New Zealand Diploma in Writing for Creative Industries (Level 5)
Course details
About the course
Develop skills in genres including short fiction, non-fiction, script writing and poetry. This programme is run entirely online offering the flexibility to study around other commitments. It can be undertaken full-time, part-time or even paper-by-paper to suit your needs and lifestyle.
This diploma has a team of specialist tutors who cover a range of genres. The team includes: children’s writer Justine Baddeley; award-winning scriptwriter Lisette de Jong; IML graduate and short story writer Gerard O’Brien; prose writer, artist and poet Ruby Porter (2017 winner of the Wallace Foundation Short Fiction Award, and inaugural winner of the 2018 Michael Gifkins Prize); and leading freelance editor Lesley Marshall.
NorthTec offers qualifications up to level 7 in applied writing:
- New Zealand Diploma in Writing for Creative Industries (Level 5)
- New Zealand Diploma in Creative Writing (Level 6)
- Diploma in Advanced Applied Writing (Level 7)
Our programmes are ideal for people who wish to work independently as writers, for those already working in the creative industries who wish to enhance their skills, and for those working in other industries who wish to improve their writing skills to allow higher-level employment.
What you will learn
In this programme you will gain knowledge and learn skills to create fiction and nonfiction works. Our courses cover writing for traditional and online publishing, digital platforms, performance and business.
In this programme you will learn to:
- Apply writing processes (analysis, research, planning, drafting, editing and rewriting) to produce original works for specific audiences (in print, digital platforms, radio, screen or stage) in the creative industries.
- Use practical writing and analytical tools that can be applied to a variety of professions and writing-related fields.
- Apply professional, legal and ethical principles in a socially responsible manner to writing practice.
- Work independently as well as contribute to group discussions.
- Work to a brief and solve problems in order to develop and complete writing projects and meet deadlines.
Courses in the programme
Semester One:
- Poetry I
- Writing in New Zealand
- Long Texts
- Project Management
Semester Two:
- Script Writing (Stage)
- Non-Fiction
- Short Fiction
- Storytelling
Entry requirements
Applicants under the age of 20
- An example of the applicant’s original creative writing.
- A minimum of 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 including at least 14 credits in an English-rich subject (e.g. English, history, art history, classics, geography) or equivalent; or
- Successful completion of a recognised writing foundation programme or equivalent.
Applicants aged 20 years and over
Evidence that the applicant can successfully achieve the qualification graduate outcomes.
English language requirements
All applicants must have a level of English sufficient to be able to study at this level. Those students whose first language is not English should have:
- An international English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall academic score of at least 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each band), or an accepted international equivalence.
Special Entry
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant who does not meet the full entry requirements may be granted admission to the Programme on the approval of the Head of Department or delegate if he/she is confident of the applicant’s ability to successfully undertake the Diploma with a reasonable likelihood of success.
About the provider
Based in Hamilton, the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec), is one of the country’s largest institutes of technology. We deliver high-quality education across vocational (technical) and professional fields of study to approximately 13,000 students, across over 130 different courses.
At Wintec students are educated in a way that builds their confidence and gets them work-ready. We differ from other types of tertiary providers in the way students get the chance to put their theoretical learning into practice from the very start. You will get to work on real-life projects based on relevant topics and themes as if you were in the workplace. You will also get involved in work placements. This means that by the time you graduate, you will be confident in your skills and knowledge, and know-how to apply your learnings. Our academic staff have years of industry experience between them, which means they can guide you on your journey.
Wintec maintains collaborative relationships with local industry and iwi to identify the needs of the region and community. Fostering strong networks that our students and graduates benefit from is a high priority for us. Understanding the needs of local industry, what type of graduates they need now, and what they will need in the future is critical to assisting industry and our graduates.