University of Queensland
Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
- Course Type: Master's
Gain the writing, editing, publishing, design and research skills to build a rewarding career in print or online.
Course overview
The Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing covers all stages of the writing and publishing process and the skills needed to meet growing demands. During this program, you'll develop practical knowledge and experience in writing and editing across genres, including creative writing, corporate and technical documents, academic research in the creative arts, advertising, marketing and more.
Your lecturers will include award-winning authors and arts industry professionals, as well as an array of guest lecturers with expertise in all aspects of professional writing and publishing. Together, they'll provide you with up-to-date insights and industry knowledge across traditional and new media.
You’ll learn about the continually evolving landscapes of the Australian and international publishing industries and have the opportunity to intern at arts organisations, such as the highly respected University of Queensland Press, literary journals, educational publishers and trade publishers, including UQ’s own Corella Press, which specialises in rediscovering nineteenth-century crime and mystery writers.
Key facts
What you will study
Students must complete 24 units comprising:
- Two units for all MWEP Core Course
- Six units from MWEP Research Courses
- 16 units from MWEP Program Elective Courses
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is valued at two units.
MWEP Core Course
Complete two units for all of the following:
- Publishing and Professional Practice
MWEP Research Courses
Complete exactly six units from the following:
- Dissertation - WRIT73006 (six units)
- Dissertation - WRIT73106 (six units)
- Dissertation - WRIT73206 (six units)
Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in 1.5 years or one year, depending on your qualifications and experience.
You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent), you'll need:
- An applicant must submit a ten-page portfolio for the review of the Program Convenor (see below) and have either one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below).
- A graduate certificate* in writing, editing and publishing.
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline plus two years full-time equivalent relevant work experience (see below).
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications
Relevant disciplines include English, English literature, writing, journalism, communication, art history, history, law, as well as other relevant fields from the humanities and social sciences.
You must have completed a minimum amount of content in a relevant discipline, which would be at least a major, field of study, or approximately 30% of program content in the discipline, including a mix of introductory and advanced courses.
Relevant work experience
Relevant work experience includes work using writing and editing in a professional or volunteer context. Relevant work experience includes work in government departments, office management, corporate communications, administration, journalism and public relations, among others.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your postgraduate studies, provided that they meet the relevant course requirements.
If you receive an offer of enrolment and you’ve undertaken prior learning, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The procedure is governed by the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy. Contact the university for more details.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
This postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Author
- Editor
- Editorial Writer
- Content Writer
- Book Editor
- Copywriter
- Digital Editor
- Digital Content Writer
- Publishing Executive
- Online Publisher
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $31,200 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 16 units (normally eight courses) per semester or year.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.