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English: english ma; field: creative writing, ma program; field: creative writing, minimum admission requirements.
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of English's additional admission requirements stated below.
A minimum of 7 full-year undergraduate courses in English or the equivalent in half-year courses (i.e., 14), or any combination of full- and half-year courses that add up to the equivalent of 7 full-year courses in English.
An appropriate bachelor's degree (i.e., a four-year undergraduate degree) or its equivalent (preferably in English) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of B+ or better and evidence of first-class work in English. The department favours a broad training in the major genres and all periods of English literary history.
Recommendations from two referees.
A statement of purpose.
A portfolio consisting of 20 to 25 pages of prose (drama, fiction, or creative non-fiction) and/or poetry. See details about the format of creative writing portfolio submissions .
Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English are required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores required are:
600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
100/120 on the Internet-based test, with at least 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections
Admissions are selective; possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission.
Completion Requirements
Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
ENG6950Y Workshop in Creative Writing : all students must complete the Workshop in Creative Writing in Year 1 of their program
ENG6960H Advanced Creative Writing Workshop : all students must complete the Advanced Creative Writing Workshop in Year 2 of their program
2.0 approved graduate FCEs in English
Students must attain a minimum B standing in each graduate course.
Supervised Writing Project (the equivalent of a thesis). In Year 2 of their program, students undertake a book-length Writing Project in a genre of their choice: poetry, drama, fiction, or creative non-fiction. Each student is assigned a faculty member or adjunct faculty member with whom to consult on a regular basis about the project. All advisors are published writers.
The MA in English in the field of Creative Writing program cannot be taken on a part-time basis.
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Creative Writing for Everyone
If you’re looking for a less intensive way than a graduate degree to improve your creative writing, U of T’s School of Continuing Studies offers many options
U of T’s highly selective, and tiny, creative writing MA program isn’t the only route for those looking to unleash their inner voice on the page. Since the mid-1990s, U of T’s School of Continuing Studies has offered creative writing courses; it formalized its creative writing certificate program in 2001.
Lee Gowan took the reins as the program’s director in 2003, and since then it has quadrupled in size. The focus is on process: students are taught elements of narrative and structure, then are given assignments that will get them using what they’ve learned in the classroom. Gowan reports that most of the program’s students are between the ages of 35 and 55, and many speak English as a second (or third or fourth) language.
“We have over 2,000 registrations per year,” says Gowan, and students can choose among courses geared toward different types of creative writing. Among the program’s nearly 100 instructors are such celebrated authors as Dennis Bock, Michael Winter and poet Ken Babstock, who has also been involved with the MA program. Gowan says faculty overlap between the two programs is not uncommon.
Anyone can enrol in creative writing courses at the school, and it has produced its own share of notable alumni. Marina Nemat’s bestselling 2007 memoir Prisoner of Tehran was written during her time in Continuing Studies.
“These courses help people with the craft, they give people a deadline, and they give people a community, which is one of the most important things in a writer’s life,” Gowan says.
“It can really help to have a group to support you and offer feedback to help you to improve.”
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School of Graduate Studies
Program overview.
One of the strongest and most diversified graduate English programs in North America, the University of Toronto’s Graduate English Department presents a wide array of approaches to the study of literature that includes both rigorous historical scholarship and the innovations of new theoretical, cultural, and interdisciplinary methods.
This rich variety is exemplified in the more than 40 graduate seminars offered every year and in the interdisciplinary conjunctions with other departments and collaborative specializations. The Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy programs offer a broad background in British, Canadian, Aboriginal, American, and Postcolonial literatures, a sophisticated command of current theoretical approaches, and exceptional support for significant research projects.
Students may also be interested in the combined degree program in Law, Juris Doctor / English, Master of Arts (JD/MA) .
Quick Facts
| Domestic | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Application deadline | MA, MA (Creative Writing), PhD: Fall 2024 entry 20-Dec-2023 | MA, MA (Creative Writing), PhD: Fall 2024 entry 20-Dec-2023 |
| Minimum admission average | MA, MA (Creative Writing): B+ PhD:A- | MA, MA (Creative Writing): B+ PhD:A- |
| Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? | PhD: Yes | PhD: Yes |
| Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? | PhD: After | PhD: After |
| If a supervisor is identified after admission (as per question above), is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor? | PhD: No | PhD: No |
| Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? | PhD: Both | PhD: Both |
| Are any standardized tests required/recommended? | MA, MA (Creative Writing), PhD: No | MA, MA (Creative Writing), PhD: No |
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Creative Writing Support
Undergraduate students interested in developing their skills may choose from a variety of course options. Visit our page on Writing Courses at U of T.
Students interested in developing their skills as creative writers can take advantage of opportunities outside of their courses:
- Choose a course in creative writing from the wide range of certificate courses offered at the School of Continuing Studies .
- An excellent way to learn the craft of writing poetry and fiction is to meet with others also interested in improving their craft. The Hart House Literary and Library Committee offers a number of activities for meeting up with other writers. Open to all U of T students.
- The University of Toronto’s Jack McClelland Writer-in-Residence leads a creative-writing seminar each year. Check the English Department website for more information.
- Students enrolled at University College or in a UC program course may sign up to meet with UC’s Barker Fairley Distinguished Visitor .
You may also be eligible to enter your creative writing in one of the following competitions:
- Hart House hosts two annual literary contests : its annual Short Fiction and Poetry Contest. Both contests are open to Hart House Members in good standing, excluding professional writers of fiction and non-fiction and poets who have published a book of poetry. Deadlines are usually early to mid January. Check the website for exact dates. Winning stories and poems will be published in the Hart House Review
- University College students and students in UC programs may submit work in the categories of Poetry, Drama, Novel, Short Story, and Other Prose to the Norma Epstein Foundation Awards in Creative Writing. The competition is annual; the deadline is May 1. All students currently registered in an undergraduate or graduate degree program may enter the biennial Norma Epstein National Award for Creative Writing , Past UC and National Norma Epstein award winners include David Adams Richards, David Cronenberg, Janice Kulyk Keefer, Anne Michaels, Michael Ondaatje, James Reaney, and Miriam Waddington.
- U of T students and alumni may enter the U of T Magazine Short Story and Poetry Contest . First prize in each category is $750 plus publication in U of T Magazine.
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Creative Writing
Whether you're a practicing poet or an up-and-coming screenwriter, creative writing at UTSC offers you the freedom to develop your craft in a practical way. You'll be able to learn from award-winning authors, discover opportunities for publishing, and focus on building your own writing practice.
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Creative Writing: Poetry I Creative Writing: Fiction I Creative Nonfiction I Creative Writing: Screenwriting Creative Writing: Poetry & New Media Creative Writing: Writing for Comics Special Topics in Creative Writing I Creative Writing: The Art of the Personal Essay Creative Writing: Poetry II Creative Writing: Fiction II Creative Nonfiction II Creative Writing and Performance Special Topics in Creative Writing II Independent Studies in Creative Writing: Poetry Independent Studies in Creative Writing: Prose Independent Studies in Creative Writing: Special Topics Creative Writing as a Profession |
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Arts & Culture
Doubting U of T’s Master of Creative Writing? Don’t, it’s worth it
Three students reflect on the program
By Isabel Armiento — Published November 29, 2020
Despite their popularity, Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs have long been a favourite subject of criticism. Critics have written numerous books and articles on how these programs have homogenized a generation of creative writers and continue to amplify primarily white , wealthy voices. Others have argued that MFAs are oversaturated, expensive, and rarely lead to viable careers.
While MFAs offer invaluable resources — such as workshops, writing communities, and opportunities for fellowships and publishing deals — these resources have now become even less accessible for those who can’t afford these programs, some of which require students to go into debt. An MFA in creative writing from Columbia University, for example, costs 71,040 USD per year.
Despite the criticism, the number of MFA programs has more than tripled between 1994 and 2015, according to a New York Times article called “Why Writers Love to Hate the M.F.A.”
During that time — in the 2004–2005 academic year — U of T launched its own MFA-esque program: the Master of Arts in English in the Field of Creative Writing (MA CRW) . This program works similarly to an MFA, but, unlike MFA students, MA CRW students earn a Master of Arts (MA) in English literature, giving them the opportunity to pursue writing or academia.
Unlike American universities, which mainly offer MFA degrees, several Canadian schools offer a creative writing MA instead.
As an English master’s student myself, albeit in a different program, I was interested to speak with three students to challenge the common criticisms of MFAs through their own experience in the MA CRW.
Criticism one: why can’t you just write on your own?
“It’s true that you can write on your own, and people should!” Isabel Yang, a first-year MA CRW student, wrote to The Varsity in an email. “But I do think there’s value to honing your craft in a structured setting.”
Tamara Frooman, a first-year MA CRW student, agreed with Yang. “I think it’s really easy to say ‘I’ll just write,’ but I think most writers don’t actually do well with that,” Frooman said in an interview with The Varsity . “Twitter writers are always joking about, you know, ‘I’m a writer, which means that I just sit around all day not writing.’ ”
Antonia Facciponte, a first-year MA CRW student who has a book of poetry forthcoming from Black Moss Press, wrote to The Varsity in an email, “There will always be reasons not to write. Writers write about life, but life is a constant distraction from writing. Workshop-based coursework forces me to create on a regular basis, and, as a result, teaches me to always, always be writing.”
“Poetry demands to be an integral part of a writer’s everyday life,” she added.
Criticism two: doesn’t the academic environment stifle your creativity?
On the contrary, Frooman said that her schooling holds her accountable to a higher standard of writing compared to when there is no academic context. “I’ll certainly write a lot, but I rarely will bother to go through and edit things and make them polished unless there’s a grade on the line,” Frooman explained.
Facciponte added, “ By expressing my artistic processes in words, I become more aware of, and learn new things about, my writing craft. This skillset of expression is incredibly important when applying for funding, as artists must defend and advocate for the purpose of their work.”
For Yang, the academic setting informs their creative process in a helpful way. “I was drawn to this program specifically because my writing, which wrestles with identity, aligns with my academic interests: posthumanism, queer theory, and critical race theories,” they wrote.
However, Yang acknowledged that a university setting may not work for all creative writers. “I think the structure of the university setting, the workshop, and grading can limit the kinds of writing that people produce… experimental work that works against literary conventions doesn’t always benefit from the institutional gaze.”
Criticism three: if it doesn’t lead directly to a job, is it really worth it?
Yang urged aspiring creative writers to consider the value of the program beyond economic gains.
“I have to believe that art and creative work has value, and I think most people also do, if sub-consciously,” they wrote. “If people insist on imposing the terms of capitalism, I do think that studying creative writing has those values in that it teaches the synthesis of large ideas, rhetoric, and logic, which are skills that are relevant to most jobs.”
Frooman added that she doesn’t expect creative writing to pay the bills, but she said “this program is nice because it gives us two years where we can focus on what we love to do and not worry about other things.”
All three writers emphasized that for anyone who loves writing, the program is absolutely worth it. Yang summarized their thoughts on the matter: “A world without writing would be pretty a wful.”
Criticism four: MA programs can be expensive!
Frooman told T he Varsity that everyone in her cohort receives some form of funding. “We all got a $7,000 scholarship, which almost covers tuition.”
She added that many students in the cohort are funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council fellowship, which totals $17,500, and that all of them are employed as teaching assistants for both years of the program, providing an extra source of income.
Tags: creative writing , grad school , MA CRW , masters
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Join a supportive community of emerging writers from around the world in our five-day intensive workshops. This year we have Summer Writing School courses offered both In-class and Online. Learn from some of Canada's most successful writers including Joy Fielding, Ann YK Choi, Ayelet Tsabari, Laura Pratt, Anuja Varghese, Cary Fagan, Stuart Ross, Dennis Bock, Barbara Radecki, Heather Birrell, Marina Endicott, Ranjini George, and Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall.
Workshops include daily round-table and panel discussions on an array of genres, as well as instructor and student readings.
All workshops count towards our Certificate in Creative Writing, and registered learners are eligible to enter our Creative Writing Awards.
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MA CRW Alumni Biographies
(Attn: graduates please send updated bios and news to [email protected] )
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was born in Coral Harbor, Nunavut. She completed her B.A. in English at the University of Western Ontario in 2009. She completed her M.A. in English in the field of Creative Writing in 2011, under the supervision of Jane Urquhart. Currently, she is a PhD candidate at the University of Western Ontario, working on theories of the body and space in video games. Her work has appeared in and , AirCanada’s in-flight magazine. She won the 2010 CBC Literary Prize in Short Fiction. She continues to polish , the manuscript written under Jane Urquhart’s guidance. She blogs about roller derby at . |
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| is a graduate of the University of Toronto's MA in the Field of Creative Writing program and completed his mentorship thesis in 2009 with Michael Winter. He currently lives in Toronto where he teaches English as a Second Language. His work has appeared in , , , , , and he has an upcoming story to be published in . He has also been a finalist for ’s Open Short Fiction and Very Short Fiction contests, is the recipient of both a Pushcart nomination and an Ontario Arts Council grant, and has been a jury member for the OAC’s Writer’s Works in Progress Grant competition. He is now working on a collection of short stories about Japan as well as a novel set during the 1923 Tokyo earthquake. |
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| is a novelist and editor. His first novel, , was longlisted for the Giller Prize and shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Award. His second novel, , , , is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2018. He was the co-founder of and is the Fiction Editor of . He lives in British Columbia with his wife, the poet and essayist Suzannah Showler. | ||
| was born in Toronto, Canada. She first studied creative writing at the University of Western Ontario, where she earned a BA in English and Media, Information, and Technoculture. She went on to complete an MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing at the University of Toronto, where she worked under the mentorship of Michael Winter. Her short stories have appeared in a variety of literary journals and anthologies, including , , , , and . She is the winner of the 2009 PRISM International Award for Short Fiction. |
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| called "a fantastic, fun new novelist on the Canadian scene" in its review of her debut novel, , which was published in March 2017. Kerry is also editor of the acclaimed essay collection, The (2014), and was shortlisted for a National Magazine Award in 2011 for her essay "Love is a Let-Down." She edits the Canadian books website 49thShelf.com and writes about books and reading at her own blog, PickleMeThis.com. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two children. |
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| is the author of (ECW, 2015), which was named one of the 99 Best Books of 2015 and 100 Best Books of 2015. You can find her poetry, criticism and other writing in , , , , and . She is the 2013 winner of the Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers from the Writers’ Trust of Canada and a 2018 writer-in-residence for the Al Purdy A-Frame Residency. She’s from Hamilton, Ontario and currently lives and writes in Toronto. | ||
| is a writer from South Africa. Prior to coming to U of T in 2006, she received her BA in Dramatic Art from Johannesburg (University of the Witwatersrand). Her passion for South African stories, characters, and the tradition of oral storytelling and performance is prevalent in her fiction, which is primarily set in contemporary, post-apartheid South Africa. Jessica has a number of publications. Her short story, “The Broom Plant,” was selected for publication by Nobel Laureate, J. M. Coetzee, and appears in a S.A. Pen anthology, African Compass: New Writing from Southern Africa. Jessica is currently finishing a short story collection, and is half way through her first novel written under the guidance of her supervisor at U of T, Camilla Gibb. Jessica has a background in advertising, but is currently working for the coca-cola company in South Africa doing corporate communications. | ||
| is the author of a book of poetry, Glass Psalms, and three plays, including , which has been produced in Germany and Canada. His Masters Thesis at U of T, , was published in Canada, the UK and the US. His poetry has been published in journals across Canada and has been translated into Lithuanian, Spanish and Swedish. His play, , was produced in Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria and was published by Playwrights Canada Press (2006). Jonathan is currently a fellow at the Akademie Schloss Solitude in Germany, where he is working on a novel. He is a frequent contributor to the and magazine. |
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| is the author of the acclaimed short story collection (Coach House Books, 2012), called “startling and invigorating” and “Canada’s Most Underrated Book” by . This fall, Nightwood Editions will publish his debut collection of poetry, . Spencer is also the author of the poetry chapbooks (Emergency Response Unit), (Apt. 9) and (Ferno House, 2011, shortlisted for the 2012 bpNichol Chapbook Award. He is co-founder and a senior editor of the online literary magazine , and his other writing has appeared in , , , , , , , , and many other forums. He has taught writing across the city at OCAD University, George Brown College, Humber College, and with the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. | ||
| is the author of , a short story collection. He graduated in 2014, and his writing has since appeared in , , , , and . In 2017, he won the U of T Magazine Short Story Contest. | ||
| is the author of (ECW Press, 2015). Her writing has previously been published in , , and . She lives in Toronto. | ||
| graduated from the University of Toronto's MA in Creative Writing program in 2008, where she worked under the mentorship of George Elliott Clarke. Immediately following her degree, she went on to participate in a writing residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Helen has published widely in Canadian literary journals, including , , , , , and others. Her first book, , was published by Coach House press in 2011. | ||
| , a 2015 grad, is publishing her debut novel, , with Knopf Canada in 2018 as part of the New Face of Fiction program. Her short stories and essays have been published in , , , , , , and elsewhere; her book reviews have been published in the , , and . In 2014, she was nominated for two National Magazine Awards and won gold for Personal Essay. After a lifetime spent in Hamilton, Ontario and the surrounding area, she recently moved to Southern California with her young family. | ||
| is currently working on a project of poetry in collaboration with the sleep laboratory at the Centre for Integrative Genomics in Lausanne, Switzerland ( ). She has published in various literary journals and read at festivals, including the Vienna Lit Fest and London Word. She was recently included in the forthcoming "(innovative) (poets)" and her short story "Eels" was chosen by Dzanc Press as part of their . Sandra has received funding from both SSHRC and the Toronto Arts Council, and has recently completed her first novel. Alongside writing, she spends her time curating an online journal of experimental literature, , which can be found at . | ||
| writes songs, poems, and stories. In 2017, he completed a novel draft as the thesis of the MACRW program. His writing has appeared in some magazines and books he won’t mention—either out of shame or out of an objection to the etiquette of literary bio resumé listing. James has released five albums as a songwriter, the most recent two, and , on Montreal label Sainte Cécile. More here: . | ||
| lives in London, Ontario with her boyfriend, who is completing a medical degree at Western University; however, she makes frequent trips back to her hometown of Thornhill, Ontario, where she used to live with her parents, two brothers, dog, two cats, and an uncertain number of snakes. Her work has been published in , , , and . In 2014, she was selected as PEN Canada’s New Voices Award nominee. Her chapbook, , was published in August 2015, and her first full length collection, , was published by Signature Editions in April 2017. | ||
| is a Canadian poet who grew up in Orangeville, Ontario. She holds an MA in the Field of Creative Writing from the University of Toronto, where she completed a book-length poetry thesis entitled under the mentorship of Anne Michaels. Following her graduation from the program, she continued to refine her manuscript as a participant in the Banff Centre for the Arts' 2009 Writing Studio. In 2010 Kate returned to the University of Toronto to complete a B.Ed at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. She currently resides with her husband in Seattle, WA, where she writes, cooks, and facilitates food writing workshops for young adults. Her work has appeared in , , and . | ||
| is originally from South Africa and emigrated to Canada at the age of 13. She graduated from Montreal's Concordia University with a BA in English and Creative Writing, and was a two-time recipient of the Irving Layton Award for Fiction. In 2009, Kasia received the Quebec Writer's Federation prize for short fiction, and her winning story, “The Fox”, was published in . Two of her plays, Kite Maker’s Blues, and While You Were Sleeping, were performed at Concordia’s Black Box Theatre in 2009 and 2010 as part of the University’s annual theatre festival. Kasia completed her MA in English in the field of Creative Writing at the University of Toronto in 2011, under the mentorship of Anne Michaels. She is currently at work on a novel. | ||
| A finalist for the 2010 City of Toronto Book Award, Lauren Kirshner was also named Best Emerging Author by magazine in 2009. Her first novel, (M&S) has been translated into German and Dutch, with U.S. publication slated for Spring 2012. Lauren is a 2007 graduate of the University of Toronto Masters of Creative Writing Program, where she was mentored by Margaret Atwood. Her fiction, non-fiction and poetry has appeared in , , , , , , and many other publications. Her creative non-fiction work "Twenty Poems for Claudia," about the maquiladora workers of Juarez, Mexico, appeared in the acclaimed paper documentary, (Pantheon). In 2010 Lauren founded Sister Writes, a creative writing program for marginalized women in Toronto. She was appointed 2011-2012 Writer in Residence for the County of Brant Public Library and is at work on her second novel. | ||
| (play a lighter note on the ‘E’, you’re almost there) is originally from Stockholm, Sweden. She received her BA in English and Politics from University College in Cork, Ireland, and she graduated from the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing at University of Toronto in 2011. She has worked for , Sweden’s leading literary magazine and has recently and somewhat reluctantly moved back to Stockholm, where she is rediscovering the Swedish language. She currently works as a freelance translator and tutors inner city kids. She hopes to complete her first novel, , before the end of the year. The existence of this novel is in part due to her fantastic mentor, Susan Swan, the tallest modern woman of the world, with whom Elin worked during her time in Toronto. | ||
| graduated from the MACRW program in 2010. She writes fiction and creative non-fiction. She has been published in literary journals such as , , , , and . Her first book, , is a collection of short stories published by Brindle and Glass. | ||
| received a BSc from U of T, a nursing diploma from Humber College, and later an MA in creative writing from U of T. She was shortlisted for the Montreal International Poetry Prize, her poem appearing in the 2015 (Véhicule Press). Sandra's prose and poetry have appeared in publications including , , , , , , and . Ten of her poems were published in the anthology Evenings on Paisley Avenue: Seven Hamilton Poets. More at | ||
| graduated with a BA from Barnard College, Columbia University and penned rejection letters for Esquire’s literary department before pursuing her MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing at the University of Toronto. Her articles, reviews, and short stories have been published in , , , , and . She is the author of the fiction chapbook (Desert Pets Press, 2016). Brooke lives in Toronto. | ||
| returned from a three-year stint as an English teacher in Japan to participate in the Creative Writing program. His graduate thesis was a full-length work of fiction titled, , written under the mentorship of the late Canadian novelist Paul Quarrington. He is currently at work on a collection of short-stories, , which is concerned with the politics of tourism in South-East Asia and the liminal moral and cultural spaces the traveler is forced to negotiate. Six of the stories from this collection have been published in Canadian and American literary journals and most recently in Delhi, India. "The Stampede" was anthologized in Clark-Nova's inaugural edition, . | ||
| received his MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing from the University of Toronto in 2008, where he worked on a manuscript of connected short stories under the mentorship of David Adams Richards. That collection was published as by Breakwater Books in 2010 and went on to be shortlisted for the BMO Winterset Award and longlisted for the ReLit Award. Since the publication of his short stories, essays, and reviews have been published in , , , , , and . Sam's first novel, , is being released by Breakwater in May 2o12, during which time he will be serving as Fogo Island Arts' inaugural writer-in-residence at the Bridge Studio in Deep Bay, Newfoundland. He is currently the Assistant Professor in Creative Writing at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. And he runs the Dark Art Cafe blog at . | ||
| received her MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing in 2007 and was awarded SSHRC funding during her studies. She also holds a degree in Communications from Concordia University. Kulsum worked in the Canadian book publishing industry for five years, primarily in the independent literary publishing community with ECW Press and the Literary Press Group of Canada, after which she returned to India, and became interim digital editor for GQ Magazine, and later, the head of external relations for McKinsey & Company in India. Presently, she resides in the United Kingdom, works in the professional services industry, writes for her own joy, and is currently completing a novella and a collection of short stories. | ||
| is a poet, essayist and editor. He edits interviews at , where he’s also published numerous essays, interviews and blog posts. He teaches in the Engineering Communication Program at The University of Toronto. Born and raised in Detroit, he attended Loyola University New Orleans and received his MA in Creative Writing from the University of Toronto. His essays and poems have appeared in , and , among others. His long, illustrated poem about Donald Trump, “Great Again,” can be found . His non-fiction writing focuses on literature, sports and music. His first book of poems, Still Point, was published with Invisible Publishing in 2017. | ||
| was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, and now resides in Toronto with his wife. He completed the MA in English and Creative Writing in 2011, working under the mentorship of Ken Babstock. He is currently a law student at the University of Toronto. Several of George's poems appear in the anthology , ed. Robyn Sarah, published by Cormorant (2011). His work has also appeared in . | ||
| is a mixed-race writer of Japanese-Canadian descent. Named a 2016 Writer to Watch by the CBC, Michael's poems have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies across North America and the UK. He is a past winner of 's Poetry Prize, 's Short Grain Contest, 's Poetry Prize, 's Editors' Prize, and 's Lit POP Award for Poetry. Michael's first full-length collection, (Véhicule Press, 2016), entered its second print run a month after its release, was named one of the best books of 2016 by the CBC, and appeared on best-of-the-year lists from The League of Canadian Poets and . | ||
| graduated from the MACRW program under the supervision of Leon Rooke in 2007. She is the author of two short-story collections, and , both from Biblioasis, and the novel (McClelland & Stewart, 2017). Her work has been shortlisted for the Journey Prize, the Danuta Gleed Award, the National Magazine Award, and the Amazon First Novel Award. She lives in Toronto, where she works in publishing, writes, and sometimes sleeps. Her website is . | ||
| is a Canadian-American writer. Her first novel, (Coach House, 2017), was critically acclaimed; says: "Ruddock writes moments of startling intimacy." called "a serious and demanding book." Jesse has written for , , , , and other places. She is an online editor for the New York and Paris-based magazine and . | ||
| grew up in Portland, Oregon, and then moved to New York. She received her BA from Barnard College, Columbia University, and went on to work for a small design studio, a small magazine, and finally a small private school. In 2011, Annie completed her MA at the University of Toronto under the mentorship of Michael Redhill. Her story appeared in the Summer 2011 issue of . She currently lives in Oregon, where she is writing a novel. | ||
| A former editor for , completed an editorial internship at the and now works in publishing in Toronto. Jon was mentored by Pasha Malla, whose fresh style and unique guidance helped make his experience a success. Jon's work has been featured in , and is currently supported by the Toronto Arts Council. His first novel, , was published by Coach House Books in 2015. | ||
| is the author of the poetry collections (McClelland & Stewart, 2017) and (ECW, 2014), a finalist for the Gerald Lampert Award and named one of the best books of the year by the . Her nonfiction has appeared in , , , , and . , a book of cultural criticism about , is forthcoming in Spring 2018. She is a 2017-18 Presidential Fellow at The Ohio State University. She and her husband, novelist Andrew Battershill, will soon live in British Columbia. | ||
| is from Oshawa, Ontario. He is the author of the novel (Dzanc Books), named a Best Book of the Year by , , , and The Writers' Trust in 2016. His short story collection, (ARP Books), was shortlisted for the ReLit Award for Short Fiction and named a Best Book of the Year by in 2013. Sullivan's fiction and criticism haves appeared in the , , , , , , , , and other publications. Sullivan now makes his home in Toronto. | ||
| is a Toronto writer and poet. She founded The Emerging Writers Reading Series in 2012 and is the fiction editor of Little Brother Magazine. In 2015, her first collection of short stories, , was published by BookThug, and the title story from the collection, “Paul,” received the 2013 Gold Fiction National Magazine Award. She’s also released two chapbooks of poetry, (Picture Window Press, 2014) and (Anstruther Press, 2014). Jess is currently at work on a second collection, a novel, and continuation of her life poem, “Never Stop.” | ||
| is a Canadian writer and translator of Lithuanian literature. She was born in Orillia, Ontario and grew up on Manitoulin Island. In 2006 she completed her MA in English at the University of Toronto while working under the mentorship of Lynn Crosbie. Medeine’s poetry and prose (in English) has been published in , , and . She is currently finishing a novel. Her translations have been published in the PEN , , , and in other publications. Current projects include co-translating e.e. cummings into Lithuanian with poet Benediktas Janusevicius, and translating Tula, a novel by Jurgis Kuncinas, into English. | ||
| is the author of two books of poetry, (Tightrope 2010) and (Coteau 2006). received the ReLit Award for Poetry (2007) and the Anne Szumigalski Poetry Award (2006). His work has appeared in a number of literary journals and anthologies, and has earned him honourable mention at the National Magazine Awards (2003) and the Matrix Lit Pop Award (2010). He currently teaches creative writing and English literature at the University of Toronto Scarborough. | ||
| graduated with a BFA in Creative Writing from the Ateneo de Manila University, and worked as a web content writer and editorial assistant before taking her MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing at the University of Toronto. Her first chapbook, , was published in 2005 by the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Her poetry has won the Maningning Miclat Award for Poetry, the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards, the Meritage Press Poetry Prize, and the Hart House Poetry Contest. Currently an Emerging Voice for Diaspora Dialogues, her work will be published in . She is working on a manuscript entitled . | ||
| is a dual citizen. She graduated from the University of Toronto’s Creative Writing Program in 2009, mentored by David Adams Richards. Her story collection, , was published by Coteau Books in 2012. Her short fiction has appeared in journals like and , with honourable mention from the University of New Orleans. She is completing her PhD at the University of Waterloo, where she recently won the Creative Writing Prize. Sarah also has an MA in English Literature and taught university-level courses in Appalachia. She lectures on her scholarship in “Freaks and Porn” throughout the U.S. She is currently co-authoring a biography of author B.M. Bower with Dr. Victoria Lamont. Her digital media artwork is on permanent display in galleries and at The Museum in Kitchener, Ontario. She divides her time between her hometown of Toronto and the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Her website is . | ||
| is a writer and educator based in Toronto, Canada and a first-generation Chinese-Canadian. She graduated with a B.A. in Honours English at York University and an M.A. in English and Creative Writing at the University of Toronto. Her debut collection of poetry, Admission Requirements (McClelland and Stewart, 2017) was shortlisted for the Gerald Lambert Memorial Award, the Pat Lowther Memorial Award, and nominated for the Trillium Book Award. She has also been known as an editor, reviewer, interview, mentor, teacher, and community organizer. Currently she works as a Writing and Learning Consultant for ELL students at OCAD University, where she also facilitates The Mighty Pen, a writing group for BIPOC-identifying students. | ||
| is a writer, arts educator and bookmaker based in Toronto. After completing her MA in Creative Writing under the mentorship of Anne Michaels, Lindsay has been awarded various Canada Council and Toronto Arts Council grants. She is currently looking for a home for “Asphalt,” a novel about a girl with atypical vision and is working on her second novel-length manuscript, "The Opposite of Drowning." She has been awarded writing residencies in France and Nebraska. She is the founding editor of Puddle Press, an independent book arts press, and her work is held in the National Library and Archives of Canada. Lindsay teaches writing workshops in the school system and in community settings, and is also the creator of The Love Lettering Project, a one-of-a-kind community-based love letter art project. Currently in its seventh year, The Love Lettering Project was featured on CBC Television's "The National" and was deemed one of the 50 reasons to love Toronto by . Visit her website at |
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The Department of English at the University of Toronto launched the MA Program in English in the Field of Creative Writing (MA CRW) in 2004-05. The program draws both on the expertise of faculty at the University of Toronto and on the extraordinary vitality of Toronto's writing community. Internationally acclaimed writers, a multiplicity of cultural traditions, and an
MA (Creative Writing) Programs. MA (Creative Writing) English; Main Menu. About SGS; Programs; Future Students; Current Students; Awards & Funding; Resources & Supports; International; Policies & Guidelines; Subsites Menu. Postdoctoral Fellows; ... UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO - SINCE 1827 ...
Then you've come to the right place: UTSC is the only campus at UofT where you can earn a Major in Creative Writing. Our dedicated faculty take a workshop-based, experiential approach to the study and practice of the literary arts. ... University of Toronto Scarborough 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON. Canada, M1C 1A4, Ph. (416) 287 8872 ...
MA Program; Field: Creative Writing Minimum Admission Requirements. Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of English's additional admission requirements stated below. ... School of Graduate Studies University of Toronto 63 St. George Street Toronto ...
Jackman Humanities Building, 170 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5R 2M8 Canada Tel: +1 416 978-3190 Fax: +1 416 978-2836 www.english.utoronto.ca MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021-22 Original edition by Andy Vatiliotou in collaboration with Laura Hartenberger, Melissa Kuipers,
Embrace the unknown and start your journey here. As part of one of the largest Creative Writing programs in Canada, you can learn the essentials of excellent writing and put them into practice. Whether you aspire to write a novel or short story, explore poetry, pen a script or screenplay, or explore other writing styles, we have the courses you ...
Learn more about MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing Postgraduate Program By University of Toronto including the program fees, scholarships, scores and further course information ... The M.A. Program in English in the Field of Creative Writing (MA CRW) draws both on the expertise of faculty at the University of Toronto and on the ...
June 18, 2014. U of T's highly selective, and tiny, creative writing MA program isn't the only route for those looking to unleash their inner voice on the page. Since the mid-1990s, U of T's School of Continuing Studies has offered creative writing courses; it formalized its creative writing certificate program in 2001.
Upon completing your certificate requirements, you must request your certificate by submitting a Certificate Request Form. Good writing can be learned, with guidance from patient professional authors and a supportive community. If the time has come for you to get serious about your writing, the Certificate in Creative Wri...
Or attend a GCAC Writing Intensive, which will provide you with a dedicated time and space for intensive writing. Graduate Work in Creative Writing. The Department of English offers an MA program in English in the Field of Creative Writing. The program draws both on the expertise of faculty at U of T and on Toronto's writing community.
Applicants to the MA CRW program must meet the same minimum qualifications as applicants to the MA in English (see above); applicants to the MA CRW program submit a portfolio, not an academic essay, as their writing sample.. The portfolio should consist of 20 to 25 pages of prose (drama, fiction, or creative non-fiction) and/or poetry. Prose must be double-spaced, while poetry and drama may be ...
English. Home; Programs; English; Program Overview. One of the strongest and most diversified graduate English programs in North America, the University of Toronto's Graduate English Department presents a wide array of approaches to the study of literature that includes both rigorous historical scholarship and the innovations of new theoretical, cultural, and interdisciplinary methods.
University College students and students in UC programs may submit work in the categories of Poetry, Drama, Novel, Short Story, and Other Prose to the Norma Epstein Foundation Awards in Creative Writing. The competition is annual; the deadline is May 1. All students currently registered in an undergraduate or graduate degree program may enter ...
Six 4U/M courses, including: English (ENG4U) Find equivalent requirements for Canadian high school systems, US high school system, International Baccalaureate, British-Patterned Education, French-Patterned Education, CAPE, and other international high school systems. Learn more about Creative Writing at U of T St. George. Mississauga Campus.
ENGC24 Creative Writing: The Art of the Personal Essay; ENGC86 Creative Writing: Poetry II; ENGC87 Creative Writing: Fiction II; ... University of Toronto Scarborough 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON. Canada, M1C 1A4, Ph. (416) 287 8872. Campus Safety (Non-Emergency) (416) 287-7398.
Learn the basics of novel and short fiction writing from some of Canada's most celebrated authors, and join a community of emerging writers who are finding a place in Canada's literary landscape. Register for a Literary Fiction course, and you are eligible to enter the Penguin Random House Student Award for Fiction. The top prize is worth ...
The University of Toronto's Student Newspaper Since 1880. Menu . Home. News. Encampment. Governance. ... An MFA in creative writing from Columbia University, for example, costs 71,040 USD per year. ... the Master of Arts in English in the Field of Creative Writing (MA CRW). This program works similarly to an MFA, but, unlike MFA students, MA ...
The MA program typically takes 12 months. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows: ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English (1.0 FCE) [please note that students in the MA in Creative Writing program are not required to take this course]
Emma Brijlall Nakahara needs to eat every one to two hours. It's a challenge that led her to become the first graduate of a virtual school to earn one of the highest marks across all of Toronto's public high schools. Nakahara graduated from the Toronto District School Board's (TDSB) Virtual Secondary School with an average of 99.7 per cent, making her one of three graduates recognized ...
About this program. Join a supportive community of emerging writers from around the world in our five-day intensive workshops. This year we have Summer Writing School courses offered both In-class and Online. Learn from some of Canada's most successful writers including Joy Fielding, Ann YK Choi, Ayelet Tsabari, Laura Pratt, Anuja Varghese ...
She was the Writer-In-Residence at the University of New Brunswick in 2021-2022, and currently is a poetry editor with The Fiddlehead and Brick Books. She works at OCAD University as a Writing and Learning Consultant and mentors in the University of Toronto MA in Creative Writing program.
University of Toronto MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing. 187 likes. News and events related to the University of Toronto's MA Program in...
He is currently writing a new authorized biography of Graham Greene, commissioned by Little, Brown UK, W. W. Norton, and Knopf Canada. Robert McGill is an associate professor in the Department of English and the director of its MA program in Creative Writing. His first novel, The Mysteries, was named one of the top five Canadian fiction books ...
MA CRW Alumni Biographies. Meghan Blythe Adams was born in Coral Harbor, Nunavut. She completed her B.A. in English at the University of Western Ontario in 2009. She completed her M.A. in English in the field of Creative Writing in 2011, under the supervision of Jane Urquhart. Currently, she is a PhD candidate at the University of Western ...