Course Components

Course Structure 

Groups of up to 12 students work with a teacher to write in a range of forms. Tutors introduce students to a wide range of quality writing, and encourage them to explore different forms. Students are supported to pursue their own interests, from poetry, long and short-form fiction and creative non-fiction, to memoir, theatre script, screenplay, and hybrid
forms. Students become expert readers, learn to give and receive critique and establish their own writing practice. They also hear from guest speakers and participate in workshops by established local and visiting writers. The course is a valuable way to connect with other writers and find opportunities to participate in the local writing community. Each student is also assigned a mentor to provide expert feedback on a small portion of their work.

Outcomes

Students prepare a portfolio of their best work as a requirement of graduation. There is also a half-folio option. At the end of the year, the portfolios are assessed internally for the Hagley Writers’ Institute Certificate and endorsed at either ‘attainment’ or ‘cum laude’ (distinction) level. Students receive written feedback on their work. A shortlist of the full
portfolios are externally assessed and the Margaret Mahy Award is given to one portfolio to acknowledge writing excellence.

Programme 

Classes are designed to fit in with writers’ busy schedules and are held on Saturday mornings from 9.30am-12.30pm for 20 weeks spread throughout the first three terms – 7 weeks in Terms 1 and 2, and 6 weeks in Term 3. Students accepted into the Institute are expected to make a serious commitment to their writing practice in addition to the Saturday
morning classes.

Second-year writers’ class: In 2024, we are offering an advanced, second-year class on Saturday afternoons (1:30-4:30pm) for students who have already completed at least one year at Hagley Writers’ Institute to further extend their writing skills.

Online option: For students living outside of Canterbury we will be offering an online Tuesday evening class (6:30-9:30pm) via Zoom in 2024, following the same format as the Saturday morning option.

Classes need a minimum number of students to run.

Qualification

Hagley Certificate of Achievement.