Sparking a person’s creativity and bringing up fresh concepts, scenarios, and characters through creative writing is key to this craft. It is a whole new ball game that lets writers unleash their imagination and paint vivid pictures with their words.
As a result of mastering this skill, students can express themselves and communicate with others. They can also gain compassion and insight into the experiences of others, and expand their creative capacities.
Although honing this skill and giving it direction is equally important, creative writing courses can be ideal. In this respect, the creative industries play a pivotal role in New Zealand’s economy and have a multiplier effect on the country’s overall revenue potential. Since the 18th century, New Zealand has been refining its culture of literature, initially with travel narratives and gradually evolving into advanced types of writing.
Through decades, numerous creative writers from New Zealand have garnered national and global recognition. Some of these famous authors are renowned literary figures, such as Katherine Mansfield, Frank Sargeson, and Jacquie Sturm, as well as notable novelists like Janet Frame and Ngaio Marsh, among others.
This makes New Zealand an ideal place to study Creative Writing with a chance to benefit from seasoned authors and modern institutes. To learn about the best Creative Writing schools In New Zealand, especially for international students, we have created a detailed article below.
Top Schools Offering Creative Writing in New Zealand
Due to its exceptionally smart and creative populace, New Zealand has several prestigious universities. Some of them provide the best creative writing programs available. Some of New Zealand’s top creative writing schools are mentioned below.
1. Auckland University of Technology
As the country’s second-largest educational institution, AUT is our top choice. Over the last 12 decades, this institution has served as a place for learning in compliance with the provisions of the Education Act (1989). There’s no denying its status among some of the most prestigious academic institutions in Europe.
AUT’s academic brilliance and research achievements have earned it a spot on several global ranking sites. Among many other courses, Auckland University of Technology offers a major in creative writing under Bachelor of Arts for local as well as international students.
Students at the Bachelor’s level will learn about and analyze various writing styles and genres, as well as the needs of different types of media and publishing professionals. They may hone their writing abilities by experimenting with original concepts in an atmosphere that provides both constructive feedback and encouragement.
The core courses of this 3-year degree consist of academic communication, culture and society, and knowledge and inquiry. Their projects will vary from short writing exercises to extended literature or interactive pieces. They’ll be well-equipped with a degree in hand to enter the competitive job markets of the publishing and creative writing sectors.
2. Massey University
Another excellent creative writing school in New Zealand is Massey University. The worldwide acclaim of Massey University is backed up by the institution’s high standing in various ratings and memberships, This is our second suggestion because of its diverse curriculum and outstanding faculty.
Earning a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in creative writing is an option for international students here. By following their artistic interests, they may develop their analytical abilities and acquire several marketable interpersonal abilities. This 4-year course is ideal to sharpen one’s writing capabilities with expertise.
The award-winning faculty at Massey has also published authors with national and worldwide reputations. These professionals share their knowledge based on their experiences taking a concept to publication or performance.
To complete this bachelor’s, a tuition fee of approximately $30,450 is required for international students. To help students with financial constraints, the university offers a variety of grants for eligible students. One of these is the AIMES Award which offers grants of up to $3,000 to international students to help with tuition fees, traveling, and living expenses.
3. Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington is the third recommendation we have. It is one of the finest institutions in the world, ranking in the leading 2%. They are ranked in the top 1% of institutions worldwide in 18 different disciplines. It also has a long and distinguished history as one of New Zealand’s highly regarded universities.
The Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing (CREW) program at Victoria University of Wellington is for international students. It is designed to help develop authors hone their unique opinions, literary talents, and conceptual prowess in a supportive workshop setting.
After that, M.A. students in creative writing have the option of authoring a full-length novel or screenplay. They will improve as readers and writers thanks to the seminars and one-on-one guidance that will be provided.
The 36-month Ph.D. degree is tailored to students who want to compose critical and artistic writing pieces, yet in unconventional manners. A considerable critique and a creative effort, such as a novel or the script for a feature film, will make up the thesis of this course.
These are among the top creative writing programs in New Zealand and all of them have varying tuition fees. The Bachelor’s Program is estimated to cost NZ$31,800 per 120 points. The tuition fee for the master’s program is NZ$34,750 for the full program. For Ph.D. students, the total fee for one year is NZ$30,869. Additionally, VUW offers several scholarships for qualifying international students to grant economic support.
4. University of Waikato
In the most recent edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, the University of Waikato was placed among the best 100 universities throughout the globe. It is crucial to the health of the area’s financial sector and makes important contributions to the global technology network.
Their three-year Bachelor of Arts with a major in Creative and Writing program is aimed at foreign students. It emphasizes both the concepts and execution of building an exhibit of writing in several formats and techniques.
Students will not only have the chance to find their distinctive concepts but also experiment with many other approaches. These are drawn from fiction, poetry, and screenwriting spanning all periods of the genre’s history and all around the world.
The instructor’s class approach to instruction and assessment places a high priority on students’ active engagement with the material. The fee for this Bachelor’s program is estimated at $29,425 – $38,305 per year for international students.
Students can study from a dedicated group of professionals whose writing has been extensively published, televised, and performed.
5. University of Canterbury
Lastly, we suggest the reputable University of Canterbury, known for its exceptional research and education. The university offers a master’s course for International students from all over the world.
In this degree, students will learn to analyze literature at a higher level and improve their writing abilities across several genres and audiences. Additionally, they will make real-world connections in their academic and professional pursuits. The Master of Writing prepares students for employment in fields ranging from the creative to the professional and governmental.
In pursuit of this degree, students are going to learn, create, and be evaluated on their ability to write in several genres and formats, including professional, specialized, fiction, and nonfiction areas. To qualify, a student must have earned a B or above in upper-division college coursework.
The applicant also needed to stand out with their writing skills. They have to submit IELTS scores as proof of English proficiency if it is not their native tongue. The tuition fee for this entire degree is $46,350 for 202a and $48,600 for 2025.
FAQs: Creative Writing in New Zealand
Which Creative Writing Schools Offer Scholarships for International Students?
While New Zealand has some of the best Creative Writing Schools, it is also brimming with opportunities for international students, and its universities generously offer various scholarships to aid them. To support the development of creative abilities among students, several grants and scholarships are available. Another goal is to inspire future authors.
Some of the most prestigious scholarships are available at Auckland University of Technology under the AUT International Scholarships (for North Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia). These can range up to $40,000 to cover tuition fees, health insurance, traveling, and living expenses.
New Zealand is home to several prestigious educational institutions where one may pursue such a degree. Reading through these top creative writing schools in New Zealand, we hope you make an informed decision on where you should apply for a creative writing program.
We hope this article on the best creative writing schools in New Zealand was informative. Also, check out our Study in New Zealand and Available Programs for International Students pages for more information!
