Graduate Programmes at NTU School of Humanities

As the centre of English language culture in Asia, Singapore’s social and civic influence and allure are enormous. In the fostering and shaping of the next generation of Singaporean writers, NTU has been the dominant institution for the past decade. Few Singaporean writers of esteem, locally or internationally, are without a connection to NTU – from Singapore’s greatest poet Boey Kim Cheng to young internationally-celebrated novelists such as Sharlene Teo and Amanda Lee Koe. The Creative Writing and Publishing MA aims to extend this influence to publishers – a contingent that will not only shape the civic appeal of Singapore literature for decades to come, but fan out across Asia and act as Singapore’s representatives to the rest of the literary and publishing world.

• Leading educators in Creative Writing in Singapore and Asia

  We have an incomparable teaching track record through our offering of an undergraduate Minor in Creative Writing – the only programme of its kind in Singapore and South-East Asia, as well as graduate research programmes in Creative Writing at the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy levels.
  

• Exclusive partnership with the National Arts Council

  This long-standing collaboration dates back to 2011 when NTU ran The Singapore Writing Residency programme, with a grant from NAC to NTU for established local and international writers of excellent standing. We are currently the sole academic institution in Singapore managing the largest writing residency programme in the Asia Pacific region.
  

• Focus on digital and technology in publishing

  Learn about digital design and hone your publishing skills especially in emerging digital technologies including podcasts, audio books, games, web design and publishing for tablets, e-readers, and mobile devices.
  

• Student-driven customization
  Besides the core areas of creative writing and publishing, you may elect to take courses across either creative writing or publishing depending on your interest. You will also have the option to either write a creative thesis or undertake an internship in a related industry.

The admission requirements are as follow:

• A good bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• International applicants whose medium of instruction was not in English at the tertiary level should have an IELTs score of 7 or a good TOEFL Score of 100*.
• Candidates may be interviewed to assess their suitability for postgraduate studies and for a holistic assessment of their academic capacity.
• No prior course work or training in creative writing or publishing is required.

*Note: 
In view of Covid-19, the following online test scores are acceptable for admissions for the AY2023-2024 intake by the Office of Admissions (OA). These tests must have been taken no later than 31 December 2023. Test report reflecting date beyond 31 December 2023 will not be eligible to meet admissions requirements. 

1. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
2. TOEFL ITP Plus for China students
3. IELTS Indicator
4. IELTS for UKVI

To graduate, students have to complete 30 Academic Units (AUs). The programme structure is as follows:

I. Core courses: 12 AUs (4 courses)
II. Electives: 12 AUs (4 courses from 2 concentrations)
III. Choice of Internship or Dissertation: 6 AUs

NOTE: Courses offered are subjected to availability of instructors and resources. 

I. Core (12 AUs)

All students are required to complete 4 core courses.

HL6201 introduction to Creative Writing

HL6202 Contemporary Publishing

HL6203 Literary Production

HL6204 The Business of Publishing (including Marketing & Sales)

II. Electives^# (12 AUS)

Students may complete any 4 courses from the two concentrations to fulfil their elective requirements for the programme. 

Creative Writing Concentration

HL6205 Forms of Narrative

HL6206 Voice

HL6207 Place and Time

HL6208 Writing South East Asia

HL6209 Directed Study

HL6210 Special Topic

Publishing Concentration

HL6211 Writing & editing for Digital Media

HL6212 Technology, Artificial Intelligence & Electronic Publishing including digital audience development, metadata, social media marketing

HL6213 Literary Publishing

HL6214 Editorial Theory & Practice, Functions & Strategies

HL6215 Book & Magazine Editing

HL6216 Professional Communication

III. Dissertation OR Internship (6AUs)

Creative Writing Dissertation OR

HL6999 Publishing Internship

Professionals and executives currently working in the writing, publishing and editing industry stand to benefit greatly from the enhanced skills and knowledge developed through the programme and can look forward to taking their career to the next level.