Study Master of Creative Writing at The University of Auckland in New Zealand, Faculty of Arts

Master of Creative Writing

New Zealand

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What will I learn?

The MCW is for writers working on a large-scale creative writing project: a novel, short story collection, full-length work of creative nonfiction, or poetry collection. The programme is convened by the award-winning fiction writer and essayist Paula Morris. Selina Tusitala Marsh, a former Poet Laureate, co-supervises poets in the programme. Each week writers meet for both workshops and seminars. Our visitors include local and international writers practitioners from the world of film, radio and theatre and speakers from the publishing and literary arts world. Recent visiting writers include Airini Beautrais, Teju Cole, Michel Faber, Aminatta Forna, Stephanie Johnson, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Elizabeth McCracken, Amy McDaid, Frankie McMillan, Karlo Mila, Ben Okri and Ngugi wa Thiong'o. This programme will help refine the skills you need to finish your book and develop your creative practice. Our graduates have published books with a range of publishers including Allen and Unwin, Penguin Random House, Cuba Press, Bloomsbury, Auckland University Press, Canterbury University Press, Huia and Text.

Which department am I in?

Faculty of Arts

Study options

Full Time (1 Year)

Tuition fees
NZ$47,217.60 (US$ 28,165) per year

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

July 2027

Venue

City Campus

22 Princes Street,

Auckland,

1142, North Island, New Zealand

Entry requirements

For international students

To enrol in a MCW you need to have completed one of the following at a recognised university (or similar institution):

  • A four-year bachelors degree
  • An honours degree
  • A three-year bachelors degree, and a professional qualification in writing or at least three years of professional experience in writing

Professional experience can include previously published creative writing, working in a field involving writing such as journalism or copywriting, involvement in writers groups or participation in writing events.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most highly ranked university, with a global reputation for academic excellence and research.

  • Ranked 65th globally (QS World Rankings 2026)
  • New Zealand’s largest research organisation
  • Outstanding student support and excellent facilities
  • Top 2% in the world in THE University Impact Rankings 2025

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