Complete your large-scale creative writing project with an award-winning novelist and a lively, committed and diverse community of other writers. The programme is convened by the award-winning novelist and short story writer, Paula Morris. Acclaimed poet Selina Tusitala Marsh co-supervises poets in the programme. The best portfolio each year wins the Sir James Wallace Master of Creative Writing Prize of $5,000, New Zealand’s richest prize for a creative writing student.

You should have a book project in mind or already underway and demonstrate a clear creative focus and accomplishment in your chosen genre. To enrol in a MCW you need to have completed one of the following at a recognised university (or similar institution): A four-year bachelors degree An honours degree A three-year bachelors degree, and a professional qualification in writing or at least three years of professional experience in writing Professional experience can include previously published creative writing, working in a field involving writing such as journalism or copywriting, involvement in writers’ groups or participation in writing events. You will also need to submit a portfolio of creative writing that is judged by the convenor to be of sufficient standard for entry into the programme. IELTS: minimum score of 6.5, with no subscore less than 6.0 or TOEFL: a minimum score of 575 or Internet-based (IBT) TOEFL: a score of 90 (with minimum score of 21 in Writing) or Pearson Test of English (Academic): an overall score of 58 with no score less than 50