Creative Writing
About Creative Writing
Learn how to transform the world through writing.
We believe good writing can be taught and that good writers can be trained to be better writers. Our faculty are all published writers with vast experience in a variety of genres including novels, short stories, poetry, memoir, creative nonfiction, cross-genre writing and digital experimentation.
Our faculty and recent graduates have been finalists or winners of almost every major Canadian literary award. Many continue to be active in the literary community, founding and staffing several major Canadian literary journals and presses. Our graduates are known for collaborating on publishing ventures that have changed Canadian literature.
Please note this program is intended for students with a year of undergraduate studies and is not for direct entry from high school. Students may apply after completing their first 48 credits by presenting a portfolio containing work in both poetry and prose fiction as evidence of writing experience.
What you’ll learn
- In every course, you’ll learn the hands-on skills needed to enter the professional literary world.
- Exposure to core creative writing skills lets you develop your own style and gain confidence in your writing.
- You’ll develop the communication, research, organizational, management and teamwork skills prized by today’s employers
Hands-on experiences
- Get an intimate view of Canada’s literary scene from alumni who are professional writers, editors and publishers.
- Attend the Creative Writing Readers Series where you’ll hear contemporary Canadian and international writers in conversation and reading or performing their work.
- Immerse yourself in internships with the Brick Literary Journal and other publishers.
Questions?
Contact us at goyork@yorku.ca
Program Details
Offered By
Degrees Offered
Fall Entry
Winter Entry
Summer Entry
Ways to Study
Viewbooks
Admission Requirements
I am a high-school student I have completed at least one year of full-time study at college or university I have been away from high-school for at least two years I have never studied in a formal academic high-school environment Returning / Reactivating student (previously York) Visiting StudentsBA
BA
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
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Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
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Required Documents for Preliminary Review
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Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
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- Some programs require higher. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 4.0 or 70%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 55%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
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Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
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- Grade 12 graduation with a minimum overall average of "B" on Grade 11 and Grade 12 academic courses is required to be considered for most programs. Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- SAT or ACT scores are not required for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum outside the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam.
- SATs/ACTs are considered in combination with high school grades.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
For Fall (September) 2021 and Winter (January) 2022 entry, York University will deem the SAT/ACT as optional for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam. However, students who have completed a standardized test are encouraged to submit their test scores as it may support your application for competitive programs. SAT/ACT scores must be sent electronically from the College Board directly to York. Please browse the section below for pre-requisites and detailed admission requirements.
Note: An SAT/ACT test will be required from students who are not enrolled in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam or have not studied in a formal academic high-school environment.
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Required Documents for Preliminary Review
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You are required to provide official evidence of academic achievement in secondary education. This can be demonstrated through:
- Final grades under the Ontario curriculum (obtained through correspondence, night school or through TVO)
- Credentials through other curricula, such as results from Advanced Placement (AP) or Advanced-level courses in the General Certificate of Education (GCE). (Students may register to sit for the AP and GCE examinations as private candidates.)
In the absence of final grades in courses:
- You must submit the results of standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a minimum combined total of 1170 on the Critical Reading and Math components or a composite American College Testing (ACT) score of 24.
- Your application will be reviewed by an admissions sub-committee. If admitted, you will not be eligible for entrance scholarships. You will be considered for continuing student scholarships at the end of your first year of study, if you satisfy those criteria.
You may also be required to provide proof of language proficiency. You will be considered for entrance scholarships on the basis of your overall averages in the six 4U/4M (Ontario curriculum) or equivalent courses.