PhD in Creative Writing
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Introduction to the PhD
The PhD in Creative Writing (CREW 690) consists of two related parts: a creative component and a complementary critical component. The creative component is a full-length work for the page (poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction), or the text of a full-length work for stage or screen. The critical component is an academic/scholarly study contextualising the creative component.
The creative component will usually form about 70% of the research for the degree; the critical component about 30%. The length of the creative component will necessarily vary, depending on the literary genre. The critical component, however, will normally be about 30,000 words.
Under normal circumstances a PhD would be expected to take three years of full-time work.
Common Questions
Who should I contact to discuss the possibility of doing a PhD in Creative Writing at Victoria?
In the first instance you should contact Professor Bill Manhire, Director of the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) and overall coordinator of our PhD programme. You can contact him at any time during the year. Email him and put ‘PhD Enquiry’ in the subject line.
What are the prerequisites for PhD research? Am I eligible?
To apply to enrol for any PhD at Victoria you will need a first-class or high second-class Honours or a Master's degree. In this case relevant qualifications would include an MA in Creative Writing with Merit or Distinction or a similar qualification in English Literature.
Is entry to the programme automatic if I already have the prerequisite qualification?
Ideally, our PhD candidates will already have achieved at such a level. But unfortunately prior qualifications, including publications, do not guarantee entry. Each year, all applicants will be considered alongside each other after the 1 November application deadline. Because of finite resources, including the availability of work-space accommodation and the broader commitments of potential supervisors, we expect to turn down more applicants than we can accept. The quality of your proposal will be very important to your success.
Is there an application deadline?
Yes: for 2011 enrolments, the application deadline for our programme is 1 November, 2010.
What information is required in an application?
You can download an 'Application for PhD Admission and Victoria Scholarships' and other relevant documents from the Faculty of Graduate Research's website. This application form details the general information required by the University when assessing PhD and (scholarship) applicants.
However, please note that there are additional submission requirements for the PhD in Creative Writing, which should be submitted directly to the IIML. See How to Apply for details and a 'Programme-specific Application' form.
What is the value of a PhD in Creative Writing?
The PhD is the highest degree offered at university level, and these days is a prerequisite for employment in the academic world. It is not a guarantee of employment, however, and you would be unwise to enrol for a PhD in Creative Writing in the belief that it will lead automatically to a teaching appointment in a creative writing programme.
The primary value of the PhD is for those who wish to write creatively, and at the same time to think in focussed and original ways about the contexts of their writing.
What are the differences between the MA and PhD in creative writing?
The MA is a research degree which requires only a creative dissertation; it also includes mandatory coursework, as well as regular meetings with a supervisor. Read more about the MA.
The PhD involves a substantial piece of critical research as well as a book-length creative project. Although there are regular PhD group meetings, the programme also requires an ability to work independently. You meet at least once a month with your supervisor, and the supervisor-student relationship is crucial to the progress of your work for the PhD.
Who will be available to supervise me, and how are supervisors selected?
PhD students will have two supervisors – a primary supervisor, and a co- or secondary supervisor. Often these two supervisors will take separate responsibility for the creative and critical elements of the overall dissertation.
Your primary supervisor will be a member of the staff of the Institute – at present, Ken Duncum, Bill Manhire, or Damien Wilkins.
Your co-supervisor is likely to be from an academic school or department outside the Institute.
There is also an administrative supervisor, who manages the paperwork required for each PhD candidate.
You should discuss the question of supervisors with Bill Manhire, as the nature of your proposal will often determine who should be approached for supervision. Your topic may even need to be adjusted in relation to available supervision.
Is it possible to study for the PhD by distance?
The PhD cannot be taken as a form of distance learning. While you do not need to live in Wellington to take the PhD, you are expected to be on campus for the six-weekly meetings of the PhD group, and for regular meetings with your supervisors.
Can I enrol part-time for the PhD?
You can enrol as a part-time student for the PhD, although we prefer full-time enrolments. If you are accepted as a part-time student, you will need to commit half your working week to PhD research.
Can I write a memoir or biography or some other non-fiction work for the creative component of the PhD?
Yes. Acceptance will depend on the same elements – including availability of supervisors – that apply to novelists, scriptwriters and poets. If you are writing about living people, you may need to think hard about ethics issues.
Can the critical component of the PhD be a reflection on the process of writing the creative component?
No: it must be a complementary critical study. For example, if your thesis involves a book-length collection of dramatic monologues, a study of some aspect of contemporary practice in the dramatic monologue would be appropriate. A discussion of how you chose your speakers and carried out the research for the content of your writing, or of craft problems you met along the way, would not be acceptable.
How is my progress measured during the three years of the degree?
Victoria has a system of six-monthly reports, which must be completed by the candidate and both supervisors. As well, in your first year, you are only accepted for provisional enrolment for the degree. If the university is satisfied with your progress after 12-15 months, you move from provisional to full registration.
How many students are accepted for the PhD in Creative Writing?
We expect to accept 3-4 students each year. Our aim is eventually to have a PhD group of 10-12 at any one time.
Is there a possibility of teaching or supervisory work while I’m a PhD student?
Occasionally such work may be available, but it is likely to be infrequent.
How is the PhD assessed?
When your supervisors agree that your thesis is ready for examination, usually after three years of full-time enrolment, copies are sent to three examiners. These usually consist of one internal examiner and two external examiners, who will normally be staff at other universities. Sometimes an oral examination is also required. If examiners agree that the degree should be awarded, students will be invited to present their work through reading and discussion at a public forum. A hardbound copy of the thesis must be deposited in the university library.
PhD Project Profiles
Read about our PhD students and their projects.
How To Apply
Visit our How to Apply page for application deadlines, requirements and forms.