SA Writers' College –
Online Writing Courses FAQ
We know that choosing a course and a place of study are big decisions. Here is a complete guide to common questions about our certified online writing courses in South Africa.
About SA Writers' College
What is SA Writers' College and how long has it been running?
SA Writers’ College is South Africa’s leading online writing school, training writers since 2005. What started as two people and a single freelance journalism course has grown into a thriving global college with 22 tutors, 35 specialised writing courses and thousands of successful graduates. We are part of The Writers’ College family of schools, which also includes UK Writers’ College and NZ Writers’ College. Across all three schools, we have trained over 10,000 writers over the past 20 years.
Is SA Writers' College the best online writing school in South Africa?
SA Writers’ College is widely recognised as South Africa’s most established and trusted online writing school. We have been training South African writers since 2005, longer than any comparable institution in the country. Our tutors are award-winning South African writers and journalists, our courses are internationally benchmarked and our graduates have been published in major South African and international magazines, won literary awards and published novels with leading publishers. We let our students’ results speak for themselves. You can read their stories on our Student Success Stories page.
Is SA Writers' College accredited?
To keep our fees affordable and accessible to South African writers, SA Writers’ College is not registered with a formal South African accreditation body such as the QCTO or SAQA. However, our courses are professionally developed, certified and have been trusted by thousands of South African students since 2005. Every graduate receives a certificate of completion from SA Writers’ College, which is recognised within the South African writing and publishing industry. Many of our graduate students have gone on to work professionally as writers, journalists, editors and authors.
Can I study with SA Writers' College if I live outside South Africa?
Absolutely. Because all our courses are delivered entirely online, you can study from anywhere in the world, whether you’re based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or as far afield as the United Kingdom, Australia, Zimbabwe or Namibia. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a passion for writing. We warmly welcome South African writers living abroad as well as writers from any other country who wish to study with us.
Are there writing courses available in Afrikaans?
Yes! SA Writers’ College is unique in offering a selection of writing courses in Afrikaans, including the Basiese Kreatiewe Skryfkursus, the Skryf ‘n Roman Kursus, the Draaiboekskryfkursus and the Vryskutjoernalistieke Kursus. These courses are tutored by award-winning Afrikaans writers and are designed specifically for Afrikaans-speaking students who want to develop their writing in their home language. View all Afrikaans writing courses here.
Our Courses
What writing courses does SA Writers' College offer?
SA Writers’ College offers 35 specialised online writing courses across four main faculties: Journalism, Creative Writing, Business and Grammar and Specialist Writing. Our journalism courses include Freelance Journalism for Magazines and Webzines, Travel Writing and Writing Articles for Websites and Blogs. Our creative writing courses cover the short story, novel writing, romance, science fiction and fantasy, scriptwriting, poetry, memoir and children’s book writing. Our specialist courses include Copywriting, Copy-editing and Proofreading, Writing SEO and GEO Content for Websites, Write with AI and Press Release and Media Writing. We also offer self-guided Writing Intensives for writers who want a shorter, focused challenge. View all writing courses here.
What is the best online creative writing course in South Africa?
Our most popular course for beginner and intermediate writers is the Basics of Creative Writing Course. It is a comprehensive introduction to fiction writing, tutored one-to-one by an award-winning South African writer who provides detailed, line-by-line feedback on every assignment. By the end of the course, you will have polished short fiction and a strong foundation in the craft of writing. We also offer advanced creative writing courses, short story courses and novel writing courses for writers at every stage of their journey.
Do you offer courses for beginner writers in South Africa?
Yes! SA Writers’ College warmly welcomes complete beginners. Many of our most successful graduates had never written seriously before enrolling. Our courses are designed to teach you from the ground up, building your confidence and skill with every assignment. The Basics of Creative Writing Course and the Grammar Skills Course (designed for English as a second language) are ideal starting points for new writers.
Do you offer courses for intermediate and advanced writers?
Yes. At SA Writers’ College, we train writers at every level, beginner, intermediate and advanced. If you already have writing experience and want to deepen your craft, sharpen a specific skill or complete a manuscript under expert guidance, we have advanced courses across all our faculties, from the Advanced Creative Writing Course and the Advanced Novel Writing Course to the Advanced Freelance Journalism Course and the Advanced Scriptwriting Course.
Can I write in South African English on your courses?
Absolutely. We celebrate South African English and actively encourage our students to write with an authentic South African voice. Whether your writing reflects the rhythms of township life, the landscapes of the Karoo, the sounds of Soweto or the multilingual texture of Cape Town streets, your tutor will help you develop and deepen that voice, not sand it down. South African stories deserve to be told in South African voices.
Do you offer courses in languages other than English and Afrikaans?
Our courses are currently taught in English and Afrikaans. For students whose first language is isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho or another South African language, but who have a reasonable working level of written English, you are very welcome to enrol in any of our English-language courses. Many of our South African students write in their second or third language and find the one-to-one tutoring model particularly helpful in developing their English writing skills. Our Grammar Skills Course is specifically designed for writers who use English as an additional language.
How Our Courses Work
How does an online writing course at SA Writers' College work?
Our courses work similarly to a traditional correspondence course, but entirely online. Once you enrol, you receive access to your course materials, which are divided into modules. You work through each module at your own pace, completing writing assignments and submitting them by email to your personal tutor. Your tutor reads your work carefully and returns detailed, line-by-line written feedback within three to five working days. There are no set class times, no video lectures to watch and no peers marking your work. Just you, your writing and your tutor.
What makes SA Writers' College different from other online writing courses?
The defining difference at SA Writers’ College is our one-to-one tutoring model. Every student is assigned a personal tutor, a working award-winning writer, who reads every word of every assignment and provides detailed, individual feedback tailored to your writing. We do not offer generic responses, peer reviews or automated marking. We believe in the traditional writing apprenticeship: working closely with a master of the craft as your writing develops, line by line. This level of personal attention is rare in online education and is what our students consistently tell us they value most.
Who are the tutors at SA Writers' College?
Our tutors are not just teachers. They are working writers and editors who are leaders in their specific fields. Every course at SA Writers’ College is designed and tutored by a professional with real-world experience and, in most cases, multiple writing awards to their name. You can meet the full team on our Meet Our Tutors page.
How long does a writing course take to complete?
Course duration varies depending on the course. Most of our standard courses can be completed in four to twelve months and our more in-depth courses (such as the Write a Novel Course or the Advanced Short Story Writing Course) are designed to be completed over up to 24 months. You work at your own pace within the allocated time frame and extensions are available if needed. Shorter self-guided Writing Intensives can be completed in five to fourteen days. Full details are listed on each individual course page.
What time commitment is required each week?
There is no fixed number of hours per week. Our courses are designed to fit around your life, whether you’re a working professional, a full-time parent or a student with other commitments. Most students find that setting aside a few hours per week is sufficient to progress steadily through their course. You work at your own pace and your tutor will gently check in if they haven’t heard from you in a while.
What do I need to study at SA Writers' College?
Very little! You need a computer, tablet or laptop, a reliable internet connection and a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs. You do not need any special software and you do not need to travel to a campus or attend classes at fixed times. Our courses are designed to be fully accessible to South African writers wherever you are in the country, whether you’re in a major city or a rural area with reliable internet access.
Will my writing stay private?
Yes. Your writing assignments are only seen by your personal tutor and, occasionally, by an external moderator for quality assurance purposes. Any intellectual property you produce during a course with SA Writers’ College remains entirely your own. The college and its tutors have no claim whatsoever to any manuscript, article, script or other material you write during your studies. With your explicit permission only, selected excerpts may be featured in our student showcase.
Fees and Payment
How much do SA Writers' College courses cost?
Course fees vary depending on the length and level of the course. Our short self-guided Writing Intensives are the most affordable option. Our standard tutored courses range from shorter introductory programmes to longer, in-depth advanced courses. Full fees are listed on each individual course page. We believe quality writing education should be within reach of South African writers and we work hard to keep our fees fair and competitive.
Do you offer a payment plan?
Yes. We understand that paying for a course is a significant decision and we offer flexible payment options. For shorter courses (six to twelve months), you can pay a 50% deposit at the start and the balance at the end of the following month. For our 24-month courses, fees can be paid in three instalments: 50%, then 25%, then 25%. In some circumstances, we are happy to discuss alternative arrangements. Just get in touch with our admin team at admin@sawriterscollege.co.za. There are no additional charges for using a split payment option.
Do you accept payment in South African Rand?
Yes. South African students pay in ZAR. All fees on the SA Writers’ College website are listed in South African Rand. For international students, fees are billed in the relevant currency. Please contact us at admin@sawriterscollege.co.za if you have any questions about currency or payment methods.
What is your refund policy?
If you are not completely satisfied within the first seven days of starting your course, you may transfer to a different course or request a full refund. If you request a refund after seven days but before 30 days, a 5% administrative fee plus any bank and tutor fees already incurred will be deducted. We do not offer refunds after 30 days on the course.
Enrolment and Getting Started
How do I enrol at SA Writers' College?
Enrolment is simple. Visit the course page of the course you’d like to study and complete the enrolment form at the bottom of the page, or click the Enrol button at the top of any page on our website. We will email you a welcome letter and invoice within one working day. If you are not sure which course to choose, contact us at admin@sawriterscollege.co.za or call us on (+27) 021 813 9224 and we’ll help you find the right fit.
What qualifications do I need to enrol?
Writing is one of the few fields where you do not need a degree or diploma to get published or build a successful career. To study at SA Writers’ College, all you need is a reasonable level of written English (or Afrikaans for our Afrikaans courses) and reliable internet access. We assess your writing briefly in the application form to make sure you’ll be comfortable with the course content. If we feel a different course might suit you better, we will always let you know before you commit.
Can I start a course at any time of the year?
Yes. You can enrol and start a course at any time. There are no fixed intake dates. Once your enrolment is confirmed, you can begin as soon as you’re ready. This flexibility is one of the great advantages of studying with SA Writers’ College.
What if I choose the wrong course?
Before you enrol, we are happy to help you choose. If you are unsure, email us or give us a call and we’ll discuss your goals and recommend the most suitable course. If you do start a course and find it’s not the right fit, we can transfer you to a different course early in the process (within the first module). Get in touch as soon as possible and we will find the best solution for you.
Can I study at SA Writers’ College if I live in a rural area?
The beauty of SA Writers’ College is that we are a fully online institution. This means your location is never a barrier to your professional development. We actively encourage writers from smaller towns and rural areas to share their unique stories.
We serve writers across every corner of South Africa’s landscapes:
- Johannesburg & Gauteng: Whether you’re in Sandton, Soweto, Midrand, Randburg, or Pretoria, you can skip the commute. Writers from Centurion to Soshanguve and Atteridgeville can master copywriting or journalism from home.
- Cape Town & The Western Cape: From Sea Point to Stellenbosch, and the City Bowl to the Cape Flats, our students tap into the Cape’s rich publishing scene.
- Durban & KZN: Writers from Umhlanga and the Berea to the Bluff and the North Coast can hone their craft in the province’s deep literary tradition.
- The Eastern Cape & Free State: We proudly support voices from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Uitenhage to Bloemfontein (Mangaung) and Welkom, including those seeking our specialist courses in Afrikaans.
- If you have a reliable internet connection in George, Polokwane, Nelspruit, Kimberley, Pietermaritzburg, East London, Makhanda (Grahamstown), or Rustenburg, you can study to be a writer.
Results and Outcomes
Will a writing course help me get published in South Africa?
It absolutely can. Many SA Writers’ College graduates have gone on to publish novels, short story collections, children’s books, magazine articles, travel pieces and memoirs. Our journalism graduates have been published in South African magazines including Fairlady, Getaway, Finweek, Huisgenoot and Farmer’s Weekly among many others. Our fiction graduates have been published with major South African publishers and have won prestigious South African literary awards. Our courses are designed not just to improve your writing, but to produce polished, publication-ready work. View our Student Success Stories.
Can I earn money from writing after completing a course?
Yes. Many of our graduates earn an income from writing, whether as freelance journalists contributing to South African and international publications, as copywriters for South African agencies and businesses or as copy-editors and proofreaders. Each course includes practical guidance on the South African writing industry, including how to pitch to local editors, how to price your work, how to approach South African publishers and how to manage your writing career professionally.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Upon successful completion of your course requirements, you will receive an SA Writers’ College certificate. Requirements vary by course and are detailed on each course page. Your certificate is recognised within the South African writing and publishing industry.
Can I sell the work I produce during my course?
Yes, and we encourage it. Any article, short story, novel manuscript, script or other work you produce during your studies belongs entirely to you. You are free to submit it for publication, enter it in competitions or sell it during or after your course. Your tutor will guide you on how to approach the market for your specific genre.
How does SA Writers' College compare to doing a creative writing MA at UCT or Wits?
An MA in Creative Writing at a South African university is a prestigious qualification and a genuinely valuable experience for the right student. The UCT MA in Creative Writing costs approximately R76,500 per year over a two-year programme, bringing the tuition alone to roughly R153,000, before accommodation, transport and living costs are factored in. The Wits MA in Creative Writing is similarly structured as a two-year programme requiring fortnightly in-person attendance. Wits fees are comparable and should be verified directly on the Wits website as they are updated annually.
SA Writers’ College is a very different proposition and the two are not in direct competition. A university MA is a formal research degree with academic requirements, peer seminars and a dissertation component. SA Writers’ College offers specialist, professional writing training at a fraction of the cost, with one-to-one mentoring from a working writer in your specific field. You work at your own pace from home with no campus attendance required. For writers who want to complete a novel, build a journalism portfolio, develop their copywriting or master a specialist craft, our courses offer an intensive, highly personal and considerably more affordable path to the same outcome: a polished, publication-ready body of work guided by an expert in the field. Many of our students have gone on to publish books and build writing careers without a postgraduate degree. Contact us at admin@sawriterscollege.co.za to discuss which approach is right for your goals.
The South African Writing Industry
Is there a market for writers in South Africa?
Yes, and it is broader than many writers realise. South Africa has a vibrant publishing industry with major publishers such as Penguin Random House South Africa, Jonathan Ball, Pan Macmillan South Africa and Human & Rousseau (for Afrikaans titles) as well as many independent publishers. The magazine and digital content market is also significant, with strong demand for feature writers, copywriters, content creators and web writers. Corporates, NGOs, government departments and advertising agencies all employ writers. South Africa also has an active literary culture, with major prizes such as the Sunday Times Literary Awards, the University of Johannesburg Prize, the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa and the Sanlam Youth Literature Award.
Are there writing competitions I can enter in South Africa?
Yes! SA Writers’ College keeps an updated list of writing competitions for South African writers and we run our own annual Short Story Writing Competition, which is open to South African writers. Many of our students and graduates have been shortlisted or won prizes in South African and international writing competitions. Entering competitions is one of the best ways to build your profile as a South African writer.
Do you offer courses for South African business writers and corporate teams?
Yes. SA Writers’ College offers corporate writing training for South African organisations, government departments and businesses of all sizes. We have trained writers from a wide range of South African companies and institutions. Whether your team needs to sharpen their business writing, improve their report writing or develop their copywriting skills, we can tailor a programme to suit your needs. Contact us at admin@sawriterscollege.co.za to discuss your requirements.
Can I sell the work I produce during my course?
Yes, and we encourage it. Any article, short story, novel manuscript, script or other work you produce during your studies belongs entirely to you. You are free to submit it for publication, enter it in competitions or sell it during or after your course. Your tutor will guide you on how to approach the market for your specific genre.
AI and the Future of Writing
Does SA Writers' College offer a course on writing with AI?
Yes. We offer a dedicated Write with AI Course that teaches South African writers how to use artificial intelligence as a creative and professional tool without losing what makes their writing unique. The course covers how to prompt AI effectively, how to use it for research, brainstorming, overcoming writer’s block and refining drafts, while keeping your own voice and creative instincts firmly in control. It is practical, relevant and designed for writers who want to stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.
Will AI replace South African writers?
No. AI can generate words, but it cannot replicate your lived experience, your emotional truth or your distinctly South African voice. The writers who will thrive in the age of AI are those with strong craft skills, a distinctive voice and the ability to tell stories that feel genuinely human, which is precisely what we develop at SA Writers’ College. Investing in your writing skills now is one of the most future-proof decisions you can make.
Can AI help me become a better writer?
Used thoughtfully, yes. AI can help writers brainstorm ideas, break through creative blocks, research more efficiently and polish drafts, freeing up more time and energy for the creative work that only you can do. At SA Writers’ College, our Write with AI Course teaches you how to work with AI in a way that enhances your craft rather than replacing it, helping you find the balance between smart tool use and authentic, original storytelling.
Extras and Community
Can I buy a writing course as a gift for a South African writer?
What a wonderful idea! SA Writers’ College offers gift vouchers redeemable against any of our 35 writing courses. Whether it’s for a birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day or simply to encourage someone you love to pursue their writing dream, a writing course is a gift that can change someone’s life. Visit our Gift Voucher page to purchase one today.
Is there a writing community I can join as an SA Writers' College student?
Yes. As a student, you are warmly welcomed into our Facebook community, where you can connect with fellow writers, share your progress and draw inspiration from others on the same journey. You will also receive our free monthly newsletter, packed with writing tips, competition announcements and industry news relevant to South African writers. We also publish writing circles in South Africa on our website, so you can connect with writers in your area.
Do SA Writers' College students get any additional benefits?
Yes. In addition to your one-to-one tutor relationship, SA Writers’ College students enjoy lifetime access to future updates of their course materials, access to our resource library of 500+ writing articles on our blog and the opportunity for top graduates to join our Writers and Editors for Hire service, a real-world opportunity to earn money from your writing. We also run an annual short story competition exclusively for our students and we keep you up to date with South African and international writing competitions throughout the year.