Publishing MA: What our students say

"A looming 50th birthday, coinciding with children moving on, led to a re-think about my life. I decided to take on three challenges – a new hobby, charitable work and an academic course paid for by a legacy. I chose the Publishing MA at Kingston University because, as an educational professional, I am a heavy user of published materials and the course sounded interesting. I was not disappointed.

"At first, my academic writing skills were a bit rusty but they soon improved with helpful comments from my tutors. I enjoyed the practical research, attended Royal Society of Arts lectures, and joined the British Library. I was thrilled to work for Shelter's publication Roof, especially when given a credit in the magazine.

"For my special study on Journalism and Censorship, I interviewed Chris Ames, the investigative journalist who blew the lid off Blair's 'dodgy dossier'. This made me realise the importance of The Freedom of Information Act.

"The most exciting opportunity however was as a member of the editorial team that produced Ripple, a collection of student poetry, flash fiction and short stories. My suggestions of linking with the Rose Theatre for a launch party and selling at Kingston Readers' Festival events were successful innovations that reflected Kingston's University's desire to benefit the local community.

"Finally, I was delighted to receive second prize for my dissertation and a distinction overall. I shall always be grateful to the wonderful tutors who helped me achieve my goal. As a bonus, I have been head-hunted by an agency to tutor dyslexic students for the Open University. I am certain that my MA was my unique selling point to gain this exciting new opportunity."

"I chose Kingston as it offered the Publishing MA course part-time. This was important to me as I have been in full-time employment throughout the duration of the course, this past year working in my ideal job within publishing.

"The Advisory Board, lecturers and guest lecturers also give this course an edge as the University is very well connected to the publishing industry, plus there's the chance to get involved with Kingston University Press and Ripple magazine so we can use what we were learning in a practical way.

"The best part of the MA for me has been the opportunities to make contacts within the publishing industry. It's very hands on, which is exactly what an employer is looking for. The teaching is practical and relevant to the job so you can leave the course knowing you have the right skills. There is also the right amount of flexibility so the lecturers (all of whom are industry professionals too) are willing to accommodate requests like extra software applications or more on proof reading."

"Having already taken my undergraduate degree at Kingston, I knew it to be a vibrant and lively atmosphere in which to pursue further studies. I also knew the standard of teaching and lecturers to be extremely high and felt that the level of professional experience that the department collectively holds would be a valuable source from which to glean an understanding of publishing.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the masterclasses, where we had the opportunity to meet and quiz very important and influential people in the industry. They offered guidance as how to approach and brake into the world of publishing."

"How do you quantify the best thing about the MA at Kingston? There are so many good things! The engaging tutors, the value of the work experience, the links to the industry, the variety of the modules... I could go on.

"I decided late to go onto the Publishing MA course and applied for one of the remaining places. It was the best thing I could have done and, from speaking to students on other publishing courses, it seems to be the best one around.

"Now I have a portfolio career which includes freelance editing for two small publishers, marketing for a consultancy company and running an advertising-sponsored events newsletter."

Maya is now working at the World Bank in Washington as a publishing associate, after having won one of three places on the prestigious World Bank Publishing Internship Prize 2007.

"Having successfully completed the English Language and Communication BA(Hons) at Kingston University, I felt unprepared for a career in the publishing industry. However, choosing the  Publishing MA at Kingston University provided me with the confidence, knowledge and skills for starting a career in the world of publishing.

"The experience and knowledge the teaching staff have has contributed to my enjoyment of this degree. Their direct links and relationships within the publishing industry have generated many career opportunities for myself and my fellow students – something that we would not have been able to achieve by ourselves. 

"I would highly recommend the Publishing MA at Kingston University to anyone who has gained a humanities degree and lacks career direction.

"Since graduating I have worked in several editorial jobs, including website editor for a postgraduate course search directory, postgraduatesearch.com, where I am able to put into practice many skills learnt from the course.

"I now work as the web content editor at Kingston University!"

"The publishing course at Kingston University taught me the core theory of the publishing industry and how it actually works – from the starting point (the idea, the inspiration) to the editing and marketing processes and finally to the end result (the book).

"The modules I enjoyed the most were the marketing and editorial processes. As the professional path I followed is advertising, these have given me a great deal of help. I can apply the methods and theory I was taught on live briefs and I have to admit, that is what has brought me from the stage of an executive secretary to where I stand now, the junior account position."

"The Publishing MA at Kingston is both hands on and laissez faire – you get a really good grounding in the necessary skills through a range of modules but are pushed to pursue your own research and passions within that framework.

"There have been some great guest speakers too – some of the best in the industry."