including the Open Word reading series and the Victoria Festival of Authors .
Find out how to apply or consult our FAQ .
Deadline for applications: December 1.
Get to know our faculty
Check out our faculty profiles to learn more about the writers you could be working with!
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Creative Writing
Why creative writing.
The Power of Storytelling
Humans are natural storytellers; writing is how we discover ourselves, make sense of the world around us, and describe our place and the place of others within it. Each day brings us news of about cultural change, climate crisis, global pandemics, anti-black racism and protests, food insecurity, and so much more. Our professors understand the importance of telling these stories because they know that the written word can save the world, one story at a time.
Writing Starts With You
As you hone the skills needed to become an effective writer, you’ll also discover more about yourself and your personal identity. You will begin to ask questions, such as:
- What do I care about?
- Where is my place in the world?
- Where do I want to go?
- What is most important to me?
What You Will Learn
Think of every great movie, film, book, or play; they all have one thing in common - they started as an idea or script on a page.
In this program, you will learn how to construct stories, build characters, and create emotional connections with your readers that will leave a lasting impression.
You will complete writing assignments and exercises, short creative pieces, and peer critiques across three writing genres, including fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction.
You will build upon this by engaging with our creative writing community through initiatives, such as:
- Gryphons Read - Canadian writers-in-residence
- Walls to Bridges program - Writing stories alongside inmates at correctional facilities
What You Will Do
As a graduate of this program, you will have strong skills in writing, communication, critical analysis, research, social awareness, empathy and imaginative problem-solving, skills that you can apply successfully in careers like journalism, education, brand management, book publishing, copywriting, reporting, and more.
Students in the Creative Writing program may also be interested in studying English , History , Psychology , Music and Studio Art , other majors .
To see all courses offered in this degree, visit our 2023-2024 Academic Calendar .
Learn How to Tell Your Story
write to change the world.
You will be inspired to write about big ideas and confront big issues; from social justice to environmental issues; you will unlock the power of words and use your voice to change the future.
Join World Renowned Creative Writers
Meet our in-house professors:
- Lawrence Hill (The Book of Negroes)
- Catherine Bush (Blaze Island)
- Judith Thompson (Watching Glory Die)
They are nationally and globally recognized creative writers, playwrights, directors, and screenwriters, with decades of experience.
Develop Your Own Portfolio of Work
Your in-class assignments will help you build expertise in two of your preferred creative writing genres. Use these experiences to complete a polished creative portfolio that you can use for graduate program admission or to start your career.
Hear From A Creative Writing Student
Studying creative writing at the University of Guelph taught me the importance of storytelling, and bearing witness to the stories of others. I learned how to craft my own experiences and present them persuasively, write with intention, and build a world with my words. These are skills I carry with me everywhere I go.
Laila El Mugammar Creative Writing Read Laila's story
Admission Requirements
Explore admission requirements for Canadian, international, transfer, and mature students. Start your journey today!
View Admission Requirements
Scholarships & Bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial aid programs to assist with funding your education at the University of Guelph.
Explore Scholarships & Financial Aid
Tour Our Campus
Through virtual tours, presentations, webinars and in-person tours, get familiar with the University of Guelph campus.
Book a Tour
Have Questions?
Learn more about how to connect, discover, and engage with programs, facilities and life at the University of Guelph.
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Talk to a Current Student
Don’t just take it from us – hear from one of our many students on their experiences with Guelph, integrating into U of G life, and much more. Start chatting with students from Canada or international students .
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Creative Writing
About this program.
Have you longed to explore your creative potential?
Embrace the unknown and start your journey here. As part of one of the largest Creative Writing programs in Canada, you can learn the essentials of excellent writing and put them into practice. Whether you aspire to write a novel or short story, explore poetry, pen a script or screenplay, or explore other writing styles, we have the courses you need to improve your skills.
Class sizes and writers workshops are kept small to ensure you receive the individual attention you need to help your writing thrive, whether you take your class in-class or online.
Courses in the genres listed below can be applied to the Certificate in Creative Writing
- Creative Non-Fiction
- Escritura Creativa en Español
- Literary Fiction
- Multi-genre
- Poetry and Songwriting
- Popular Fiction
- Stage and Screenwriting
- U of T Summer Writing School
- Writing for Children
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Creative Writers are at the heart of our cultural industries. Poets, novelists, screenwriters, playwrights, graphic novelists, magazine writers: they entertain, inform and inspire. For more than 15 years, UBC's Creative Writing program has been educating writers through distance education in a program which complements our long-standing on-campus MFA program. A studio program with the writing ...
Photography 39. Sculpture 31. Singing and Vocal Performance 36. UX/UI Desgin 32. Below is the list of 48 best universities for Creative Writing in Canada ranked based on their research performance: a graph of 246K citations received by 19.8K academic papers made by these universities was used to calculate ratings and create the top.
You'll have the freedom to explore your creative vision and find your voice as a writer and scholar in the artistically vibrant city of Montreal. Our program's flexibility allows you to propose a thesis project in traditional or innovative genres and media, including digital. By pursuing training as a writer in the context of a literature ...
Writing (MFA) As one of three programs in Canada offering an MFA in Writing, this program emphasizes both how to write and how to teach creative writing. You'll focus on developing and perfecting your work in one of five genres: fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting or poetry. We also encourage you to explore new forms ...
The Department of English at the University of Toronto launched the MA Program in English in the Field of Creative Writing (MA CRW) in 2004-05. The program draws both on the expertise of faculty at the University of Toronto and on the extraordinary vitality of Toronto's writing community. Internationally acclaimed writers, a multiplicity of cultural traditions, and an
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Guelph. Our MFA Program, located in Toronto, the most richly diverse city in the country, welcomes and is structured to nurture and support many voices and wide imaginaries. Our distinguished faculty and our many acclaimed graduates recognize the power of language to summon a different world.
This Master of Arts program has an emphasis on creative writing and requires the submission of an extended creative work (e.g., a chapbook collection of poetry; 1-2 short stories or creative nonfiction pieces; an excerpt from a novel). This program includes a public presentation of the completed project. Of the seven courses required, at least ...
The University of Calgary, located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut'ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations).
About. University of British Columbia's Creative Writing program was the first writing program in Canada, and is the largest and most comprehensive in the country. It is highly ranked internationally, and draws students from around the world for its multi-genre approach to writing instruction. University of British Columbia. Vancouver , Canada.
Graduate studies Our master's program lets you explore new fields, such as the graphic novel and interactive media, while also focusing on your genre of interest and learning how to teach creative writing. Unique in Canada. UVic's grad program is the only one of three in Canada offering an MFA in writing, rather than an MA in English with a ...
Start chatting with students from Canada or international students. Learn more about how the Creative Writing degree at the University of Guelph focuses on writing that explores issues of social justice and the environment, from Lawrence Hill to Catherine Bush; from Black History in Canada to climate fiction to critically acclaimed plays and more.
International students: the impact of studying from outside of Canada on Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility differs significantly based on when you start your program. ... The Creative Writing Graduate Certificate or the Summer Workshop in Creative Writing. Second Prize: $2,000. Third Prize: $1,000.
Embrace the unknown and start your journey here. As part of one of the largest Creative Writing programs in Canada, you can learn the essentials of excellent writing and put them into practice. Whether you aspire to write a novel or short story, explore poetry, pen a script or screenplay, or explore other writing styles, we have the courses you ...
We offer a minor in Creative Writing for undergraduate students (please see the University of Alberta Calendar for more information) and graduate students have the unique and exciting opportunity to take either our course-based Masters of Arts or our Master of Arts thesis option.. In the course-based Master of Arts, students can submit an original creative project for the completion of their ...
Creative Writing graduate and post-graduate programs and degrees offered in Canada. Browse and compare over 10,000 master's, graduate certificate, doctorate (PHD) and residency programs offered in universities, faculties and research centres across Canada.
Hybrid Creative Writing Masters Programs in Canada. Hybrid masters programs are a combination of the two above formats. They combine the convenient scheduling of the online courses with the possible in-person benefits of the on-campus. This might be a perfect choice for students who take part in freelance writing or seasonal work.
14 Postgraduate Creative Writing courses in Canada. Course price ranging from CAD 14,250 - CAD 48,167 with a max.Hurry the courses start from 26 Aug 2024. Talk to us ... Master of Arts in English - Creative Writing and Language and Literature. View course View institution. At University of Windsor. Windsor , Canada.
Looking to study your postgraduate creative writing degree in canada? View hundreds of courses from leading universities with IDP! ... Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. THE World Ranking: 41; Masters Degree; Vancouver, Canada; Next intake: 03.09.2024; Entry Score: IELTS 6.5; CAD9500 (2024)
Writers from Old Dominion University's Master in Fine Arts in Creative Writing program are harnessing the power of language to help adoptable animals at the Norfolk SPCA find forever homes. The effort is part of ODU's Writers in Community, a non-profit program dedicated to helping the diverse communities of Coastal Virginia by cultivating literacy and creativity.
Creative Writing Minor. Offered by English. The Creative Writing Minor at UMBC is appropriate for students of any major who are interested in creative writing as a form of expression. Students study the craft of writing across genres, including fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. They learn to read critically, produce and revise their own ...
Mac McClelland's winning entry, Brianna, is staggering. The piece eloquently draws a line from past to present, highlighting just how far-reaching and damaging legislation in this vein can be. Opening the door for this creative expression has resulted in something that, in my opinion, is as impactful as an academic paper.
Western Colorado University's Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW) is excited to announce the hiring of veteran screenwriter James Napoli as the program's new Screenwriting Director.. Napoli is a filmmaker, performer, and screenwriting educator who earned his MFA in Film from the London Film School and taught screenwriting at National University in Los Angeles and Columbia College ...
Our 20th Annual UBC Creative Writing Summer Residency runs from July 3 to 12, 2024. The summer residency is an intensive and provocative eight days of face-to-face programming on UBC Vancouver campus to motivate and challenge students' writing practice, while connecting students with faculty, guest authors, industry professionals, and fellow ...
Mission. The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives.
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