Creative Writing, MFA

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Creative Writing, MFA cost?

  CAD 29,740 / year.

• What English score does it need?

  IELTS 6.5 overall is the score listed for this programme.

• How long is it?

  2 years, as listed by the university.

• What are the entry requirements?

  Completion of an undergraduate honours degree or equivalent from a recognised university with a grade average of at least 70% (B-) in the last four semesters (normally the last two years) of full-time study. Two referee assessment forms and transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended are required. Programme minimum admission average: 70% (stated range 70-72%). Programme-specific requirements: The normal minimum requirement for admission to the MFA Program is a baccalaureate degree, in an honours program or the equivalent, from a recognized degree-granting institution. There are no requirements as to the discipline in which the degree was earned. Successful applicants will be expected to have achieved an average standing of at least a 'B-' in their last four semesters of study. A limited number of students, however, may be admitted to the MFA without having satisfied the degree requirement and/or academic standing requirements set out above if they are assessed as qualified to undertake graduate studies in creative writing on the basis of other experience and/or practice. Admissions Portfolio Students will be selected for admission to the MFA program primarily on the basis of a portfolio. The portfolio should be between 25 and 40 pages in length and may contain published and/o · English: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT 89; PTE Academic 60; Duolingo English Test 120 · English test waiver: Certification is required only where the applicant's first language is not English. Other accepted tests: CAEL 70 overall; MELAB 85; Oxford English Language Level Test (ELLT) 7. The advanced level of the University of Guelph English Language Certificate Program (ELCP) satisfies the requirement; admission may also be offered on condition of completing the Graduate Preparation Program (GPP, two semesters). · GRE/GMAT: Required by some departments; the Graduate Calendar states that where the GRE or GMAT is required it is listed with the programme's own admission information. · Application fee: CAD 125.00 (non-refundable, payable to OUAC)

• Is there a scholarship?

  Funding and Scholarships: Guaranteed Funding Most Offers of Admission that we make for our graduate programs include an offer of funding. As part of your admission offer you will receive a detailed break-down of what that funding will include over the duration of your program. Most funding consists of a mix of a guaranteed offer of paid work for the University, usually as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, and scholarship income. Once you enroll in your program, you will be set up with an account with Student Financial Services; your funding will be paid into this account (every two weeks in the case of employment income) and you can pay your tuition and fees from this account and then move the rest into your own bank account. Internal Awards for Incoming Students The Constance Rooke Scholarship Upon acceptance to the Creative Writing Master of Fine Arts Program, each writer is granted a Constance Rooke Scholarship. This scholarship provides each writer with a total of $8,000 in funding over a two-year period, which is the duration of the program. In year one of study, a writer receives $4,000, and in year two of study, an additional $4,000. In both years of study, the $4,000 is allocated at the beginning of each semester (Fall, Winter and Spring/Summer) in lump sums of $1333.33. While this funding does cover a good deal of tuition, it does not cover all expenses. The McClelland & Stewart Ltd. Scholarship Every year, one incoming poet is awarded The McClelland & Stewart Ltd. Scholarship. The recipient is selected by the program’s coordinator and core faculty and all poets accepted into the program are considered for this award. There is no formal application. This scholarship has been generously donated by McClelland & Stewart Ltd. and the award amount is $3000.00, allocated on a yearly basis. The Edward Y. Morwick Graduate Scholarship in Creative Writing The $4,500 Edward Y. Morwick Graduate Scholarship in Creative Writing is usually awarded to two entering graduate students who are registered full-time in the Creative Writing Program. This award is meant to encourage and reward students who have shown developing skill and dedication to the craft of Creative Writing. The recipients must exhibit excellence in Creative Writing as evidenced by the portfolio submitted to the Creative Writing admissions committee. No application is necessary. Additional Funding Opportunities Board of Graduate Research Scholarships Every year, the Creative Writing MFA program receives several Board of Graduate Research Scholarships, which are funded, internally, by the university. The recipients of these awards are nominated by the program's coordinator and each award is $2000. An application is not required. The University of Guelph has established a number of awards which provide bursaries for students in financial need. To be eligible for these bursaries, students must complete a needs assessment application available from Student Financial Services website. External Scholarships The main sources of external funding for MA students are the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS), and the SSHRC/CGS Master’s Scholarships. MA students are strongly encouraged to apply for all sources of external funding for which they are eligible. For more information about terms and conditions of these awards, please consult the respective websites: Work Opportunities Our program has a relationship with the Humber Writing Centre: each year, the Writing Centre hires four Creative Writing MFA students to work as tutors for three academic terms. Remuneration is equivalent to that of a teaching assistant; however, all students complete their weekly hours assisting students in the Writing Centre, rather than grading papers outside of the classroom — as is the case for most teaching assistants. Libby Johnstone, the program's administrator, is the main point of contact for these work opportunities. A call for applications is forwarded by Libby to all students in the month of October. For more information, please contact Libby Johnstone: cwmfa@uoguelph.ca or (519) 824-4120 ext. 53882 Source:. University-wide international awards Guelph names for graduate students: International Doctoral Tuition Scholarships (up to four years) and International Master's Tuition Scholarships "for both course-based and thesis-based programs", plus the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and tri-agency awards. Source View scholarship page