Master of Arts - Publishing

The course equips students with the key skills, knowledge, and experience needed to excel in a variety of rewarding careers within the publishing industry. Lectures are delivered by inspiring and experienced professionals, many of whom have worked for leading publishers such as Bloomsbury and Penguin Random House. Students gain insight into all stages of publishing, from editorial and production to sales and marketing, covering everything from initial ideas and cover design to book launches and sales data analysis.

Graduates of the programme have secured roles at major companies including Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Pan Macmillan, Hachette, Bloomsbury, CPG, and Taylor & Francis, while others have launched their own publishing ventures or freelance services. The course offers exposure to a wide range of industry professionals, with over 30 guest speakers in the 2022/23 academic year alone, representing publishers such as Hachette, HarperCollins, Bloomsbury, Bonnier, Penguin Random House, Galley Beggar Press, And Other Stories, Oxford University Press, Pan Macmillan, Knights Of, and Routledge, as well as published and self-published authors.

Students also engage in research-based scholarship to explore themes of personal interest and benefit from a challenging, cross-disciplinary learning experience.

The MA Publishing programme at Derby provides a comprehensive exploration of the publishing industry, covering editorial and content development, design and production, sales and marketing, business management, and entrepreneurship. Students gain insight into the dynamic opportunities and challenges facing the sector, from the rise of ebooks and audiobooks to the influence of social media and AI on reading habits.

The programme is designed to combine theory and practice, providing up-to-date knowledge across all industry sectors, including trade fiction and non-fiction, children’s books, academic, educational, and professional publishing. It equips students with both traditional publishing techniques and the latest digital skills, enabling them to navigate seamlessly between print, electronic, and audio formats.

Recognising the evolving demands of the industry, the MA develops professional skills such as innovation, enterprise, problem-solving, leadership, project management, marketing, intellectual property law, and finance. Graduates are therefore prepared for a wide range of careers in publishing and related fields. The teaching team comprises experienced academics and practitioners from the UK, US, and Australian publishing industries, offering expertise in editorial, marketing, publicity, and freelance work to inspire and guide students throughout the programme.