Writing Studies Subject regulations

2027

Effective writing, and the critical and analytical skills it demands, is as essential for a university education as it is in professional life beyond the university. Taken either as a stand-alone major or as a supporting subject, Writing Studies foregrounds critical and cultural awareness, develops an understanding of how language works, and fosters the creativity and intellectual independence which are the prerequisites for excellent academic, professional and creative writing.

Writing Studies is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA). Writing Studies may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Writing Studies as a single major for the BA, students must gain 135 points from the papers listed for Writing Studies including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete WRITE202 and WRITE390, 15 points at 300 level from ENGLI papers listed for the Writing Studies major and at least 15 further points in WRITE papers at 300 level.

To complete Writing Studies as part of a double major for the BA or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from the papers listed for Writing Studies, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must include WRITE202 and WRITE390.

To complete a minor in Writing Studies, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for Writing Studies, including WRITE202 and a further 15 points above 100 level.

A graduate programme in Writing Studies is also available through the Master of Professional Writing. For further details, see Professional Writing, or contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.

Note:

Students are encouraged to contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office for programme advice.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

Writing Studies papers

100 Level 200 Level 300 Level 500 Level

Code and paper title	Points
ARTSC105 Language in Context Language in Context is an essential paper for students of a broad range of disciplines where language and communication are a focus. Students are...	15	27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Online)
ENGLI100 Telling the Story This paper examines the deep stories which are at the core of the English literary tradition and the wider Western canon, using picturebooks...	15	27A (Hamilton) & 27A (Online) & 27A (Secondary School - Unistart)
LLTED101 An Introduction to Children's Literature In this paper we examine children's literature from picturebook to novel; from author to illustrator; from history to modern times. The link between...	15	27A (Online)
WRITE100 Writing for Academic Success The paper gives opportunities for undergraduate students to develop their academic literacy skills. It begins with general academic communication and...	15	27A (Hamilton) & 27A (Online) & 27A (Tauranga) & 27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Online) & 27G (Hamilton) & 27G (Online) & 27JS (Hamilton) & 27JS (Online) & 27JS (Tauranga)
WRITE101 Unlocking Creativity This paper stimulates students to explore their creativity, develop their imaginative thinking and channel their voice through close reading of...	15	27A (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points
ENGLI201 Utopias and Dystopias This paper provides an introduction to utopian and dystopian writing and the way in which literature gives voice to the dreams and fears of humanity.	15	27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Online)
ENGLI203 Summer Reads Crafted around a dynamic study of popular genres and contemporary topics, this paper brings students together for a summer of exciting reading...	15	27C (Online)
LINGS203 Language, Society and Culture In this paper, we explore cultural diversity through language. We develop understandings of the way that language both reflects, and is used to...	15	27A (Hamilton) & 27A (Online)
LLTED201 New Zealand Children's Literature This paper explores children's literature, establishing familiarity with key and emerging New Zealand writers and illustrators. Skills in visual and...	15	27B (Online)
PUBRL204 Contemporary Public Relations Writing Modern communications professionals write to represent organisations across many different audiences, purposes and contexts. PUBRL204 teaches...	15	27A (Hamilton)
WRITE202 Creative Writing: Voice and Image This course explores the basic elements of imaginative writing - image and voice - concentrating the student’s attention on the central writing...	15	27A (Online) & 27B (Hamilton)
WRITE203 Creative Writing: Inspiring Work This intensive, workshop-based paper, taught by award-winning novelist Catherine Chidgey, examines the concept of inspiration as it applies to...	15	27G (Hamilton) & 27G (Online)
WRITE205 Writing for the Screen This paper explores foundational concepts in writing for the screen and develops practical skills in the application of these concepts during...	15	27A (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points
ENGLI301 Genre Studies: Challenging Forms This paper is an intensive study of specific literary forms such as tragedy, poetry, travel writing, autobiography, and crime writing. The focus will...	15	27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Online)
ENGLI304 Literature and Climate Change This paper invites students to grapple with climate change as one of the most significant sites of critical debate in the twenty-first century...	15	27A (Hamilton)
SCIEN300 Science Communication in Society and the Workplace This paper discusses different ways in which science can be communicated by scientists to others. It gives students opportunities to practise verbal...	15	27C (Hamilton) & 27C (Online)
WRITE300 Creative Writing: Creative Non-fiction This course explores the key elements of creative non-fiction writing, engaging with a variety of non-fiction texts including memoir, biography, the...	15	27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Online)
WRITE390 Directed Study This independent but guided writing project is compulsory for students majoring in Writing Studies and is only available to students majoring in...	15	27B (Hamilton)
WRITE396 Writing Studies Work Placement In this paper, students work as interns in a professional workplace where excellent writing is core business. Assessment is based on a written report...	15	27X (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points
CWRIT594 Creative Writing Thesis This paper will provide students the opportunity to devise, carry out and revise an independent and original creative writing manuscript, while...	120	27X (Hamilton)
LEADR583 Leadership, Communication and Transformation Our focus in this paper will be on leadership communication, or the ways leaders and followers interact and the ways leaders attempt to create and...	30	27B (Hamilton)
MEDIA501 Critical and Creative Approaches to Research This paper identifies the constraints and freedoms of research methods, and places a strong emphasis on research as an intellectual, theoretical, and...	30	27A (Hamilton)
WRITE503 Professional Writing Internship This paper allows students to gain professional writing experience in the workplace, under the guidance of an academic supervisor and the specialist...	30	27X (Hamilton)
WRITE546 Creative Writing: Writing and Embodiment A writing-intensive paper focused on the ways in which 'embodiment' is key in generating vital characters, shaping dramatic narratives, and crafting...	30	27A (Hamilton)
WRITE591 Research Project This paper will provide graduate students with the opportunity to devise, carry out and revise a writing-focused dissertation, under appropriate...	30	27X (Hamilton)
WRITE592 Dissertation This paper will provide students with the opportunity to devise, carry out and revise an extended writing-focused dissertation, under appropriate...	60	27X (Hamilton)
WRITE593 Professional Writing Thesis This paper will provide students the opportunity to devise, carry out and revise an independent thesis focussed on a specialised field of writing...	90	27X (Hamilton)
WRITE594 Professional Writing Thesis This paper will provide students the opportunity to devise, carry out and revise an extended and independent thesis focussed on a specialised field...	120	27X (Hamilton)

2027 Subject regulation information current as at 17 Aug 2026 01:00am

Writing Studies Subject regulations

Other qualifications

Writing Studies papers

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