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Creative Writing Courses

The Writer’s Studio offers a wide selection of creative writing courses for writers of every genre, and at every stage of their writing journey. Our courses take place in Vancouver and online, and provide an ideal way to connect with our writing community, gain fresh perspectives and receive support to reach your writing goals.

Our courses are scheduled throughout the year and you’re welcome to register at any time. 

To explore our part-time creative writing program, workshops, open houses and other events, visit us at The Writer’s Studio . 

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Creative Writing

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• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)
• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Graduate Degree Programs

Canadian Immigration Updates

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

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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 50 years, UBC’s Creative Writing program has been producing writers who’ve shaped Canadian and international culture. A studio program with the writing workshop at its heart, the 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. 

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

UBC’s Creative Writing program was the first writing program in Canada, and is the largest and most comprehensive in the country. It is highly ranked internationally, and draws students from around the world 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.

Small, intensive workshops characterize the program, as does our breadth of offerings: with 12 genres of writing available for study there are more opportunities for learning than at any other writing program in the world.

Faculty are distinguished, working writers. We have 12 professors, an additional 9 permanent instructors and regularly bring in a wide variety of writers in residence and adjunct instructors from the writing community.

The School of Creative Writing’s quality of professors was the biggest draw for me. I also want the teaching experience TA’ing for undergraduate students can bring me. I want to ultimately teach creative writing at a post-secondary level and learning how to do so at UBC will be rigorous and rewarding.

Brandi Bird

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, program instructions.

The residency MFA program only has a September 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 (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. 

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion rates & times.

• 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)
• 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 (Fiction, television)
• 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 (Distance) (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.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

Vivian (Xiao Wen) Li

I really liked what the program would be offering, and I love the mountains as well as nature—I find a lot of peace and inspiration from water, wind, and clouds. While I was at an Explore Program for a month at the University of Victoria (I wanted to explore the West Coast), I managed to visit UBC...

Fiona Revill

I have studied abroad in Australia, and at several local post-secondary institutions, but UBC has always felt like my academic home. The Creative Writing program is one of the best programs in the country, and I was really honoured to be accepted, as the competition is rigorous.

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Top 9 Creative Writing Courses In Vancouver WIth Live Training

Do you love to write do you love to express yourselves creatively and imaginatively do you want to discover more ways to make your writing compelling and attractive enough if yes is your answer, this article is going to be helpful. in this article, i am going to make you informed of how to write tempting stories, and articles, how to make your piece tempting to read, and, also how to grow as a writer. if you are someone who loves to read and write, then this article is for you. here, i will also list down the institutes that are offering creative writing courses in vancouver . pursuing comprehensive creative writing courses in vancouver is going to help you in lots of ways. if you do so, you will not only enhance your writing skills, in the context of essays and other kinds of writing but you will also grow as a writer. i will state the benefits of enrolling in comprehensive creative writing courses in vancouver later on. first, i will make you aware of the definition of creative writing..

The goal of creative writing is to communicate ideas and thoughts in a way that is unique to you by applying your imagination and creativity. Simply put, it’s about putting your unique twist on writing and deviating from the conventional lines of academic as well as other technical types of literature.

Creative Writing – As its term indicates, creative writing is a type of writing that deviates from more conventional genres like technical, conventional, academic, or professional writing. Instead, it comprises a variety of diverse genres and approaches in both the fiction and non-fiction writing fields, as well as prose, storytelling, essays, reports, poetry, playwriting, journalistic, and much more. Creative writing can generally be regarded as any form of writing that is unique and expressive of the writer.

However, the term can be extremely ambiguous. It is typically distinguished by a focus on narrative construction, which emphasizes components like character development, narrative, and storyline while also injecting its structure with originality, story, and creativity. In this perspective, creative writing is technically any writing that is a modern, original, and unique composition, since it is not constrained by rules and uses a wide variety of components in its craft. With stress on writing in an authentic manner that is not limited by pre-existing forms and genres, creative writing programs in academic contexts are often grouped into scriptwriting, poetry, non-fiction, or fiction classes.

Benefits of Comprehensive Creative Writing Courses in Vancouver

Imagination:.

As you construct new worlds, situations, and characters for your writing, you enhance your image. You’ll be more capable of coming up with innovative ideas and viewing challenges from many perspectives when you’re training your brain to “come up with new ideas.” Your ability to push limits to solve problems will improve, as will your way of thinking.

As you invent new characters, you not only build personalities and emotions but also begin to perceive the world in a way that you have not explored previously. By doing this, you gain skills like empathy and acquire insight into the perspectives of others who live quite different lives than you. Empathy is a wonderful quality to have in both the universe and the workplace. Understanding and empathizing with the issues that your co-workers or classmates are facing will provide them with a sense of value and support as they work to overcome those issues. You’ll be fostering a more collaborative environment, which will eventually result in enhanced relationships and the achievement of your goals and the goals of your teammates.

Enhanced Thinking Clarity:

Establishing outlines in your creative writing allows you to organize both your thoughts and your emotions into a logical procedure. You’ll be able to identify clear routes to solve challenges in the future by having a clear perspective on scenarios in the workplace and for the remainder of your life.

Gain Knowledge of Making Your Piece Compelling:

As you try out different ways to express yourself through creative writing, you are encouraged to increase your vocabulary. You will find that as your writing improves over time, so does your variety of language and use, which will be helpful in every social environment and career track in the long run.

Critical Assessment:

As you enroll in the advanced creative writing courses in Vancouver, you will learn how to assess others’ pieces of writing as well as get yours evaluated by them simultaneously. No matter whatever career track you choose, if you learn to receive feedback and execute constructive criticism is an essential skill that will help you later on as well. 

Having learned the various advantage of pursuing a creative writing program, you will now be fully aware of the institutes that are offering the best creative writing courses in Vancouver . 

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Top 9 Creative Writing Courses in Vancouver

1. iim skills.

IIM SKILLS is one of the top trusted educational platforms that provide online professional programs. The institute is well known for its content writing and digital marketing courses. IIM SKILLS’ courses are for everyone – from students to professionals. Its programs are well-thought-out and, were designed, and, launched after catering to the requirements of the students and professionals. If you want to improve your writing skills, choose IIM SKILLS’ content writing course, wherein you get to learn how to craft a mind-blowing piece of writing.

Whoever took this program has gained a lot. Apart from learning how to write an attractive piece, you will also learn how to sell yourselves, i.e – how to earn money from your writing, why reading and writing go hand-in-hand, expand your knowledge of words, how to grow and retain your loyal fan base, launch yourself, and many more. Besides exposing you to the professional world, this advanced creative writing course will also make you acquire some valuable practical experience by making you work on real-life assignments during the internship program.  

While you are on your assignments, you can always ask the trainers who are not only qualified but also possess years of experience. Starting right from the program commencement to the internship, they will act as a guide. Once you submit the given assignments, your work will be assessed by them, following which you will receive brief feedback that will help you identify the areas where you need to improve. The main objectives of this program are to help you transition into a professional writer from an amateur writer and make you feel what it is like to work as an expert writer and that too in a professional environment.

As you complete the course, you are then advised to enroll in the three-month internship program that will provide you with the ultimate experience of working as a writer. Moreover, when the internship ends, you are provided with a career counseling session which will help you to decide your career path – be it a journalist, scriptwriter, content writer, or any other role. The above-mentioned points prove why IIM SKILLS’ exceptional creative writing courses in Vancouver are pursued by many students and professionals.

More Professional Courses from IIM SKILLS

• Digital Marketing Course
• Technical Writing Course
• Content Writing Course
• Financial Modeling Course
• Business Accounting And Taxation Course
• CAT Coaching

Contact: +919580740740,  [email protected]

2. Simon Fraser University

Founded in 1965, SFU, or Simon Fraser University is a public research university that offers graduate and undergraduate courses. The university was established so students across Canada can avail of or access higher education. The institute has maintained its status of being the country’s top comprehensive university.

When it comes to providing creative writing programs, SFU’s certification in advanced creative writing courses in Vancouver is one of the best. The main aim of this program is to provide you with the necessary assistance, strategies, and, tools that will ultimately help you grow as a writer. For any assistance and support, there is a live active online community of established writers who will not provide you with ample practice exercise sessions but will also make you stay abreast of the various forms of writing. 

Since this complete creative writing course in Vancouver resembles the facilities and features that come along with other full-time programs offered by other institutes, and, as its fee is also less, this program is highly valued by several learners. This course can be completed within one year and is available in both online and offline modes. The course lasts between 10 and 11 months.

3. University of British Columbia

Founded in 1908, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university that offers graduate and undergraduate courses pan Canada. When it comes to providing top-quality creative writing courses in Vancouver , this institute comes closer to IIM SKILLS. To equip the students with the necessary skills and knowledge, UBC’s creative writing program covers everything so that you, the student, can transform into a successful writer seamlessly. Track records prove that students who registered in this program have gone on to achieve success in their careers.

Since UBC’s faculty holds seminars, and workshops, and provides assignments that are based on real-life, you will have no problem establishing yourself as an expert writer. The institute’s trainers deliver lectures on its campus ground and provide you with the opportunity to work with local or global companies so that you get some essential experience before entering the professional world. You will have no problem completing the two-year program even when you are on a full-time job. During the course, you will be taught different creative writing beats and genres.

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4. Langara College

Founded in 1994, Langara is a public degree certificate providing college. The institute provides courses in several fields like Arts, Humanities and Social Science, Health, Science and Technology, and, Business. The most popular programs in the arts field are journalism and creative writing. With the help of Langara’s rigorous creative writing courses in Vancouver , you will learn how to express yourselves in writing, various methods, kinds, and voices. The two-year course is delivered on its campus ground. When it comes to training students and providing top-notch learning experiences, the institute’s faculty is highly qualified and experienced. At the end of an annual year, there is an event arranged for you so that you can exhibit your skills and identify the areas where you need to improve.

5. Vancouver Community College

Established in 1965, the Vancouver Community College (VCC) is a public community institute that offers many courses in areas like Business, Hospitality, Academic upgrading, English, etc. One among these courses is the advanced creative writing courses in Vancouver which is offered under the name – Continuing Studies. The main objectives of this course are to provide expert studies that can be applied immediately while you are on a job and to make easy access top-caliber, flexible, adaptable and practically pertinent studies for working individuals from relevant fields. VCC delivers all of its lectures and lessons on its main campus. The institute offers more than nine programs that will help you enhance your writing career and take it up as your profession. With the help of these programs, you will build masterclass writing skills and grow your hobby or career in dialogue writing, script writing, poetry, mystery, crime, narrative, and many more. All of these courses were designed to help you establish a concrete grasp of various writing genres.

6. Capilano University

Based in North Vancouver, Capilano University is a teaching-oriented university. The 1968-founded institution offers several high-standard educational programs across Canada and all over the world. Although Capilano has no individual program, it has comprehensive creative writing courses in Vancouver that includes some aspects of creative writing. The name of this course is Associate of Arts Degree Certification in Writing.

As the trainers are writers themselves, who are experts in teaching different creative writing genres, you will acquire some essential real-world practical experience before getting onto a job. In the first year, you will learn how to produce compelling writing and the various writing genres. In the second year, you will be taught various genres like fiction, drama, non-fiction, poetry, etc. After you complete the program, you are advised to take the bachelor’s program so that you can upskill yourselves.

7. Vancouver Island University

Founded in 1969, Vancouver Island University is a public university that provides one of the best programs on writing. One of them is the advanced creative writing courses in Vancouver offered by its department of journalism and creative writing. 

The department offers detailed degree certificate courses (Bachelor of Arts, Major as well as Minor). To build professional-level skills in a variety of literary genres, including news articles, short fiction, plays, poetry, feature stories, and, screenplays, students enrolling in the program will get the opportunity to collaborate with published and acclaimed, and successful writers. 

They could also decide to learn about the publishing as well as entertainment industries and how those industries link to the careers of established writers. The batch size is intentionally kept small to provide personal attention to the students concerned. This degree certification is entirely focused on enhancing your literary skills and making you confront real-world writing issues. 

8. Emily Carr University of Arts and Design

Founded in 1925, the Emily Carr University of Arts and Design, or ECU is a public art university based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The institute offers one of the best courses in the field of arts and design. And one among them is the inspiring creative writing courses in Vancouver . Over 1800 students have pursued its graduate and undergraduate courses, with more than thousands taking part in its unique, certificate programs and workshops. 

According to ECU, writing itself is a form of creativity. A writing practice involves sketches, works of art, ultimate realizations, and everything else in between. You will learn about important topics like fiction, group writing, and art writing along with reviewing, creative nonfiction, poetry, drama, script writing, project-oriented writing, editing, publishing, and many more throughout the program. Whatever may be your level of fluency, you can explore the potential of language by writing creatively in a variety of languages. 

The university, which puts a strong emphasis on experimentation, provides you with the opportunity to establish a writing practice in a multidisciplinary society and to combine it with your practices in design and art. This can mean working on particular writing assignments while being guided by experienced, successful, and well-published writers.

Its faculty, staff, and alumni are well-known throughout the world as award-winning innovators and creative thinkers whose work consistently increases the resiliency and capacity of the economy and cultural sector.

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9. Douglas College

The largest public university in British Columbia, Canada that awards degree certificate is Douglas College. Douglas provides educational experiences that are demanding and informative and offer opportunities for lives of aspiration and dedication. It urges its students to accomplish what they enjoy and be great at it. You can choose from a selection of first, second-, and third-year university transfer curricula in composing the personal narrative, fiction, screenwriting, songwriting, memoir, stage plays, poetry, speculative fiction, and children’s literature through Douglas’ advanced creative writing courses in Vancouver .

In addition to writing and analyzing your creative pieces, Douglas College’s Creative Writing programs also involve lessons on crafting and discussions of published writing. All of its classes are organized using a typical face-to-face workshop model which encourages and promotes student participation. For more information on the course duration, you can visit Douglas’ website and contact the persons concerned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. what qualities does an excellent creative writing piece have.

It’s crucial to remember that there isn’t any universal definition of what it entails to write a “fine” piece of writing. Creative writing is indeed an imaginative method that is created by an individual with all of their idiosyncrasies and personalities, as the term suggests. There can never be a general description to define the “ideal” piece of writing because it doesn’t fit into any particular genre. Take a short Gothic story and then draw a comparison of its features with those of famous Romantic poetry, the two are so drastically different that comparing them would not be unfair. To keep your creative writing as powerful as it can be, however, by keeping it as original and genuine to yourself as possible, there are a few broad guidelines that you may adhere to.

Consider the Following Points:

• Learn more about your audience (readers)
• Try to write whatever you know or whatever is in your mind
• Showcase your imagination or creativity
• Expand your imagination
• Compose a brief plotline

Q2. Can I learn creative writing?

Yes, of course, you can. To discover more about the various writing genres that fall under the umbrella of creative writing, those who explore the field often read a wide range of texts from various historical periods. They will learn about some of the most notable creative writers throughout history as well as some unknown and upcoming or future writers in this industry.

Q3. How do I start creative writing as a hobby or career?

Read some of our suggestions mentioned below on how to begin creative writing if you’re interested in improving your writing skills and igniting your imagination.

• Read more and more 
• Start and maintain a diary or journal
• Begin writing practice by applying literary devices and writing more and more 

Q4. Is compulsory to enroll in a creative writing program?

No, there isn’t a firm regulation stating that enrolling in a creative writing course is necessary. However, enrolling in a creative writing program can help you discover a lot more about writing techniques and tools simply by writing practice using different innovative assignments, letting others go through your piece of work, and receiving constructive criticism.

Creative writing demands you to utilize your own story, imagination, and creativity to convey a certain idea, emotion, or storyline. It is an expressive type of literature. It transcends the limitations imposed by conventional writing styles and is wholly based on our individual preferences as well as experiences. If you are thinking about when and how to start creative writing, you must get ready to take a plunge into the universe of literature. Read and write as frequently as you can, wherever and whenever you can perform a dramatic piece of writing. A terrific method to network with like-minded people, exchange, share feedback and knowledge and enhance writing skills are provided via creative writing training programs and classes.

Author: Arka Roy Chowdhury

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Content writing course by iim skills, table of contents, 8 best creative writing courses in vancouver.

• April 1, 2024
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Do you always have a hard time expressing your imagination in words or does it take you hours to write even one line on a blank document? If your answer is “Yes” then fret! Most people are terrible at creative writing when they first try it, but this is one of those skills that can always be improved upon. In this article, we’re going to cover the top institutions offering creative writing courses in Vancouver to help you improve your writing.

So, What’s Creative Writing?

Before you apply to any institutions providing creative writing courses in Vancouver, you must understand what you’re getting into. Creative writing is the art of expressing your emotions, thoughts, and experiences to readers using words. A method of putting up words into action in a creative way, to make readers imagine a non-existing world, and feel it with all their senses.

It’s about setting up a stage in the mind of readers and making them lose track of real-world existence. Creative writing is in contrast to factual forms of writing. In creative writing, facts take a vivid form which means the same but is more descriptive and catchier.

Even more, you can start sensing those facts with your senses. Creative writers use metaphors, hyperbole, personification, and onomatopoeia to make their writing more appealing to the reader. As a human, we all inherited the art of storytelling. We use storytelling everywhere, whether we gossip, tell a lie, or even, while making excuses.

We all have that part of the brain that cooks up stories using imagination. But putting up that imagination into words could be a bit of a challenge. Using the right word at the right place is important, don’t forget about the structure and research techniques. Creative writing as a subject could help you cook up your imagination into a fine article, in an easy-to-digest form.

Therefore, this is a high-in-demand subject on a global level. And, if you want to become an expert, to convert your imagination into text, then you can select any of the creative writing courses in Vancouver listed below.

Various Types of Creative Writing

We tend to focus on fiction and literature when we discuss creative writing, but there are several other forms to consider. Most authors eventually gravitate toward one particular style (and/or genre) over others. For the most part, this is a positive thing since it allows you to hone your skills in a certain style or genre.

While practicing with one kind of writing is useful, it’s good to sometimes experiment with others as well. Trying out new forms and genres keeps your writing fresh and free of tired cliches. It’s a great opportunity to learn methods that may be outside of your comfort zone but can be applied to great effect in your work.

Note: Once you enroll in any of the creative writing courses in Vancouver, your assigned instructor will walk you through all the forms.

For Now, Let’s Have a Quick Glance at Some Varied Forms of Creative Writing:

Free Writing: Just start writing without worrying about what will come out. Give the odd words and pictures a chance to make it into the page. No limits! Free writing, often known as stream-of-consciousness writing and is the apex of creative writing.

Journal: A journal can be any kind of written record. A journal can serve as a place to record thoughts, ideas, and progress toward a certain objective. Many authors utilize Omni-Journals or concept journals for anything from daily freewriting to detailed project preparation.

Diaries: A diary is a personal notebook in which the author records events as they occur. It’s common for some diaries to begin with “Dear Diary…” in an extended letter. Starting a diary is a fantastic first step if you’d like to write a memoir someday.

Memoir : Creative nonfiction work that focuses on the author’s own life and experiences are called memoirs or autobiographies. An individual can, for instance, pen an account of personal travels.

Essays: Although essays have a reputation for being dry academic assignments, there are many different types of essays, some of which require a great deal of imagination to complete.

Poetry: Poetry is one of the most read but least cherished forms of literature, despite being the most creative. Poetry can be written in a variety of forms, including free verse and prose.

Lyrics: Songwriters and musicians work together to create song lyrics. Lyric writing is a lot like poetry in many ways, and it’s a great form of expression for anyone who can play an instrument.

Screenplays: Writing screenplays may get you on the big or little screen, or even on stage or in a computer game. The film is primarily a medium for directors, not writers; nonetheless, movies may sometimes appeal to those who don’t read.

Story: Stories can be found in both fiction and non-fiction, making them the most common type of creative writing. There are a wide variety of popular fiction types to pick from, from flash fiction and short stories to novellas and full-length novels.

Journals, diaries, memoirs, and other related types of writing all contain true tales, which are records of actual people and events. Telling a story is a fundamental part of every type of writing, from literature to speeches, making it a very useful skill.

Speeches: Writing speeches, whether they are meant to persuade, inspire, or enlighten, may open doors to exciting careers in virtually any profession. In addition, being able to write and deliver a speech is a valuable ability to have in case you are ever required to do so for a formal occasion like a graduation, marriage, or awards show.

List of Institutions Offering Creative Writing Courses in Vancouver

The followings are the top institutions providing the best creative writing courses in Vancouver. This list was created after thorough research, to help you choose the best place to get started. It’s advised that you must go through the institution’s website first, before enrolling in any program or course.

1. IIM SKILLS

When it comes to online professional courses, IIM SKILLS ranks among the top institutes. This institute has been offering high-in-demand courses tailored for both students and professionals. Over the years, many aspirants have benefited from these courses.

One of these courses is the Content Writing Course , which helps you to make a career as a creative professional writer. IIM SKILLS not only help you to become a writer but also help you to launch yourself as a successful writer. In the course, you’ll be given internship projects to get you real-world experience.

All the assignments or given projects will be reviewed by experts and then brief feedback will be given to you to improve yourself. The sole objective of this course is to build you up as a full-fledged writer, ready enough to work in real-life gigs. During the course, you’ll be given many job opportunities to choose from and the required help to crack interviews.

This program from IIM SKILLS is quite affordable and efficient enough to make you a writer in less time than other institutions. Which makes it the top contending institution offering creative writing courses in Vancouver.

Course Duration –   1 Month + 3 Months Internship. It’s a 30 hours online course including 16 hours of lectures and 14 hours of internship sessions.

Enrollment Fees – The total cost of the course is 243.44   Canadian Dollars +GST.

Contact Information –

Phone: +91 9580 740 740 E

Email: [email protected]

2. SFU – Simon Fraser University

The writer’s studio program by Simon Fraser University does offer a certificate in creative writing. The sole purpose of this program is to provide you with the required tools, strategies, and support to develop you as a writer. An active community of fellow writers will be there to help you practice and learn all sorts of writing.

The program itself is quite alike other full-time courses, but it costs less and can be completed in less than a year. This is also one of the reasons that this program has scored its place in the list of top creative writing courses in Vancouver. The classes are available in both online and offline modules, which means you can attend your lectures according to your lifestyle.

Course Duration – This part-time course will be covered for 10 to 11 months, including workshops focused on specific writing categories.

Enrollment Fees – The total cost of the course is 5,500 CAD and there’s a program application fee of 75 CAD. Scholarship programs are also available to applicable students, please check their website to learn more.

Phone : (+1) 778 782 8000

Toll-Free : (+1) 844 782 8877

3. UBC – University of British Columbia

If you are looking to have a full-time course in creative writing, then go no further than The University of British Columbia (UBC). UBC offers both bachelor’s and master of fine arts in creative writing to make you a writer. The students who have done their master’s in creative writing from UBC have achieved success in many creative fields.

Thanks to the faculty’s writing workshops, seminars, and real-world projects. To know about the course and its contents, you can watch the course’s information video on the official website.

The lectures will be conducted on the campus grounds and to make out living you can work with local or international organizations. The university will have no issue with you getting paid for work and studying full-time at the same time.

Course Duration – This is a 2 years program including workshops in various creative writing genres.

Enrollment Fees – You must join the information session to know about the course and its Enrollment fee.

Phone : (+1) 604 822 2211

For more information about contacting the faculty, please visit the official website.

4. Langara – The College of Higher Learning

Many other institutions are offering creative writing courses in Vancouver, among those is Langara College. This college offers a diploma in creative writing that helps you to express yourself in text in different voices, forms, and techniques. This course is offered on the campus grounds situated in Vancouver.

The faculty is quite great when it comes to motivating students. Each year the college organizes contests for new writers to showcase their skills, which helps the contestants to improve as a writer by competing with fellow mates.

Course Duration – This diploma in creative writing will be covered in 2 years.

Enrollment Fees – The enrollment fee for the course is more than 6,880 CAD. To know more about the fee structure, you can use the tool specifically made to check the cost of study on the official website. You can also find information related to other expenses and student loans on the same page.

Phone : (+1) 604 323 5385

Email : [email protected]

Must check out the other best courses:

• Creative Writing Courses in Canada
• Creative Writing Courses in the UK
• Creative Writing Courses in Amsterdam
• Creative Writing Courses in Singapore
• Creative Writing Courses in Wales
• Creative Writing Courses in Scotland

5. VCC – Vancouver Community College

When it comes to high-level education, the VCC – Vancouver Community College has its dominant domain. The Continuing Studies program introduced by VCC is solely focused on offering professional studies which can be used right away on the job.

The goal of this program is to provide access to high-caliber, adaptable, and practically relevant education with professionals from relevant fields. There are more than 60 areas of skills that are being taught at the Downtown Campus.

One of these skills is Creative Writing and there are 10 courses in total to expand your writing skills as a profession.  All these courses are crafted to help you achieve solid ground in different writing genres.

Course Duration – Please check the website for more information on the specific courses.

Enrollment Fees – Almost all the courses cost around 271 CAD, but you must visit the official website to be sure about it.

Phone : (+1) 604 443 8484

6. Capilano University

If you are looking to enroll in an open university, then Capilano University should be on your list. This university ranks 61 st position in Canada and is also known for its top-quality education programs around the world. For students in Arts & Sciences, Capilano University has crafted an Associate of Arts Degree in writing.

The instructors are writing practitioners specialized in various creative writing genres, so you’ll get a great deal of real-life experience. The first year of the course is solely focused on learning about writing and its genres.

In the second, you’ll get the opportunity to dive deep into poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction writing genre. After completing this course, you can also apply for bachelor’s programs in the same to level up your skills.

Course Duration – This course/degree in creative writing will be covered in 2 years.

Enrollment Fees – The total fee for this entire course is 11,842 CAD, this includes tuition and other fees.

Phone : (+1) 604 986 1911/2291, (+1) 604 984 4900

Email : [email protected] / [email protected]

7. VIU – Vancouver Island University

One of the largest campuses in Canada, ranking 11 th position, and 43 rd on the global level. This university offers more than 120 programs, including degrees, diplomas, and certificates. All the courses are tailored to help the student in their professional life. The university offers a bachelor’s degree in journalism and creative writing to make you a master of writing.

The instructors, who’re going to teach you are professionals who are published and received many awards for their writings. The best part that made this university on this list of institutes offering creative writing courses in Vancouver, is the small size class.

The faculty believes in consulting with the students in one-on-one sessions, therefore the class size is quite small. With this, each student gets enough chance to express their concern and receive appropriate help from the professor. This bachelor’s degree is highly focused on improving your literary skills and helping you to face real-life writing challenges.

Course Duration – This bachelor’s degree in creative writing and Journalism will take up to 4 years.

Enrollment Fees – The total fee for this entire program is 7,166.27 CAD. It’s highly advised to check the official website to know about the latest fee structure.

Phone : (+1) 250 753 3245

Toll-Free: (+1) 888 920 2221

8. Camuson College

Situated in British Columbia, this college offers more than 160 programs to its students. All the programs are designed to prepare you for high-skilled professions, to fit you in a job-ready environment. In this course, you’ll dig deep into the world of English literature from old to modern classics.

You’ll be challenged to look at the world of literature from a different perspective and express it to the world. By the end of the course, you will have mastered the skills necessary to critically evaluate sources, create a convincing argument, and write well-organized, well-thought-out writings.

The course includes internship programs to get you a hands-on experience on a live project. Also, there are no restrictions on any student to work at local businesses to make money. But you must check the official website for more critical information on that matter.

Course Duration – This Associate of Arts Degree is a 2 years long program. This includes the internship if you apply for it.

Enrollment Fees – The enrollment fees start from 7,178 CAD and go up to 8,630 CAD, depending on the course type you wish to register for.

Phone : (+1) 250 370 3298 / 3000

Toll-Free: (+1) 877 554 7555

Frequently Asked Questions About Creative Writing Courses in Vancouver

1. is it possible to teach creative writing.

Yes, as a skill creative writing can be taught. It’s the art of using words in a beautiful way to express emotions, experiences, and thoughts. It uses imagination which we all have, but putting words into play in a proper format is another thing, which can be taught.

Just like any other field or industry, you need to understand the basics and the rest depends on your practice. Creative writing is just like telling a story to a person with words; as humans, we are all gifted with that skill. Moreover, after enrolling in any of the creative writing courses in Vancouver, you’ll be given assignments to practice what you learn in the lecture.

2. Is it hard to learn creative writing?

You’ll face hardships whenever you start learning something new. You must have fallen from your cycle many times as a child just to learn how to ride it. The same goes with creative writing, all you must do is follow the right approach and invest time practicing it. It may take time but that will be worth everything. All the above-listed creative writing courses in Vancouver include both theoretical and practical training. So, this also means that you’ll get many assignments to practice your writing skills.

3. What is the average salary of a creative writer?

Most creative writers work for businesses online as a freelancer and some get hired by reputed companies for full-time jobs. Some get paid on an hourly basis and some for projects. But the average salary that you can make as a creative writer is more than 50,000 CAD in a year.

It’s one of the high-paying jobs out there and you can make tonnes of money with this skill. This is why many professionals are shifting to the writing industry and enrolling in creative writing courses in Vancouver.  And if you’re seeking to change your career, then you should enroll too.

4. Is creative writing good as a career?

Yes, of course, it’s one of the best careers out there. Creative writers are required by many industries as they depend on writers to meet their end goals. For many individuals, creative writing is the best choice of profession as it pays well, more than average jobs. The future of a creative writing career is full of opportunities.

As a creative writer, you’ll work collaboratively with other writers in different niches and as a result, you’ll earn new connections. Not only that, you’ll gain experience which will help you to improve as a writer.

So far, it must have become clear to you that creative writing is an in-demand skill, which can be taught. Also, it’s one of the most lucrative careers out there in the modern world. You can attain this skill and start up as a freelancer or work for an organization. If you’re looking forward to becoming a successful writer then you are only a step away from it. Just enroll in any of the creative writing courses in Vancouver listed above.

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Creative Writing and Journalism (BA)

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Do you want to write for a living? In VIU’s Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism program, learn the skills you need to become a master of words from professors who are published, award-winning authors, poets and journalists.

Experience small class sizes for a unique workshop format in many creative writing courses, and more one-on-one time with instructors at Vancouver Island University's journalism school.

Whether you want to work in the publishing, entertainment or journalism industries, this degree in Journalism and Creative Writing will sharpen your literary skills and introduce you to the realities of working as a professional writer. 

The Creative Writing and Journalism (BA) Program

The Creative Writing and Journalism department offers introductory, intermediate and advanced-level courses in book publishing, dramatic writing (including writing for the stage and scriptwriting for radio, television and film), fiction, journalism, and poetry, leading to a  B.A. with a Major or Minor in Creative Writing  and a  B.A. with a Minor in Journalism . Students have the opportunity to combine applied and creative writing skills with a background in all aspects of print and electronic publishing including editing, distribution, promotion, and production of print materials.

Note:  some courses may not be offered every year.

Program Outline

Requirements for a creative writing major.

Students must fulfill all the  Institutional B.A. degree requirements , including  Degree English Requirements  and courses listed below.

Note:  All senior-level courses require completion of at least one prerequisite course at the 200-level; students must attain a minimum grade of “B-” in the prerequisite course in order to progress to a senior-level course in the same genre.

Note : All 200-level courses have a 100-level prerequisite. Also, note that students must complete 200-level courses in at least three genres in order to have sufficient prerequisites for entry into courses in three genres at the senior level.

*  Directed Studies courses  CREW 450  - (Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing I) and  CREW 451 - (Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing II) may, depending on the nature of the project, be used to satisfy genre requirements for any of the five genres.

**   CREW 452  - (Special Projects in Writing and Publishing) can be used to meet either Non-fiction or Publishing categories depending on the nature of the student's project.

Note:  Upper-level Creative Writing (CREW) courses can be taken no more than twice for credit.

Requirements for a Creative Writing Minor

Note:  Required courses applied to the Journalism Minor may not also be applied to another Major or Minor.

Note:  Students taking  CREW 300  - (Creative Non-Fiction Workshop) and/or  CREW 301  - (Advanced Feature Writing) may use  ENGL 315  - (Advanced Workshop in Composition) as part of their upper-level credits.

Recommended Electives

Courses in  English ,  Graphic Design ,  Media Studies ,  Music ,  Theatre , or  Visual Arts  are recommended. Students wishing to pursue careers in journalism should consider taking upper-level courses in  Digital Media Studies ,  History ,  Political Studies ,  Economics ,  Media Studies ,  Philosophy ,  Sociology , or  Women's Studies .

Requirements for a Journalism Minor

Students are advised to consider completing a Major in a complementary discipline such as Political Studies, Economics, History, Sociology, First Nations Studies, Women's Studies, Business, Criminology, or Global Studies.

Program Fees

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Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee .

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee .

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

International Fees

Start date, deadlines, and additional application details, domestic (canadian), international.

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive .

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Write a one-page (maximum) synopsis. Provide the genre and use references to other movies, television shows or games to explain how you would write the project. Explain the concept, vision, or idea. In addition, provide a minimum of two and a maximum of four other creative writing samples in their original form (maximum 20 total pages). You’ll find information on how to send your work in the application form, or you can ask your Advisor.

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