Publishing
MA
Intermediate award(s): PG Dip, PG CertBeth Jones
MA Publishing
“With ambitions to start my own business in English teaching publishing, I was excited to discover the MA Publishing at Anglia Ruskin University and have been thoroughly pleased with the level of tuition and the amazing opportunities I have been offered during the year. Not only are the lectures conducted by current publishing professionals who have invaluable insight into the field, but the master classes are given by famous names who have inspired me with their experience and spirit.
I have been lucky enough to become involved in setting up a professional publishing society which has put me in direct contact with the publishing community and ensured I gain in-depth industry knowledge. Work experience at Cambridge University Press (a highly sought-after activity) has allowed me real-world practice of my university learning.
The course leader and all the lecturers have been on hand at all times for academic and professional support, something that generally makes the difference between a good course and a great course and I have made firm friendships with my peers.
A PhD or my own business beckons - choices, choices!”
Course overview
This course has been developed in close consultation with Cambridge University Press and other locally-based publishers such as ProQuest and Lutterworth's to meet the needs both of those who wish to work in publishing. It is a professionally-focused MA, which aims to make our graduates highly employable individuals.This course consists of four taught modules taken over two years and a Major Project completed at the end of the taught part of the course. Teaching runs in two 12-week semesters from September to December (Modules one and two) and February to May (Modules three and four). The class meets weekly during the semester for a two-hour class which may be a lecture, seminar, workshop or masterclass. These modules are supported by skills-based short course options, as well as an events schedule of visiting speakers throughout the year which complement core taught classes.
The four taught modules cover commissioning and editing, business management, marketing, production and publishing law. You will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to plan and implement various elements of publishing projects in the context of ongoing digital media developments affecting the global publishing business. In addition to learning from our experienced regular tutors, you will benefit from networking and career building opportunities and projects arranged throughout the year. Your Major Project can take the form of a conventional academic project, a case study based on work experience, a creative piece with critical commentary or a business plan.
Bursaries
The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers provides one scholarship of £6000 a year, and the chance to become a Freeman of the Company. The Cambridge University Press bursary offers a reduction on tuition fees of £1,200. There are also graduation prizes for the best major project, best overall grade and greatest contribution to the course.For more information on how to apply for these bursaries visit the ALSS postgraduate study website.
Work placements and internships
This course has several ring-fenced internships for students, which include placements with Cambridge University Press, Nexus Partnerships, Bloomsbury, Hart McLeod, Lutterworth's, ProQuest and Shakespeare and Company in Paris. These are competitive, and are a reflection of the high degree of professional excellence that the course fosters.
Robert Sykes
MA Publishing
“To say I was undecided about what I wanted to do when I finished my undergraduate study would be somewhat of an understatement. I thought of many careers, but I kept returning to the idea of working within publishing. But how to go about getting a job in what is famed for being one of the most difficult sectors to launch a career in... well having a specialised qualification in the industry surely was going to help... and indeed it has. Literally weeks after completing the MA in Publishing at Anglia Ruskin I got a job as an editorial assistant with Pearson Education, one of the world's largest publishers, and a place at which I had had a work placement due to my involvement on the course.
The course was highly enjoyable, working with the lecturers and industry professionals, who were a great blend of the supportive, enquiring academics and the industry-savvy, tell you how it is, publishers. This classroom base, alongside the work experience opportunities the course provides (as well as Pearson I worked at Cambridge University Press and HarperCollins), act as a real springboard into the industry allowing you to meet the people who work in the publishing houses you want to work for.
Within the classroom we studied editing, marketing and production, as well as looking into the effects which various trends, including the digital-revolution has had, and continue to have, on the publishing industry. In one of our projects I even got to develop a publishing contract - something that none of the people in my office have ever done!
I would have no hesitation in recommending the MA in Publishing at Anglia Ruskin - work hard, take every opportunity which presents itself, and you will be on the road to Editorial Director within no time!”
Module guide
Core modules
Creativity and Content in Publishing
This module covers issues, principles and practices related to the creative side of the publishing industry, including editorial, commissioning, book proposals and digital creativity. It provides key skills in quality control of content in publishing and stresses the importance of the management process in editorial projects
The Digital Age: Legal and Creative Issues
This module considers up-to-the-minute issues in the international and national environment in which publishing operates. Split into two sections, it focuses, in the first instance, on the management, sale and licensing of rights in publishing and, in the second, on contemporary concerns about digital rights.
The Business of Publishing
This module introduces all aspects of business in the publishing sector, including marketing, publicity, business planning, annual reports, bookselling and building affinity. It relates generic business concepts and practices to both major and small publishing houses, and draws on corporate sector examples which may be applied to publishing in the face of rapidly changing business models in the publishing sector.
Production Processes in Publishing
Anglia Ruskin's flagship module - designed exclusively for our students by Cambridge University Press (CUP). It introduces the design, production and distribution of book publishing products in various formats and across many platforms. It considers the processes and technologies used to transform a manuscript or data file into a finalised, ready-for-market product and delivered by a series of specially-selected industry professionals with the CUP seal of approval.
Assessment
You will be assessed via a combination of the following: essays, reports, financial and business planning and analysis of the organisation of (and critical reflection on) publishing events, individual and group presentations (with professionally prepared documentary handouts), your Major Project proposal and your final Major Project.Facilities
Cambridge is a beautiful and historic university city. With a student population of some 25,000, it also offers a young, vibrant and creative environment, home to some of the most varied and innovative publishers in the UK today. The Cambridge Publishing Society (CAMPUS) provides excellent opportunities to connect to this community. The city is full of student bookshops, cafes, cinemas, art galleries, museums and an exceptional number of theatre and concert venues, both mainstream and experimental. London is within easy reach of Cambridge by train or coach.Libraries
Our campus libraries offer a wide range of publications and a variety of study facilities, including open-access computers, areas for quiet or group study and bookable rooms. We also have an extensive Digital Library providing on and off-site access to e-books, e-journals and databases.
We endeavour to make our libraries as accessible as possible for all our students. During Semester time, they open 24 hours a day from Monday to Thursday, until midnight on Friday and Saturday and for 12 hours on Sunday.
IT resources
Our open access computer facilities provide free access to the internet, email, messaging services and the full Microsoft Office suite. A high speed wireless service is also available in all key areas on campus. If you are away from campus or a distant learner, our student desktop and its many applications can be accessed remotely using the internet. Your personal student email account provides free document storage, calendar facilities and social networking opportunities.
Throughout your studies you will have access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), providing course notes, reading materials and multi-media content to support your learning, while our e-vision system gives you instant access to your academic record and your timetable.
Esme Chapman
MA Publishing
“For me the best thing about the MA Publishing was the way it provided a contextual understanding of the publishing industry, such that I now understand the publishing process as a whole. Through the course I built up many skills from using inDesign to proofreading, and my knowledge was greatly enhanced through lectures from industry professionals at high profile companies including Cambridge University Press, Penguin and Harper Collins.
Looking back, I feel that the course exceeded my expectations and I have happily recommended it to many others since. After finishing my dissertation I began applying for full-time publishing jobs and was soon appointed to my current role of Editorial Assistant at Flame Tree Publishing, an independent culture and lifestyle publisher in London. I really feel completing the MA Publishing helped my application stand out and gave me the opportunity to enhance my CV through internships.
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Links with industry and professional recognition
This is a professional course, and our links with publishing companies are highly valued and appreciated. We are fortunate in having links with local, national and international companies, and to have produced graduates who are now working successfully within the industry. The course's network of contributors and supporters mean that the content is kept relevant and current, and it is backed by an Advisory Board which includes representatives from Cambridge University Press, Polity Press, Salt Publishing, Hart McLeod and ProQuest. In addition, the Cambridge Publishing Society (CAMPUS) gives students excellent further networking opportunities.Work placements
Work placements can be arranged, and are actively encouraged. The course has built strong connections with many publishers, and we are proud of the feedback we get from our internships. Professional behaviour is monitored closely, and supported by course leaders.Associated careers
Our course is designed for those who wish to embark on (or develop further) a career in publishing, though the knowledge and skills acquired would also be valuable in a range of other occupations involving editorial work, marketing, business planning and project management.| Entry Requirements: | Usually a good/ 2:1 honours degree classification (or equivalent) and/or relevant professional experience. Candidates for whom English is not a first language will be expected to demonstrate a certified level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. |
We welcome applications from International and EU students. Please select one of the links below for English language and country-specific entry requirement information.
How to apply
Location
Duration
1 yearTeaching times*
Mon and Thurs6.00-8.00pm
Available starts
September, JanuaryStudent finance
Open Day
Saturday 13 JulyPostgraduate Open Day
Advice & support
EmployabilityFaculty
Arts, Law & Social SciencesDepartment
English, Communication, Film and MediaContact us
UK and EU applicants:- Call 01245 686868
- Complete enquiry form
- Call +44 (0)1245 493131 ext 2609
- Complete enquiry form
*Teaching days and times are for guidance only and are subject to change each academic year. We advise all applicants to wait until they are in receipt of their timetable before making arrangements around their course times.
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