ubc arts creative writing

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Creative Writing

This two-year studio program offers workshops in the following genres: fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, writing for children, translation, stage play, radio, television, song lyric and libretto, screenwriting, new media, and writing for graphic forms.

This program is also offered at UBC's Okanagan Campus

Program information.

• Campus: Vancouver
• Length 2 yrs
• Co-op Yes You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
• Honours No You can study intense specialization in a single field.

The Creative Writing program offers a two-year studio course, with instruction by faculty who work in a variety of literary and dramatic forms. The program leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing or a joint degree with another department, in which Creative Writing serves as half of the Double Major.

Campus features

The Creative Writing program is the editorial home of western Canada’s oldest literary periodical, PRISM International, which publishes the best in contemporary writing and translation from Canada and around the world.

• PRISM International

What can you do with this major after graduation?

Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including publishing, communications, marketing, public relations, social media, non-profit, government, tourism, education, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests, including:

• Arts administrator
• Book publishing manager
• Communications manager
• Communications policy researcher
• Community centre coordinator
• Community organizer
• Careers with Creative Writing

Your future

A UBC education will introduce you to people and ideas from around the world, open doors to new opportunities, and take you places you never imagined. You’ll graduate not only with expertise in your chosen field, but with the skills you need to continue growing, learning, and evolving with your career over time.

Related programs

You’ll find these pages helpful, deep dive into ubc programs and get a taste of campus life on snapchat, meet al, a lover of books and bacteria who double majored in english literature and microbiology, ready to choose your degree.

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Distance) (MFA)
• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Graduate Degree Programs

Canadian Immigration Updates

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

Go to programs search

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

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 (Fiction, television)
• 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.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

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Degrees & Programs

Matt Rader Creative Writing Program Coordinator 250.807.98092 [email protected]

Creative Writing

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Why study Creative Writing at UBC’s Okanagan campus?

Join a strong writing community.

Engage in lively discussions with fellow writers and faculty at community events, readings, and workshops where students are warmly welcomed.

learn from the best 

Study under a faculty of award-winning writers dedicated to helping students experiment with their prose and grow as writers. A visiting writer’s series and Writer-in-Residence program provide additional opportunities to meet, and learn from, accomplished writers.

build your portfolio

Create a varied body of work and build your portfolio during hands-on projects. Students are actively involved in writing projects, chapbook production, magazine editing, student anthology production, and community learning projects.

Broad Range of Knowledge

UBC Okanagan’s liberal arts degree prepares students for global citizenship by integrating foundational knowledge with interdisciplinary opportunities in social justice, sustainability and Indigenous content. Students who earn a BA degree graduate with a broad range of knowledge and the ability to think critically, be creative, problem solve and communicate effectively.

Co-op experience

Put your classroom learning to the test with Co-op job placements throughout the region and beyond. Co-op helps you to gain beneficial skills such as how to build your resumé, apply for jobs, expand your professional network and earn money to pay for tuition.

what you need to know

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing is a four-year UBC degree with courses in poetry, creative non-fiction, short fiction, novel, playwriting, screenplay, writing with media, editing and publishing, spoken word, and writing and community learning. It is designed to build students’ range and confidence to the professional level, while familiarizing them with practical aspects of the writing life. Students apply to major in Creative Writing after the completion of their first year.

Students also have the opportunity to study Creative Writing as a minor in combination with another discipline or to combine their major in Creative Writing and the requirements of another BA program that offers a combined major (currently Art History and Visual Culture, Cultural Studies, and English).

Additionally, courses are offered that appeal to and benefit students in a variety of disciplines, including management, science, and medicine. The Power of Story and The Power of Metaphor offer creative tools for framing and understanding human experience and perception.

The Creative Writing program provides students with the opportunity to study literature and literary criticism as well as key aspects of the writing process—from crafting a scene, to pacing a story, working with imagery, and hooking a reader’s interest. Classes are taught by professional writers with a wealth of knowledge and experience they share with students at intimate workshops designed to build students’ range and confidence as they grow as writers. Students are encouraged to share their work and hone their skills with faculty who are actively involved in the editing process.

An intimate learning community is a hallmark of our program. Upper-year classes are capped at 15 students.

UBC Okanagan’s Creative Writing program offers a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses in poetry, creative non-fiction, short fiction, novel, playwriting, screenplay, writing with media, and editing and publishing. Several intensive summer courses are offered on campus and at the Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre in Kelowna.

Sample courses:

• CRWR 150 – Introduction to Writing Poetry and Non-fiction
• CRWR 250 – Writing Workshop in Creative Writing: Screenwriting
• CRWR 472 – Editing and publishing

View course descriptions for the 2020-2021 academic year. Browse here for all Creative Writing courses and their descriptions in the Academic Calendar.

The following links take you to Creative Writing program details in the Okanagan Academic Calendar, a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services, and academic policies at The University of British Columbia:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing:

• Major in Creative Writing
• Combined Major with Creative Writing
• Minor in Creative Writing

Prospective Majors in Creative Writing can declare a major at the end of first year. to declare your major, contact the Creative Writing Program Coordinator  Matt Rader  to set up an appointment.

Find out more about the required courses and how to declare your major .

Communications and Rhetoric Certificate

Students can receive a Certificate in Communications and Rhetoric by completing 15 credits through courses from four thematic interdisciplinary and relational clusters, and a final capstone project. This is an add on to any major; some credits can be double counted.

For your application to be considered, you’ll need to do three things:

• Meet general requirements (e.g., graduate from secondary school)
• Demonstrate a certain level of English competency
• Meet specific requirements for the degree you’re applying to.

Then, UBC will take a closer look at your application. We’ll read your Personal Profile to get a sense of who you are and what you’ve achieved.  We’ll also look at all of your Grade 11 (junior level) and Grade 12 (senior level) courses, paying special attention to the courses that relate to the degree you’re applying to.

Find your specific requirements at  you.ubc.ca

Students are encouraged to apply for a major or minor in Creative Writing at the end of their first year, provided they have a combined average of 70% (B-) in 6 credits of 100-level Creative Writing courses and 3 credits of 100-level English. Refer to the Academic Calendar for  required courses  to major or minor in Creative Writing.

Review the  First-Year English Requirements .

Application Deadlines  Plan ahead to ensure you meet  important deadlines  and other target dates listed at you.ubc.ca.

Tuition Fees UBC Okanagan’s fees compare favourably with universities of the same high calibre. See  Financial Planning  for helpful resources, and add up your first-year costs with our Cost Calculator.

Apply to UBC at you.ubc.ca—there are just five steps in the application process. Soon you could be studying at one of the world’s top universities.

Check out the  steps to apply to UBC , and be sure to choose “Okanagan campus.”

Or let our Student Recruitment & Advising experts guide you: call 1-877-807-8521.

Declaring your major

Students can enrol at UBC for their first year as a general BA student, to declare your major after the first year, simply book an appointment with Creative Writing Program Coordinator.

Your Career Options

Earn a UBC degree respected by employers around the globe. Build a broad foundation and great career potential with undergraduate studies in Creative Writing. Job opportunities range from arts journalist and web writer, to novelist and publisher.

• Abstract Writer
• Advertising Copywriter
• Arts Administrator
• Arts Journalist
• Author/Writer
• Bibliographer
• Communications/public relations professional
• Copy editor
• Fundraising/grant writer
• Video game writer
• Historical museum assistant
• Literary agent
• Manuscript reader
• Market research analyst
• Media planner
• Newspaper/magazine journalist
• Office manager
• Policy and procedures analyst
• Proofreader
• Radio/TV program assistant
• Reviewer for newspapers and magazines
• Screen/television script writer
• Script consultant
• Song writer
• Speech writer
• Technical writer
• Writing instructor
• Writing centre director
• Advertising agencies
• Book Publishers
• Corporate and consulting firms
• Federal, provincial and municipal governments
• Industry, political, professional, social and trade organizations
• Publishers of national, regional or specialty magazines
• Radio and television stations

Learn and earn with  Co-op , a paid opportunity for students to enrich their education with work experience. At UBC’s Okanagan campus, sign up for Co-op to: build your resumé with professional experience; learn valuable tips on how to successfully apply for jobs; expand your network of industry contacts; and earn money to pay for tuition. Inquire about Co-op by phone at 250.807.9623 or by  email .

The UBC Okanagan  Arts Career Apprenticeship Program  (UBCO ACAP) connects upcoming arts, humanities and social sciences graduates from the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies with Okanagan-based employers for one-year, paid, early career opportunities.

The  Master of Fine Arts  (MFA) degree with a specialization in Creative Writing at UBC Okanagan provides students with the theoretical and practical tools involved in advanced creative writing.

UBC Okanagan also has an  Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies  (IGS) program in which students may have a Creative Writing department faculty member as their primary supervisor.

Gain Valuable Experience

Learning experiences beyond the classroom help prepare you for a career and life after university. Expand your horizons while studying abroad, conducting meaningful research, or working in the community with your UBC colleagues.

• See the world through  Go Global , a UBC program for exchange and study with more than 150 international partner institutions.
• Travel to conferences or competitions with financial assistance available through the  Tuum Est Student Initiative Fund , which provides financial support up to $3,500.
• Follow your ideas and get a head start on your career. Our professors engage students in research projects,  labs and centres  that range from Indigenous studies and the study of animal ethics to digitized cultural history.
• Take part in  Eco Art Incubator , a research initiative that provides students and artists with a platform from which to work, as well as access to artist-friendly resources for conservation and ecological initiatives.
• Investigate opportunities offered through the  Centre for Culture and Technology (CCT) , an interdisciplinary institute that engages in multiple forms of art, media, and information technologies as vehicles for the exploration and expression of community, culture, and identity.
• FCCS faculty run the  AMP Lab , which houses projects that engage the work of the humanities, adding value to cultural artifacts through interpretation and analysis in a digital context.

Get a financial boost to start your research experience and help pay for travel and other expenses. Merit-based cash awards also look impressive on your resumé.

• The Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Undergraduate Research Awards ($2,500) provide undergraduate students support to engage in research and creative activities over the summer months.
• The  FCCS Community Engagement Award  recognizes activities that make a significant and positive impact on communities beyond the university.
• More  scholarships and bursaries  are available for Creative Writing students.
• Apply to be an  undergraduate  or graduate teaching assistant and gain invaluable experience managing group discussions, marking, and assisting professors with paperwork.
• Learn through doing, create strong connections, and develop professional skills with a campus job arranged by  UBC’s Work Study Program. 
• Meet a community need and get practical experience by volunteering for a  Community Service Learning  project — a life-changing experience.
• Co-op  puts your classroom learning to the test, allowing you to explore career options while earning money. Inquire about Co-op by phone at 250.807.9623 pr by  email .
• More Employment Opportunities in FCCS

Meet Your Peers and Profs

Find out what students, faculty, and alumni have to say about the Creative Writing program at UBC’s Okanagan campus:  ourstories.ok.ubc.ca .

Lauren Marshall

Anne Fleming, UBC Professor

Joe Dermo, UBC Alumnus

Welcome to ubc’s okanagan campus.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. In the psychology program at UBC’s Okanagan campus, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally respected university while studying in a close-knit learning community.

• Get a glimpse into life on UBC’s Okanagan campus at you.ubc.ca .
• Take a virtual tour of our state-of-the-art labs, modern facilities, campus residences.
• Visit the campus for a personal guided tour led by a student ambassador.
• Tour the campus, city and lake with this interactive 360-degree Kelowna From Above * video. * Best viewed in Chrome and Firefox 

On the first day of university, faculties offer “Meet the Faculty” sessions where you can get to know the Dean, professors, and the staff who provide student support. It’s all part of UBC Okanagan’s new student orientation: CREATE .

Attend an orientation tailored to your needs as an aboriginal student, domestic student, international student, or student living in residence. You can even register your parents for an orientation that includes a workshop and campus tour.

• Peer mentors are a great resource — ask questions and learn from students who’ve been there, done that.
• Navigate your studies with the help of a professor, your Program Advisor .
• Use the library which offers print, audiovisual and electronic research materials, a leisure-reading collection and loaner laptops. It also offers research consultations, instruction and workshops.
• The library’s Writing and Resource Centre can help you articulate your ideas. Pursue your research in a range of subject areas and scholarly genres, including essay writing, grammar, presentation skills, punctuation, thesis development, and coursework.
• Familiarize yourself with resources designed to help you succeed. Student Services offers a variety of academic supports , from study sessions to tutoring and writing workshops.

Take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved and stay active—from workout space in the new Hangar Fitness Centre, to athletic courts, intramurals, fitness classes, and varsity athletics.

Learn more at Sports and Recreation , which includes links to fitness facilities, sport clubs, intramurals and recreation programs, as well as the nationally ranked UBC Okanagan Heat varsity teams that compete in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association.

• Make friends with similar interests, attend events, and explore career options in the  Creative Writing Course Union .
• Follow our  Creative Writing program on Facebook  to keep up to date on events and connect with our community on campus and beyond.
• Branch out, get involved in student life, and have fun by joining a  club or association .

Meet new people while living in a study-oriented environment with easy access to academic and personal support.

UBC Okanagan offers modern residence living surrounded by hiking and biking trails. One of the newest residences, Purcell, includes a rooftop patio that offers a panoramic view of the campus and the Okanagan Valley.

Find out more about living in residence at you.ubc.ca.

UBC’s Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people—the fourth fastest growing population in Canada. In fact, the Okanagan Valley is rated one of the best communities in Canada to grow your business.

More than 160 buses travel daily from campus to key locations such as Kelowna’s cultural district and thriving downtown waterfront. The campus is two minutes from the Kelowna International Airport, one of the Top 10 busiest airports in Canada.

UBC Okanagan is situated within the First Nations territory of the Okanagan Nation, whose spirit of stewardship for the land is reflected in the university’s respect for sustainability.

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards and orchards, and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan Valley features sweeping stretches of lakeside and endless mountain trails for biking and hiking.

Explore the Okanagan lifestyle at you.ubc.ca.

Apply to UBC today!

Already applied? Check your status or accept your offer .

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Creative Writing

Jasmine Sealy

Coral Santana

Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it? I chose Film Studies and Creative Writing because I love storytelling, and I love the power of the stories we chose to share. What I enjoyed the most about my program was having engaged discussions with my peers. What […]

Jill Slattery

Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it? I’ve been a writer since I was a kid, and knew without a doubt I could do something meaningful with my life if I followed that passion. I was lucky to have the support of my family and friends […]

Victoria Fraser

Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it? Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a writer. When it came to post-secondary, Creative Writing was a natural first choice for me. I started my academic career trying out different courses and found that Psychology […]

Liesl Lafferty

Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it? After graduating from the University of Guelph in the 1990s, I moved to Vancouver and my first job was directing a play at UBC’s Brave New Play Rites Festival. I fell in love with the campus and the people. […]

Ellen Keith

UBC Creative Writing graduate Ellen Keith (MFA ’16) recently published her debut novel The Dutch Wife – a historical fiction work that she completed during the MFA Optional Residency program. The book, which won the HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd/UBC Prize for Best New Fiction, reached #1 on the Globe & Mail Canadian Fiction Bestseller List. Why did you choose […]

Eden Robinson

Eden Robinson, an internationally acclaimed Haisla and Heiltsuk novelist and short story writer, is the recipient of a 2018 honorary doctoral degree from UBC for her literary contributions. A graduate of UBC’s master’s program in Creative Writing, she has received numerous awards, including the 2016 Writers’ Trust Engel/Findley Award. Her most recent novel, Son of a […]

Natalie Morrill

UBC Creative Writing graduate Natalie Morrill (MFA ’13) was the winner of the HarperCollins/UBC Prize for Best New Fiction for her debut novel The Ghost Keeper.   Why did you choose to study Creative Writing at UBC and what did you enjoy most about the program? I chose the program because it offered creative and professional […]

Lindsay Wong

A version of this interview originally appeared on the UBC Library website, December 2018. UBC alumna Lindsay Wong won the 2019 BC Book prize for her book The Woo-Woo: How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug Raids, Demons, and My Crazy Chinese Family. Wong’s story is a witty and touching account of the Asian immigrant experience and […]

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You are reading the 2024/25 Academic Calendar. The 2023/24 version remains in effect until August 31, 2024 and is available here .

Creative Writing

B.a. minor in creative writing.

Note: The Faculty of Arts also offers a B.F.A. Major in Creative Writing .

The B.A. Minor in Creative Writing program is open enrolment, and no manuscript submission is required for entry.

Lower Level Requirements

• CRWR 200 (3 credits) and 9 further credits from 200-level creative writing courses, for a total of twelve 200-level CRWR credits.

Upper Level Requirements

• 18 credits from 300-level creative writing courses 1

1 Most 300 level courses require the 200-level prerequisite in the same genre (for example, in order to take CRWR 301: Intermediate Writing Poetry, a student must have taken CRWR 201: Introduction to Writing Poetry). To register in a 300-level course with no 200-level genre prerequisite, a student must have taken at least one 200-level creative writing course.

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The BA Minor in Creative Writing allows you to pursue Creative Writing as a complement to your Major, and to receive a formal qualification in Creative Writing on your transcript.

From the start, you will learn by producing your own original writing, while experienced faculty — all practicing writers themselves – guide you in learning technique and craft.

With the single exception of translation, Minor students work in all the same genres we offer in our Major and graduate programs. We may not offer each genre every year, but our minor students have an unparalleled opportunity to explore Creative Writing in their undergraduate years.

You will benefit from one of the richest and deepest Creative Writing programs to be found anywhere in the world.

Program Requirements

CRWR 200 is foundational for the Minor; with that grounding, you will need to complete a further 9 credits in 200 level CRWR courses (i.e. 12 200 level CRWR credits in total) plus a further 18 credits in 300 level CRWR courses.

Currently, you can follow a path in four genres – poetry, fiction, screenwriting and children’s/YA fiction – that builds from introductory 200 to intermediate 300 and then on to 35* numbered courses. On this path, you build a solid base in technique and craft and then develop your writing in the 35* workshop setting. This is the same classroom environment as in the Major and graduate programs. Workshops (i.e. 35* courses) can be repeated for credit.

Interested in minoring in Creative Writing?

Add a minor to your degree through the student service centre or consult your faculty advising office..