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2022 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

• creative writing

By CanadianKate March 22, 2021 in Literary

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freddyfazbear

has anyone heard anything from UBC? i know they usually notify around this time but i haven’t seen anything 

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MDP 186 posts

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Feb 28 2022

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March 3, 2022

GUYS I GOT INTO IOWA OMFG

March 10, 2022

WAITLISTED AT HOLLINS!!!!!!!

February 11, 2022

Cross posted to Draft but I JUST GOT INTO GEORGE MASON???? FOR POETRY???? WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL??? I'M SO HAPPY I just checked the portal and the decision was there I haven't heard about notifs or

I applied to Rutgers for poetry, and if you're referring to the sidebar on the left, I think that's just stating what each step is named.  If it's "Under Review" it'll have a red check mark next to it, and if it's time to unveil the "Decision Made" that will have a red check mark too.  Both of those are currently still locked and the application remains pending with a "check back..." notice right in the upper-center of the main profile page.

1 minute ago, oubukibun said: I applied to Rutgers for poetry, and if you're referring to the sidebar on the left, I think that's just stating what each step is named.  If it's "Under Review" it'll have a red check mark next to it, and if it's time to unveil the "Decision Made" that will have a red check mark too.  Both of those are currently still locked and the application remains pending with a "check back..." notice right in the upper-center of the main profile page. If this is not what you're referring to, then disregard. 

Thank you!!

1 hour ago, freddyfazbear said: has anyone heard anything from UBC? i know they usually notify around this time but i haven’t seen anything 

I haven't heard anything from them yet, but was expecting to hear back yesterday or today based on previous years' admissions timelines. Guess it's just delayed, because they seem to send out all decisions at the same time.

I've been kinda lurking over the last twenty-four hours as I keep seeing people Tweet about MFA acceptances and I'm so confused thinking I wouldn't hear back from schools until late next month. Sadly, just got rejected from UMich for Poetry this afternoon. (I say afternoon because I teach 6th grade ENL and only check my personal email after work.)

• neche and MDP

3 hours ago, freddyfazbear said: has anyone heard anything from UBC? i know they usually notify around this time but i haven’t seen anything 

(new here) I go to ubc and from what I understand, it will be any day now. I was talking to a prof about it recently. :) 

• Rm714 and MDP

@questioningquestions   @palaver

I appreciate the support, but it's best not to respond to this person. They are a known troll who makes a string of new accounts every time their current one gets banned, and they've been coming to this site for ages. Around this time (when they start getting rejections) they get extremely bitter, and it's best not to feed that by replying.

• palaver , poem for her , Nightwitch and 2 others

poem for her

does anyone know how long it generally takes to get accepted into the draft facebook group (or if that process is super selective)? i'm hoping to find the other northwestern fiction admit, but i'm not sure using a quick, throwaway facebook account was the smartest idea ?

CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI

19 minutes ago, poem for her said: does anyone know how long it generally takes to get accepted into the draft facebook group (or if that process is super selective)? i'm hoping to find the other northwestern fiction admit, but i'm not sure using a quick, throwaway facebook account was the smartest idea ?

I had the same problem in that they wouldnt let my makeshift FB profile be. 

5 hours ago, xenawins said: Started the morning out with the rejection from Mich. I feel better knowing at least! ...AND THEN I GOT NOTIFIED I'M ON THE WAITLIST AT ASU!!   I'm so pleased, this makes waitlist #2 and just feels like a huge boost and validation, no matter what ends up happening. I'm going to keep on writing whether I end up in a program this year or not, but gosh, it always feels nice to be noticed!

Wow, amazing news. Congratulations. ?  

23 minutes ago, CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI said: I had the same problem in that they wouldnt let my makeshift FB profile be. 

we're on the outside looking in ? ?

9 hours ago, poem for her said: does anyone know how long it generally takes to get accepted into the draft facebook group (or if that process is super selective)? i'm hoping to find the other northwestern fiction admit, but i'm not sure using a quick, throwaway facebook account was the smartest idea ?

I did the same, they just take forever to accept. Like, weeks. 

There's also a questionnaire you have to fill out that I missed the first time.

ASU hasn't emailed yet, but if you check the portal you should see your status (Rejected for me, btw, not surprised since they've already sent out waitlists and acceptences)

MissMosquito

19 hours ago, xenawins said: Started the morning out with the rejection from Mich. I feel better knowing at least! ...AND THEN I GOT NOTIFIED I'M ON THE WAITLIST AT ASU!!   I'm so pleased, this makes waitlist #2 and just feels like a huge boost and validation, no matter what ends up happening. I'm going to keep on writing whether I end up in a program this year or not, but gosh, it always feels nice to be noticed!

 Xena does win! Woot woot! So happy for your second waitlist! Validation indeed! Keep writing, keep working!

• CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI , xenawins and neche

I joined the Facebook draft group in November 2021. Initially it was interesting and helpful, but it also made me way more obsessive than I wanted to be. Eventually, I left, and while I was itching to rejoin and to obsessively check people's posts all day, I was truly relieved to be unable to do so. But then one wretched, dumb dumb day in early February, I caved and tried to rejoin, thinking it'd  take a while to be approved anyway, and maybe I'd change my mind in the interim. I was wrong. Unfortunately, I was immediately allowed back in -- apparently once you're accepted to a Facebook group you always have access to it even after you leave? I don't know how it works. Either way, I really freaking hate obsessively checking the group but now that I have access I cannot stop. My point is, you who are having trouble getting in, you are blessed and I envy you. 

• CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI , finch66 , neche and 2 others

3 minutes ago, Roalddahli said: I joined the Facebook draft group in November 2021. Initially it was interesting and helpful, but it also made me way more obsessive than I wanted to be. Eventually, I left, and while I was itching to rejoin and to obsessively check people's posts all day, I was truly relieved to be unable to do so. But then one wretched, dumb dumb day in early February, I caved and tried to rejoin, thinking it'd  take a while to be approved anyway, and maybe I'd change my mind in the interim. I was wrong. Unfortunately, I was immediately allowed back in -- apparently once you're accepted to a Facebook group you always have access to it even after you leave? I don't know how it works. Either way, I really freaking hate obsessively checking the group but now that I have access I cannot stop. My point is, you who are having trouble getting in, you are blessed and I envy you. 

haha…thanks. I probably wont worry with it then. 

3 minutes ago, Roalddahli said: Initially it was interesting and helpful, but it also made me way more obsessive than I wanted to be.

Totally get this. I actually deleted my Facebook altogether recently (wanting to reduce my internet footprint for some reason lately...digital decluttering.) I was in Draft during my first round of apps, and I very quickly grew to hate it. Too competitive, too much dick-measuring. Plus, I didn't like being able to see all the other applicants faces and names. You're extremely good looking AND you're racking up acceptances?! (looking skyward) God, I see what you've done for others... /s

• Ogilvie , finch66 , xenawins and 2 others

I definitely get why people don't like it, but idk, I enjoy the vibe. There's a lot of congratulations for people, and also a lot of people who go there to gripe and lay off steam, and it seems fairly supportive from what I've seen. 

Mostly just saying this for anyone who's thinking about joining it, not the best for everyone, but I've had a positive experience with it *Shrug. 

• xenawins , RosA-R and neche

adwalker4394

19 minutes ago, Roalddahli said: Initially it was interesting and helpful, but it also made me way more obsessive than I wanted to be. 

It really does get your brain working in loops, likely because it's so active. I will say, I was in the Draft two years ago and this year's is much calmer and way better run. The admins this time around are extremely helpful and while there are a few "woe is me" posts, it's mostly just a super helpful place.

That said, it is pretty heart-wrenching to watch all the acceptance/waitlist posts come through for one of your top-choice schools. 

• RosA-R , palaver and MDP

16 hours ago, CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI said: I had the same problem in that they wouldnt let my makeshift FB profile be. 

I have a regular FB account that I hardly check, and even I gave up waiting for them to grant my request. I figured it was because I made the request so late in the game. ??‍♀️

• CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI and MDP

Actual lol just now

1 hour ago, adwalker4394 said: I will say, I was in the Draft two years ago and this year's is much calmer and way better run.

That's good to hear. Last time I was in there was also two years ago. From what I remember, there was a lot of hero-worshipping of certain applicants? Like, cult of personality around certain people in that group/ass-kissing energy which I found extremely offputting and cringe. Not that GradCafe is always a pristine environment but I do prefer this forum by a very large margin. 

9 minutes ago, Cindee said: @MDP , one of the Draft admins reads the posts here, but doesn't post herself. If you mean you just got it, it was probably no coincidence.

Oh I didn't get into Draft. I was laughing at " I tend to make accounts there either very good looking or very ugly. I once made an account here on gradcafe with a pic of a girl with big breasts. All the guys tried to talk to it." That cracked me up against my better judgement. Thank you

Just a heads up: University of Washington (Seattle) sent my rejection email today, so it looks like they're just about done letting their admitted and waitlisted know.

6 left to go.

1 minute ago, oubukibun said: 6 left to go.

Good luck! I'd say it's a hair too early to give up hope ?

First Iowa Fiction acceptance on Draft....

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• Skills you’ll develop

While studying Creative Writing , you’ll learn the craft and process of writing through workshops led by experienced, working writers that make up the faculty. You’ll develop important skills while writing in multiple genres.

These skills may include:

• Creating original works such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, screenplays, lyric and graphic forms, and translations
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• UBC Creative Writing Program events Meet other students at readings, info sessions, and other programs. 
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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?

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• Arts administrator
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• 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.

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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.

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The UBC Creative Writing Major program is unique, offering undergraduate apprentice writers in their third year or beyond the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in an advanced, self-contained studio program.

We take a limited number of students each year, basing admissions primarily on evaluation of a portfolio of original writing.

Program Outcomes

As a Major in Creative Writing, you will cover a range of writing genres in depth. You work and learn in small genre-based writing workshops, guided by faculty who are themselves published and working writers, alongside peers who are as committed and engaged as you in the process of becoming a writer. This active, collaborative and highly participatory learning environment builds skills and confidence, equipping you for a writing future, and beyond.

While building your own identity, personality and skills as a writer and adding strong new material to your portfolio, you will also develop invaluable skills in peer-working, collaborative communication and creative problem solving, skills employers love.

You will graduate with a grounding in the professional standards and expectations for your chosen genres – screen, stage, fiction, comics, and more – equipping you to work in those fields.

Program Requirements

All CRWR 400 courses are dedicated to the Major, allowing us to offer a focused and closed studio program. The studio is the writing workshop; your original writing and that of your peers will comprise the principal text and subject for discussion in all workshop courses. Our expectation is that this material will be of high quality and interest, showing exemplary and new directions in technique that can be shared and studied.

To earn this degree, you must complete 36 credits in 400 level CRWR workshop courses, across at least four genres, plus completing the other elective courses and credits needed to meet your specific UBC degree requirements. This takes a minimum of two years; the demands of the workshop limit students to 9 workshop credits per term, and all 36 credits must be earned within the Major.

We welcome applications from current UBC students and from others; however, external applicants must have applied to UBC for admission to be considered for the BFA program. The deadline for UBC application is in mid-January each year.

Admission to the Major is by application only, and restricted to students about to enter at least their third undergraduate year, as formally determined by UBC Vancouver. Only those with formal third year standing can be enrolled into the Major. This is an official policy requirement and can’t be set aside.

If you are eligible to apply, you will submit a portfolio-based application to the program, through an online form. The application window is only open for a short period, beginning in January, and admits students to our Major for the subsequent Winter Session – for instance, students who applied in early 2023 were admitted as Majors for the 23W academic year, and started their studies in September 2023.  There is only one application cycle per year.

As there are limited places available, this is a highly competitive process, and one with unique and distinct criteria and requirements. If you are interested in applying, or learning more, you should carefully read the Guidelines for Prospective CRWR Majors , which gives the most up-to-date, detailed and precise information.

The Guidelines explain how standing is determined, and give details for those outside UBC interested in applying, as well as anyone interested in applying this Major to a Double Major program. It also contains detailed information on how to put together your portfolio for submission.

External applicants, please note – you must apply to UBC as well as directly to the program, and UBC admission deadlines precede our programs deadline.

The program cannot make exceptions for students who fail to follow the guidelines, and all applications are covered by the terms set out in those guidelines.

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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

The School of Creative Writing offers undergraduate courses that lead to the B.F.A. degree. For current offerings, visit Creative Writing .

Admission to the Program

Students must have 3rd year standing 1 in order to enter the Major. Each spring the Program will accept applications to enter the Major the following September. Year 2 students who anticipate they will achieve Year 3 standing at the end of the Winter Session (see Promotion Requirements and students in Year 3 or higher, including transfer students, are welcome to apply.  As the Major is highly competitive and the number of places is strictly limited, students must ensure they submit their full application by the deadline indicated on the Creative Writing website.  For more information, visit Creative Writing for details on deadlines, the admission process, and current offerings.

All students should view the Guidelines for Prospective Creative Writing BFA Majors for specific guidelines and course descriptions before submitting their manuscript.

1 Normally reached at 54 credits

Major in Creative Writing

Lower-level requirements.

Students must complete 3 credits of 200-level CRWR_V 1 , or the equivalent.

1 These credits should normally be completed prior to applying to the Major. Note that success in a lower level course does not assure admission to the Major program; applicants are accepted based on the quality of the entire application package.

Upper-level Requirements

Students must complete 36 credits of CRWR_V 400-level courses in at least four different genres.

Students may not take more than 36 credits of CRWR_V 400-level courses, with a maximum of 18 credits per genre, where those genres are defined as follows:*

• Poetry (CRWR_V 401)
• New Media (CRWR_V 402, CRWR_V 410)
• Children and Young Adult (CRWR_V 403)
• Nonfiction (CRWR_V 405, CRWR_V 455)
• Dramatic Writing for the Screen (CRWR_V 406, CRWR_V 416, CRWR_V 456) 
• Dramatic Writing for the Stage (CRWR_V 407, CRWR_V 457)
• Graphic Forms (CRWR_V 408)
• Fiction (CRWR_V 409, CRWR_V 419)
• Lyric Forms (CRWR_V 411)
• Indigenous Writing (CRWR_V 420) 1

*CRWR_V 440 is a special topics course which rotates among genres and is assigned by the Undergraduate Advisor depending on the term/instructor.

*CRWR_V 430 is a non-workshop class that does not count towards the four-genre requirement.

Creative Writing offers courses in multiple genres, but may not offer classes in each genre every year. For current offerings and information on the genres taught, please visit Creative Writing .

1 A maximum of 6 credits is permitted from CRWR_V 420 and/or its graduate equivalent CRWR_V 521.

Double Major in Creative Writing and Another Subject

Students who have completed all the requirements for a Double Major in Creative Writing and another subject falling within the B.A. program may choose to graduate with either a Bachelor of Fine Arts or a Bachelor of Arts provided they have completed the overall degree requirements of their chosen degree (please see B.A. Requirements or B.F.A. Requirements ).

Minor in Creative Writing

A Minor in Creative Writing is available, for further information please see B.A. Minor in Creative Writing .

Individual Courses

CRWR_V 400-level courses are restricted to students registered as Majors in Creative Writing; other students interested in upper-level creative writing courses are advised to consult Creative Writing .

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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

Admission requirements.

Prospective Creative Writing students can declare a Creative Writing major, combined major or minor at any time. 

Major in Creative Writing

Creative Writing majors are encouraged to enrol in two of the following first-year literature courses:

• ENGL_O 150 (Introduction to Literary Genre);
• ENGL_O 151 (Critical Studies in Literature);
• ENGL_O 153 (Readings in Narrative);
• ENGL_O 154 (Indigenous Narrative)
• ENGL_O 155 (Writing and Making Technology in the Humanities)
• ENGL_O 156 (Environmental Literature)

Graduation Requirements

B.A. requirements (a minimum of 120 credits), including the following required courses:

• CRWR_O 150 (Introduction to Writing Poetry and Non-Fiction), CRWR_O 160 (Introduction to Writing Fiction and Drama);
• 3 credits from ARTH_O, CCS_O, FILM_O, MUSC_O, THTR_O, or VISA_O; and
• 3 credits of VISA_O 106.

Second Year

• ENGL_O 220 (Literature in English to the 18th Century) or ENGL_O 221 (Literature in Britain: the 18th Century to the Present);
• CRWR_O 260 (Theory and Practice of Creative Writing); and
• CRWR_O 216 (Intermediate Workshop in Creative Writing: Poetry);
• CRWR_O 217 (Intermediate Workshop in Creative Writing: Fiction)
• CRWR_O 218 (Intermediate Workshop in Creative Writing: Playwriting)
• CRWR_O 219 (Intermediate Workshop in Creative Writing: Non-Fiction)
• CRWR_O 250 (Workshop in Creative Writing: Screenwriting)

Third and Fourth Years

18 credits from the following courses, at least 3 credits of which must be from CRWR_O 472, 473, 474, 475:

• CRWR_O 360 (3) (Creative Writing and the Racialized Writer);
• CRWR_O 380 (Writing of the Short Story);
• CRWR_O 381 (Writing of Poetry);
• CRWR_O 382 (Topics in Creative Writing);
• CRWR_O 384 (Spoken Word);
• CRWR_O 385 (3) (Writing for Children);
• CRWR_O 386 (3) (Poetic Forms & Genres);
• CRWR_O 470 (3/6) (Portfolio) (may be taken twice for a total of 6 credits);
• CRWR_O 471 (6) (Writing of the Novel);
• CRWR_O 472 (3) (Editing and Publishing);
• CRWR_O 473 (3) (Writing and Community Learning);
• CRWR_O 474 (3) (Writing with Media);
• CRWR_O 475 (3) (Preparing for a Career as a Writer).

Other Requirements

• 3 upper-level credits of ENGL_O or WRLD_O;
• 3 upper-level credits of ENGL_O in Canadian literature.
• 6 upper-level credits from ARTH_O, CCS_O, CRWR_O, CULT_O, ENGL_O, FILM_O, THTR_O, VISA_O, or WRLD_O (elective). With permission, students may take an upper-level FREN_O, GERM_O, JPST_O, or SPAN_O literature course for this elective.

The required courses above constitute the 30 upper-level credits required in the field of specialization for this Major: 18 credits in Creative Writing, 6 credits in English literature, and 6 credits in other Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies courses.

Combined Major with Creative Writing

A combined major is created by satisfying the requirement for a combined major in Creative Writing and another B.A. program that offers a combined major (currently Art History and Visual Culture , Cultural Studies , and English ). A single course can only fulfill the combined major requirement for one program.

The Creative Writing requirements for the combined major include the following:

First and Second Years

B.A. requirements , including the following:

• CRWR_O 150 (Introduction to Writing Fiction and Drama), CRWR_O 160 (Introduction to Writing Poetry and Non-Fiction);
• CRWR_O 260 (Theory and Practice of Creative Writing);
• 6 credits of second-year Creative Writing courses; and
• at least 70% (B-) overall average in second-year English and Creative Writing courses.
• 15 credits of 300-level and 400-level Creative Writing courses;
• 3 credits of third- or fourth-year English courses in Canadian literature; and
• 3 credits of third- or fourth-year English course in modern, contemporary literature.

Minor in Creative Writing

To complete a Minor in Creative Writing, students must complete at least 30 credits in Creative Writing, of which 18 credits must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students must complete ENGL_O 220 or ENGL_O 221.

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• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Distance) (MFA)
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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)
• French, Whitney (memory, loss, technology, and nature)
• 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 (Script development; Novels, stories and news; Writing for Television; Fiction)
• 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.

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Here, you can choose from more than 300 graduate degree program options and 2000+ research supervisors. You can even design your own program.

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