Publishing MA: Course features

If you choose to study this course, here are some of the things you can expect from the course and how it will benefit you.

The Publishing MA is designed to give you a head start in your career. It is ideal for:

• graduates looking for a career in any aspect of the publishing industry, whether as a publisher, agent or supplier;
• graduates interested in undertaking research in publishing;
• publishing employees seeking to develop their career prospects and accelerate promotion; and
• those working in another industry who want to transfer their skills to publishing.

Publishing today is an international industry and this is fully reflected in the content, teaching and research interests of those running our course. Our students too come from a diverse range of backgrounds and speak many languages, and this leads to an atmosphere that is challenging, stimulating – and diverse. Kingston recently won University of the Year for its commitment to equality at the National Mentoring Consortium's (NMC) 16th Annual Award Ceremony.

Our close links with the publishing industry mean that you benefit from:

• an academic teaching team that have both commercial publishing experience and contextual/theoretical knowledge of the industry (read more in the Who teaches this course? section);
• input from guest speakers, who add an extra perspective to your studies (read more in the Links with business and industry section);
• an Advisory Board, which ensures that modules meet industry needs (read more in the Advisory Board section); and
• masterclasses with leading publishers on the latest trends (read more in the masterclasses section).

The taught modules aim to prepare you for the job market. Alongside your publishing studies, you gain practical skills in:

• data collation, review, research skills and synopsis;
• communication (oral, written and electronic);
• time management;
• computing; and
• co-operation and teamwork.

The course meets the needs of commercial publishers. You not only gain key skills, but also learn how these processes work in a practical context. For example, if you choose the MA award, your dissertation/special study gives you the chance to put your skills into practice. You might choose to work with students in illustration, creative writing and design to produce books or publications.

Other opportunities to work with students from other disciplines include:

• projects with students studying creative writing, media and cultural studies or film studies courses;
• projects with design and illustration students; and
• choosing modules from other disciplines, including marketing, alongside core publishing modules, which allows you to build on your own professional or academic interests.

You will undertake up to five weeks' work experience in the second semester, usually at an organisation represented on our Advisory Board. This gives you the chance to put theory into practice and network with potential employers.

Our teaching approach is fully cross-functional. For example, we will help you to understand the role that commissioning editors play in brand marketing. We offer a part-time study option to help you fit the course around other commitments.