Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves seven units, totalling 180 credits.
Autumn, Term 1
The first stage of the course introduces publishing theory and analyses aspects of content and audience. The focus is getting you up to speed with the publishing process from commissioning and copyright to marketing and production.
Context (20 credits)
Surveys the theoretical context and creative industries environment in which publishing sits.
Content (20 credits)
Explores aspects of content, analysing and evaluating ways to source and develop it, as well as design and produce different sorts of content in different media.
It covers the traditional commercial frameworks for books and magazines.
Audience (20 credits)
Looks at innovative and creative ways to identify and engage diverse audiences for published content.
The outcomes from this first stage of the course ensure you learn critical approaches and make connections across your growing holistic understanding of publishing and the related disciplines.
Spring, Term 2
The second stage of the course provides opportunities to develop creative and collaborative approaches to publishing. With the focus on projects, you’ll have the opportunity to put your learning into practice.
As you do this, you'll have the opportunity to experiment, connect with other creative people and develop your thinking around future publishing applications.
Audience (continued)
Collaborative Unit (20 credits)
You will produce a collaborative publication, working with other creative people to manage a publishing project to a deadline.
Future Applications for Content (20 credits)
Offers the opportunity to conceptualise an experimental publishing product or service.
Professional Practice and Enterprise (20 credits)
Starts you on your professional journey with a module where you have a choice. This can include a setting up and reflecting on work experience or developing a networking opportunity.
In this unit you will be involved in producing our annual publishing event.
Summer, Terms 3 and 4
Future Applications for Content (continued)
Professional Practice and Enterprise and Future Applications for Content (continued)
Major Project (60 credits)
The Major Project is your opportunity to develop a significant project of your own, building on your learning from the previous stages.
Choices of output here allow you to explore a publishing idea or concept depending on your particular interests and personal approach.
You may choose to work on a dissertation, to create a publishing artefact or prototype or to put forward a business feasibility document.
All choices will involve applying primary research; a critical and analytical approach, as appropriate to a higher level of study, will be reflected across all of these options ensuring this research stage is challenging and stimulating.
Complementing the above taught and assessed learning units the course includes the following additional activities:
- Industry Guest Speakers come to run workshops, lectures and conversations throughout the course.
- Events and International Residential Summer School: This covers events and visits for learning and networking, and a residential summer school which provides the opportunity to visit publishers outside of the United Kingdom. Here you can apply your learning to a different international publishing culture.
- There is the opportunity to apply to undertake one term at the University of Cergy Pontoise in Paris as part of the Erasmus programme.
