How and when to apply
Information for domestic undergraduate students applying for Creative Writing courses at Victoria University of Wellington.
Application and notification deadlines
- 1 December for workshops taught in Trimester One (March–June) of the following year. You will be notified of the outcome before the Christmas break.
- 20 June for workshops taught in Trimester Two (July–October). You will be notified of the outcome by the end of June.
- 31 October for workshops taught in Trimester Three—summer trimester (November–January but note that the IIML's summer courses run in January and February only). You will be notified of the outcome by mid-November.
Before you apply
Read more about available CREW courses, our course format, and eligibility on our undergraduate study page. You can also visit our Common questions page.
Please note: an undergraduate Creative Writing (CREW) course is not like a series of lectures available online. It involves 12 three-hour workshops where you will read, discuss and critique your own and other's work, and hear from guest writers. Each participant's input is valuable, and the more you put into workshops the more you will get out.
If you are offered a place and accept it, you are committing to attend all twelve workshops, as well as to independent writing time outside the workshop. If you have concerns about this, please read ‘About in-person versus remote attendance’ on our Common Questions page and then contact us if you’d like to discuss it further.
Undergraduate applications
All applications for our limited entry Creative Writing (CREW) courses go through a selection process. Applicants are notified of the outcome by the dates listed above.
If you are not currently a Victoria University of Wellington student you will also need to enrol.
Submission requirements
To apply you need to submit:
A 5-to-10-page writing sample (1½ or double spaced) that is appropriate to the workshop you are applying for.
This may be one piece, a range of shorter pieces, or an extract from a longer work. It must be your own original work, with any inclusions from other sources (eg: collage or found work) attributed appropriately. This writing sample is critical to the selection process.
A cover letter or statement in support of your application.
This should outline any previous writing experience and your future aspirations. If necessary, it may also provide context for the writing sample you have submitted. We recommend that you keep it brief (no more than one page) and relevant.
Current students
If you are currently enrolled at the University and would like to apply for a CREW course:
- Email your writing sample and support statement directly to the IIML by the relevant application deadline. Please specify which CREW course you are applying for and include your student ID.
- If we advise that your application is successful, you will be emailed an Offer of Study from the Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, which you need to accept.
Please note: you cannot add limited entry courses via the online Add/Drop tool in Student Records.
If you have any other questions about the application process, contact us.
If you are not currently enrolled
If you are not currently enrolled at the University and would like to apply for one or more CREW courses to support your development as a writer (rather than as part of an undergraduate degree), there is a two-step process:
- Apply to enrol at the University;
- Once your enrolment has been approved you can select your preferred course/s.
We recommend you contact the IIML for a simple guide to the process.
If you are asked to provide an academic transcript and you don't have one, contact the IIML for an exemption.
If you have technical difficulties, contact University Enrolments: 0800 842 867 option 1 or enrolment.enquiries@vuw.ac.nz. Put ‘CREW enquiry’ in the subject line and specify your enquiry is about a CREW limited entry course.