Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing
Overview
Gain the writing, editing, publishing, design and research skills to build a rewarding career in print or online.
In a rapidly changing world, the digitisation of the modern economy has created a raft of new job titles, all of which require expertise in writing and editing – in addition to the jobs that already drive Australia’s dynamic creative industries.
The Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing covers all stages of the writing and publishing process, and the skills needed to meet the growing demands. During this 1.5 full-time (or part-time equivalent) program, you'll develop practical knowledge and experience in writing and editing across genres including creative writing, corporate and technical documents, academic research in the creative arts, advertising and marketing.
Your lecturers will include award-winning authors and arts industry professionals, as well as an array of guest lecturers with expertise in all aspects of professional writing and publishing. Together, they'll provide you with up-to-date insights and industry knowledge across traditional and new media.
You’ll learn about the continually evolving landscapes of the Australian and international publishing industries, and have the opportunity to intern at arts organisations, such as the highly respected University of Queensland Press, literary journals, educational publishers and trade publishers, including UQ’s own Corella Press, which specialises in rediscovering nineteenth century crime and mystery writers.
Program highlights
- Learn from award-winning authors and arts industry professionals.
- Develop practical knowledge and experience in writing and editing across a range of genres.
- Intern at highly respected journals and publishing houses.
- Become qualified to meet the growing demand for mastery of the written word.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Research experience
- Seminars
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Publishing and Professional Practice
- Fundamentals of Advertising
- PR and Professional Practice: Foundations
- Digital Media Theory and Practice
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Author
- Editor
- Editorial writer
- Content writer
- Book editor
- Copywriter
- Digital editor
- Digital content writer
- Publishing executive
- Online publisher
Next steps after graduation
Our graduates have built rewarding careers in publishing, editing, and professional writing, with some going on to become best-selling authors and creatives.
“This program offers graduates a wide range of opportunities to pursue freelance or fulltime careers in writing, editing and publishing. I learned so much during my Masters, both from the lecturers and industry experts, but also from the amazing students I got to meet.”
Shastra DeoGraduate, Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing
“The wide-reaching scope of the courses means I've been able to work not only in the arts, but in the corporate world globally.”
Beth BarberGraduate, Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing
“This program offers graduates a wide range of opportunities to pursue freelance or fulltime careers in writing, editing and publishing. I learned so much during my Masters, both from the lecturers and industry experts, but also from the amazing students I got to meet.”
Shastra DeoGraduate, Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing
“The wide-reaching scope of the courses means I've been able to work not only in the arts, but in the corporate world globally.”
Beth BarberGraduate, Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing
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Entry requirements
Prerequisites
Approved bachelor honours degree in the same discipline with a GPA of 4.0.
Same discipline is defined as a degree in:
- English
- English literature
- writing
- journalism
- communication
- art history
- history
- law
- other relevant fields from the humanities and social sciences.
To satisfy the requirement for "same discipline" a minimum amount of content in that discipline is required - this would be at least a major, field of study, or approximately 30% of program content including a mix of introductory and advanced courses.
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio with their application for enrolment and demonstrate an appropriate standard to the satisfaction of the program director. The portfolio should include approximately 10 word processed pages of writing (e.g. assignments submitted in previous courses, workplace documents, creative writing manuscripts).
Prerequisites
Approved bachelor honours degree in the same discipline with a GPA of 4.0.
Same discipline is defined as a degree in:
- English
- English literature
- writing
- journalism
- communication
- art history
- history
- law
- other relevant fields from the humanities and social sciences.
To satisfy the requirement for "same discipline" a minimum amount of content in that discipline is required - this would be at least a major, field of study, or approximately 30% of program content including a mix of introductory and advanced courses.
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio with their application for enrolment and demonstrate an appropriate standard to the satisfaction of the program director. The portfolio should include approximately 10 word processed pages of writing (e.g. assignments submitted in previous courses, workplace documents, creative writing manuscripts).
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 7; reading 7; writing 7; speaking 7; listening 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 23.
TOEFL PB - Overall 600, listening 59, reading 59, writing 64/6.
Pearsons - Overall 72, sub bands minimum 72.
CES - Overall 185, All sub bands minimum 185.
BE and OET are not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Additional application information
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
AUD $34,368
Indicative annual fee 2021
This indicative annual fee is the cost of enrolling in the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing for the 2021 academic year. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
If you enrol in a larger or smaller study load, your fees will be calculated on a proportionate basis. All fees are reviewed annually.
Indicative annual fee
AUD $21,120
Indicative annual fee 2021
This indicative annual fee is the average cost of enrolling in the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing at 2021 fee rates. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
The average fee would be less for part-time study. Actual fees will vary according to your choice of courses, their unit value and the time you take to complete this program. Fees may be higher in later years as all fees are reviewed annually.
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
FEE-HELP
Domestic students who are accepted into the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing pay tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing is 5680.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing is 5680.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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