Express yourself
Check out Massey's unique degree in expressive arts, which combines theatre, creative writing and innovative media production.
The heart of the matter
Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey. Explore what it means to be human, why we act like we do and the ways we create meaning.
Make a contribution
Make sense of the world from different perspectives through Massey. Contribute to education, defence, sustainability and more.
Overview
Let your imagination soar. Boost your confidence. Innovate and collaborate.
Learn from lecturers who are also award-winning writers and theatre professionals. Explore new ideas in areas such as creative writing, Māori literature, or theatre and performance. Get hands-on with projects such as poetry writing or staging a play. Develop your analytical thinking, communication skills, and creative ability. Graduate with the creative and organisational skills needed by arts sector employers.
English, writing and theatre are a good fit if you:
- enjoy school subjects such as drama and English
- want to turn your creativity into a career
- like thinking critically and imaginatively.
English, writing and theatre courses may cover:
- creative writing, including creative non-fiction, novels, plays and poetry
- literature, ranging from Shakespeare to contemporary fiction
- Māori and Pacific literatures and storytelling methods
- presentation and public speaking skills
- project management skills, such as problem solving and setting budgets and goals
- theatre skills such as acting, directing, set and lighting design
- theatre for social change.
How to study English, writing and theatre
Discover what we offer if you’re interested in English, writing and theatre – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.
Undergraduate study
Bachelor's degrees
Bachelor of Arts – BA
With Massey's BA, you can study subjects that you enjoy while learning to be a creative, critical and independent thinker. You’ll get transferable skills that employers are looking for in a rapidly changing world.
Creative Writing – Bachelor of Arts
Unlock your imagination, expand your creative thinking and polish your writing.
English – Bachelor of Arts
Develop your passion for literature. Understand how great writing has shaped identity, culture, and society.
Bachelor of Communication – BC
Become a well-rounded, innovative communication specialist, who is sought-after by employers with Massey’s Bachelor of Communication.
Expressive Arts – Bachelor of Communication
If you love being creative and want to study a selection of theatre, performance, creative writing, and digital media production, and you also want great career prospects, the Bachelor of Communication (Expressive Arts) is for you.
Undergraduate certificates
Certificate in Arts – CertArts
With Massey’s Certificate in Arts, you can study what you enjoy and explore subjects within history, beliefs, societies, languages, and cultures.
Graduate certificates
Graduate Certificate in Arts – GCertArts
Inspire people, shape policy, solve problems, create new ways of thinking, and transform your workplace and the world.
Creative Writing – Graduate Certificate in Arts
With a Graduate Certificate in Arts (Creative Writing) you’ll examine inspiring creative writing and start developing your own.
English – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Understand how words shape our world with the Graduate Certificate in Arts (English).
Undergraduate diplomas
Diploma in Arts – DipArts
With a Massey Diploma in Arts, you can study what you enjoy and explore subject areas that spark your interest.
Creative Writing – Diploma in Arts
With a Diploma in Arts (Creative Writing) you will examine inspiring creative works and explore your personal creative approach through poetry, life writing, scriptwriting, and fiction.
English – Diploma in Arts
Do you have a passion for literature? The Diploma in Arts (English) will give you versatile and transferable skills that can open many career pathways.
Graduate diplomas
Graduate Diploma in Arts – GradDipArts
Learn to be a critical thinker, problem-solver, and inspire people with Massey's Graduate Diploma in Arts.
Creative Writing – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Examine great creative works and start writing your own. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Creative Writing) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in creative writing without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
English – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (English) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in English without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.
Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in
When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate bachelor's degrees with honours
English – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (English), you can take your undergraduate study of English further.
Master's degrees
English – Master of Arts
With Massey’s Master of Arts (English) you can build on your undergraduate study and follow your passion for literature. Complete advanced research into an aspect of English, rhetoric or theatre studies.
Master of Creative Writing – MCW
Use your passion for writing to transform yourself and the world through an intense exploration of language.
Postgraduate diplomas
English – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
A Massey Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (English) will help you understand how language shapes the world we live in.
PhD and other doctoral degrees
Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.
What our students say
“Poetry is like fiction – it can be close to the truth, but it is a piece of art.”
“Between my first writing course at Massey and finishing my master’s, I’ve published novels, short stories, non-fiction and poetry.”
“My thesis included the play I wrote, Trans Tasmin. Subsequently, a professional theatre company has shown interest in the script.”
Theatre for the real world
Explore the change you want to see in the world, with Massey's unique focus on theatre and social justice.
Perform in theatre spaces with:
- lighting rigs
- projection capability
- video recording.
Location: Auckland, Manawatū and Wellington campuses
Jobs in English, writing and theatre
As well as jobs in the arts sector, many other employers value the analytical and communication skills gained by studying English, creative writing or theatre. Some graduates move into research or teaching. Others become published authors, or write and direct original theatre productions.
English, creative writing and theatre careers include:
- actors and entertainers
- arts administrators or publicists
- artistic directors, who plan performance programmes at festivals, theatre companies or venues
- communications roles in government or businesses, publishing or the media
- policy analysts, who interpret information for government or businesses
- producers and production assistants, who plan how to stage performances
- writers, including children's authors, novelists, playwrights and screenwriters
- teachers and lecturers.
Annual salary ranges for jobs
- Author/writer – pay rates vary
- Communications professional – $110,000 to $180,000
- Director – pay rates vary
- Policy analyst – $71,000 to $170,000
- Technical writer – $50,000 to $130,000
Salary ranges disclaimer
Indicative pay rates are:
- in New Zealand dollars
- based on careers.govt.nz data.
Which English, writing and theatre qualification?
Examples of where our qualifications may take you.
| Jobs | Examples of what you could study |
|---|---|
| Actor or entertainer |
Bachelor of Communication (Expressive Arts) Bachelor of Arts (minor in Theatre Studies) |
| Communications professional for business or government |
Bachelor of Arts (English) Bachelor of Communication |
| Director |
Bachelor of Communication (Expressive Arts) Bachelor of Arts (minor in Theatre Studies) |
| Writer or author |
Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) Bachelor of Communication (Expressive Arts) |
| School drama or English teacher |
Bachelor of Arts (minor in Theatre Studies) Bachelor of Arts (English) Further study to qualify as a teacher |
| University lecturer in creative writing or English | Masters degree in your chosen specialisation |
Get an information guide
Download our guide to find out more about studying English, writing and theatre at Massey.
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