Inquire
Matt Rader
Creative Writing Program Coordinator
250.807.98092
matthew.rader@ubc.ca
Matt Rader
Creative Writing Program Coordinator
250.807.98092
matthew.rader@ubc.ca
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Engage in lively discussions with fellow writers and faculty at community events, readings, and workshops where students are warmly welcomed.
Study under a faculty of award-winning writers dedicated to helping students experiment with their prose and grow as writers. A visiting writer’s series and Writer-in-Residence program provide additional opportunities to meet, and learn from, accomplished writers.
Create a varied body of work and build your portfolio during hands-on projects. Students are actively involved in writing projects, chapbook production, magazine editing, student anthology production, and community learning projects.
UBC Okanagan’s liberal arts degree prepares students for global citizenship by integrating foundational knowledge with interdisciplinary opportunities in social justice, sustainability and Indigenous content. Students who earn a BA degree graduate with a broad range of knowledge and the ability to think critically, be creative, problem solve and communicate effectively.
Put your classroom learning to the test with Co-op job placements throughout the region and beyond. Co-op helps you to gain beneficial skills such as how to build your resumé, apply for jobs, expand your professional network and earn money to pay for tuition.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing is a four-year UBC degree with courses in poetry, creative non-fiction, short fiction, novel, playwriting, screenplay, writing with media, editing and publishing, spoken word, and writing and community learning. It is designed to build students’ range and confidence to the professional level, while familiarizing them with practical aspects of the writing life. Students apply to major in Creative Writing after the completion of their first year.
Students also have the opportunity to study Creative Writing as a minor in combination with another discipline or to combine their major in Creative Writing and the requirements of another BA program that offers a combined major (currently Art History and Visual Culture, Cultural Studies, and English).
Additionally, courses are offered that appeal to and benefit students in a variety of disciplines, including management, science, and medicine. The Power of Story and The Power of Metaphor offer creative tools for framing and understanding human experience and perception.
The Creative Writing program provides students with the opportunity to study literature and literary criticism as well as key aspects of the writing process—from crafting a scene, to pacing a story, working with imagery, and hooking a reader’s interest. Classes are taught by professional writers with a wealth of knowledge and experience they share with students at intimate workshops designed to build students’ range and confidence as they grow as writers. Students are encouraged to share their work and hone their skills with faculty who are actively involved in the editing process.
An intimate learning community is a hallmark of our program. Upper-year classes are capped at 15 students.
UBC Okanagan’s Creative Writing program offers a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses in poetry, creative non-fiction, short fiction, novel, playwriting, screenplay, writing with media, and editing and publishing. Several intensive summer courses are offered on campus and at the Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre in Kelowna.
Sample courses:
View course descriptions for the 2020-2021 academic year. Browse here for all Creative Writing courses and their descriptions in the Academic Calendar.
The following links take you to Creative Writing program details in the Okanagan Academic Calendar, a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services, and academic policies at The University of British Columbia:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing:
Prospective Majors in Creative Writing can declare a major at the end of first year. to declare your major, contact the Creative Writing Program Coordinator Matt Rader to set up an appointment.
Find out more about the required courses and how to declare your major.
Communications and Rhetoric Certificate
Students can receive a Certificate in Communications and Rhetoric by completing 15 credits through courses from four thematic interdisciplinary and relational clusters, and a final capstone project. This is an add on to any major; some credits can be double counted.
For your application to be considered, you’ll need to do three things:
Then, UBC will take a closer look at your application. We’ll read your Personal Profile to get a sense of who you are and what you’ve achieved. We’ll also look at all of your Grade 11 (junior level) and Grade 12 (senior level) courses, paying special attention to the courses that relate to the degree you’re applying to.
Find your specific requirements at you.ubc.ca
Students are encouraged to apply for a major or minor in Creative Writing at the end of their first year, provided they have a combined average of 70% (B-) in 6 credits of 100-level Creative Writing courses and 3 credits of 100-level English. Refer to the Academic Calendar for required courses to major or minor in Creative Writing.
Review the First-Year English Requirements.
Application Deadlines
Plan ahead to ensure you meet important deadlines and other target dates listed at you.ubc.ca.
Tuition Fees
UBC Okanagan’s fees compare favourably with universities of the same high calibre. See Financial Planning for helpful resources, and add up your first-year costs with our Cost Calculator.
Apply to UBC at you.ubc.ca—there are just five steps in the application process. Soon you could be studying at one of the world’s top universities.
Check out the steps to apply to UBC, and be sure to choose “Okanagan campus.”
Or let our Student Recruitment & Advising experts guide you: call 1-877-807-8521.
Declaring your major
Students can enrol at UBC for their first year as a general BA student, to declare your major after the first year, simply book an appointment with Creative Writing Program Coordinator.
Earn a UBC degree respected by employers around the globe. Build a broad foundation and great career potential with undergraduate studies in Creative Writing. Job opportunities range from arts journalist and web writer, to novelist and publisher.
Learn and earn with Co-op, a paid opportunity for students to enrich their education with work experience. At UBC’s Okanagan campus, sign up for Co-op to: build your resumé with professional experience; learn valuable tips on how to successfully apply for jobs; expand your network of industry contacts; and earn money to pay for tuition. Inquire about Co-op by phone at 250.807.9623 or by email.
The UBC Okanagan Arts Career Apprenticeship Program (UBCO ACAP) connects upcoming arts, humanities and social sciences graduates from the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies with Okanagan-based employers for one-year, paid, early career opportunities.
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree with a specialization in Creative Writing at UBC Okanagan provides students with the theoretical and practical tools involved in advanced creative writing.
UBC Okanagan also has an Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS) program in which students may have a Creative Writing department faculty member as their primary supervisor.
Learning experiences beyond the classroom help prepare you for a career and life after university. Expand your horizons while studying abroad, conducting meaningful research, or working in the community with your UBC colleagues.
Get a financial boost to start your research experience and help pay for travel and other expenses. Merit-based cash awards also look impressive on your resumé.
Find out what students, faculty, and alumni have to say about the Creative Writing program at UBC’s Okanagan campus: ourstories.ok.ubc.ca.
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. In the psychology program at UBC’s Okanagan campus, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally respected university while studying in a close-knit learning community.
On the first day of university, faculties offer “Meet the Faculty” sessions where you can get to know the Dean, professors, and the staff who provide student support. It’s all part of UBC Okanagan’s new student orientation: CREATE.
Attend an orientation tailored to your needs as an aboriginal student, domestic student, international student, or student living in residence. You can even register your parents for an orientation that includes a workshop and campus tour.
Take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved and stay active—from workout space in the new Hangar Fitness Centre, to athletic courts, intramurals, fitness classes, and varsity athletics.
Learn more at Sports and Recreation, which includes links to fitness facilities, sport clubs, intramurals and recreation programs, as well as the nationally ranked UBC Okanagan Heat varsity teams that compete in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association.
Meet new people while living in a study-oriented environment with easy access to academic and personal support.
UBC Okanagan offers modern residence living surrounded by hiking and biking trails. One of the newest residences, Purcell, includes a rooftop patio that offers a panoramic view of the campus and the Okanagan Valley.
Find out more about living in residence at you.ubc.ca.
UBC’s Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people—the fourth fastest growing population in Canada. In fact, the Okanagan Valley is rated one of the best communities in Canada to grow your business.
More than 160 buses travel daily from campus to key locations such as Kelowna’s cultural district and thriving downtown waterfront. The campus is two minutes from the Kelowna International Airport, one of the Top 10 busiest airports in Canada.
UBC Okanagan is situated within the First Nations territory of the Okanagan Nation, whose spirit of stewardship for the land is reflected in the university’s respect for sustainability.
A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards and orchards, and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan Valley features sweeping stretches of lakeside and endless mountain trails for biking and hiking.
Explore the Okanagan lifestyle at you.ubc.ca.