Writing (MFA)
UVic's Masters of Fine Arts in Writing provides supportive, one-on-one mentorship with award-winning faculty in one of the world's most livable cities.
In workshops, seminars, and through personalized supervision, you will develop works of fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, poetry, interactive narratives and blended forms.
After completing the two-year MFA program, you will be qualified to teach at the college or university level.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 20 months | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Master's
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
You will:
-
write a major creative project
-
develop your voice, craft, and revision expertise
-
acquire the skills, experience and qualifications to teach creative writing at the post-secondary level
-
develop an understanding of professional standards for writers and creators
-
learn to give and receive high-level editorial feedback
-
engage with a community of writers and creators
Find a supervisor
You don’t need to confirm a supervisor before applying. Once you've been accepted to the program, you'll be assigned a faculty member as your academic supervisor.
Danielle Geller
Assistant Professor Creative nonfiction, memoir, speculative fiction, documentary studies, archives.
David Leach
Professor, Director of Professional Writing Creative nonfiction, literary journalism, the nonfiction novel, adventure travel, ecological literacy, magazine publishing, teaching with technology, sports writing, memory and creative writing, interactive narrative, video games, digital storytelling, extended reality (XR) technologies and generative AI. Note: I am interested in recruiting MFA or Interdisciplinary graduate students in the fields of interactive narratives and digital storytelling.
Deborah Campbell
Associate Professor, Graduate Advisor, Lansdowne Chair in Fine Arts Creative nonfiction, literary journalism, memoir, biography, travel writing.
Diane Dakers
Assistant Teaching Professor Journalism, media studies, fiction for young adults, nonfiction for children.
Kathryn Mockler
Assistant Professor Short film writing, feature film writing, TV writing, poetry, short fiction, experimental writing, hybrid genres, editing and publishing, climate/eco writing, small press publishing.
Kevin Kerr
Chair, Associate Professor Stage, screen, collaborative creation, site-specific theatre, multimedia performance.
Marita Dachsel
Assistant Teaching Professor Poetry, drama, installations, hybrid genres, fiction.
Mo Bradley
Professor Film production, screenwriting, Canadian and queer media arts/film/TV.
Sean Holman
Associate Professor, Wayne Crookes Professor of Environmental and Climate Journalism Environmental journalism, investigative journalism, solutions journalism, community building journalism, government and corporate secrecy, freedom of information, and more.
Shane Book
Associate Professor Poetry, filmmaking, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, film/literature/visual art/music/dance of the African diaspora, poetics, philosophy, hip hop culture, and more.
Wayde Compton
Assistant Professor Literary fiction, speculative fiction, poetry, the essay, libretto, sound poetry, the graphic novel, writing for young adults, Black British Columbian literature and history, poetics, anti-racist theory, literary theory.
Program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Program details
Application deadlines
September entry – apply by November 30
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a portfolio: 10-15 pages of poetry or 20-30 pages of playwriting, screenwriting, fiction, creative non-fiction or multi-genre writing
- a 500-word letter of intent which includes:
- a brief description of your writing background
- what you hope to accomplish in the program
- a description of the project and the genre you want to work on
- a curriculum vitae (CV) that includes relevant professional/writing experience
- two references (names and email contacts)
- your references should be able to give an assessment of your talent as a writer, academic standing, critical ability, capacity for doing self-directed work and teaching potential
- we'll contact your references by email to upload their recommendations
- recommendations should be submitted by December 31
Format
- poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction: use a minimum 1.5 line spacing
- playwriting and screenwriting: follow industry standard formats
Program specific requirements
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a portfolio: 10-15 pages of poetry or 20-30 pages of playwriting, screenwriting, fiction, creative non-fiction or multi-genre writing
- a 500-word letter of intent which includes:
- a brief description of your writing background
- what you hope to accomplish in the program
- a description of the project and the genre you want to work on
- a curriculum vitae (CV) that includes relevant professional/writing experience
- two references (names and email contacts)
- your references should be able to give an assessment of your talent as a writer, academic standing, critical ability, capacity for doing self-directed work and teaching potential
- we'll contact your references by email to upload their recommendations
- recommendations should be submitted by December 31
Format
- poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction: use a minimum 1.5 line spacing
- playwriting and screenwriting: follow industry standard formats
Completion requirements
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Need help?
Contact Elena Stalwick at writing@uvic.ca