Ben talks through the process of creating his book Arboretum, about ancient trees around the world.
Please note this course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high-quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.
The next online Open Day for this course will be on Tuesday 16 February at 1pm. Book your place now
An introduction to postgraduate courses in the Journalism and Publishing programme is available online. Watch now
Ben talks through the process of creating his book Arboretum, about ancient trees around the world.
MA Publishing graduate Ana talks about making her final year project – a creative content kit.
Graduating student Stefano talks about his final year project, Utopia Lips, a magazine about comic books.
MA Publishing student Yuting talks us through their work in the LCC Postgraduate Shows.
Ida talks about her final year project that brings virtual reality together with typography.
Ana Bender first developed the prototype while studying at London College of Communication in 2018.
MA Publishing graduate and LCC industry mentor Annie Masciavè shares her top five bookshelf picks to help you stay inspired and stay creative.
Explore projects from graduating students from London College of Communication's MA Publishing course, exhibiting as part of LCC Postgraduate Shows 2019.
Two students from London College of Communication’s MA Publishing course won awards at London Book Fair 2019’s International Excellence Awards – winning two out of three of the prizes up for grabs.
The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.
Discover our printing techniques, from Lithographic Printing to Print Finishing and Bookbinding.
Find out about the workspaces and studios that support Lens-Based and Audio-Visual practice.
MA in Publishing at London College of Communication combines theoretical and practical approaches to publishing media. Forward-thinking, creative and entrepreneurial, this course will give you hands-on experience of multi-platform publishing.
With the opportunity to develop a specialisation in magazine or book publishing you will nevertheless be introduced to concepts across both media throughout the course and explore how publishing is changing and evolving in the international arena.
With choices of assessments, you can choose your journey through the course with options for a major project that suits your interests.
Practical projects and events, collaborations with other creative people, engagement with industry networks and participation in professional activities are all central to the course as you develop unique and flexible skills set for your future careers.
Throughout the course, there is a variety of teaching and learning environments including lectures, group work on practical publishing projects, simulations, hackdays, seminars and individual research projects.
You will be involved in a co-creation project working on our annual Publishing Innovation Conference which is an ideal opportunity to network.
You will also undertake live projects with industry – recently we have worked with the Penguin Random House and the Royal Academy of Arts. You will also have access to specialist digital publishing platforms to enable you to build your own projects and portfolio.
You will gain new perspectives on the global marketplace for publishing, and have the option of visiting another country via the international residential trip (This is an additional cost. Previously this has been between £500 to £1000). Specialist staff who all have experience in the industry will help you to develop a professional approach to publishing.
MA Publishing is in Full Time mode which runs for 45 weeks over 15 months. You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study.
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.
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.
Surveys the theoretical context and creative industries environment in which publishing sits.
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.
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.
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.
You will produce a collaborative publication, working with other creative people to manage a publishing project to a deadline.
Offers the opportunity to conceptualise an experimental publishing product or service.
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.
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:
Course Leader, MA Publishing
Senior Lecturer, BA (Hons) Magazine Journalism and Publishing and MA Publishing
Course Leader, BA (Hons) Magazine Journalism and Publishing
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, from all over the world.
Students are admitted on to the course having gained the necessary entry requirements. An Honours degree of 2:1 and above is required, or an equivalent international degree. In some circumstances a 2:2 is considered (this might be based on personal circumstances or strength of interest and clear capability to undertake the course as indicated in the application form and interview).
Educational level may be demonstrated by:
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.
Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:
All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:
This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.
If you are an EU offer holder, it is important to consider that, from 2021-22, you may be charged International fees, which are higher. Read our Coronavirus guidance for prospective students for details.
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:
There are no additional items (portfolio or study proposal) required for this course, and no direct work experience is required.
The online application can be saved as you fill it out, so you don’t need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you press submit.
If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer.
The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.
Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.
Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.
You will be asked to complete a personal statement describing why you want to study on MA Publishing. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course. You should include some ideas about future plans around a professional life after the course.
The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in the subject and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.
Ensure that your personal statement it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.
15 May 2021
We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.
Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. We’ll be in touch shortly after you apply with information about next steps. Find out more about what happens after you apply.
All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:
This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:
Please note: we will ask you for copies of certain documents (for example, English language qualification/certificate and copies of any previous UK study visas).
For further advice on how to apply please visit the UAL International Application page.
There are no additional items (portfolio or study proposal) required for this course, and no direct work experience is required.
There are two ways international students can apply:
If you are applying directly you click on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.
If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer.
The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.
Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.
Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.
You will be asked to complete a personal statement describing why you want to study on MA Publishing. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course. You should include some ideas about future plans around a professional life after the course.
The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in the subject and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.
Ensure that your personal statement it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.
15 May 2021
We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.
Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. We’ll be in touch shortly after you apply with information about next steps. Find out more about what happens after you apply.
After you have successfully submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming your application and providing your login details for the UAL Applicant Portal. Please add @arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL.
Please log into the portal, as this is where we will send you important updates and requests, and you can contact us with any questions you may have about your application.
After you have submitted your application, the course leader will then review your work, may invite you to interview or interview you via Skype, and will then make a decision on your application.
Applicants are usually interviewed by the course team before a place can be offered. Interviews will be held online, and details will be sent via the UAL Portal.
You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Applicant Portal.
This course receives a high number of applications, and we can’t provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you’ve had an interview.
If you would like to request feedback – please email lcc.ukeu@arts.ac.uk if you are a Home or EU applicant, or lcc.international@arts.ac.uk if International. We are only able to provide feedback to you directly, or to someone you have told us in writing can receive it on your behalf.
£11,220 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.
Home fees are currently charged to UK resident nationals. However, the rules are complex and you can find out more on our tuition fees pages.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage
£22,920 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.
International fees are currently charged to students from countries outside of the UK. However, the rules are complex and more information can be found on our tuition fees pages.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage
Our MA Publishing graduates are highly prized by the international publishing industry, across both print and digital media. The course has an excellent record of graduates entering employment. The heritage of the College and our alumni cut across all sectors of communication, design and media professional practice areas, at home and internationally.
Typically, our graduates enter first level entry jobs across all of the different functional areas of publishing editorial, production, digital and marketing and sales. They are highly sought after by publishing employers because our graduates can hit the ground running and add value immediately. Accordingly, we find that their careers accelerate beyond the normal and they move up to executive and managerial positions quicker than most.
The transferable skills you will gain on this course can be applied to a wide range of management, media and communications areas, functions and sectors. These can be applied across the private corporate and SME sectors, or the public sector, including international and voluntary not for profit organisations. Some of our past graduates have started their own publishing micro-businesses, or have developed careers related to the digital communications sector.
Importantly, besides the traditional functions, the course equips our graduates with the adaptable skills to enter the new jobs that are emerging across media sectors, whether as a digital producer in a well-known book company, an online content editor for a global magazine or a digital marketer for a new media business.
Our graduates are often found taking up roles which require a publishing specialism within media and communications services, creative agencies and brands. Being flexible, having the ability to take the initiative and thinking ahead of the curve are key attributes for our graduates.