StudyQA — Master: Publishing Studies

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The MRes Publishing Studies allows students to develop strong research skills in the field of publishing studies, either with regard to contemporary publishing issues and trends, or to the history of the book and print culture. It enables and encourages an analytical and research-driven approach to publishing, leading either towards further study and research, or allowing publishing practitioners to examine in depth issues affecting their current practice.

Course objectives
The MRes Publishing Studies is a research preparation Masters course that offers students the opportunity for tailor-made Masters study in the field of publishing studies. It also offers the opportunity to prepare for a PhD through concentrated research with a specialism in publishing.

Career opportunities
The MRes equips students to pursue effective research projects in publishing, skills which can be either taken into the publishing workplace, or be taken forwards into PhD study.

The teaching year at Stirling is divided into two semesters, which run from mid-September to late December and from mid-February to the end of May.

You take the following mix of compulsory and optional modules, which are designed to increase your understanding of theoretical approaches to publishing and research methodologies, in order to equip you for effective and sustained research in the field of publishing studies:

* Arts Research Training [1 & 2]: Our innovative training for graduates enables students to build up a portfolio of skills that prepare them for academic and professional life. All graduate students will work with their supervisors to select whats right for them from a menu of activities. Each student will build up a portfolio of skills every year. On a taught postgraduate degree, you may be given specific guidance on what activities you need to undertake for those qualifications
* Subject Specific Module: In this module, you will produce a portfolio of publishing-related research, which will allow you to explore, with the guidance of a supervisor, a range of issues relating to contemporary or historical publishing
* Publishing Dynamics: This optional module investigates different market sectors, introduces concepts of publishing business, finance and intellectual property, and analyses current publishing trends and issues. It also explores job roles and publishing processes, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a publishing career
* Editorial Practice and Content Creation: This optional module examines the processes by which publishing projects (including books, magazines, journals, and digital products) are conceptualised and created, including via market research and literary agents. It explores the management of authors and intellectual property resources, and editorial workflow, including practical skills of project management and text preparation (copyediting and proofreading)
* Marketing Management and Communications: This optional module introduces marketing theory and practical publishing examples in order to develop a range of strategies for effective promotion of publishing products, through traditional and digital media, including social networking. The module also explores the publishing supply chain and effective sales
* Skills for Publishing Management: This optional module enables students to develop management skills crucial to publishing. Areas covered include strategic, operational, risk, financial and HR management.
* Financial Management for Publishing: Confidence in the financial management is crucial to successful publishing companies and organisations of all sizes. The module enables students to understand profit, turnover, and cash flow, and how it can be enabled to develop sustainable business practice.
* Growth Strategies for Publishing: Strategies for growth in the publishing business are analysed in this module, include list-building, company acquisition, and international export, expansion, and partnerships.
* Business Models in Publishing: As a result of the digital environment of publishing, business models are being rapidly redrawn. This module enables students to understand traditional and evolving business models for print and digital publishing, in home and international markets.
* Digital: Process and Product: This optional module develops skills, understanding and aptitudes for publishings digital present and future. Students will become confident with embedding digital content creation in editorial thinking; briefing for digital products; reviewing and evaluation of products; effective usage of social media and management of digital rights; understanding of e-business models and the digital economy; deployment of analytics and metadata.
* Publishing, Literature and Society: This optional module explores the interactions between contemporary and historical publishing and society, approaching topics including authorship, readership and the literary marketplace, censorship, wartime publishing, and publishing and diversity
* Publishing Dissertation: This is an extended and intensive piece of research of 20-25,000 words on a topic of your choice relevant to publishing and approved by the Course Director. Work extends over both semesters and into the summer

Delivery and assessment
The delivery of modules is via a variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, self-guided study and one-to-one supervision. Assessment includes a variety of written assignments and presentations, including a portfolio of publishing research, and an extended dissertation.

An upper second class or better single or combined Honours degree in a relevant subject or subjects from a UK university or an equivalent qualification. It is anticipated that students have some prior knowledge of publishing, either through previous study or working within the publishing industry.Applicants with other qualifications or other appropriate experience may be admitted on the recommendation of the Course Director.English language requirementsIf English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.