Undergraduate
Journalism & Creative Writing
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- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
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- Durham GTA
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- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Humanities & Social Sciences (Arts)
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Campus Durham GTA
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes RCL - Durham GTA
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
Develop expertise in journalism, creative writing, and multimedia storytelling through a hands-on degree that combines professional reporting, creative practice, and a full-year work placement.
Great stories inform, connect, and inspire. In this degree, offered exclusively at Trent’s Durham Campus in the GTA, you'll learn how to research, write, produce, and share stories across multiple platforms while developing your own creative voice. Combining journalism, creative writing, and digital storytelling, this program prepares you to create work that is compelling, accurate, and relevant in today's rapidly changing media landscape.
- Reporting and storytelling training spanning journalism, creative writing, podcasting, video, digital media, and social media content creation.
- Professional-grade Storytelling Studio, featuring audio, video, and editing facilities that support hands-on multimedia production.
- Small classes led by experienced journalists and award-winning writers, providing close mentorship and industry insight.
- Community-engaged storytelling opportunities that connect students with local stories, organizations, and audiences throughout the Durham region.
- Full-year field placement, Journalism Capstone, and Publishing Workshop, allowing you to graduate with professional experience and a portfolio of published work
Note: Program pending Quality Council and Ministry approval.
Program Possibilites
Add an Option to your Journalism & Creative Writing degree to explore an additional area of interest
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Climate Communication
Leveraging Trent’s academic and research strengths in arts-based and environmental education, the Option in Climate Communication blends courses across disciplines to teach you a new storytelling approach that examines how to better understand media's effect on audiences’ morals, values, and behaviours. Equipped with this knowledge, this new offering at Trent University aims to use more effective climate change communications and environmental storytelling to foster a more sustainable and equitable world where our collective well-being is at the heart.
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Communications
Further develop your creative and logical thinking, project management, teamwork, problem analysis, and clear and persuasive communication skills. In this option, you’ll also have a chance to participate in the community-based capstone course.
Career experience while you learn
Every Journalism & Creative Writing student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Research Opportunities
- Build a portfolio through reporting projects, multimedia storytelling assignments, creative writing workshops, and community-centred journalism.
- Work directly with professional writers through Trent's Writer-in-Residence program, gaining insight into the craft and business of writing.
- Publish original work through applied courses and student-led publishing initiatives.
Field Schools and Hands-On Courses
- Produce audio, video, digital, and social media stories using industry-standard tools and workflows.
- Build expertise in reporting, interviewing, fact checking, multimedia production, and digital storytelling.
- Develop your creative voice through fiction, creative non-fiction, publishing, and writing workshops.
Study Abroad
- Take your Trent education global. Spend a semester or year studying at one of Trent’s 50+ international partner universities, participate in a summer field course, or gain international experience through a placement or internship.
- With opportunities in more than 35 countries, you can broaden your academic perspective, experience new cultures, and build skills that prepare you for a global career.
Placements
- Complete a full-year fourth-year field placement, gaining hands-on experience with media, communications, publishing, or storytelling-focused organizations.
Career Paths
- Journalist
- Content Creator
- Editor
- Social Media Manager
- Author
In Their Own Words
This program has equipped me to adapt to the diverse demands of the industry while ensuring that I remain grounded in the core principles of journalism.
Ganga Rajesh
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U | 70-75% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students
- Robert Paehlke Scholarship
- Timothy Findley Creative Writing Prize
- P. K. Page Irwin Prize
- Corus Entertainment Student Prize
- Vanhaverbeke Family Prize in Communication and Journalism