A Master’s in Creative Writing (MSc.Creat.Wri) is a degree that you can achieve with almost any combination of A-level subjects, or equivalent experience. Find out what a Master’s in Creative Writing in Auckland, New Zealand looks like, and how you can start your academic journey to become a published author.
The Journey
You’ll need to complete a total of around 120 credits to qualify for the Master’s in Creative Writing in Auckland. So, to break it down, that’s five years of undergraduate study or relevant work experience. You’ll complete your studies with a thesis, which will then be assessed by a committee of three academics or researchers.
Your studies will include creative writing theory, with some of the optional modules being drama and film theory, advertising, and literature. While you’re studying for your Master’s, you’ll be expected to engage with the course material and participate in group discussions, as well as present your work in a formal way at least once a week.
The Specialization
Once you’ve completed your Master’s, you’ll be able to choose a specialization subject, such as fiction, creative nonfiction, or drama. You’ll then need to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in that subject, which will be assessed by a committee of three academic experts.
The aim of your Postgraduate Certificate is to provide you with the skills you need to enter the field. To achieve this, you’ll study for a total of 18 credits, which include two English credits, one cultural studies credit, three communications credits, and a professional skills (art/design/technology) credit.
Getting a Job
With your Master’s degree, you’ll have the skills to enter the field of creative writing – which can be very lucrative if you do decide to pursue a career in this area. Many publishing houses and brands employ writers to create content across a variety of platforms.
While it’s not a requirement that you start your career in publishing, many new graduates will decide to do so. Many large companies, such as Google, also have in-house writing departments, so even if you don’t end up working for a publisher, you’ll still be able to get a job in-house – as a brand writer, content creator, or marketing manager.
The Salary
Based on your career choices and whether you’ve studied for a Master’s in Creative Writing or not, you’ll earn significantly more as a writer than you would as an English teacher, for example. According to the latest available data from the New Zealand Ministry of Education, the average annual salary for a primary school English teacher is around $47,000 – which doesn’t even take into account the additional perks that come with the job, such as health insurance, superannuation, and paid holiday and sick leave.
As for your potential earnings as a writer, the data from the New Zealand Ministry of Education isn’t available specifically for this group, but according to the data from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), New Zealand writers earned an average of £29,700 in 2016. And getting a job in a reputable agency or consultancy can also boost your income significantly.
The Work-Life Balance
Many people decide to study for a Master’s in Creative Writing because they want to be able to carve out a more flexible work-life balance. You’ll no longer need to commit to full-time study, and you’ll have the flexibility to juggle your study with your other life responsibilities, such as taking care of your family. According to a Guardian news article, about a quarter of student respondents in the UK decided to study to create a more balanced work-life, while a similar proportion chose to study to have more free time.
If you decide to study for a Master’s in Creative Writing in Auckland, you’ll be able to attain a good work-life balance. With a bit of planning and negotiation, you can make sure that your studies don’t take up too much time, and still have something left over for the rest of your life. For example, you could study for a full academic year, take a semester off, and then study again. This would give you enough time to complete your studies while still having a social life and looking after your family.
Choosing Your Major
While a Master’s in Creative Writing is a great option if you’re looking for a flexible career path, you might also want to consider whether or not you want to specialise in fiction, creative nonfiction, or drama. If you’re not sure which subject to choose, then consider taking a graduate class on the subject, or talking to a professor about which courses would be suitable for you.
A Master’s in Creative Writing allows you to specialize in fiction, creative nonfiction, or drama, and to gain valuable teaching experience as an assistant or tutor. Once you’ve achieved your Master’s, you’ll be able to choose a specialization subject, such as fiction, creative nonfiction, or drama. Once you’ve chosen your specialization, you can’t go back and change your mind. You’ll then need to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in that subject, which will be assessed by a committee of three academic experts.