- Published Writer, Puritan Magazine
- Content Writer Coordinator, Walt Disney Co.
- Contributing Writer, The Phoenix News
- Script Writer, Edge Digital Media
- Freelance Writer
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies website to learn more about Creative Writing.
View full program detailsProgram information
Study literature, literary criticism, and key aspects of the writing process – from crafting a scene, to pacing a story, working with imagery, and hooking a reader’s interest. The Creative Writing program will familiarize you with the practical aspects of writing, and include courses in poetry, short fiction, editing and publishing, and more.
Program overview
- Campus
- Okanagan
- Program length
- 4 years
- Faculty
- Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
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- Yes
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts
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What you'll learn
The Creative Writing program on UBC’s Okanagan campus provides you with an opportunity to study literature and literary criticism, and to bring what you learn from these studies into your own work. Course options include poetry, creative non-fiction, short fiction, novels, playwriting, screenplay, writing with media, editing and publishing, and community learning. The program fosters a supportive community of faculty and peers in which you’ll find encouragement to explore new genres and writing forms.
You’ll be actively involved in writing projects, chapbook production, magazine editing, new media work, student anthology production, and community learning projects. You’ll also have the chance to build a varied body of work for your own portfolio – all while studying under a faculty of award-winning writers dedicated to helping you experiment and grow as a writer.
Experiential learning and research
As part of your coursework, you’ll have the opportunity to complete extensive manuscript production. You’ll also have the option of taking a directed studies course, where you can investigate a creative writing practice and complete a significant writing project. The Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies offers $2,500 undergraduate research awards to support student research and creative activities over the summer months.
The Creative Writing program on UBC’s Okanagan campus organizes author readings throughout the academic year and runs an annual short story contest. A visiting writers series and Writer-in-Residence program provide additional opportunities to meet and learn from accomplished writers. You can also join the Creative Writing Course Union to connect with peers and share your work.
Program advantages
Learn how to convey meaning through imagery, narrative, and drama in a variety of literary forms Share your work and engage in lively discussions with fellow writers and faculty at community events, readings, poetry slams, and workshops Be part of a close-knit learning community, with upper-year classes capped at 15 students
Most popular courses
Introduction to art and visual cultures of major world regions from prehistory to the early modern period.
Survey of prose, poetry, and drama to the eighteenth century. Attention will be given to the importance of history and changes in form for literary analysis
An interdisciplinary survey of metaphor, focusing on use and understanding of metaphor in thinking, writing and communication across disciplines, including art, health, science, politics, literature, and technology
Applied and theoretical aspects of writing with media. Develops specialized skills for working with media such as audio installations, broadcast, recordings, live performance, and video. Students will be encouraged to work in interdisciplinary and collaborative modes
Outcomes
As a Creative Writing student, you’ll be actively involved in writing projects that are relevant to future careers in writing, including chapbook production, magazine editing, and more. As a program graduate, you can go on to pursue a career as an arts journalist, a web writer, a novelist, or a publisher.
Program graduates
Take action & plan
Program requirements
Choose application type:
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Arts
- No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Second Languages
- Social Studies
- Visual and Performing Arts
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you’re unable to visit UBC in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current UBC students walk you through UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Related programs
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies website to learn more about Creative Writing.
View full program details