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- MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing
The Department of English at the University of Toronto launched the MA Program in English in the Field of Creative Writing (MA CRW) in 2004-05. The program draws both on the expertise of faculty at the University of Toronto and on the extraordinary vitality of Toronto’s writing community. Internationally acclaimed writers, a multiplicity of cultural traditions, and an energetic publishing industry provide the environment for nurturing new talent. Students have at their disposal the academic and creative resources of the English Department, including its strengths in historical research and traditional scholarship, numerous interdisciplinary collaborations, its acknowledged expertise in world literature, and a faculty engaged in new theoretical studies in culture, race, and gender. Students also have access to one of the world’s great library systems, including the manuscript collections at the Fisher Rare Book library. While the program is designed to prepare participants for careers as professional writers, it will also qualify those wishing to pursue further graduate studies.
Student Handbook
Admission Requirements
The MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing requires students to attend graduate-level English courses. The degree can lead to a PhD in English. Therefore, students must have at least seven full-year undergraduate courses in English or fourteen half-year courses , or any combination of full- and half-year courses that add up to the equivalent of seven full-year courses . It is not necessary to have an English major, as long as you have the seven undergraduate English courses. Students who do not meet this requirement cannot be admitted into the program.
A B+ average (GPA of 3.3) is the minimum requirement for entry into the program. Once this is met, the primary basis for the selection of candidates is the quality of the portfolio submission. It is not expected that students will have publication credits. Applicants do not need to provide GRE results.
Applications must be submitted online and are considered complete only when the following documents have been received by the Department of English:
- A statement of purpose, submitted electronically
- A writing portfolio of 20-25 pages of prose (drama, fiction, or creative non-fiction), and/or poetry, uploaded as a single document. Do not submit academic essays.
- Digital transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended (in PDF format), uploaded to the application, and UPON REQUEST ONLY official paper transcripts mailed directly to the Department. For more detailed information and instructions regarding submitting transcripts, please visit our APPLICATION INFORMATION page and navigate to the section "Checklist for a Complete GradApp Package" then to Academic Transcripts .
- Two academic letters of reference submitted online by academic referees/recommenders, each addressing your performance in university English and/or Creative Writing coursework. At least one letter must discuss your performance in English coursework. Do not use editors, publishers, employers, or fellow writers as referees.
To view the application details and requirements, please visit the SGS website here SGS Admissions & SGS Application Requirements and the application instructions on the SGS How to apply page. Additionally, here is the link to the School of Graduate Studies pages for Future Students .
Program Requirements
The MA program in English in the Field of Creative Writing usually requires 18-24 months to complete. Applicants must have an overall average of B+ or better and evidence of first-class work in English for admission to the program. The program requires the completion of:
- 2.0 approved FCEs in English (the equivalent of four half courses)
- ENG6950Y Workshop in Creative Writing
- ENG6960H Advanced Creative Writing Workshop
- a supervised Writing Project (the equivalent of a thesis) completed under the direction of a mentor
English Coursework
Students complete four semester-long graduate English courses. You may request permission to enroll in a course from other graduate programs such as Comparative Literature. It is strongly suggested that students complete these courses in their first year of study allowing them to focus their attention in year two on the writing of their creative project. Courses will involve lively class discussion, seminar presentations, and written research papers.
Writing Workshops
ENG6950Y: Workshop in Creative Writing: Students submit poetry, fiction, drama, and creative nonfiction and receive thoughtful feedback from the instructor and fellow students. Some sessions may feature on-campus visits from editors, publishers, professional archivists, researchers, and agents so that students can learn the pragmatics of the publishing industry. All candidates for the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing must complete this workshop in the first year of their program before beginning their thesis, and work from this course can be used toward the thesis.
ENG6960H: Advanced Creative Writing Workshop: Students take this course in the second year of the program. It provides a framework for students to complete their thesis while considering other aspects of a writing life. A portion of each class is used as a writing session,
Writing Project
In the second year of the program, students will undertake a book-length Writing Project in a genre of choice (poetry, drama, fiction, or creative non-fiction). Each student will be assigned a mentor with whom to consult on a regular basis about the project. All mentors will be published writers. The completed project should normally be submitted before the beginning of April of the second year. The Department will then arrange an oral defense, to be chaired by the Director of the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing. The Writing Project can be designated as Pass, Fail, or Distinction.
Student Funding
Students accepted into the MA Program in English in the Field of Creative Writing are eligible for teaching assistantships, including a number in Creative Writing courses. All incoming students are considered for incoming scholarships.
Students are strongly encouraged to apply for external funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. For more information visit the Department of English Finances & Awards webpage.
Faculty and Mentors
- MA CRW Faculty Biographies
- MA CRW Program Mentors (Adjunct Faculty) Biographies
How many students are admitted each year?
We admit seven students each year.
I do not have 7 full-year (or equivalent) undergraduate courses in English. Can I still apply?
Because the program is an MA in English, students must have a strong background in English literature. Students who do not have sufficient undergraduate training may wish to take additional courses in English in order to qualify for admission.
My average is less than a B+. Can I still apply?
The academic requirements for admission to the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing are very strict. The B+ minimum must be met or a student’s portfolio will not be considered. Students who do not have an adequate GPA may wish to take additional courses in order to improve their academic standing and qualify for admission.
I have taken courses in literature in a language other than English. Can I apply?
Unless the texts were studied in English translation, courses in literature in a language other than English do not qualify students for admission to the program.
How should I choose what to submit?
Choose your best writing.
Can I apply to enrol in January?
There is only one entry point for students in the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing, which is September. Students may not begin the program in January.
Can I enrol in the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing part-time?
Students must enrol full-time.
How much Financial Support can I expect?
Currently we are able to offer students in the Creative Writing program a TAship each year (number of hours TBA at the start of the program), to a maximum of two years. Successful applicants for the SSHRC CGS-M award can expect $17,500. OGS award holders can expect up to $15,000. All incoming students are considered for incoming scholarships.
For more information please contact us by e-mail, phone or by mail.
[email protected] Director, MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing Department of English 170 St. George Street University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario Canada M5R 2M8
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Major in Creative Writing
Does your love of literature go beyond scholarship? Are you an aspiring author who wants to add a practical, hands-on component to your university education? Then you've come to the right place: UTSC is the only campus at UofT where you can earn a Major in Creative Writing. Our dedicated faculty take a workshop-based, experiential approach to the study and practice of the literary arts. This means that while you learn how classic and contemporary authors pursue their craft, you also take the exciting first steps towards building your own writing practice.
Our Major program places a particular emphasis on professionalization and how to make your way as a writer in the real world. Our teaching faculty are active and award-winning writers themselves, and the program stream culminates in a practical seminar on "Creative Writing as a Profession." You will also benefit from working each year with a new Writer-in-Residence , and you will have the opportunity to connect with our close-knit and active creative writing alumni network, including recent graduates who have already had their work published.
As a creative writing student you will be part of a vibrant undergraduate community, and have access to a jam-packed calendar of readings, talks, festivals, and other events (just scan our Events page to see what's happened in the past and coming up in the future). You can also participate in C.O.W. (our creative writing club), enter contests, and get published in the UTSC arts journal Scarborough Fair.
There is no better place to immerse yourself in the literary arts than Toronto, the heart of Canada's publishing industry. Join UTSC's growing community of creative writers, and learn how to make your own literary mark on the world.
Here is a route map for navigating the Creative Writing Major (you can expand the map by right-clicking or option-clicking):
How to Apply to the Major in Creative Writing
Students may apply to the Major in Creative Writing after they have completed ENGA03H3 and have accumulated a minimum of 4.0 credits. Students typically apply at the end of their first year.
To apply, applicants must complete two steps:
1. Applicants must request entry to the program on ACORN during the application period as outlined below.
2. Applicants must submit a portfolio for adjudication during the application period as outlined below.
The Portfolio:
The portfolio must be 15-20 pages of the applicant’s best writing in poetry, fiction (either short stories or selections from a longer work), and/or creative non-fiction. Portfolios may include work completed in ENGA03H3 and/or work completed prior to admission to UTSC. The portfolio must be accompanied by a brief letter of application (1–2 pages) addressed to the Program Advisor in Creative Writing. The letter should discuss the applicant’s experience as a writer, their future goals in the creative writing program, and a work of literature that has inspired them.
Application Periods:
There are two application periods for the Creative Writing Program, one in March/April for students applying at the end of the Winter session (Round 1), and one in June/July for students applying at the end of the Summer session (Round 2). Students should visit the Office of the Registrar website for the exact dates of these periods, and make sure to apply on ACORN and submit their portfolios by the end of these periods. (Please note: Creative Writing is considered a “limited enrolment program.”)
How to Submit Portfolios:
Portfolios and letters should be submitted as one document to [email protected] by the end of the chosen application period. (Don’t forget: applicants also need to request entry to the program on ACORN by this deadline.) Students who are not successful in their first attempt are eligible to apply again. These students must submit a new portfolio and letter of application by the deadlines outlined above.
A Note on Creative Writing Course Enrolments:
Creative Writing courses at UTSC are usually workshop-based and capped at 20 students. Enrolment is prioritized for students who have taken the prerequisites and are already enrolled in either the Minor or Major in Creative Writing. That said, there is occasionally room in our courses for students who are not studying creative writing intensively. If you are a non-first year student who is not enrolled in the program but would like to apply for a B-level Creative Writing course, please submit a course-specific portfolio (including your student number). Here are the details and contacts:
- ENGB60 Creative Writing: Poetry I : Email 5-10 pages of poetry to [email protected] . Please note if you are applying for the F or S term.
- ENGB61 Creative Writing: Fiction I : Email 5-10 pages of fiction or other prose writing to [email protected] . Please note if you are applying for the F or S term.
- ENGB63 Creative Writing: Non-Fiction I : Email 5-10 pages of non-fiction, fiction, or other prose writing to [email protected] .
To start your creative writing journey at UTSC:
If you are a first-year student and/or new to Creative Writing, your first step should be to enrol in ENGA03H3 Introduction to Creative Writing . This is the prerequisite for entry into the Creative Writing program. Most students take this course in their first year, and then apply for entry to the program once they’ve completed it.
If you have any questions, please email: [email protected] . We are happy to help and look forward to receiving and reading your work!
Program Requirements
Students in the Major must complete 7.5 credits as follows:
1. 3.0 credits:
ENGA03H3 Introduction to Creative Writing ENGB60H3 Creative Writing: Poetry I ENGB61H3 Creative Writing: Fiction I ENGB63H3 Creative Non-Fiction I ENGD95H3 Creative Writing as a Profession ENGC86H3 Creative Writing: Poetry II or ENGC87H3 Creative Writing: Fiction II or ENGC88H3 Creative Non-Fiction II
2. 2.0 credits to be selected from:
ENGC04H3 Creative Writing: Screenwriting ENGC05H3 Creative Writing: Poetry and New Media ENGC06H3 Creative Writing: Writing for Comics ENGC08H3 Special Topics in Creative Writing I ENGC24H3 Creative Writing: The Art of the Personal Essay ENGC86H3 Creative Writing: Poetry II (if not already counted as a required course) ENGC87H3 Creative Writing: Fiction II (if not already counted as a required course) ENGC88H3 Creative Non-Fiction II (if not already counted as a required course) ENGC89H3 Creative Writing and Performance ENGD22H3 Special Topics in Creative Writing II ENGD26Y3 Independent Studies in Creative Writing: Poetry ENGD27Y3 Independent Studies in Creative Writing: Prose ENGD28Y3 Independent Studies in Creative Writing: Special Topics
3. 2.5 Additional credits in English
Note: A maximum of 1.0 credit in creative writing courses may be taken at another campus.
For more details on program requirements, visit the UTSC Calendar . Questions about the program should be directed to Professor Andrew Westoll ( [email protected] ).
Interested in learning more about how our courses are structured and how you might develop your own path through your Minor in Creative Writing? Visit our Routes and Threads page.
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