Bachelor Programme
Creative Writing
Creative Writing at UBC Vancouver is a Bachelor of Fine Arts major from the School of Creative Writing, taught as a two-year studio program of writing workshops in genres such as fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, stage plays, writing for children, graphic forms, new media and literary translation. Majors complete 36 credits of 400-level workshops in at least four genres, can combine Creative Writing with another subject as a double major, and co-op is available. This is not a direct-entry program: students first complete about two years of university study (54 credits), then apply with a writing portfolio for entry in third year, and places are strictly limited.
University
University of British Columbia
Country
Canada
Level
Bachelor
Field
Writing
Duration
4 years
Language
English
Campus
Vancouver
Degree
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Major in Creative Writing
Intake
September
Application Deadline
January 15, 2027 for the UBC application; the BFA major application window opens in January (for September 2026 entry it ran January 6 to February 28, 2026; 2027 dates not yet posted)
Tuition Information
2026/27 first-year tuition: CAD 51,530.40 per year for international students (Fine Arts rate, CAD 1,717.68 per credit x 30 credits) and CAD 6,200.70 for Canadian students (CAD 206.69 per credit x 30 credits). Fees for students starting in 2027/28 have not yet been published. Tuition only; student fees, health insurance and housing are extra.
Admission Requirements
- Apply to the major in the spring before third year, once you will have third-year standing (54 credits by mid-May); one document with a personal statement and writing in a primary and secondary genre is reviewed
- Prerequisite: 3 credits of 200-level CRWR (such as CRWR 200) or equivalent; the open-enrolment BA Minor in Creative Writing needs no portfolio
- BC high school: English Studies 12 (or English First Peoples 12)
- IB: no specific courses beyond UBC's general admission requirements; the writing portfolio is submitted with the third-year major application, not with the UBC application
- English language proof, if required, is due February 15, 2027 (see English Language Requirements below)
English Language Requirements
International applicants must satisfy UBC's English Language Admission Standard.
IELTS Academic
6.5 overall, no band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
90 overall
PTE Academic
65 overall
Duolingo English Test
125 overall
CAEL
70 overall
Cambridge English
180