Join Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading creative writing community
Discover your voice and develop your imaginative capacity within a lively community of writers. Hone your craft in small-group writing workshops led by high-calibre teaching staff at the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML).
The IIML is Aotearoa New Zealand’s most prestigious creative writing programme, offering a Master of Arts in Creative Writing, and a PhD in Creative Writing.
Our teaching staff are all practising writers with strong publishing profiles. Many of our graduates have gone on to become leading authors and win major national and international awards.
How to apply to study Postgraduate Creative Writing
There are specific application requirements to study Postgraduate Creative Writing at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Read about Michelle's experienceI can't overstate how valuable the year was. From writing my first piece of fiction to having a manuscript of short stories — did that really happen?!"
Read about Teherenui's experienceI decided that the practical nature of the MA aligned well with my goals for myself as a writer. Now, having graduated… I can say it truly lived up to the hype!
Read about Claire's experienceCompleting a PhD at the International Institute of Modern Letters gave me the impetus, structure and skills to write my award-winning novel Dice.
Choose your study path
There are two ways you can study Postgraduate Creative Writing.
Master of Arts in Creative Writing
This one-year full-time postgraduate research degree is an opportunity to discover your voice in your chosen medium. Learn with a supportive community of writers in a workshop environment.
You’ll complete a book-length manuscript or a full-length script. Workshops and close supervision provide an intimate, practical and supportive environment in which you will become a better reader and a better writer.
Choose to study from one of two streams—Writing for the Page or Scriptwriting.
PhD in Creative Writing
A PhD is the highest academic qualification offered by the University. It usually involves between three and four years of original and sustained research under supervision.Your thesis will consist of a book-length creative project or the text of full-length works for stage or screen, and a substantial piece of critical research. There are regular PhD group workshops, and the programme also requires an ability to work independently.
The MA year expands your sense of what your writing can do and opens the door to a community that will sustain you throughout your writing life.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Study options
Find out how you can study Postgraduate Creative Writing at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Why Wellington
We’re the oldest and most prestigious creative writing programme in Aotearoa New Zealand. A small undergraduate creative writing course, first offered at the University in 1975, slowly evolved into a wide range of genre-specific workshops. In 1997 we established Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Master of Arts in Creative Writing, and then expanded this to include a scriptwriting stream. Ten years later we established the first PhD Creative Writing programme in the country.
Our high-calibre teaching staff are all practising creative writers with strong publishing profiles. Based in the homely surrounds of Bill Manhire House, we foster a genuine sense of community among our staff and students. We are also closely connected with the people, organisations, events, and venues that fuel the liveliest arts scene in the country.
We have a strong relationship with Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading literary publisher, Te Herenga Waka University Press. Our scriptwriting students receive valuable mentoring and build networks through industry placements with a range of film, television, and theatre production companies.
Our graduates are among New Zealand’s leading contemporary writers, frequently appearing on literary, theatre and film awards lists, and with a growing international presence. They feature regularly in book launches, theatrical productions and literary events, including our own downtown Writers on Mondays series at Te Papa Tongarewa and Circa Theatre.
Industry connections
We have connections and partnerships with a range of writers and industry professionals.
If you choose the Writing for the Page stream, you'll attend a two-hour reading programme meeting each week that provides a forum for visits by writers and industry professionals, and the discussion of craft, literary and industry issues. You will be supervised by established writers and receive publisher feedback on your final folio.
Scriptwriting students complete individual industry placements with theatre companies, film and TV producers, or other relevant practitioners or organisations. These internships usually total around 40 hours for each writer.
Globally ranked
Our English Literature subjects are ranked in the top 100 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Future careers
A postgraduate degree in Creative Writing can open unexpected doors. You might find work in publishing, editing, journalism and in writing roles in a range of organisations, from museums to the public service to the corporate world. If you're a Scriptwriting student, the connections you make during industry placement and collaborations will extend your professional networks.
Our graduates are now among Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading contemporary writers and have a growing international presence. They are active across a wide range of genres, including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, theatre, television and film. They also hold key university teaching roles both nationally and overseas.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Postgraduate Creative Writing
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The Brian Murray Fox Scholarship in Creative Writing supports a student who has been accepted into the MA in Creative Writing. With one application deadline each year.
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This scholarship is for students who have been accepted into the MA programme at the International Institute of Modern Letters. Applicants must provide a written overview of the work they intend to undertake during their MA study. It will be established that the work being undertaken by the applicant does not infringe upon any copyright law.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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The scholarship is open to graduates of any university in New Zealand or of the University of the South Pacific, who are enrolled or intending to enrol full-time or part-time, in a Master of Criminology (MCrim) or a PhD in Criminology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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The purpose of the award is to assist postgraduate (full-time or part-time) students in the study of a Master’s of Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or TESOL by coursework at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington. Applicant will be assessed on the basis of academic merit. Relevant prior experience may also be taken into account.
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The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage postgraduate study of French and German language at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Academic staff research areas
Kate Duignan
Lecturer in Creative Writing
Ken Duncum
Associate Professor
Tina Dahlberg
Senior Lecturer
Chris Price
Senior Lecturer
Damien Wilkins
Director
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.