Courses

Writers' Courses

A Guide to Journalism Schools On this page you will find the schools recognised by industry. They teach qualifications for print, radio, television and new media.

The AAWP guide to Australian & NZ university writing programmes

Online Courses	New Zealand Institute of Business Studies The NZIBS has a variety of distance learning writing courses taught by writers. Writing Stories for Children Creative Writing Freelance Journalism Writing Your First Novel Sports Journalism Travel Writing & Photography Photography for Beginners Writing Your Family History Editing & Proofreading & Publishing North Tec Certificate/Diploma of Applied Writing Certificate/Diploma of Applied Writing This programme can be studied from home, online, either part-time or full-time. The full-time course takes two years and develops and extends writing skills in a range of genres. Diploma in Applied Writing Level 5 Diploma in Applied Writing Level 6 (See under Northland) Diploma in Applied Writing (Advanced) Level 7 (See under Northland) Whitireia Community Polytechnic Diploma in Creative Writing (online) The Whitireia Creative Writing Programme offers online courses in Short Fiction (1 and 2), Scriptwriting, Poetry, Non-fiction, and Writing for Children. These can be taken individually, or credited to a diploma. Diploma in Publishing (online) Waiariki Institute of Technology The Waiariki Certificate in Creative Writing is an online programme comprised of 12 six-week courses that include: Introduction to Creative Writing Constructive Editing Writing for Children Reading and Writing Poetry Freelance Journalism The Essay as Report & Opinion Fiction 1: Writing the Short Story Fiction 2: Writing the Novel Writing with a Māori Voice Contemporary Māori Writers & Writing Creative Non-fiction Writing Based on Personal & Family History Tutored by: James George, Sue Emms, Jenny Argante, Owen Bullock and Sharon Whillis
Northland	Kara School of Writing Romance writing courses in Northland with Daphne Clair and Robyn Donald Over 60 published books each. Students now published by Silhouette, NY and other publishers. Weekend courses run Friday to Sunday, meals and accommodation included. Cost $400. Contact Daphne Clair North Tec Applied Writing Courses These programmes can be studied from home, on-line, either part-time or full-time, in English or Maori. The first two Diplomas (Level 5 & 6) take a year each full-time and develop and extend your writing skills in a range of genres. The first year is based on writing for children, or adults, and writing techniques are introduced, practised and critiqued. The second year is more self-directed, takes your choice of genre further and includes the business of writing. Many of our students are published; others have gone on to related fields of work or study. NorthTec Advanced Diploma of Applied Writing. This is a stand-alone post-graduate qualification for which you write a major piece of work such as a novel or non-fiction work under the guidance of an established writer in the field. To find out more about these programmes contact: Janine McVeagh: or Tel 09 4057529
Auckland	Auckland University Continuing Education Continuing Education run seasonal short courses on various aspects of writing and publishing for beginning and more advanced writers. Summer courses University of Auckland Masters in Creative Writing The Master of Creative Writing is a one year programme for students with literary potential who are interested in the challenging project of writing a novel, short story, or poetry collection. You will undertake first and second drafts of your projects in seminar and workshop classes under the guidance of successful writers who will provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring. Auckland University of Technology School of Communication Studies Graduate in Diploma Journalism Masters in Creative Writing. One year full-time research degree in which students will be provided with the chance to work on a manuscript of their own choice in consultation with a skilled and established fiction writer. The intention of the degree is to provide post-graduate students with a supportive, collegial environment, in which they can explore and discover their own literary voice. Contact Carmel Webb, Registrar - School of Communications. Unitec Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Directing and Writing)
Waikato	Waikato Institute of Technology National Diploma in Journalism
Central Districts	Massey University, Palmerston North - Communication Journalism and Media Courses A communications degree from Massey University, may lead to opportunities in publicity, journalism, multi-media, organisational communications, radio, television, writing, advertising and public relations. Creative writing is part of the Certificate in Arts programme Graduate Diploma in Journalism Studies Graduate Diploma in Journalism Massey University English and Media Studies Massey University's School of English & Media Studies (http://ems.massey.ac.nz) offers a suite of undergraduate and graduate creative writing and performance papers. Students can in many cases choose either to take papers internally or to study extramurally from home in New Zealand or abroad. Undergraduate papers include Creative Writing, Writing Poetry, Advanced Fiction Writing, Making Plays for Theatre, Life Writing, Writing for Children, Travel Writing, Media Script Writing, and Creative Processes. Graduate papers include Writing Lyric Poetry and Community Theatre, with a new graduate fiction writing paper coming soon. Creative Writing Writing Poetry: Love, Loss, and Looking Around Advanced Fiction Writing Making Plays for Theatre Life Writing Writing for Children Travel Writing Media Script Writing Creative Processes Communication Journalism and Media Course Graduate Diploma in Journalism Studies Graduate Diploma in Journalism Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki Media Studies
Wellington	International Institute of Modern Letters VUW Victoria University is home to New Zealand's oldest and most prestigious creative writing programme. Over the years this has grown into a range of genre workshops (poetry, short fiction, children's writing, science fiction), and New Zealand's first Master of Arts programme in creative writing. NZ Radio Training School The NZ Radio Training School Wellington offers many learning opportunities in all aspects of radio from journalism to broadcasting. Intro Certificate in radio journalism Victoria University Wellington Victoria University Wellington has a range of academic, creative and professional writing courses. Academic Writing Creative Writing English Literature & Language Continuing Education at Victoria University of Wellington Continuing Education runs several short creative writing courses a year as well as a variety of other short business writing courses. Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Porirua and Wellington Whitireia Community Polytechnic runs courses in Creative Writing, Publishing, and Journalism. At the Wellington City campus the Creative Writing Programme offers a comprehensive multi-genre course, specialist courses in the novel, poetry and scriptwriting, and a supportive writing community. Courses can be taken for individual interest, credited to a diploma, or to the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Creative Writing. The highly-regarded Diploma in Publishing, also at the Wellington campus, is New Zealand's only training course for the publishing industry. Journalism is offered at the Porirua City campus. Diploma in Creative Writing Diploma in Creative Writing (Advanced) – Novel, Poetry & Script Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing Bachelor of Applied Arts (Creative Writing) Diploma in Publishing National Diploma in Journalism National Certificate in Journalism (Introductory)
Nelson/Marlborough	Nelson/Marlborough Institute of Technology Private Bag 19 Nelson. Tel 03 546 9175 You'll gain extensive experience and understanding of the principles and practice of creative writing. Options include: poetry, fiction, non fiction and writing for children and young adults.
Canterbury	Aoraki Polytechnic Christchurch Campus Certificate in Media Communication - incorporates the National Certificate in Journalism (Introductory) Gain the essential foundation skills for a career in media including print, TV and Radio journalism. Starts: February \| Phone: 03 377 5895 Aoraki Polytechnic Timaru Campus National Certificate in Journalism (Introductory) Delivered online, this is a practical course for aspiring journalists and is taught by experienced industry professionals providing you with the basic skills and knowledge needed to get started in the industry. Starts: March \| Phone: 03 684 0848 Diploma in Journalism (Level 5) - incorporating the National Diploma in Journalism (Multimedia) (Level 5) Students will learn the skills and attitudes necessary for a successful career in journalism. Starts: February \| Phone: 03 684 0848 Fiction Writing with Owen Marshall Learn the secrets of fiction writing with renowned local author Owen Marshall. This two day practical workshop will take you step-by-step through many areas including: * Getting started * Structure * Characters * Dialogue * The writer as a reader * Finding a publisher Starts: Various \| Phone: 03 684 0848 The School for Young Writers A Christchurch-based school that offers courses, including distance-learning courses, for students from around the country. It provides opportunities for primary, intermediate and secondary school pupils who are keen to develop their skills and meet others interested in the craft of writing. University of Canterbury Graduate Diploma in Journalism Southern Institute of Technology – courses in Journalism National Diploma in Journalism Certificate in Radio and Journalism National Certificate of Journalism (Introductory)
Otago/Southland	Otago School of Media - A joint initiative of Aoraki Polytechnic and Otago Polytechnic Certificate in Creative Writing A unique opportunity to become immersed in the world of creative writing and to develop writing skills that can be applied to a wide variety of genres including poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. Starts: February \| Phone: 0800 DUNEDIN Certificate in Media Communication - incorporates the National Certificate in Journalism (Introductory) Gain the essential foundation skills for a career in media including print, TV and Radio journalism. Starts: February \| Phone: 0800 DUNEDIN Southern Institute of Technology The Southern Institute of Technology offers courses in journalism at its Invercargill Campus. National Diploma of Journalism Certificate in Radio and Journalism National Certificate of Journalism (Introductory) The Wanaka Autumn Art School The five-day event is held on the Mt Aspiring College campus during the April School holidays: 12-14 courses are offered in different subjects and a writing course in some form has always been a feature of the school.