The University of Victoria’s Department of Writing offers a two-year Masters of Fine Arts that qualifies graduates to teach on the college or university level. This boutique MFA program, located in one of the world’s most liveable small cities, provides one-on-one mentorship with award-winning faculty in a supportive environment. Students develop works of fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, poetry, interactive narratives and hybrid forms through workshops, seminars, and personalized supervision.
Our graduates have had their work published or performed nationally and internationally, winning the Giller, Governor General’s, Writer’s Trust, Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, BC & Yukon Prizes, National Outdoor Book Award, Norma Fleck Award, Gerald Lampert, Telefilm funding, National Magazine Awards, and many other honours.
All eligible MFAs receive a generous graduate fellowship and are eligible for other scholarships and awards. Through teaching assistantships in our acclaimed undergraduate program, they gain the skills for future teaching careers. Upon completion of the MFA, graduates take with them a polished body of work, practical skills to sustain a career in the creative arts, and the expertise to work as an editor, post-secondary instructor, and most crucially, a writer.
Opportunities
- Opportunities to participate in readings and events hosted by The Writing Students’ Union
- Opportunities to get involved with UVIC’s student newspaper, The Martlet
- Opportunities for playwrights to see their work staged through the Student Alternative Theatre Company (SATCo)
- Opportunities to get involved with UVIC’s student-run literary magazine, This Side of West
- Opportunity to minor in Journalism & Publishing and participate in paid work experience through the Humanities, Fine Arts and Professional Writing Co-op program.
Funding
All eligible MFAs receive a graduate fellowship paid out incrementally over the first year (based on qualifying GPA)
The Faculty of Graduate Studies administers funds on behalf of donors who have established graduate scholarships, fellowships, awards and prizes of varying values.
Admissions
Graduate admissions requirements:
- Completion of a 4-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an institution recognized by UVic
- Equivalent of a minimum “B” average over the last two years of your degree
Program-specific requirements:
- a portfolio: 10-15 pages of poetry or 20-30 pages of playwriting, screenwriting, fiction, creative non-fiction or multi-genre writing
- a 500-word letter of intent which includes:
- a brief description of your writing background
- what you hope to accomplish in the program
- a description of the project and the genre you want to work on
- a curriculum vitae (CV) that includes relevant professional/writing experience
- two references (names and email contacts)
Estimated tuition per year (two terms of study): $4,530
For more information: https://www.uvic.ca/graduate/programs/graduate-programs/credential-pages/writing-cred/writing-mfa.php?