Regulations for The Master of Creative Writing - MCW

Official rules and regulations for the Master of Creative Writing. These regulations apply for 2027.

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Qualification Regulations

Part I

These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Master of Creative Writing requires that the candidate will:

(a) meet the University admission requirements as specified; and will have:

(b) been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s degree with at least a B grade average across the 200- and 300-level specialisation courses, or equivalent; or

(c) been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s with Honours degree in Creative Writing, Expressive Arts or English, with at least a B grade average for the qualification, or equivalent; or

(d) been awarded or qualified for a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Creative Writing, Expressive Arts or English, with at least a B grade average for the qualification, or equivalent;

and will have:

(e) been selected into the programme on the basis of an assessment of the substance and quality of a portfolio of creative writing prepared by the candidate.

Qualification requirements

2. Candidates of the Degree of Master of Creative Writing shall follow a parts-based programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 180 credits, comprising:

(a) completion of Part One and Part Two as detailed in the Schedule for the Qualification;

(b) attendance of a compulsory workshop either on-line or in person.

3. Notwithstanding Regulation 2, candidates admitted under Regulation 1(c) or (d) may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification in accordance with the limits specified in the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations.

Specialisations

4. The Master of Creative Writing is awarded without a specialisation.

Student progression

5. In cases of sufficient merit, the Degree of Master of Creative Writing may be awarded with distinction or merit.

6. For progression to Part Two of the Master of Creative Writing candidates must have maintained a grade average of at least a B+ over the 60 credits undertaken for Part One.

Completion requirements

7. The timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates will apply.

8. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for progression from Part One to Part Two, or who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate Arts, should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

9. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

Schedule for the Master of Creative Writing

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Key terms for course planning
Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Part One (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 299703 Critical and Creative Research 30 credits

An introduction to practices of research with creative texts. Students will learn practical techniques for planning and producing research in critical and/or creative modes. Fostering a critical voice and debating the cultural and social value of aesthetic communication will be integral to the course.

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Course code: 299765 Creative Writing Workshop 30 credits

An advanced study and practice of creative writing in its myriad contemporary forms.

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Part Two (Choose 120 credits from)

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 299861 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

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Course code: 299862 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

Corequisites: 299861
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