toronto metropolitan university creative writing

The following Admissions Requirements are as follows as of 2023/2024 for Fall 2023 intakes .

Academic Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with a minimum of six Grade 12 U or M courses including the following program specific requirements.

Typically, a minimum overall average of 70% establishes eligibility for admission consideration; subject to competition individual programs may require higher prerequisite grades and/or higher overall averages:

• A minimum grade of 70% or higher will be required in Grade 12 U English/anglais (ENG4U/EAE4U preferred) 
• Academic admission requirements for all other applicants are available at: Admission Requirements.

Optional Statement

Acceptance to the Creative Industries program is competitive. Each year a number of spaces in the program are reserved for applicants who submit optional statements. The statement is evaluated by a program admissions committee.

When writing your statement, tell us what makes you a great candidate for the Creative Industries program, beyond your grades. We value diverse identities and experiences. We would love to hear about your creative activities, entrepreneurial experience or community involvement.

You will receive an Acknowledgment email after you submit an application that will allow access to your ChooseTMU applicant portal. You can upload your statement via your applicant portal.

The Creative School Experts

Experts in RTA School of Media

Kristopher Alexander

• Esports Production & Collegiate Infrastructure
• Games User Research
• Video Game Design
• Virtual Studio Production

Alexandra Bal

• Decolonization of the senses
• Embodied cognition
• Media ethics
• New media art history

Lori Beckstead

• Sound media

Marion Coomey

• Broadcast news content analysis
• International media production
• Media analysis of hosts, media personalities

Michael Coutanche

• Media writing
• Screenwriting

Richard Lachman

• AI and ethics
• Digital media and culture
• Internet startups and businesses

Norah Lorway

• Artificial intelligence
• Digital health
• Electronic music
• Human-computer interaction

Michael Murphy

• Digital technology
• Radio industry
• Radio technology
• Satellite radio

James Nadler

• Broadcast history
• Legal issues in media

Karen Sebesta

• Broadcasting
• Curriculum and education
• Live television production

Laurel Walzak

• Global Sport Media
• Sport and Artificial Intelligence
• Sport Technology
• Sports Audiences

Charles Zamaria

• Broadcasting content
• Internet use
• Media and policy
• Media production business

Experts in School of Performance

Michael Bergmann

• Human-robot interaction
• Live performance technology
• Projection and video design

Cheryl Thompson

• Black beauty culture
• Black Canada

Experts in School of Creative Industries

William Carter

• 3D Scanning
• 3D visualization
• Digital archaeology
• Entrepreneurship

Louis-Etienne Dubois

• Circus arts
• Creative industries
• Experience economy
• Live entertainment

Lorena Escandon

• Design thinking

David Gauntlett

• Arts and culture
• Equity community and inclusion

Experts in School of Fashion

• Design trends

Anika Kozlowski

• Secondhand clothing waste
• Small-sized sustainable brands
• Sustainable fashion

Henry Navarro Delgado

• Apparel Sizing
• Arts and Fashion
• Contemporary Fashion
• Experimental and Conceptual Fashion Design

• Artisanal fashion entrepreneurship
• Design thinking and process
• Experiential learning in fashion
• Zone education

Dirk de Waal

• Live event production
• Sustainable design praxis

Experts in School of Graphic Communication Management

• Bindery, Fnishing and Post Press
• Book History
• Bookbinding

Experts in School of Image Arts

Chris Aylward

• Canadian film industry

Marta Braun

• Chronophotography
• Early Canadian cinema
• Early motion pictures
• History of art

Gerda Cammaer

• Documentary Media
• Experimental Film
• Home movies and amateur films
• Landscape and ecology in art and media

Michèle Pearson Clarke

• Equity, diversity and inclusion in photography
• Photographer and LGBTQ representation
• Photography and Black representation
• Photography and ethics

Brian Moncarz

• Sound recording

Gaëlle Morel

• Contemporary art
• Curatorial issues
• Museums issues
• Photography (photojournalism, fashion, amateurs, art)

• Current films
• Pop culture
• Popular culture

Experts in School of Interior Design

Jonathon Anderson

• Design communication
• Design visualization
• Digital design
• Fabrication technology

Lorella Di Cintio

• Design Activism
• Experiential/Community-engaged pedagogy
• Pro Bono Design

Andrew Furman

• Architectural interiors
• Interior design
• Interior design education
• Sustainable city design

Filiz Klassen

• Climate responsive and energy generating buildings
• Integrated Technologies
• Kinetic and media facades
• Responsive architecture and interiors

Lois Weinthal

• Interdisciplinary design
• Interior architecture
• Interior design theory and criticism

Experts in School of Journalism

Gavin Adamson

• Media effects
• Mental illness and media
• Social media

Marsha Barber

• Documentary
• Election coverage

• Canadian foreign policy
• Canadian media and politics
• Freedom of expression
• Future of news media

April Lindgren

• Ethnic Media
• Local News Poverty
• Local Politics News Coverage

Eternity Martis

• Anti-racist media
• Gender-based violence affecting young women
• Memoir writing
• Racism on university campuses

John Miller

• Defamation lawsuits
• Diversity in newsrooms
• Journalism ethics
• Journalism standards

Angela Misri

• AI and journalism
• Fiction writing
• Minorities in journalism

Janice Neil

• Canadian media industry
• Information radio
• Journalistic practices
• Media coverage during elections

Bill Reynolds

• Literary journalism
• Magazine writing and production
• Narrative journalism

Ivor Shapiro

• Best practices in journalism
• Defining quality
• Journalism awards

Joyce Smith

• Digital journalism
• Indigenous issues reporting
• Religion reporting

James L. Turk

• Academic freedom
• Intellectual freedom

Experts in School of Professional Communication

• Remote work

Robert Clapperton

• Data analytics
• Digital enterprise
• Innovation and entrepreneurship
• Online education

• Collaborative/open source media production
• New media and Canadian politics

Carolyn Kane

• Digital Media
• Popular Culture

Gregory Levey

• Communication and entrepreneurship
• Media relations

Carolyn Meyer

• Business communication
• Email communication in business
• Politeness strategies in the workplace

Jessica Mudry

• History of nutrition
• Public health communication in a pandemic
• Public health crisis communication
• Public health messaging

• Audio media
• Environmental communication
• Science communication

Zorianna Zurba

• Posthumanism

• Research Help

Communication

• Indigenous News Sources
• Research Databases
• Research Methods
• Search Across Government Sites
• Top Journals
• Film and Video
• Writing & Style

Writing Guides

Writing support resources at TMU

There are two places you can go to get help with writing your papers.

FCS Academic Support - on the 5th floor of the Library

The Writing Centre - on the 4th floor of the SLC

You can make appointments for one-on-one help or in group tutorial sessions at both of those websites. They are very popular resources, so be sure to make your appointment sooner than later!

• << Previous: Film and Video
• Next: Citation >>
• Last Updated: Mar 20, 2024 9:31 AM
• URL: https://learn.library.torontomu.ca/communication

OCAD UNIVERSITY

• giving to ocad u

• View your wishlist
• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

Creative Writing

About this program.

Have you longed to explore your creative potential?

Embrace the unknown and start your journey here. As part of one of the largest Creative Writing programs in Canada, you can learn the essentials of excellent writing and put them into practice. Whether you aspire to write a novel or short story, explore poetry, pen a script or screenplay, or explore other writing styles, we have the courses you need to improve your skills.

Class sizes and writers workshops are kept small to ensure you receive the individual attention you need to help your writing thrive, whether you take your class in-class or online. 

Courses in the genres listed below can be applied to the Certificate in Creative Writing

• Creative Non-Fiction
• Escritura Creativa en Español
• Literary Fiction
• Multi-genre
• Poetry and Songwriting
• Popular Fiction
• Stage and Screenwriting
• U of T Summer Writing School
• Writing for Children

Course Spotlight

{{ course.d_course_name }}

Available Certificates ({{ data.certificates.length }})

• {{ certificate.d_certificate_name }}

Course Search

Delivery Method

We currently have {{ courses.length }} Course(s) in {{ data.name }}

Viewing {{ ((pagination.currentPage-1) * pagination.numPerPage) + 1 }} - {{ filteredData.length }} pagination.currentPage*pagination.numPerPage && pagination.numPerPage">{{ pagination.currentPage*pagination.numPerPage }} of {{ filteredData.length }} result(s)

{{ course.d_course_code }} - {{ course.d_course_name }}

{{ course.lowest_fee }}

Sorry, no courses were found that matched your search criteria.

Sign up with us to receive the latest news about our courses and programs, speaker series, course bundles and more.

• U of T Home
• Current Instructors
• Policies and Guidelines
• Help and Information
• Blueprint Career Services
• Organizational and Corporate Training
• U of T Community
• PSE Preparedness
• Knowledge Hub
• Financial Aid
• Biomanufacturing
• Micro Courses and Micro-Credentials
• Microsoft Canada Skills Program
• Passing the CFA® Exams
• Passing the Canadian Securities Course®
• Professional Edge Program
• SCS Boot Camps
• SCS XR Courses
• Skill Builder Courses
• Health, Environment, and Science
• Life and Leisure
• Philosophy and Law
• University Lecture Series
• Visual Art and Architecture
• Business Analysis
• Entrepreneurship
• Human Resources
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Test Preparation
• Career Development
• Workplace Communications
• Public Health
• Human Services and Social Work
• Medical Sciences
• Mindfulness
• Continuous Professional Development
• International Pharmacy Graduate Program
• Building Science and Architecture
• Engineering and Applied Science
• Environment and Sustainability
• Information Management
• Information Technology (IT)
• Property & Facilities Management
• Arabic Translation
• Spanish Translation
• Portuguese Translation
• Japanese Translation
• French Translation
• Chinese Translation
• Korean Translation
• Business English for International Professionals
• Learning Design
• Multimedia Journalism
• Communications
• Public Relations
• Partnerships with Associations and Certifying Bodies
• U of T Partnerships
• English Language Program
• Educational Credential Assessment
• Leadership Team
• Academic Leadership
• Teach with us
• Instructor Awards and Recognition
• Instructor Biographies
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitments
• Our History
• Media Inquiries
• Curious U Blog

• Feeling Distressed?
• A-Z Listing
• Academic Calendar
• People Directory

Major in Creative Writing

"We tell ourselves stories in order to live."

-- Joan Didion

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.

Undergraduate Programs

Back to Undergraduate Programs

Creative Writing

St. George Campus, Faculty of Arts & Science

Program Information

Degree(s): Honours Bachelor of Arts

Program(s): Creative Writing (Minor)

OUAC Admission Code: TAH

Academic Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma Six 4U/M courses, including:

• English (ENG4U)

Find equivalent requirements for Canadian high school systems , US high school system , International Baccalaureate , British-Patterned Education , French-Patterned Education , CAPE , and other international high school systems .

Mississauga Campus

OUAC Admission Code: TMH (Humanities)

Scarborough Campus

Program(s): Creative Writing (Major, Minor)

OUAC Admission Code: TUD (Social Sciences & Humanities)

CWWR 110 - Introduction To Creative Writing

Course Description

Relevant programs.

• Creative Writing : Required Courses (select 3)

Thank you for your interest in this course. Unfortunately, this course currently isn't available.

Please browse our courses for more options or check back later for updated scheduling.

Session Time-Out

Privacy policy, cookie policy.

Cookie policy

This statement explains how we use cookies on our website. For information about what types of personal information will be gathered when you visit the website, and how this information will be used, please see our privacy policy.

How we use cookies

All of our web pages use "cookies". A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we place on your computer or mobile device if you agree. These cookies allow us to distinguish you from other users of our website, which helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and enables us to improve our website.

Types of cookies we use

We use the following types of cookies:

• Strictly necessary cookies - these are essential in to enable you to move around the websites and use their features. Without these cookies the services you have asked for, such as signing in to your account, cannot be provided.
• Performance cookies - these cookies collect information about how visitors use a website, for instance which pages visitors go to most often. We use this information to improve our websites and to aid us in investigating problems raised by visitors. These cookies do not collect information that identifies a visitor.
• Functionality cookies - these cookies allow the website to remember choices you make and provide more personal features. For instance, a functional cookie can be used to remember the items that you have placed in your shopping cart. The information these cookies collect may be anonymized and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.

Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them please visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org/ .

Specific cookies we use

The list below identify the cookies we use and explain the purposes for which they are used. We may update the information contained in this section from time to time.

• JSESSIONID: This cookie is used by the application server to identify a unique user's session.
• registrarToken: This cookie is used to remember items that you have added to your shopping cart
• locale: This cookie is used to remember your locale and language settings.
• cookieconsent_status: This cookie is used to remember if you've already dismissed the cookie consent notice.
• _ga_UA-########: These cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our site. We use the information to compile reports and to help us improve the website. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form, including the number of visitors to the website, where visitors have come to the site from and the pages they visited. This anonymized visitor and browsing information is stored in Google Analytics.

Changes to our Cookie Statement

Any changes we may make to our Cookie Policy in the future will be posted on this page.