Canada's West Coast offers a wealth of opportunities for writers hoping to study, from the beginner's fiction course to the graduate level. What are you looking for?

Do you want an intensive, full-time program? Would you rather take an evening class, or a weeklong retreat? Do you want a course in which you do a lot of writing, or would you rather listen to a teacher talk?

Different programs have different teaching styles, so make sure you ask a lot of questions before committing to one.

Other considerations are cost, location and the end-product. Is it important for you to have a degree at the end of your studies, or do you just want to learn?

Whatever you're looking for in a writing course, British Columbia schools have something for you.

University of British Columbia

UBC in Vancouver offers a well-respected and comprehensive two-year Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing. Graduate students must work in at least three genres, and produce a substantial thesis of creative work. The MFA is also offered as an optional residency program. Many successful writers have graduate from UBC's MFA, including Steven Galloway, Madeleine Thien and Nancy Lee.

Competition for admission is fierce. Students can also study creative writing at the undergraduate level, or take individual courses.

Simon Fraser University

The Writer's Studio at SFU offers writers a one-year intensive program, working with a mentor in one of three genres. The program includes core courses as well as biweekly mentor group meetings which focus on manuscript critiquing. Successful completion earns students a Certificate in Creative Writing.

SFU also has a long list of creative writing courses, including writing for magazines, writing your life story, and advanced fiction workshops.

At the end of July, writers can participate in the SFU Summer Publishing Workshops and take courses in writing a book proposal, freelance marketing, and grammar techniques.

The Victoria School of Writing

The Victoria School of Writing is a non-profit writing program geared at offering affordable instruction to any interested writer. Courses are generally short and focused, and the school participates in local literary events.

The school also hosts an annual week-long Summer School that includes morning workshops, afternoon writing time and faculty lectures.

University of Victoria

The University of Victoria offers both a BA and a BFA in creatie writing, and in 2008 they began offering and MFA as well. Students benefit from the program's small size and the vibrant local writing community.

Malaspina University-College

Students at this Vancouve Island school can complete a BA with a major or minor in Creative Writing. Courses focus on fiction, poetry, journalism, book publishing and dramatic writing for tv and radio. The program prepares students for post-graduate programs in creative writing, publishing or journalism.

Langara College

Langara College in Vancouver offers part-time courses in creative writing, publishing and journalism through its continuing education program. These courses are open to anyone and are reasonably affordable alternative to the more costly courses in the city.