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Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Writing and Literature

Credential
Bachelor

Duration
4 year(s)

Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility requirements for international students.
PGWP Eligible
Yes (CIP: 23.1301)

As the only degree in B.C. integrating the study of literature and creative writing in one standalone program, the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Writing & Literature at Capilano University is the place for blossoming writers.

In the program, you’ll apply your love of writing and literature to a range of creative and academic contexts, learn in small, engaging seminar classes from experienced faculty and gain the writing and research skills for various exciting careers.

This four-year bachelor's degree offers two concentrations: Critical and Creative Writing and Literature and Culture. You'll choose your concentration by filling out the Concentration Declaration Form (pdf) in your first year. Both share a foundation of high-impact, immersive coursework and applied, experiential elements, including work-integrated learning opportunities.

In the writing concentration, you'll have course options in children's literature, screenwriting, poetry and creative nonfiction. On the literature side, you can delve into topics including Indigenous literature and film, Canadian and world literature, literature and the environment and literature in media and performance.

Students in both concentrations will also have the occasion each year to learn from an Indigenous writer in residence, gaining insight into some of the critical and creative decolonial practices Indigenous writers use in their work.

You'll graduate as a stronger writer and researcher with a wealth of new ways to present ideas and tell stories, with training in cross-genre, creative, multi-modal and web-based forms of writing as well as in literary history and culture.

Interested in learning more? Scroll down or contact us today.

Bachelor of Arts in Writing & Literature program

CapU students taking part in an academic advising session.

Learn from award-winning faculty in writing and literature

Your instructors in this bachelor’s degree are active scholars and award-winning fiction writers, poets, memoirists and TV writers with decades of experience in their fields who are ready to provide the help and mentorship you need.

Career paths

  • Editor
  • Journalist
  • Marketer
  • Publisher
  • Teacher
  • Writer

Gain publishing experience before graduation

Working as part of an editorial team, you'll gain hands-on experience in publishing by working on CapU's student literary journal, The Liar.

You’ll collaborate with peers to select poetry, prose, and visual art, run publicity campaigns, and oversee the journal’s layout and launch.

Your capstone course will include publishing an anthology under the mentorship of your instructors, bridging your creative writing courses with practical experience.

Related links

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Contact us

Get in touch with us today for more information about the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Writing & Literature program.

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Information sessions

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Start your journey today and submit your application.

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Intakes

Important dates

Applications open

Feb 4, 2025 – Jan 6, 2026

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Nov 12, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Dec 15, 2025

Important dates

Applications open

Jun 3, 2025 – May 5, 2026

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Mar 2, 2026

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Apr 27, 2026

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 7, 2025 – Sep 1, 2026

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 6, 2026

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 24, 2026

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Library Building, Room LB152
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Library Building, Room LB152
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

New Students

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.
Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which allows you to apply for 2 programs for the same term. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, certified translations must be submitted along with the documents in the original language.
Apply on EPBC

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

Only completed applications will be assessed for admission. Some programs have Program-specific requirements and may require additional documents or steps. In such cases, you will need to work directly with the program to complete your application.

If you are successfully accepted into a program, you will receive a Letter of Offer (LOF) in your myCapU email inbox

  • To confirm your acceptance, you must pay a tuition deposit as outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), if applicable, in your myCapU email inbox. 

These documents may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit in Canada.

  • If your program is less than 6 months long and does not require a study permit, you will receive detailed information about your acceptance in your myCapU email inbox.

All international students are responsible for complying with the conditions and regulations from Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Permits & Visas

To attend classes in your program, you must register for courses. You can refer to your acceptance email in your myCapU email inbox for details.

View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day at CapU!

  • Students who want to request transfer credits from their previous institutions must submit official transcripts. If the courses are listed in the BC Transfer Guide, submit your official documents to the following address:

Centre for International Experience
Library Building, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

For courses from non-articulated institutions, please visit the Transfer Credit page for more information.

Official documents may include:

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.
Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $4,489 $1,829 $6,318
Year 2 $4,489 $1,829 $6,318
Year 3 $6,137 $1,829 $7,966
Year 4 $6,137 $1,829 $7,966
Total $21,252 $7,316 $28,568
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $20,693 $1,829 $22,522
Year 2 $20,693 $1,829 $22,522
Year 3 $22,341 $1,829 $24,170
Year 4 $22,341 $1,829 $24,170
Total $86,068 $7,316 $93,384

Tuition & Fees Estimator

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Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

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Term Awards

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The courses below reflect the current program profile. Login to myCapMap to see the program requirements for the term you started.

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Required Courses

Total program credits: 42.00

100-Level Requirements

Total credits: 3.00

Select based upon concentration:
Critical and Creative Writing Concentration
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 190 Introduction to Creative Writing 3.00 credits
  ENGL 191 Creative Writing Contemporary Practices 3.00 credits
Literature and Culture Concentration
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 103 Introduction to Literature 3.00 credits
  ENGL 107 Introduction to Indigenous Literatures and Film 3.00 credits
  ENGL 109 Literature and Contemporary Culture 3.00 credits

 

200-Level Requirements

Total credits: 9.00

Required 3.00 credits:
  ENGL 260 Writing Communities 3.00 credits
 
Select based upon concentration:
Critical and Creative Writing Concentration
Choose 6.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 290 Creative Writing: Letter and Line 3.00 credits
  ENGL 291 Creative Writing: Narrative Fictions 3.00 credits
  ENGL 292 Creative Writing: Children's Literature 3.00 credits
  ENGL 293 Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction 3.00 credits
  ENGL 295 Special Topics in Creative Writing 3.00 credits
  ENGL 296 Creative Writing: Writing for the Stage 3.00 credits
  ENGL 297 Introduction to Screenwriting in Fiction 3.00 credits
  ENGL 299 Writing Lives II 3.00 credits
Literature and Culture Concentration
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 200 Beginnings: The Story of English Literature Before 1700 3.00 credits
  ENGL 201 Disruptions: The Story of English Literature After 1700 3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 200 Beginnings: The Story of English Literature Before 1700

3.00 credits

  ENGL 201 Disruptions: The Story of English Literature After 1700

3.00 credits

  ENGL 203 Introduction to Canadian Literature

3.00 credits

  ENGL 205 Introduction to American Literature

3.00 credits

  ENGL 207 Literary Theory and Criticism

3.00 credits

  ENGL 208 Studies in Fiction

3.00 credits

  ENGL 213 World Literature in English

3.00 credits

  ENGL 217 Literature on the Edge

3.00 credits

  ENGL 218 The Art of Children's Literature

3.00 credits

  ENGL 219 Reel Lit: Literature into Film

3.00 credits

 

Upper-Level Program Core

Total credits: 18.00

Words in the World Seminars
Required 9.00 credits:
  ENGL 363 Words in the World I: Genre and Form 3.00 credits
  ENGL 365 Words in the World II: Cultures, Networks and Traditions 3.00 credits
  ENGL 463 Worlds in the World III: Critical and Creative Formations 3.00 credits
Experiential Courses
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 369 Teaching Writing & Literature 3.00 credits
  ENGL 465 Words in the World Practicum 3.00 credits
  ENGL 497 Literary Publishing II 3.00 credits
Literary History Courses
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 352 Before Literature: Topics in Literary History I 3.00 credits
  ENGL 353 Inventions of Literature: Topics in Literary History II 3.00 credits
  ENGL 354 Literary Transformations: Topics in Literary History III 3.00 credits
Capstone Courses
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
  CAPS 499 Degree Portfolio 3.00 credits
  ENGL 464 Capstone Project 3.00 credits

 

Upper-Level Concentration Courses

Total credits: 12.00

Note: Individual courses may not satisfy more than one program requirement.
Select based upon concentration:
Critical and Creative Writing Concentration
Choose 12.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 390 Advanced Poetry and Poetics 3.00 credits
  ENGL 391 Advanced Narrative Forms 3.00 credits
  ENGL 392 Creative Writing: Writing Places 3.00 credits
  ENGL 393 Creative Writing: Advanced Practices 3.00 credits
  ENGL 394 Creative Writing: Performance 3.00 credits
  ENGL 395 Creative Writing: Special Topics 3.00 credits
  ENGL 398 Creative Writing in the Digital Age 3.00 credits
  ENGL 399 Multi-Genre Creative Writing 3.00 credits
  ENGL 491 Creative Writing: Directed Studies 3.00 credits
Literature and Culture Concentration
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 352 Before Literature: Topics in Literary History I 3.00 credits
  ENGL 353 Inventions of Literature: Topics in Literary History II 3.00 credits
  ENGL 354 Literary Transformations: Topics in Literary History III 3.00 credits
Choose 9.00 credits from the following list:
  ENGL 305 Special Topics in Canadian Literature 3.00 credits
  ENGL 320 Global Literatures 3.00 credits
  ENGL 323 Special Topics in Genre 3.00 credits
  ENGL 329 Literature and Performance 3.00 credits
  ENGL 332 Literature and Politics 3.00 credits
  ENGL 338 Literature and Media 3.00 credits
  ENGL 344 Literature and the Environment 3.00 credits
  ENGL 352 Before Literature: Topics in Literary History I 3.00 credits
  ENGL 353 Inventions of Literature: Topics in Literary History II 3.00 credits
  ENGL 354 Literary Transformations: Topics in Literary History III 3.00 credits
  ENGL 358 Special Topics in Contemporary Literature 3.00 credits
  ENGL 359 Indigenous Resistance Narratives 3.00 credits
  ENGL 400 Major Authors 3.00 credits
  ENGL 420 Special Topics in Literary Theory 3.00 credits
  ENGL 435 Electronic Literature 3.00 credits
  ENGL 466 Directed Reading 3.00 credits

Additional information

Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree must meet Cap Core graduation requirements in addition to their program requirements.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete all requirements in the Bachelor of Arts Framework and Cap Core requirements in addition to their major or minor program requirements.

Students are encouraged to declare in their chosen concentration in either Critical and Creative Writing or Literature and Culture during the first year of their studies. Students must also complete an Indigenous Literature Requirement (ENGL 107 or ENGL 359).

Learning outcomes

  • Interpret literary texts and other cultural objects with an ethics of curiosity and care.
  • Analyze the historical and cultural forces at work in the production of local and global literatures.
  • Undertake rigorous research that integrates various methodologies and perspectives.
  • Produce original written, performed, digital, multimodal, and collaborative projects for a range of audiences.
  • Apply the power of language to contribute to the vitality of regional communities and other social groupings.
  • Articulate and integrate principles of Indigenous knowledge within educational and professional contexts.
  • Articulate and model the value of critical, creative, and collaborative skills within educational and professional contexts, including contexts in which histories of social, cultural, and institutional discrimination and exclusion can be addressed and redressed.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) students must complete the following requirements, which may be fulfilled by courses from the major or minor program(s) of study. Students must complete a minimum of 120.00 credits, maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.00, and meet Cap Core, Capilano University residency and all program requirements. Individual courses may fulfill more than one requirement unless otherwise noted.

Arts Credit Requirement Required 
63.00 credits of 100-level or higher coursework from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences designated as Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences; or the corresponding transfer credits.  63.00 
English Requirement Required
  • 3.00 credits of ENGL 100 (completed within the first 30 credits); and 
  • 3.00 additional credits of ENGL.
6.00
Language Requirement Required

3.00 credits in a language other than English or demonstrated competency equivalent to BC high school Grade 11. Competency is met by one of the following (students who meet the Language Requirement via one of the first three options must take 3.0 credits of Arts in lieu): 

  • Successful completion of any Grade 11 course with a minimum B grade in an approved language other than English while in secondary school; or
  • Successful completion of any secondary immersion program or secondary school at an institution at which the primary language of instruction is not English; or
  • Successful completion of a post-secondary credential awarded by an institution at which the primary language of instruction is not English; or
  • Successful completion of 3.00 credits of a post-secondary level course in a language other than English.
3.00
Science Requirement Required

Coursework that contributes to the fulfillment of the Arts Requirement cannot also be used to fulfill the Science Requirement.

  • A minimum of 3.00 credits of coursework designated as Science; and
  • A minimum of 3.00 credits of coursework designated as Laboratory Science.
6.00
University Breadth Requirement Required
24.00 credits in disciplines outside of the primary program of study. 24.00
Upper-Level Requirement Required
45.00 credits of coursework at the 300- and/or 400-level. 45.00

How to Declare

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Literature

bawritingliterature@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Library Building, room LB152

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca