Publishing (Magazine)

Content

The graduates who have completed our postgraduate publishing courses since 1969 can be found throughout the world in senior positions within publishing and communications practice

The MA Publishing course sets out to equip you with the knowledge and professional skills base so you can master issues and practice in magazine publishing, across both print and e-publishing media. Accordingly, you are prepared to face the challenges of leveraging editorial content in the Internet era. The course adopts an interdisciplinary approach over different functions and contexts, as publishing is integrative and multi-platform in nature.There is an emphasis on applying learning through group work to practical publishing projects and by engaging with industry through leading guest speakers, visits and placements.

The MA Publishing at LCC has access to the most advanced University based publishing production and design resources in the world. Our unique resources allow students in teams to realise the production and publishing of actual books or magazines or websites or conference events, when applying Publishing Management, including project management methods, in Phase 2.

You also develop the necessary research techniques to undertake a major research study or dissertation and you also complete the study of two electives. New perspectives on publishing are gained from visiting another country for one week as part of the Residential Research Trip for MA students.

The course is taught within the general areas and lecture theatres at the College and the specialised publishing facilities, which includes the Publishing Studio for practice-based learning. In addition you will have access to the offset printing and digital equipment in the Print Room.

Structure

The course's study programme is structured across three phases over 45 weeks.

• Phase 1 (60 credits) - Publishing Professional Competencies - 15 weeks
• Phase 2 (60 credits) - Publishing Professional Practice - 15 weeks
• Phase 3 (60 credits) - Publishing Research Project - 15 weeks

Phase 1 includes learning units, which encompass: Content & Marketing; Publishing Production & Design (both print and digital); and Integrative Publishing Practices (publishing law, rights, distribution, and publishing systems).

Phase 2 includes learning units, which encompass: Publishing Management (including project management), Research Methods, plus Electives. A choice of two electives from these examples:

• Enterprise Planning
• Managing Print Suppliers in Publishing
• Work-Based Learning (placement)
• Academic Journal Publishing
• Fashion and Style Publishing
• Creative Writing for the Communications Industry

Phase 3 includes the learning unit: Major Project or dissertation - independent study under supervision.

Note: There is an exit point at the end of Phase 2 for the Postgraduate Diploma Publishing.

Residential Research Trip - Early in Phase 3 the MA Publishing course visits another city in Europe to examine an alternative publishing culture and market. Visits to local publishers are made, and this period also allows additional opportunities to finalise with tutors your research strategy for the dissertation. Past research trips have included Edinburgh, Stuttgart, Tallinn and Helsinki, Leipzig, Moscow and St Petersburg, Paris, Athens, Barcelona, and Krakow and Warsaw.

Assessment

Assessment is based on written reports and group presentations underpinned by theoretical and practical team projects. The final phase includes the writing up of a report of 12,000 to 15,000 words on your major research study.

Teaching Timetable

The course is intensive so substantial periods of independent learning are necessary. Teaching at LCC is held throughout Phase 1 and Phase 2 on three consecutive days - Wednesday to Friday - and this allows for placements to be undertaken on Monday and/or Tuesday, within term time. Throughout students have access to the Publishing Studio for group and individual work.