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Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Writing and Literature

Credential
Bachelor

Duration
4 year(s)

Talk to a student recruitment advisor
Apply Now Download Program Info

Faculty
Arts & Sciences

School
School of Humanities

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.

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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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Intakes

Fall 2025

Location
North Vancouver

Course load
Full-time or part-time

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 1, 2024 – Sep 2, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jun 23, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 25, 2025

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

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

Review this program's admission requirements

First-time applicants submit your application on EducationPlannerBC

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

Receive an acknowledgement email

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.

Submit your official transcripts

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:

Official university or college transcripts

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.

Certified documents

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.

Original academic documents

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

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Get ready for your first day

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

Review this program's admission requirements

Learn about CapU's admission requirements and submit your application

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

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 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 your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

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

Submit your official transcripts

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official high school, university, or college transcripts

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

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

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

Certified documents

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.

Original academic documents

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

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Receive letter of offer

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

Receive letter of acceptance and apply for a study permit

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, 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 international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

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 $4,401 $1,792 $6,193
Year 2 $4,401 $1,792 $6,193
Year 3 $6,017 $1,792 $7,809
Year 4 $6,017 $1,792 $7,809
Total $20,836 $7,168 $28,004
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $19,707 $1,792 $21,499
Year 2 $19,707 $1,792 $21,499
Year 3 $21,323 $1,792 $23,115
Year 4 $21,323 $1,792 $23,115
Total $82,060 $7,168 $89,228

Tuition & Fees Estimator

Get a detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees for your program.

Calculate my fees

Entrance Awards

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

See if I qualify

Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

Take me to the awards

On this page

Required Courses

100-Level

Total credits: 3.00

Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:

Select based upon chosen concentration (see details below).

Critical and Creative Writing3.00 credits
Literature and Culture3.00 credits

 

200-Level

Total credits: 9.00

Required:
ENGL 260Writing Communities3.00 credits
Choose 6.00 credits from the following list:

Select based upon chosen concentration (see details below).

Critical and Creative Writing6.00 credits
Literature and Culture6.00 credits

 

Upper Level Program Core

Total credits: 18.00

Required:

Words in the World Seminars

ENGL 363Words in the World I: Genre and Form3.00 credits
ENGL 365Words in the World II: Cultures, Networks and Traditions3.00 credits
ENGL 463Words in the World III: Critical and Creative Formations3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:

Experiential Courses

ENGL 369Teaching Writing & Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 465Words in the World Practicum3.00 credits
ENGL 497Literary Publishing II3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:

Literary History Courses

ENGL 352Before Literature: Topics in Literary History I3.00 credits
ENGL 353Inventions of Literature: Topics in Literary History II3.00 credits
ENGL 354Literary Transformations: Topics in Literary History III3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:

Capstone Courses

CAPS 499Degree Portfolio3.00 credits
ENGL 464Capstone Project3.00 credits

 

Upper Level Concentration Courses

Total credits: 12.00

Choose 12.00 credits from the following list:

Select based upon chosen concentration (see details below).

Note: Individual courses may not satisfy more than one program requirement.

Critical and Creative Writing12.00 credits
Literature and Culture12.00 credits

 

Critical and Creative Writing Concentration

Choose from the following list:

3.00 credits 100-level courses:

ENGL 190Introduction to Creative Writing3.00 credits
ENGL 191Creative Writing: Contemporary Practices3.00 credits
Choose from the following list:

6.00 credits 200-level courses:

ENGL 290Creative Writing: Letter and Line3.00 credits
ENGL 291Creative Writing: Narrative Fictions3.00 credits
ENGL 292Creative Writing: Children's Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 293Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction3.00 credits
ENGL 295Special Topics in Creative Writing3.00 credits
ENGL 296Creative Writing: Writing for the Stage3.00 credits
ENGL 297Introduction to Screenwriting in Fiction3.00 credits
ENGL 299Writing Lives II3.00 credits
Choose from the following list:

12.00 credits concentration courses:

ENGL 390Advanced Poetry and Poetics3.00 credits
ENGL 391Advanced Narrative Forms3.00 credits
ENGL 392Creative Writing: Writing Places3.00 credits
ENGL 393Creative Writing: Advanced Practices3.00 credits
ENGL 394Creative Writing: Performance3.00 credits
ENGL 395Creative Writing: Special Topics3.00 credits
ENGL 398Creative Writing in the Digital Age3.00 credits
ENGL 399Multi-Genre Creative Writing3.00 credits
ENGL 491Creative Writing: Directed Studies3.00 credits

 

Literature and Culture Concentration

Choose from the following list:

3.00 credits 100-level courses:

ENGL 103Introduction to Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 107Introduction to Indigenous Literatures and Film3.00 credits
ENGL 109Literature and Contemporary Culture3.00 credits
Choose from the following list:

3.00 credits 200-level courses:

ENGL 200Beginnings: The Story of English Literature Before 17003.00 credits
ENGL 201Disruptions: The Story of English Literature After 17003.00 credits
Choose from the following list:

3.00 credits 200-level courses:

ENGL 200Beginnings: The Story of English Literature Before 17003.00 credits
ENGL 201Disruptions: The Story of English Literature After 17003.00 credits
ENGL 203Introduction to Canadian Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 205Introduction to American Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 207Literary Theory and Criticism3.00 credits
ENGL 208Studies in Fiction3.00 credits
ENGL 213World Literature in English3.00 credits
ENGL 217Literature on the Edge3.00 credits
ENGL 218The Art of Children's Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 219Reel Lit: Literature into Film3.00 credits
Choose from the following list:

3.00 credits 300-level courses:

Note: Individual courses may not satisfy more than one requirement within the major.

ENGL 352Before Literature: Topics in Literary History I3.00 credits
ENGL 353Inventions of Literature: Topics in Literary History II3.00 credits
ENGL 354Literary Transformations: Topics in Literary History III3.00 credits
Choose from the following list:

9.00 credits 300-level courses:

ENGL 305Special Topics in Canadian Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 320Global Literatures3.00 credits
ENGL 323Special Topics in Genre3.00 credits
ENGL 329Literature and Performance3.00 credits
ENGL 338Literature and Media3.00 credits
ENGL 344Literature and the Environment3.00 credits
ENGL 352Before Literature: Topics in Literary History I3.00 credits
ENGL 353Inventions of Literature: Topics in Literary History II3.00 credits
ENGL 354Literary Transformations: Topics in Literary History III3.00 credits
ENGL 358Special Topics in Contemporary Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 359Indigenous Resistance Narratives3.00 credits
ENGL 400Major Authors3.00 credits
ENGL 420Special Topics in Literary Theory3.00 credits
ENGL 435Electronic Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 466Directed Reading3.00 credits

Total program credits: 42.00

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 Framework

In order to graduate, students must complete a minimum of 120.00 credits, maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.00, and meet Cap Core, program, Capilano University residency, and Bachelor of Arts Curricular requirements. Program credit requirement: one major, major/minor or two minors.

English Requirement Required 
Must include 3 credits of ENGL 100 (completed within the first 30 credits) and 3 additional credits of ENGL.   6.00 
Arts Credit Requirement Required
The Arts Credit Requirement is fulfilled through the completion of 65 credits of 100-level or higher coursework from within the Faculty of Arts & Sciences that have been designated as Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences; or the corresponding transfer credits. Must include 24 credits consisting of a minimum of 3 credits in at least four disciplines outside of the major program area, one of which must be at the 300-level or higher. The 24 credit breadth requirement is waived for majors requiring courses in multiple disciplines. 65.00
Language Requirement Required

Other than English

All BA students will demonstrate competency in a language other than English equivalent to BC high school Grade 11. Students meet competency by one of the following:

  • 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
Quantitative/Analytical Requirement Required
Minimum of 3 credits in a Quantitative/Analytical course approved by the Senate Curriculum Committee. 3.00
Science Requirement Required
3 credits of a Laboratory science and a minimum 3 credits in Science. 6.00
Upper-Level Requirement Required
Minimum of 45.00 of the total credits with courses numbered 300-level or higher. 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

Related Programs

Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies

Associate of Arts Degree - Creative Writing

Associate of Arts Degree - English