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Creative Writing professors go global with a course for aspiring novelists

December 9, 2016

This year, Lyon and Lee teamed up to do something new outside their busy ‘day’ jobs teaching fiction. They went global with a new course aimed at anyone who has ever dreamed of writing a novel. It may sound like an impossibly broad audience but with the help of Harvard and MIT’s innovative edX learning platform, it made it accessible to anyone with a decent Internet connection and a healthy desire to get their novel out into the world.

The authors brought everything they’ve learned in their illustrious careers to a series of six-week non-credit online courses designed to take your novel from concept to completion. It was a unique teaching experience for both writers and gave would-be novel writers from around the world an opportunity to tap into their expertise and experience. The next edX session of “ How to Write a Novel ” starts on January 10, 2017 and is open for registration.

Discover what motivated Lyon and Lee to create the course and what the experience has brought to their own writing practice.

What made you both decide to offer a novel writing course online? Why edX?

Annabel Lyon is the author of  The Golden Mean and The Sweet Girl.

Annabel Lyon: We were excited at the reach edX offered, their proven track record in providing high-quality professional education offerings and reaching students around the world.  We know we’re a competitive program and turn many students away every year, and felt this would be a way to offer those students (and many more) a bit of the UBC Creative Writing experience.

Nancy Lee: Novel writing is a long journey. This really is the course both of us wish had been available to us when we first started writing. We wanted to create a course that was both rigorous and accessible.

Who is this course for?

A: This course is for anyone who’s ever wanted to write a novel!  We don’t discriminate: bring us your speculative fiction, your fantasy, your literary fiction, your thrillers, your horror, your crime… we like it all! We believe that the tools we’re teaching are relevant to any kind of novel.

N: It’s for people who’ve dreamed of writing a novel, who’ve tried writing a novel and perhaps stalled or who have a complete novel draft in a drawer that they’re not yet happy with. We’ve had professionals in other fields who’ve always wanted to write a novel, people who have a life story they want to turn into a novel, writers with MFAs who are hoping to approach publishers and everything in between.

How does the course effectively break down such an enormously complex subject?

A: One step at a time. Each week is structured around a key concept (plot, dialogue, etc.), and we provide exercises and prompts to get

Nancy Lee is the author of Dead Girls and The Age .

you focusing consciously on those elements of craft but always in the context of your project; all the writing you do for this course will feed directly back into your novel project. We use a combination of text, audio, video, assignments, author interviews, and discussions to keep the course lively and engaging, and convey concepts as effectively as possible.

We also interview well known authors for this course including Miriam Toews, Paula Hawkins, Sarah Dunant, Jeff Vandermeer, Lauren Groff, Kelley Link, Esi Edugyan, Lawrence Hill, and many more.

N: We also use concrete examples from literature to illustrate the craft techniques we’re teaching.

Has teaching this course taught you anything about your own writing process?

A: It’s reinforced the immense value of making conscious craft choices, rather than trusting blindly to some elusive (read: non-existent) “muse”.  Like any craftsperson, you get better at what you do by practicing, learning techniques, and articulating what you need to work on.

N: The great thing about teaching this course with Annabel is that we’re constantly throwing new ideas at each other, questioning and working out how to concretize the things we sometimes do by instinct or habit. Because of this, I feel that I can view my own process with a lot more clarity.

Is there any credential you would receive by taking this course?

A: Yes, students will receive an edX-issued Professional Education Certificate of Achievement for completing the course successfully.

N: Our undying admiration. And the certificate of course.

What are you reading at the moment?

A: Susan Juby’s The Truth Commission .

N: The Brief Reincarnation of a Girl by Sue Goyette (sorry, I moonlight as a poet!).

Can anyone write a novel?

N: I absolutely believe that if you have the desire to write a novel, if it’s something you feel inexplicably compelled to do, you can do it! It will take time, it will involve a steep learning curve and periods of intense frustration and self-doubt, but it will also be fun, rewarding, and you’ll get to inhabit a world of your own creation. It’s definitely an accomplishable goal.

For more information visit UBC Creative Writing programs .

An earlier version of this story appeared on ubc.ca.

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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

Degree Offered: M.F.A.

N. Hopkinson, A. Lyon, K. Maillard, A. Ohlin, L. Svendsen.

Associate Professors

N. Lee, S. McGowan, M. Medved, T. Taylor.

Assistant Professors

B-R. Belcourt, A. Irani, F. Koncan, S. Leavitt, A. Marzano-Lesnevich, C. Nicholson, E. Pohl-Weary.

Associate Professor Emerita

R. Tregebov.

Program Overview

The School of Creative Writing offers two streams of study leading to the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.). The first is a two-year resident program. The second is an online distance program with part-time and residency options. See Creative Writing for more information. See also Film Production/Creative Writing and Creative Writing/Theatre .

The School of Creative Writing publishes www.prismmagazine.ca ; resident graduate students participate in the editing and production of the magazine.

Master of Fine Arts

Admission requirements.

Applicants must satisfy the general requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and should submit work in two or more of the genres listed in the Creative Writing handbook on our website, specifying which is their major area of interest. Short and long fiction are considered one genre. Screen, TV, and web series are considered one genre. Applicants who intend to focus on translation should submit translated material in any of the above genres and a sample of their own original creative writing. Consult the School of Creative Writing website or email for more information.

The deadline for receiving manuscripts for both MFA programs is in January, whether this be for the following July entrance date for students in the optional residency online stream, or for the following September entrance date for students in the on-campus stream. Late manuscripts will not be considered. Length of the manuscripts accompanying the application depends on choice of genres. Guidelines are available from Creative Writing .

Program Requirements

During the two years of the program, 36 credits of coursework must be completed 1 , including an overall minimum of 24 credits at the graduate level and a 6-credit thesis. The School of Creative Writing consists of work in three genres, chosen in consultation with the Graduate Advisor, as described in the program handbook on the Creative Writing website.

The thesis consisting of a full-length work in the area(s) of their special interest will be completed in the second year. The thesis may be a substantial revision and extension of work done during the first year. A work of translation may be used to fulfill the thesis requirement by students with the required ability and linguistic knowledge.

Students may be required to take advanced creative writing undergraduate courses as part of their programs.

1 A maximum of 6 credits is permitted from CRWR 420, CRWR 521

Contact Information

School of Creative Writing Buchanan E462, 1866 Main Mall Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1 Tel: 604.822.0699 Fax: 604.822.3616 Email: [email protected] Web: www.creativewriting.ubc.ca Alexandra Tsardidis , Graduate Support

UBC Academic Calendar

2016 1874 East Mall Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z1

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Degrees & Programs

Matt Rader Creative Writing Program Coordinator 250.807.98092 [email protected]

Creative Writing

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Why study Creative Writing at UBC’s Okanagan campus?

Join a strong writing community.

Engage in lively discussions with fellow writers and faculty at community events, readings, and workshops where students are warmly welcomed.

learn from the best 

Study under a faculty of award-winning writers dedicated to helping students experiment with their prose and grow as writers. A visiting writer’s series and Writer-in-Residence program provide additional opportunities to meet, and learn from, accomplished writers.

build your portfolio

Create a varied body of work and build your portfolio during hands-on projects. Students are actively involved in writing projects, chapbook production, magazine editing, student anthology production, and community learning projects.

Broad Range of Knowledge

UBC Okanagan’s liberal arts degree prepares students for global citizenship by integrating foundational knowledge with interdisciplinary opportunities in social justice, sustainability and Indigenous content. Students who earn a BA degree graduate with a broad range of knowledge and the ability to think critically, be creative, problem solve and communicate effectively.

Co-op experience

Put your classroom learning to the test with Co-op job placements throughout the region and beyond. Co-op helps you to gain beneficial skills such as how to build your resumé, apply for jobs, expand your professional network and earn money to pay for tuition.

what you need to know

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing is a four-year UBC degree with courses in poetry, creative non-fiction, short fiction, novel, playwriting, screenplay, writing with media, editing and publishing, spoken word, and writing and community learning. It is designed to build students’ range and confidence to the professional level, while familiarizing them with practical aspects of the writing life. Students apply to major in Creative Writing after the completion of their first year.

Students also have the opportunity to study Creative Writing as a minor in combination with another discipline or to combine their major in Creative Writing and the requirements of another BA program that offers a combined major (currently Art History and Visual Culture, Cultural Studies, and English).

Additionally, courses are offered that appeal to and benefit students in a variety of disciplines, including management, science, and medicine. The Power of Story and The Power of Metaphor offer creative tools for framing and understanding human experience and perception.

The Creative Writing program provides students with the opportunity to study literature and literary criticism as well as key aspects of the writing process—from crafting a scene, to pacing a story, working with imagery, and hooking a reader’s interest. Classes are taught by professional writers with a wealth of knowledge and experience they share with students at intimate workshops designed to build students’ range and confidence as they grow as writers. Students are encouraged to share their work and hone their skills with faculty who are actively involved in the editing process.

An intimate learning community is a hallmark of our program. Upper-year classes are capped at 15 students.

UBC Okanagan’s Creative Writing program offers a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses in poetry, creative non-fiction, short fiction, novel, playwriting, screenplay, writing with media, and editing and publishing. Several intensive summer courses are offered on campus and at the Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre in Kelowna.

Sample courses:

• CRWR 150 – Introduction to Writing Poetry and Non-fiction
• CRWR 250 – Writing Workshop in Creative Writing: Screenwriting
• CRWR 472 – Editing and publishing

View course descriptions for the 2020-2021 academic year. Browse here for all Creative Writing courses and their descriptions in the Academic Calendar.

The following links take you to Creative Writing program details in the Okanagan Academic Calendar, a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services, and academic policies at The University of British Columbia:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing:

• Major in Creative Writing
• Combined Major with Creative Writing
• Minor in Creative Writing

Prospective Majors in Creative Writing can declare a major at the end of first year. to declare your major, contact the Creative Writing Program Coordinator  Matt Rader  to set up an appointment.

Find out more about the required courses and how to declare your major .

Communications and Rhetoric Certificate

Students can receive a Certificate in Communications and Rhetoric by completing 15 credits through courses from four thematic interdisciplinary and relational clusters, and a final capstone project. This is an add on to any major; some credits can be double counted.

For your application to be considered, you’ll need to do three things:

• Meet general requirements (e.g., graduate from secondary school)
• Demonstrate a certain level of English competency
• Meet specific requirements for the degree you’re applying to.

Then, UBC will take a closer look at your application. We’ll read your Personal Profile to get a sense of who you are and what you’ve achieved.  We’ll also look at all of your Grade 11 (junior level) and Grade 12 (senior level) courses, paying special attention to the courses that relate to the degree you’re applying to.

Find your specific requirements at  you.ubc.ca

Students are encouraged to apply for a major or minor in Creative Writing at the end of their first year, provided they have a combined average of 70% (B-) in 6 credits of 100-level Creative Writing courses and 3 credits of 100-level English. Refer to the Academic Calendar for  required courses  to major or minor in Creative Writing.

Review the  First-Year English Requirements .

Application Deadlines  Plan ahead to ensure you meet  important deadlines  and other target dates listed at you.ubc.ca.

Tuition Fees UBC Okanagan’s fees compare favourably with universities of the same high calibre. See  Financial Planning  for helpful resources, and add up your first-year costs with our Cost Calculator.

Apply to UBC at you.ubc.ca—there are just five steps in the application process. Soon you could be studying at one of the world’s top universities.

Check out the  steps to apply to UBC , and be sure to choose “Okanagan campus.”

Or let our Student Recruitment & Advising experts guide you: call 1-877-807-8521.

Declaring your major

Students can enrol at UBC for their first year as a general BA student, to declare your major after the first year, simply book an appointment with Creative Writing Program Coordinator.

Your Career Options

Earn a UBC degree respected by employers around the globe. Build a broad foundation and great career potential with undergraduate studies in Creative Writing. Job opportunities range from arts journalist and web writer, to novelist and publisher.

• Abstract Writer
• Advertising Copywriter
• Arts Administrator
• Arts Journalist
• Author/Writer
• Bibliographer
• Communications/public relations professional
• Copy editor
• Fundraising/grant writer
• Video game writer
• Historical museum assistant
• Literary agent
• Manuscript reader
• Market research analyst
• Media planner
• Newspaper/magazine journalist
• Office manager
• Policy and procedures analyst
• Proofreader
• Radio/TV program assistant
• Reviewer for newspapers and magazines
• Screen/television script writer
• Script consultant
• Song writer
• Speech writer
• Technical writer
• Writing instructor
• Writing centre director
• Advertising agencies
• Book Publishers
• Corporate and consulting firms
• Federal, provincial and municipal governments
• Industry, political, professional, social and trade organizations
• Publishers of national, regional or specialty magazines
• Radio and television stations

Learn and earn with  Co-op , a paid opportunity for students to enrich their education with work experience. At UBC’s Okanagan campus, sign up for Co-op to: build your resumé with professional experience; learn valuable tips on how to successfully apply for jobs; expand your network of industry contacts; and earn money to pay for tuition. Inquire about Co-op by phone at 250.807.9623 or by  email .

The UBC Okanagan  Arts Career Apprenticeship Program  (UBCO ACAP) connects upcoming arts, humanities and social sciences graduates from the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies with Okanagan-based employers for one-year, paid, early career opportunities.

The  Master of Fine Arts  (MFA) degree with a specialization in Creative Writing at UBC Okanagan provides students with the theoretical and practical tools involved in advanced creative writing.

UBC Okanagan also has an  Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies  (IGS) program in which students may have a Creative Writing department faculty member as their primary supervisor.

Gain Valuable Experience

Learning experiences beyond the classroom help prepare you for a career and life after university. Expand your horizons while studying abroad, conducting meaningful research, or working in the community with your UBC colleagues.

• See the world through  Go Global , a UBC program for exchange and study with more than 150 international partner institutions.
• Travel to conferences or competitions with financial assistance available through the  Tuum Est Student Initiative Fund , which provides financial support up to $3,500.
• Follow your ideas and get a head start on your career. Our professors engage students in research projects,  labs and centres  that range from Indigenous studies and the study of animal ethics to digitized cultural history.
• Take part in  Eco Art Incubator , a research initiative that provides students and artists with a platform from which to work, as well as access to artist-friendly resources for conservation and ecological initiatives.
• Investigate opportunities offered through the  Centre for Culture and Technology (CCT) , an interdisciplinary institute that engages in multiple forms of art, media, and information technologies as vehicles for the exploration and expression of community, culture, and identity.
• FCCS faculty run the  AMP Lab , which houses projects that engage the work of the humanities, adding value to cultural artifacts through interpretation and analysis in a digital context.

Get a financial boost to start your research experience and help pay for travel and other expenses. Merit-based cash awards also look impressive on your resumé.

• The Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Undergraduate Research Awards ($2,500) provide undergraduate students support to engage in research and creative activities over the summer months.
• The  FCCS Community Engagement Award  recognizes activities that make a significant and positive impact on communities beyond the university.
• More  scholarships and bursaries  are available for Creative Writing students.
• Apply to be an  undergraduate  or graduate teaching assistant and gain invaluable experience managing group discussions, marking, and assisting professors with paperwork.
• Learn through doing, create strong connections, and develop professional skills with a campus job arranged by  UBC’s Work Study Program. 
• Meet a community need and get practical experience by volunteering for a  Community Service Learning  project — a life-changing experience.
• Co-op  puts your classroom learning to the test, allowing you to explore career options while earning money. Inquire about Co-op by phone at 250.807.9623 pr by  email .
• More Employment Opportunities in FCCS

Meet Your Peers and Profs

Find out what students, faculty, and alumni have to say about the Creative Writing program at UBC’s Okanagan campus:  ourstories.ok.ubc.ca .

Lauren Marshall

Anne Fleming, UBC Professor

Joe Dermo, UBC Alumnus

Welcome to ubc’s okanagan campus.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. In the psychology program at UBC’s Okanagan campus, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally respected university while studying in a close-knit learning community.

• Get a glimpse into life on UBC’s Okanagan campus at you.ubc.ca .
• Take a virtual tour of our state-of-the-art labs, modern facilities, campus residences.
• Visit the campus for a personal guided tour led by a student ambassador.
• Tour the campus, city and lake with this interactive 360-degree Kelowna From Above * video. * Best viewed in Chrome and Firefox 

On the first day of university, faculties offer “Meet the Faculty” sessions where you can get to know the Dean, professors, and the staff who provide student support. It’s all part of UBC Okanagan’s new student orientation: CREATE .

Attend an orientation tailored to your needs as an aboriginal student, domestic student, international student, or student living in residence. You can even register your parents for an orientation that includes a workshop and campus tour.

• Peer mentors are a great resource — ask questions and learn from students who’ve been there, done that.
• Navigate your studies with the help of a professor, your Program Advisor .
• Use the library which offers print, audiovisual and electronic research materials, a leisure-reading collection and loaner laptops. It also offers research consultations, instruction and workshops.
• The library’s Writing and Resource Centre can help you articulate your ideas. Pursue your research in a range of subject areas and scholarly genres, including essay writing, grammar, presentation skills, punctuation, thesis development, and coursework.
• Familiarize yourself with resources designed to help you succeed. Student Services offers a variety of academic supports , from study sessions to tutoring and writing workshops.

Take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved and stay active—from workout space in the new Hangar Fitness Centre, to athletic courts, intramurals, fitness classes, and varsity athletics.

Learn more at Sports and Recreation , which includes links to fitness facilities, sport clubs, intramurals and recreation programs, as well as the nationally ranked UBC Okanagan Heat varsity teams that compete in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association.

• Make friends with similar interests, attend events, and explore career options in the  Creative Writing Course Union .
• Follow our  Creative Writing program on Facebook  to keep up to date on events and connect with our community on campus and beyond.
• Branch out, get involved in student life, and have fun by joining a  club or association .

Meet new people while living in a study-oriented environment with easy access to academic and personal support.

UBC Okanagan offers modern residence living surrounded by hiking and biking trails. One of the newest residences, Purcell, includes a rooftop patio that offers a panoramic view of the campus and the Okanagan Valley.

Find out more about living in residence at you.ubc.ca.

UBC’s Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people—the fourth fastest growing population in Canada. In fact, the Okanagan Valley is rated one of the best communities in Canada to grow your business.

More than 160 buses travel daily from campus to key locations such as Kelowna’s cultural district and thriving downtown waterfront. The campus is two minutes from the Kelowna International Airport, one of the Top 10 busiest airports in Canada.

UBC Okanagan is situated within the First Nations territory of the Okanagan Nation, whose spirit of stewardship for the land is reflected in the university’s respect for sustainability.

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards and orchards, and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan Valley features sweeping stretches of lakeside and endless mountain trails for biking and hiking.

Explore the Okanagan lifestyle at you.ubc.ca.

Apply to UBC today!

Already applied? Check your status or accept your offer .

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UBC Creative Writing seeks submissions for 2024 Prize for Best New Fiction

May 1, 2024

We’re excited to announce the prestigious HarperCollins PublishersLtd /UBC Prize for Best New Fiction is seeking submissions for its eighth year.

The prize has an impressive history, reflecting the strength and talent found in our community. Recent winners have been nominated for or received major Canadian literary prizes, become bestsellers in Canada and the US, and sold in multiple languages.

Our 2022 prize-winner was Tammy Armstrong, with her novel now titled Pearly Everlasting , which will publish with HarperCollins Canada and HarperCollins US this year, and Diogenes, a literary publisher in Germany, next year.

We invite enrolled students and previous graduates of UBC Creative Writing to submit their fiction manuscripts from May 1 to May 31, 2024. The winner will receive literary representation by CookeMcDermid Literary Management and an advance and book publication by HarperCollin sPublishersLtd .

Past Winners

Pearly everlasting tammy armstrong 2022 winner.

In a narrative sown with rural folklore and superstition,   Pearly Everlasting   is an enchanting woodland Gothic about the triumph of good over evil and the forgotten beauty of the natural world.

New Brunswick, 1934. When a cook in a logging camp finds an orphaned baby bear, he brings it home to his wife, who names the cub Bruno and raises him alongside her newborn daughter, Pearly Everlasting.

But when a new camp supervisor—who increasingly endangers the lives of the loggers for profit—arrives, he is less accepting of Bruno. When the supervisor is found dead, Bruno is blamed, and soon after is kidnapped and sold to an animal trader. Pearly, now a teenager, has no choice but to find Bruno and sets off on a hazardous solo journey through the forest—her first trip to “the Outside”—to rescue him.

To make her way home again, Pearly will have to tramp more than fifty miles through ice and snow, elude the malevolent spirit of Jack in the Dark and confront the modern-day cruelty of villagers fearful of her family’s way of life. Over those harrowing miles, Pearly will discover what it really means to be family to a bear.

Forthcoming June 25, 2024

The Island of Forgetting Jasmine Sealy 2020 Winner

How does memory become myth? How do lies become family lore? How do we escape the trauma of   the past when the truth has been forgotten?  The Island of Forgetting   is an intimate saga spanning four generations of one family who run a beachfront hotel. Loosely inspired by Greek mythology, this is a novel about the echo of deep—and sometimes tragic—love and the ways a family’s past can haunt its future.

Forthcoming 2022

Five Little Indians Michelle Good 2018 Winner

Five Little Indians chronicles the criss-crossing lives of residential-school survivors struggling to overcome the trauma they endured during their years at the school. The paths of the five friends intertwine over the decades as they struggle to overcome, or at least forget, the trauma they endured during their years at the school. With compassion and insight, Five Little Indians chronicles the desperate quest of these residential school survivors to come to terms with their past and, ultimately, find a way forward.

The Dutch Wife Ellen Keith 2016 Winner

From the Netherlands to Germany to Argentina, The Dutch Wife braids together the stories of three individuals who share a dark secret and are entangled in two of the most oppressive reigns of terror in modern history. This is a novel about the blurred lines between love and lust, abuse and resistance, and right and wrong, as well as the capacity for ordinary people to persevere and do the unthinkable in extraordinary circumstances.

The Ghost Keeper Natalie Morrill 2015 Winner

Set in Vienna during the 1930s and ’40s, The Ghost Keeper centres on a poignant love story and a friendship that ends in betrayal. The Ghost Keeper   is a story about the terrible choices we make to survive and the powerful connections to communities and friends that define us. Here is a finely accomplished novel that introduces an exciting new voice to our literary landscape.

In the Place of Silence (published as The Good Sister) Chelsea Bolan 2014 Winner

Just shy of her 15th birthday, Gabriela Amador Prieto has been cast out of the family home by her father for tarnishing the family honour. All traces of her are brutally erased, and not even Lucy, Gabi’s older sister and best friend, knows where she is. Furious at her father and desperate to find her sister, Lucy leaves their small town in Baja California, Mexico, and sets out for the capital to track Gabriela down.   The Good Sister   is an urgent, timely and moving exploration of betrayal and steadfast devotion, and the ways in which our own intolerance can harm what—and who—we love most.

Book of Sands Karim Alrawi 2013 Winner

This powerful novel is set amid the upheaval of the Arab Spring and the brutal repression of a totalitarian regime. Facing the threat of police arrest, Tarek flees with his nine-year-old daughter, Neda and is forced to leave behind his pregnant wife, Mona. Tarek and Neda encounter fellow travellers from Tarek’s past and his time as a political prisoner. The reunion reveals secrets that Tarek must come to terms with for his own and Neda’s sake.

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Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

Find a home for your poems, stories, essays, and reviews by researching the publications vetted by our editorial staff. In the Literary Magazines database you’ll find editorial policies, submission guidelines, contact information—everything you need to know before submitting your work to the publications that share your vision for your work.

Whether you’re pursuing the publication of your first book or your fifth, use the Small Presses database to research potential publishers, including submission guidelines, tips from the editors, contact information, and more.

Research more than one hundred agents who represent poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, plus details about the kinds of books they’re interested in representing, their clients, and the best way to contact them.

Every week a new publishing professional shares advice, anecdotes, insights, and new ways of thinking about writing and the business of books.

Find publishers ready to read your work now with our Open Reading Periods page, a continually updated resource listing all the literary magazines and small presses currently open for submissions.

Since our founding in 1970, Poets & Writers has served as an information clearinghouse of all matters related to writing. While the range of inquiries has been broad, common themes have emerged over time. Our Top Topics for Writers addresses the most popular and pressing issues, including literary agents, copyright, MFA programs, and self-publishing.

Our series of subject-based handbooks (PDF format; $4.99 each) provide information and advice from authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers. Now available: The Poets & Writers Guide to Publicity and Promotion, The Poets & Writers Guide to the Book Deal, The Poets & Writers Guide to Literary Agents, The Poets & Writers Guide to MFA Programs, and The Poets & Writers Guide to Writing Contests.

Find a home for your work by consulting our searchable databases of writing contests, literary magazines, small presses, literary agents, and more.

Poets & Writers lists readings, workshops, and other literary events held in cities across the country. Whether you are an author on book tour or the curator of a reading series, the Literary Events Calendar can help you find your audience.

Get the Word Out is a new publicity incubator for debut fiction writers and poets.

Research newspapers, magazines, websites, and other publications that consistently publish book reviews using the Review Outlets database, which includes information about publishing schedules, submission guidelines, fees, and more.

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Find information about more than two hundred full- and low-residency programs in creative writing in our MFA Programs database, which includes details about deadlines, funding, class size, core faculty, and more. Also included is information about more than fifty MA and PhD programs.

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Establish new connections and enjoy the company of your peers using our searchable databases of MFA programs and writers retreats, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more.

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The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community, providing them with a network for professional advancement.

Find information about how Poets & Writers provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops.

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Read essays, articles, interviews, profiles, and other select content from Poets & Writers Magazine as well as Online Exclusives.

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In our weekly series of craft essays, some of the best and brightest minds in contemporary literature explore their craft in compact form, articulating their thoughts about creative obsessions and curiosities in a working notebook of lessons about the art of writing.

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University of British Columbia (Distance MFA)

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MFA Program

Poetry : Susan Musgrave, Cecily Nicholson, Bronwen Tate Fiction : Anosh Irani, Nancy Lee, Annabel Lyon, Maureen Medved, Alix Ohlin, A. E. Osworth, Linda Svendsen, Timothy Taylor, John Vigna Children/YA : Emily Pohl-Weary, Jordan Scott, Tanya Kyi Nonfiction : Mandy Catron, Alex Marzano-Lesnevich Graphic Novel : Sarah Leavitt Screenwriting : Sara Graefe Playwriting: Frances Koncan Writing for Television : Zac Hug Speculative Fiction : Nalo Hopkinson Indigenous Writing : Billy-Ray Belcourt New Media: Jen Moss

The program offers partial funding. The program offers teaching assistantships, graduate supportive initiative scholarships, and endowed scholarships.

This Optional-Residency (Distance) MFA program was the first distance education MFA program in Canada and remains the only full MFA which can be taken completely online. The program offers courses in graphic novel writing, playwriting, writing for television, screenwriting, and writing for children. Students are required to take coursework in three genres during the degree.

Most students attend an optional ten-day residency that is offered each July at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver.

Paulette Bourgeois, Amy Jones, Ellen Keith, Amy Stuart, Sarah Selecky, Shyam Selvadurai, Shauna Singh Baldwin, Katherena Vermette

On May 21, UBC will move to a new system called Workday for courses starting in September 2024. Check your email that day for setup instructions. Summer Session students will continue using  SSC .

• Student Services
• Career and experience
• Your degree

Your degree in Creative Writing

• 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
• Using effective planning, time management, problem solving, and leadership skills on various creative projects
• Working knowledge and application of the professional standards and expectations for your chosen genres
• Researching, understanding, and assessing various types of creative works
• Analyzing artistic works clearly and concisely
• Adapting content to a variety of forms or mediums
• Providing and receiving constructive feedback on opinions and works
• Crafting and telling compelling and creative stories
• Explore career possibilities

Career opportunities vary across a range of fields including publishing, communications, marketing, public relations, social media, non-profit, government, tourism, education, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

• Arts administrator
• Book publishing manager
• Communications manager
• Communications policy researcher
• Community centre coordinator
• Community organizer
• Festival/Event planner
• Fiction/Non-fiction writer
• Film/TV editor
• Fundraiser/Grant writer
• Human resources specialist
• Literacy program coordinator
• Literary agent
• Literary editor
• Literary translator
• Magazine editor
• Market researcher
• Marketing specialist
• Media relations coordinator
• News analyst
• Non-profit administrator
• Project manager
• Public relations specialist
• Recreation programs manager
• Screen writer
• Social media community manager
• Social policy advisor/analyst
• Special education assistant
• Speech writer
• Teacher/Professor
• Technical writer
• Tourism development officer
• Travel writer
• Web communications manager
• Make the most of your program

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help you understand your values and interests.

• UBC Creative Writing Program events Meet other students at readings, info sessions, and other programs. 
• Creative Writing BFA group Join fellow creative writers for various events and make new friends.
• Departmental research opportunities Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions.
• Preparation for a Career in Writing Check out UBC courses on how to build a career in writing, such as CRWR 430 or CRWR 530.
• Creative Writing co-op success stories Learn about the experiences of past and present co-op students from your program and others.
• Nineteen Questions online magazine Read or contribute profiles about the career trajectories, challenges, and the writing lives of established writers.
• PRISM international Inquire about volunteer opportunities to support an online magazine focused on modern and contemporary literature.
• Brave New Play Rites Festival Attend the festival in Term 2 or collaborate with theatre students for an opportunity to produce your short play.
• The Garden Statuary Showcase your essays, poetry, photographs, and other work in UBC’s English Undergraduate Journal.
• The Ubyssey Volunteer to write articles for this weekly student paper. No previous experience required.
• Vancouver Writers Fest Check out the works of local and international writers or volunteer at a literary event.
• Growing Room Festival Celebrate diverse Canadian writers and artists in Term 2 at this feminist literary festival.
• Writers’ Exchange Volunteer to support literacy programs for kids in Vancouver.
• Resources for writers Find local writing groups, contests, festivals and other resources for writers.
• BC Alliance for Arts + Culture job board Search for part-time and full-time opportunities in BC across a variety of fields in the arts.
• Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can  build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and accessing job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

• Access Copyright
• Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia
• Association of Canadian Publishers
• Canada Council for the Arts
• Canadian Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies
• Canadian Association of Broadcasters
• Canadian Association of Journalists
• Canadian Communication Association
• Canadian Media Producers Association
• Canadian Public Relations Society
• Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators, and Performers
• Children’s Writers and Illustrators of BC Society
• Crime Writers of Canada
• Editors Canada
• Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
• Federation of BC Writers
• First Peoples’ Cultural Council
• League of Canadian Poets
• Magazines Canada
• Modern Language Association
• Playwrights Guild of Canada
• Canadian Freelance Guild
• Society for Technical Communication
• Speculative Fiction Canada
• WorkInCulture
• Writers Guild of Canada
• Writers’ Union of Canada
• Connect with alumni on LinkedIn

Find UBC Creative Writing graduates on LinkedIn  to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.

• More information

From your Arts degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Arts degree .

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• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Fine Arts
• How to Wait-list a Course
• Opportunities
• Undergraduate Advising
• Undergraduate Funding Opportunities
• Student Support
• Vancouver Summer Program
• Master of Arts
• Master of Fine Arts
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Film Production & Creative Writing

The Master of Fine Arts in Film Production and Creative Writing is a unique program offering an intensive, diverse and collaborative environment for crafting literary excellence in films and television.

Program Overview

Our master’s program is primarily a film production degree with an emphasis on screen writing. The final thesis for this joint MFA is a completed film that is written, directed and produced by the student.

The degree is designed for students who have a comprehensive background in filmmaking and screenwriting who wish to pursue a specific vision that combines both disciplines.

Students interested in the joint MFA degree must be experienced filmmakers and have completed films on which they were a principal creator to submit as part of their portfolio.

Degree Requirements

The MFA in Film Production and Creative Writing requires students to complete 36 total credits following these guidelines:

• FIPR 533: Advanced Problems in Directing (6 credits)
• CRWR 506: Advanced Writing for Television (6 credits)
• CRWR 514: Advanced Writing for the Screen (6 credits)
• The 12-credit thesis requirement can normally be met with the completion of a professionally finished film 20 minutes long (shorter works to be considered on a case-by-case basis) and full written documentation and evaluation of the process
• Productions longer than 40 minutes may be eligible for 15 or 18 credits on a case-by-case basis
• FIPR 534 (6) Producing for Film and Television
• FIPR 535 (6) Alternative Cinema Production
• FIPR 536 (6) Documentary Development and Production
• CINE 534A (3) Seminar in Cinema Studies
• CINE 534B (3) Seminar in Cinema Studies
• Alternate courses to fulfill the 0 to 6 credits of electives must be chosen in consultation with the MFA Advisor.

Applications are now open. Apply by: Jan 15, 2024.

The MFA in Film Production and Creative Writing is a joint program with UBC’s Creative Writing Department. Applicants must apply to the MFA in Film Production & Creative Writing, and completed applications will be sent directly to the Film Production program. Once accepted, the film program will arrange for the application and materials to be sent to the Department of Creative Writing for consideration into the joint degree program.

• Submit your UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies application
• Include a resume of your film and related experience
• Attach a copy of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended and are currently enrolled in. If your transcripts are in a language other than English you must also provide a certified translation
• Include a portfolio of completed films where you were a primary creator. These must be shared via accessible links, otherwise your application may be rejected.
• A description of each film you have submitted (title, length, production company) and your role on each project.
• A proposal for a thesis film. If your thesis is a feature-length film, you must also submit an alternate proposal for a shorter film. This proposal must include a description of the film, an outline, treatment or draft script and a proposed one-page budget.
• A statement of intent describing your reasons for wanting to complete the MFA Program.
• Applicants must also submit a portfolio of original screenwriting of at least 50 pages. This writing can be from a single screenplay or several different screenplays.
• Three letters of recommendation via UBC’s eReference system

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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing The Write Stuff for Writers

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Grow Your Writing Passion into a Career with Liberty’s Online MFA in Creative Writing

Many people write creatively, but few hone their skills to develop their writing craft to its highest form. Even fewer learn the other skills it takes to become a successful writer, such as the steps needed to get a book published and into the hands of readers. Liberty’s 100% online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing can help you develop your writing passion into a career so you can set your works free to impact culture and the world.

Employers in every industry need professionals who have strong writing skills, so you can be confident that your ability to write effectively can also help set you apart in your current career. With in-demand writing expertise and the ability to customize your degree with electives in literature or writing practice, Liberty’s online MFA in Creative Writing can help you achieve your professional writing goals.

Our online MFA in Creative Writing is designed to help you build on your writing skills with specific workshops dedicated to the craft of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or screenwriting. With a work-in-progress approach to writing practice and mentorship from our faculty of experienced writers and scholars, you can learn the specific skills you need to make your writing stand out.

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• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s MFA in Creative Writing?

Our online MFA in Creative Writing is mainly offered in an 8-week course format, and our tuition rate for graduate programs hasn’t increased in 9 years. Through our program, you can study the writing process and develop your creative skills through workshops with experienced writing professionals. With our flexible format, you can grow in your creative writing while continuing to do what is important to you.

As a terminal degree, the online MFA in Creative Writing can also help you pursue opportunities to teach writing at the K-12 or college level. You will gain comprehensive and in-depth exposure to writing, literature, publishing, and many other professional writing skills that you can pass on to students. Partner with the Liberty family and learn under faculty who have spent years in the field you love. Your career in professional writing starts here.

What Will You Study in Our MFA in Creative Writing?

The MFA in Creative Writing program is designed to help you become an excellent creative writer across the genres of creative fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and poetry. You can learn how to produce aesthetically and culturally engaged creative works while gaining professional knowledge and practice. You will also study foundational contemporary literature so that you have a background in studying important works to draw on for your writing.

To help you in your professional writing, you will also study many essential skills in editing, layout, and the business of publishing so that you can best position yourself for success in the market. Through your creative writing courses and workshops, you can develop your craft so that you will be ready for your thesis project.

Here are a few examples of the skills Liberty’s MFA in Creative Writing can help you master:

• Marketing your projects and pursuing new writing opportunities
• Organizing writing and adapting it to different types of writing
• Tailoring writing to specific audiences and markets
• Understanding what makes art effective, compelling, and impactful
• Writing compelling stories that engage readers

Potential Career Opportunities

• Book and magazine writer
• Business communications specialist
• Creative writing instructor
• Publications editor
• Screenwriter
• Website copy editor and writer
• Writing manager

Featured Courses

• ENGL 600 – Editing, Layout, and Publishing
• ENGL 601 – Writing as Cultural Engagement
• ENGL 603 – Literary Theory and Practice
• WRIT 610 – Writing Fiction

Degree Information

• This program falls under the College of Arts and Sciences .
• View the Graduate Arts and Sciences Course Guides (login required).
• Download and review the Graduate Manual for MFA .

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form .
• Creative Writing Sample – A creative writing sample of one creative writing work of at least 2,500 words or a culmination of creative writing samples totaling 2,500 words.*
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

*A sample of one or more poems totaling a minimum of 750 words may also be submitted. Song lyrics are not accepted at this time as writing samples.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
• Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
• If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application .
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Dual Enrollment

Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.

Transcript Policies

Unofficial college transcript policy.

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

• Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
• Cumulative GPA
• A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
• Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

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Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

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Lynchburg, VA 24515

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Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
• Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

• Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
• Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course) *
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

*Not applicable to certificates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an mfa in creative writing.

A Master of Fine Arts degree, or MFA, is a terminal degree in an artistic craft that demonstrates that you have achieved the highest level of training and skill in your discipline. Like a doctorate, an MFA often allows you to teach courses at the graduate level while also providing many opportunities for scholarship and leadership in education. If you want to grow your creative writing skills to become the best writer you can be, then the Master of Fine Arts can help you get there.

How will students work towards developing their writing skills?

With creative writing workshops and a thesis project, you will receive support and guidance to help you become the best writer you can be.

How long will it take to complete the MFA in Creative Writing?

You can complete the MFA in Creative Writing in just 48 credit hours!

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• Admission Information

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Palm Desert Low-Residency MFA

Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts

Latest News for April 30th, 2024

Spring Guest Faculty Announced

• Master of Fine Arts in Film Production (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

Go to programs search

Please note that applications for the MFA in Film Production are accepted on a biennial basis.  Applications for Fall 2024 will open in late September 2023.

Film Production is a major component of Vancouver’s economy, as well as in cities across the globe. UBC has an over 45-year history of training some of Canada’s (and the world’s) brightest filmmakers and technicians. The MFA in Film Production focuses on the areas of directing, screenwriting and producing live action narrative or documentary film for students who already have a comprehensive background in filmmaking and wish to pursue a specific creative or intellectual vision in an academic environment. Our graduate and student work has screened at film festivals across the globe, and graduates have had key roles in films as diverse as District 9 , 65 Red_Roses , She's a Boy I Knew and The Editor .

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

What makes the program unique?

The film industry employs 36,000 people in Vancouver and pumps over $1 billion dollars into the local economy. UBC maintains partnerships and agreements with post-production facilities, rental houses, and professional and union organizations to facilitate student work, education, networking, and post-grad opportunities. Our faculty includes Rachel Talalay, a working director who has film and television credits in the US, the UK and Canada. Furthermore, students have the option to learn from and collaborate with UBC’s top-tier Creative Writing department and Theatre and Film Studies programs.

UBC offers the only Master's Degree in Film Production in Western Canada, and is one of the few MFA Film Production programs in the world to require an undergraduate degree in film production to be considered. Our courses are advanced and small; only 1-2 students are accepted every year out of the 30-40 that apply.

UBC is one of the top research universities, it would be a huge advantage for researchers to find resources to conduct research and seek collaborations. I believe that Vancouver, BC is a good place to start. After seeing the photos of the UBC campus, I immediately loved it.

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 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 : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

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 Film Production (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

UBC MFA Film Production graduates can be found working in the film industry as producers, screenwriters, and directors. Some also choose to pass on what they have learned by working as instructors and professors at educational institutions. Many serve on the boards of film organizations or serve on juries at film awards. 

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Master of Fine Arts in Film Production (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

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

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.

• Bourges, Antoine (Film Production)
• Brown, William (film-philosophy, digital media, posthumanism, critical race theory)
• Drljaca, Igor (Creative writing; Film, television and digital media; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Documentary FIlm; Film Production; Narrative Film; Screenwriting; Virtual Reality; Video and New Media)
• McGowan, Sharon (Planning of film productions from concept to completion)
• Scholte, Tom (Theatre, film, and television)
• Walsh, Shannon (Media arts; Critical identity, ethnic and race studies; Social and cultural anthropology; South Africa; Afropessimism & Critical Race Studies; Documentary; Film Production; Indigenous studies; Environmental justice; Affect Theory)

Sample Thesis Submissions

• Slhá:lí (woman) : Stó:lō transgender identity : [supplementary material]

Related Programs

Same academic unit.

• Doctor of Philosophy in Cinema and Media Studies (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre (PhD)
• Master of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies (MA)
• Master of Arts in Theatre (MA)
• Master of Fine Arts in Theatre (MFA)

Further Information

Specialization.

Film Production focuses on the areas of directing, screenwriting, and producing live action narrative or documentary film.

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 .

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