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Our innovative and unique MA Publishing course has been designed in collaboration with and is delivered alongside Hachette UK, the UK division of the third largest trade and educational publishing company in the world; and the reading and writing development organisation New Writing North.

This Publishing Masters, expressly designed to address skills gaps within the publishing industry, is the first in the UK to offer students a guaranteed placement with a global publisher and the opportunity to work with New Writing North on live writing development projects.

Students are taught both by a team of expert academics, led by novelist and former Faber editor Richard T. Kelly and by New Writing North’s Will Mackie, and by specialists and staff from Hachette UK and New Writing North. In particular, students benefit by the week-to-week presence of senior-level Hachette UK staff as visiting instructors and mentors, which gives this Masters a uniqueness in the informed access it offers students to the cutting edge of the publishing industry.

The five Modules you will study on this course are: Introduction to Publishing, Manuscript to Market, People in Publishing, Publishing Placement, and Major Publishing Project.

You will gain insight into 21st century publishing, and the wide range of roles available in the industry. You will also explore the various stages of publishing’s ‘critical path’, from initial ideas and commissioning to cover design, marketing and publicity campaigns, and sales data analysis through subscriber access to Nielsen BookScan. You will develop your understanding of the ecology of writing in the UK through learning about the role of writing development in publishing, and strategies for identifying and developing talent.

You will develop professional publishing practice through the Publishing Placement and Major Publishing Project modules. These modules will help you develop the skills and knowledge you will need for a career in publishing, as well as allow you to graduate with a portfolio to show potential employers and engage in your own independent research project.

New Writing North and Hachette UK have launched Sounds Good Audiobooks, a new audiobook recording studio at Northumbria University’s city centre campus in Newcastle. The studio aims to provide practical experience for students while expanding writing for audio in various Humanities programs.  

Graduates of the Masters in Publishing will gain a thorough academic grounding in the principles and practices of publishing today, as well as the vocational and practical skills to prepare them for success in a range of publishing-related roles.

Hachette Uk Logo                     New Writing North

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
1 year Full Time

Department
Humanities

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2025

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

Scholarships and Funding

Discover the funding options available to you

Discover More / MA Publishing

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Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in any subject. Applicants with appropriate work experience and/or a relevant professional qualification will be considered.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component.

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

Full UK Fee: £12,350

Full International Fee: £19,350



Scholarships and Discounts

Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

EL7042 -

Introduction to Publishing (Core,30 Credits)

This module will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the history of publishing from the eighteenth century to the present day. Focusing on the social and cultural, as well as the economic and political, influences and impacts of the industry across time, the module will take in a range of histories from the UK and globally to chart the development of the contemporary publishing industry and consider its role in shaping the world today. The module will situate discussions in historical context before moving into contemporary considerations and changes to publishing practices since the year 2000. Concentrating on the history of publishing as one of evolution rather than revolution, it will map the manifestation of technology and new market channels. Through strategic considerations of disruptions to the industry over time, it will explore market dynamics across global territories, copy right and international variations in publishing law as well as the impact of globalisation and political events like Brexit to supply chain and manufacture. Sustainability, net zero and the carbon footprint of the industry will be examined in relation to the production of publishing products, while contemporary roles in publishing will be considered through case studies of the various roles in the industry, the skillsets required to execute them and how these roles relate to one another both within and between publishing houses in the UK and globally.

More information

EL7043 -

Manuscript to Market (Core,30 Credits)

This year-long module is designed to map onto the ‘Publishing Placement’ module and will provide you with instruction and knowledge that you can put into practice on your placement activities. Both modules are designed to reflect the movement of the book across the various stages of publication within a contemporary publishing business. The module captures each stage of production and how these relate to one another to produce a final product for the market place. The module will offer you new knowledge, understanding and insights into a variety of areas of publishing including:

• Commissioning, Acquisition and Editorial
• Legal and Contracts, Risk, Insight, Research, intelligence
• Financial and Business Trends and Models
• Editorial
• Production
• Sales, Marketing & Publicity
• Design
• Retail
• Post-Production

Reflecting on the experience of the author in the publishing process, as well as the influence of external markets and buyers, the module will equip you with the skills and experiences necessary to build support for your projects and pitch effectively to potential clients and end users. Through instruction in the business of publishing - including areas such as rights, sales, branding, copyright and IP, libel, reputation management, customer profiling and market segmentation, digital and strategic marketing - you will develop the skills required to operate in a contemporary publishing organisation across a variety of roles. Through engagements with the publishing production process you will be encouraged to consider the logistics of type setting, layout, production schedules, supply chains and exports. As well as considering the importance of editorial and marketing, you will also examine the after-life of books once they enter the market place with a focus on front and back lists, and the emerging significance of adaptation and series sales and licencing for the sector in the contemporary period.

More information

EL7044 -

Major Publishing Project (Core,60 Credits)

The Major Publishing Project provides you with the opportunity to produce an extended piece of work on a topic of your choice that engages with some aspect of contemporary Publishing Studies. Indicative topics may include but are not limited to publishing history, publishing markets, case studies of publishing initiatives and organisations and EDI interventions. Topics will be agreed in negotiation and with guidance from your module tutor. In this double-weighted module you will operate at a higher level of independent learning and research than in the taught modules. You will be taught key research skills in structured workshops taught as a development phase, and then engage in a more independent delivery phase working with a supervisor to lead your own project.

In this module you will learn how to plan, structure, formulate, negotiate and evaluate a personal project of study in the mode of a substantial project with an accompanying report. Through structured workshops and individual supervisions you will learn how to manage, execute and complete a research project in Publishing Studies that critically evaluates appropriate theories and concepts and demonstrates understanding and knowledge of your chosen area of research. By putting into practice the publishing methodologies and independent learning skills you have developed on your programme modules, you will use personal reflection to communicate and evaluate research outcomes and your own learning journey.

More information

EL7045 -

People in Publishing (Core,30 Credits)

This module will analyse publishing structures and practices and explore how forces both inside and outside publishing are impacting on the ways in which the industry approaches inclusivity, diversity and representation. The module will focus on people working with the industry and in organisations that connect closely to it, as well as deepening students’ awareness of the lives and careers of authors.

You will learn about the law and policy contexts of inclusivity, diversity and representation for people with protected characteristics and those from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the creative industries. Teaching will examine inclusivity policies and practices, business strategy and audience development. You will explore the history, current balance and cultural context of representation within the creative industries and publishing and writing in particular by drawing on recent published work, reports, articles and interviews with writers, publishers and activists. You will examine the concept of free speech and freedom of expression as they impact within the publishing context drawing on both an understanding of the law and presentations from relevant organisations working to uphold freedom of expression in the UK and internationally. Thinking about representation through a wider lens you will consider how translation and international partnerships contribute to widening dialogue and representation and consider the unique place they occupy in the publishing landscape. Module sessions will explore free speech, the ethics of publishing, literature sector bodies, prize culture, festivals and international events.

More information

EL7046 -

Publishing Placement (Core,30 Credits)

This year-long module, comprising the virtual work placement plus scheduled class sessions, will give you first-hand insight into the organisation and activities of one of the world’s most eminent publishers, Hachette, as well as the leading national writing development agency New Writing North. The module will enhance your knowledge of how the publishing and literary industry operates, and your ability to critically analyse its structures and processes. You will observe the principles of organisational management and develop an appreciation of how the governance, structures and systems of the business are influenced by values, motivations, practices and working cultures on the ground. To meet the requirements of the module you will be required to participate in a minimum 60 hours of placement activity supervised by Hachette, with opportunities for additional professional activities and hours according to circumstances.. These hours can be accrued working physically, digitally and/or a blended approach to reflect the delivery models of the placement partners and the future ways of working in the publishing industry.

Your placement roles will provide you with a wide-ranging overview of how different parts of the publishing and literary industry operate, as well as a sense of different organisational management structures. The module’s learning will map onto your learning in the ‘Manuscript to Market’ module so as to apprise you of essential employability-oriented skills: teamwork, self-presentation, research into employment, enterprise opportunities, self-awareness and negotiation skills. You will work with Hachette and/or NWN staff under the supervision of an assigned ‘key contact’ mentor. This will enhance your learning and skills as you gain insight into a variety of roles and contexts in a contemporary organisation. This experience is intended to develop new knowledge about the working environment of the business, enhance sensitivity to different working environments and contexts and develop a global outlook in communication and graduate skills. Through a placement log, you will develop a reflective approach to your experiences and deploy verbal, written and visual methods of communication to capture your reflective practice.

More information

YC7000 -

Academic Language Skills for Social Sciences & Humanities (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Effective reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

EL7042 -

Introduction to Publishing (Core,30 Credits)

This module will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the history of publishing from the eighteenth century to the present day. Focusing on the social and cultural, as well as the economic and political, influences and impacts of the industry across time, the module will take in a range of histories from the UK and globally to chart the development of the contemporary publishing industry and consider its role in shaping the world today. The module will situate discussions in historical context before moving into contemporary considerations and changes to publishing practices since the year 2000. Concentrating on the history of publishing as one of evolution rather than revolution, it will map the manifestation of technology and new market channels. Through strategic considerations of disruptions to the industry over time, it will explore market dynamics across global territories, copy right and international variations in publishing law as well as the impact of globalisation and political events like Brexit to supply chain and manufacture. Sustainability, net zero and the carbon footprint of the industry will be examined in relation to the production of publishing products, while contemporary roles in publishing will be considered through case studies of the various roles in the industry, the skillsets required to execute them and how these roles relate to one another both within and between publishing houses in the UK and globally.

More information

EL7043 -

Manuscript to Market (Core,30 Credits)

This year-long module is designed to map onto the ‘Publishing Placement’ module and will provide you with instruction and knowledge that you can put into practice on your placement activities. Both modules are designed to reflect the movement of the book across the various stages of publication within a contemporary publishing business. The module captures each stage of production and how these relate to one another to produce a final product for the market place. The module will offer you new knowledge, understanding and insights into a variety of areas of publishing including:

• Commissioning, Acquisition and Editorial
• Legal and Contracts, Risk, Insight, Research, intelligence
• Financial and Business Trends and Models
• Editorial
• Production
• Sales, Marketing & Publicity
• Design
• Retail
• Post-Production

Reflecting on the experience of the author in the publishing process, as well as the influence of external markets and buyers, the module will equip you with the skills and experiences necessary to build support for your projects and pitch effectively to potential clients and end users. Through instruction in the business of publishing - including areas such as rights, sales, branding, copyright and IP, libel, reputation management, customer profiling and market segmentation, digital and strategic marketing - you will develop the skills required to operate in a contemporary publishing organisation across a variety of roles. Through engagements with the publishing production process you will be encouraged to consider the logistics of type setting, layout, production schedules, supply chains and exports. As well as considering the importance of editorial and marketing, you will also examine the after-life of books once they enter the market place with a focus on front and back lists, and the emerging significance of adaptation and series sales and licencing for the sector in the contemporary period.

More information

EL7044 -

Major Publishing Project (Core,60 Credits)

The Major Publishing Project provides you with the opportunity to produce an extended piece of work on a topic of your choice that engages with some aspect of contemporary Publishing Studies. Indicative topics may include but are not limited to publishing history, publishing markets, case studies of publishing initiatives and organisations and EDI interventions. Topics will be agreed in negotiation and with guidance from your module tutor. In this double-weighted module you will operate at a higher level of independent learning and research than in the taught modules. You will be taught key research skills in structured workshops taught as a development phase, and then engage in a more independent delivery phase working with a supervisor to lead your own project.

In this module you will learn how to plan, structure, formulate, negotiate and evaluate a personal project of study in the mode of a substantial project with an accompanying report. Through structured workshops and individual supervisions you will learn how to manage, execute and complete a research project in Publishing Studies that critically evaluates appropriate theories and concepts and demonstrates understanding and knowledge of your chosen area of research. By putting into practice the publishing methodologies and independent learning skills you have developed on your programme modules, you will use personal reflection to communicate and evaluate research outcomes and your own learning journey.

More information

EL7045 -

People in Publishing (Core,30 Credits)

This module will analyse publishing structures and practices and explore how forces both inside and outside publishing are impacting on the ways in which the industry approaches inclusivity, diversity and representation. The module will focus on people working with the industry and in organisations that connect closely to it, as well as deepening students’ awareness of the lives and careers of authors.

You will learn about the law and policy contexts of inclusivity, diversity and representation for people with protected characteristics and those from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the creative industries. Teaching will examine inclusivity policies and practices, business strategy and audience development. You will explore the history, current balance and cultural context of representation within the creative industries and publishing and writing in particular by drawing on recent published work, reports, articles and interviews with writers, publishers and activists. You will examine the concept of free speech and freedom of expression as they impact within the publishing context drawing on both an understanding of the law and presentations from relevant organisations working to uphold freedom of expression in the UK and internationally. Thinking about representation through a wider lens you will consider how translation and international partnerships contribute to widening dialogue and representation and consider the unique place they occupy in the publishing landscape. Module sessions will explore free speech, the ethics of publishing, literature sector bodies, prize culture, festivals and international events.

More information

EL7046 -

Publishing Placement (Core,30 Credits)

This year-long module, comprising the virtual work placement plus scheduled class sessions, will give you first-hand insight into the organisation and activities of one of the world’s most eminent publishers, Hachette, as well as the leading national writing development agency New Writing North. The module will enhance your knowledge of how the publishing and literary industry operates, and your ability to critically analyse its structures and processes. You will observe the principles of organisational management and develop an appreciation of how the governance, structures and systems of the business are influenced by values, motivations, practices and working cultures on the ground. To meet the requirements of the module you will be required to participate in a minimum 60 hours of placement activity supervised by Hachette, with opportunities for additional professional activities and hours according to circumstances.. These hours can be accrued working physically, digitally and/or a blended approach to reflect the delivery models of the placement partners and the future ways of working in the publishing industry.

Your placement roles will provide you with a wide-ranging overview of how different parts of the publishing and literary industry operate, as well as a sense of different organisational management structures. The module’s learning will map onto your learning in the ‘Manuscript to Market’ module so as to apprise you of essential employability-oriented skills: teamwork, self-presentation, research into employment, enterprise opportunities, self-awareness and negotiation skills. You will work with Hachette and/or NWN staff under the supervision of an assigned ‘key contact’ mentor. This will enhance your learning and skills as you gain insight into a variety of roles and contexts in a contemporary organisation. This experience is intended to develop new knowledge about the working environment of the business, enhance sensitivity to different working environments and contexts and develop a global outlook in communication and graduate skills. Through a placement log, you will develop a reflective approach to your experiences and deploy verbal, written and visual methods of communication to capture your reflective practice.

More information

YC7000 -

Academic Language Skills for Social Sciences & Humanities (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Effective reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

 

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

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