International students
International students are welcome to apply to study at the International Institute of Modern Letters.
How to apply
We welcome enquiries about our creative writing (CREW) courses from international students. Our programme submission requirements are the same for international and domestic students; however the University requires additional information from international applicants, and international applications for admission are normally made through Wellington University International.
The following exceptions apply:
- Australian citizens and permanent residents are considered domestic students for admission and fees purposes;
- Applicants who have graduated from Victoria University of Wellington within the last two years do not need to re-apply for admission through Wellington University International;
- International applicants to PhD programmes should apply through the Faculty of Graduate Research. International PhD students at Victoria University of Wellington are charged domestic fees.
If you will be applying through Wellington University International, please first read about our:
Feel free to contact the IIML if you have programme-specific questions.
Once you are ready to apply you can start your international MA application here.
If you have questions about applying for an undergraduate creative writing (CREW) course, contact Wellington University International for advice. One or more undergraduate CREW courses can be applied for as part of most undergraduate degrees.
Wellington University International:
Phone: +64 4 463 5350
Fax: +64 4 463 5056
Email: international@vuw.ac.nz
Website: www.wgtn.ac.nz/international
International applications must be submitted in hard copy by the relevant application deadline. Make contact with Wellington University International well in advance, to allow time to lodge all required application material by post or courier, or in person.
Wellington University International staff can also advise about visa requirements, relocation and fees and financial matters, including insurance.
About distance teaching
Our CREW courses are not available as a form of distance learning. The regular workshop meetings are a crucial part of developing students' creative writing ability, and full workshop attendance is expected.
Undergraduate applicants
Our undergraduate CREW courses are graded Pass/Fail only, with detailed feedback on students’ folios provided in written reports.
Exchange students should confirm with their home university that they can credit ungraded courses to their degree.
Check out what courses we teach and get some of your common questions answered before you apply. If you would like this information in hard copy, contact us arrange for this material to be posted to you.
Masters applicants
Read the information on our Master of Arts programme and get some of your common questions answered before you apply. If you would like this information in hard copy, contact us arrange for this material to be posted to you.
If you're considering applying for a scholarship, check out the University’s scholarships and our scholarships and prizes information.
PhD applicants
Read our information on PhD study and how to apply—these pages will give you a good general understanding of the nature of the our PhD Creative Writing programme and the application process. If anything is unclear, or if you would like this information posted to you, contact us.
PhD Creative Writing students are expected to attend six-weekly meetings of the PhD cohort on campus, as well as regular supervision meetings.
Your initial enquiry
Initial enquiries can be sent to our PhD programme coordinator Damien Wilkins.
If you are sending an email, put ‘PhD enquiry’ in the subject line. Professor Wilkins may request more specific information or material, and will offer you general advice on whether to proceed with an application. However, he cannot provide specific feedback on individual projects.
Director
Institute of Modern Letters
To apply
All applications (both domestic and international) for admission to PhD programmes are lodged online through the Faculty of Graduate Research (FGR). They can also answer any general questions about enrolment or admissions.
International students
If you are an international student, in addition to submitting your application you should contact Wellington University International for advice on visa requirements, fees and other financial matters, and relocation.
If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of English proficiency as part of the application process.
This requirement is waived if an applicant has studied in a recognised English-speaking country in the two years preceding their application. If you are uncertain about your eligibility, seek advice from the Faculty of Graduate Research.
About scholarships
Browse the university’s scholarships database.
If you apply successfully for a Victoria Master’s (by thesis) scholarship, please note that this scholarship covers domestic fees. International students, other than those from Australia, will be liable to pay the difference between the full international student fee and the domestic fee.
Graduates of any university within or outside of New Zealand who intend to enrol for a PhD are eligible to apply for a Victoria Doctoral scholarship. International PhD students at Victoria University of Wellington are charged domestic fees.
Visit our scholarships and prizes page for more information.
Prospective international scholarship applicants may find Wellington University International’s scholarships page and the International Scholarships database helpful.