This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember your browser. We use this information to improve and customize your browsing experience, for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media, and for marketing purposes. By using this website, you accept and agree to be bound by UVic’s Terms of Use and Protection of Privacy Policy.  If you do not agree to the above, you can configure your browser’s setting to “do not track.”

Skip to main content
People Departments Maps Buildings Rooms A-Z
University
of Victoria
Apply Library
Sign in Online tools Sign out
Undergraduate admissions

Writing

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

A woman reads from an open book at a podium with a microphone during an outdoor event, with trees in the background.

Why choose Writing at UVic?

Write in small, serious workshops. Learn from award-winning writers. Graduate with a strong voice and adaptable skills.

At UVic, writing is taught the way writers actually work. You’ll learn in intimate workshops of 15 students or fewer, guided by nationally and internationally renowned professors who provide close mentorship and rigorous feedback as you develop your craft.

Jump to admission requirements

Which degree is right for you?

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The BA offers a flexible writing-focused degree that emphasizes workshops in major genres while leaving more room for electives and interdisciplinary study across the humanities and social sciences.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
The BFA provides a more professionally oriented studio education, with a stronger emphasis on sustained creative practice, production-based courses and Fine Arts context that prepares students to work as practising writers and artists.

Customize your degree

These areas of focus let you shape your degree around the kinds of writing you care about most, so you can build depth in one genre or combine multiple forms to match your creative interests and future goals.

  • Creative non-fiction
  • Fiction
  • Playwriting
  • Poetry
  • Screenwriting

Giller Prize-winning alumnus!

"I studied with so many great teachers at UVic. The caliber of guidance was amazing."

—Esi Edugyan, Giller Prize-winning author of Half-Blood Blues 

Student life & community

Extracurricular activities

  • The Martlet: Work as a journalist or editor for UVic’s student newspaper. Gain real-world writing and editing experience, build a portfolio and connect with other student writers.
  • Writing Students Union: Attend readings and events throughout the year. Meet students who share your interests and submit your work to This Side of West, the student literary journal.
  • Student Alternative Theatre Company (SATCo): Student playwrights can see their work staged through SATCo, which produces multiple shows each year featuring diverse voices and themes.

Hands-on learning

Co-operative Education (Co-op)

  • Through UVic’s Co-op program, you’ll apply what you learn in paid, career-related positions that count toward your degree—and give you a head start after graduation.
  • Co-op is available to everyone, including international students with co-op work permits.
  • On average, 70 percent of UVic Co-op students graduate with a job offer already in hand.
  • Unlike at some universities, at UVic, you don’t have to compete for a spot in Co-op.

Inspiring courses

  • The Writer’s World in Books and Film
  • Writing for the Arts 
  • Issues in Journalism 
  • Writing Interactive Narratives
  • Writing for Children and Young Adults

Career possibilities

  • Communications coordinator
  • Creative writer
  • Editor or copywriter
  • Film publicist
  • Literary agent
  • Playwright or screenwriter
  • Producer
  • Publishing assistant
  • Social media coordinator
  • Technical writer

Admission

Apply directly to this program as a high school student or a transfer student from another post-secondary institution.

Program details

Providing you accurate application deadlines, tuition fee estimates, admission requirements, scholarships and transfer credit depends on your situation.

Program details

This information assumes you are . If this is incorrect, please update your information.

Application deadline

Admission requirements

Expanded qualifications

English language proficiency

Transfer credit

Tuition & fees

Tuition rates effective May 1, 2025 (please note some ancillary fees are subject to change for Fall 2025).

This is an estimate only and should be used to give students, parents, and/or sponsors an approximation of the tuition and ancillary fees. This estimate does not include housing, food, cost of books and supplies or other expenses that students can expect in a term.

Scholarships

Ready to apply?

We'll walk you through all of the steps in the process, from submitting your online application to accepting your offer of admission.

How to apply

Learn more

Faculties & departments

Program planning

0 saved How to apply