Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Diploma in Creative Writing (Level 6)
Version
1
Qualification
type
Diploma
Level
6
Credits
120
NZSCED
100705
Creative Arts > Communication and Media Studies >
Written Communication
Qualification developer
Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic
Next review
December 2020
Approval date
April 2016
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide Aotearoa New
Zealand with graduates who have a range of specialist
writing skills and strategies that enable them to apply
professional principles and practices to produce original
writing outputs that meet the specific requirements of
creative industries (the writing sector, publishing,
broadcasting, and digital games and content), businesses
and organisations.
This qualification is suitable for people who wish to work as
professional editors in the creative writing industry, and for
those already working in the industry who wish to gain
formal recognition for their skills.
Graduate profile
Graduates will be able to:
Outcome Statement
 Apply theoretical and specialist knowledge of creative
writing skills, strategies, and processes to develop and
produce original outputs for a selected audience, platform
or purpose.
Qualification Reference 3409
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
 Analyse problems and generate solutions, as applicable
to the creation of targeted outputs for the creative
industries.
 Work independently or as part of a team to critically
evaluate their own work and that of others.
 Apply leadership and professional business practice to
manage projects/briefs and maintain currency of industry
knowledge in order to work within the creative writing
industry.
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Education pathway
Graduates of this qualification may undertake further study
towards a higher level of study where there are specific
arrangements with the providers of Creative Writing
degrees.
Employment pathway
Graduates of this qualification are likely to be employed as
freelance writers, television script writers, film script writers,
playwrights, documentary writers, creative nonfiction
writers, fiction or poetry writers, researchers, ghost writers,
biographers, magazine writers, travel writers, feature
writers, content writers and commissioned writers.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification can be awarded by any education
organisation that has an approved programme of study or
industry training programme leading to the qualification.
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
Evidence of the following may be provided for consistency
reviews:
 Effective internal and external moderation processes,
including internal moderation results relating to graduate
outcomes
 Feedback on the course, and actions taken by the
education organisation in response to such feedback.
Sources of feedback must include graduates, current
students, tutors/assessors, and graduate destinations
(such as employers, next programme provider, the
community/other stakeholders).
 Portfolios of work.
 Samples of assessment materials.
 Samples of learner work.
 Programme completion data and course results.
 Moderation outcomes which may include moderation /
benchmarking across common programmes.
Further information on the consistency process can be
found on the NZQA website.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
Achieved.
Other requirements for the
qualification (including
regulatory body or legislative
requirements)
None.
Qualification Reference 3409
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Page 2 of 3
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
General conditions for
programme
The programme supports multicultural practices and
emphasises professionalism and industry best practice.
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
1
Conditions
Apply theoretical and specialist
knowledge of creative writing skills,
strategies, and processes to develop
and produce original outputs for a
selected audience, platform or purpose.
Credits 75
2
Analyse problems and generate
solutions, as applicable to the creation
of targeted outputs for the creative
industries.
Credits 15
3
Work independently or as part of a
team to critically evaluate their own
work and that of others.
Credits 15
4
Apply leadership and professional
business practice to manage
projects/briefs and maintain currency of
industry knowledge in order to work
within the creative writing industry.
Programmes must refer to current copyright
law, defamation law and the Privacy Act.
Credits 15
Qualification Reference 3409
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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