Writing and Publishing BA (Hons)

The publishing industry is undergoing an exciting and unprecedented time of change and is rapidly adapting to an evolving digital marketplace. It is a resilient, creative and global industry that continues to grow year-on-year. It requires professionals who are commercially and digitally aware, and who feel passionate about books, writing and reading.

Publishing at Derby has been ranked in the Top 20 in The Guardian University Guide 2020
Develop the understanding and skills you need to embark upon a successful career in the publishing industry, including in editorial, rights, marketing, sales, publicity, production, design, or even becoming a published author yourself
Explore the entire spectrum of the creative process: our unique, integrated curriculum takes you from conception and writing through to content development, editing, publishing, sales and beyond
Learn all the practical skills needed in the rapidly-changing, multi-platform publishing marketplace, including how to create an interactive eBook and use digital design programs
Look at the creative literary industry from all angles and cover every sector – from commercial fiction to academic publishing, poetry to biography, and from children’s picture books to Young Adult novels
Build essential business and leadership skills and gain insights into important aspects of the law, including author contracts and copyright
Gain real-world experience of writing, editing and publishing through live projects with publishers, including our in-house imprint, Peregrine Publishing
Learn from our enthusiastic and highly experienced lecturers, who have substantial backgrounds in the creative and publishing industries

This programme will prepare you for an extremely broad range of potential career paths, including becoming a successful author in your own right.

You will be ideally equipped to secure rewarding roles in the book or magazine publishing industries, either in the UK or abroad. Other options to consider include working as a literary agent, a bookseller, an events co-ordinator at a book festival, or a freelance editor.

With the transferable skills you will gain, you will also be equipped to work as a social media marketer, advertising executive, events manager, publicist, and many other roles across the commercial and voluntary sectors.

If your ambition is to launch your own venture in the publishing field, the knowledge and skills you gain through our legal and business modules will underpin a successful commercial start-up. You could even explore moving into one of the University’s incubation units which offer reasonable rents and a range of business support services to help you establish your enterprise.

GCSE Maths and English Grade C/Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification