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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Publishing (distance learning) is a flexible learning programme. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for successful entry into publishing, while studying from home.
This course closely follows our established campus-based MA publishing degrees. We have designed it to address publishing employers' needs. But more importantly, so that you can study while in employment in any field.
The publishing industry needs individuals who are able to assess, evaluate and synthesize data. So you will develop skills and knowledge in:
 marketing
 production
 editorial functions
 data analysis
 writing practices.
As part of a study group of other students, you will be supported by a tutor. As well as a Subject Coordinator who will give you further academic guidance.
All modules are delivered online using interactive features of the virtual learning environment (VLE), Moodle.
Modules
Compulsory modules
Marketing and Sales Management
This module provides a systematic examination of the key concepts and disciplines of marketing and sales and their relationships and relevance to the marketing and business practices in the publishing industry. Core marketing and sales issues required for print and electronic products and services are covered along with the concepts and tools necessary to operate in a marketing and sales environment. You engage with specifics of marketing in a publishing context including the marketing mix, consumer behaviour, segmentation, targeting and positioning, and elements of market research. Marketing theory and its application to publishing is presented and the module provides opportunities for you to apply this knowledge in producing a marketing plan for a new product.
Digital Production and Workflow Management
This module focuses on the production and delivery of publishing products in a digital environment. It examines project management and workflow issues associated with the design and production of both printed and digital products. Particular attention is given to analysing and evaluating the changes that digital technology is bringing about to the ways in which products are developed and produced in the publishing industry. Key issues affecting the design and production strategies and business practices for print, ebooks, and web are discussed. Management skills such as planning, organising, briefing, costing and controlling a project from inception to completion are developed. Strategies and practices for international aspects of the publishing industry are investigated and the opportunities and constraints for the publisher are assessed.
Editorial Management, Functions and Strategies
Introduction to the role of the commissioning editor in contemporary publishing, within a range of market sectors. You explore the strategic role of the editor in the publishing process and acquire the knowledge and skills required for the development of economically viable new projects in both print and digital form. This module includes coverage of the editorial process in a digital environment, both in terms of content delivery and workflow. Topics covered include the importance and application of market research, working with authors and agents, and the management and exploitation of intellectual property. Financial responsibilities of the editor are presented and the necessity of business acumen demonstrated. Development of new products, with particular emphasis on list building and adding value to a company, are key subjects for study.
Optional modules
Children's and YA Publishing
You will investigate developments within the children's and YA publishing sectors, their current shape and business practices. The module also examines contextual issues relating to publishing for children and young adults. Topics change from year to year but may include picture books, co-editions and translatability; the role of trade events including the Bologna Children's Book Fair; the sector's links to other leisure industries and the possibilities for merchandising and content reuse; editing and censorship; age ranging and gatekeeping; and the importance of literacy and reading campaigns.
International Management of Publishing and Rights
This module addresses different strategic options for the international development and management of contemporary publishing organisations and explores models for the commercial exploitation of intellectual property rights worldwide, including: exporting, licensing and building locally. This module will cover the important aspects of copyright and moral rights, the sale of translation rights and co-editions and other subsidiary rights. Digital licensing and the protection of IP against infringement are also covered.
Data-driven marketing for publishing
This module builds on the theoretical foundations of sales and marketing covered in the first year modules in order to apply digital marketing methods used in the publishing industry today such as email marketing, online content marketing, serving of online subscription content and online advertising. Students will identify opportunities for collecting business-critical data and how to process, analyse, make professional recommendations, and take strategic marketing actions. They will also consider the ethical and legal issues of working with consumer data. Through a variety of learning methods, case studies, problem scenarios and online activities, you will learn to identify and implement digital marketing techniques underpinning the publishing industry in the 21st Century.
Culture of Publishing
This module explores theoretical approaches to print culture and transitions in the publishing industry from the early 20th century to the present day. Through reading a range of key texts in the discipline, and through participation in online seminar discussions, you consider a wide range of interpretations and critiques of the role of the publisher in society. Included are a discussion of methodologies for studying book history and publishing culture, both sociological and paratextual. There is a consideration of the gate-keeping function of the publisher, and the publisher’s role in the negotiation of cultural and commercial value in texts. The module then considers how ideological challenges are linked to specific developments in the history of publishing in the past century.
Management of Journals
This module introduces you to the economically and academically important area of journals publishing. It covers both electronic and paper-based serial publications across science, technology, medicine, the humanities and social sciences, and the arts. Journals publishing is characterised by rapid technological change from workflow and production to online submissions systems. You investigate leading edge technologies and address the responses of publishers to this fast-changing environment, evolving business models, and the wider context set by the academy, government and the international knowledge economy.
Independent Study
This module offers you the opportunity to formulate a programme of study with assessment criteria that is based on work experience in the publishing or closely related industries. This enables you to devise, negotiate, organise and carry out reflective analysis of a period of work or a specific project according to a set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria in collaboration with the module leader and a supervisor. The programme of study is aimed at practical industry-based experiences and may include, for example, reporting on practical exploration of an issue of relevance to the publishing industry; or developing a practical project (eg website, newsletter, promotion materials). Critical reflection on your own work and on that of others is an integral aspect of the module.
Publishing and Product Innovation
This applied module builds on the foundations of marketing, editorial and production from the first year. You will explore publishing and product innovation, investigate how cultural and commercial value is generated from intellectual property globally, before finally developing your own ideas for a product, service or business. The aim of this module is to allow you to strengthen your competency in technical, business and creative skills through a sequence of research and design tasks.
Final Project
Compulsory modules
Dissertation or Major Project
The Dissertation or Major Project is the defining and essential component for the award of the MA degree. It is a major in-depth investigation of a subject, theme or issue significant to the study of publishing through research and extended written work (15,000 words or equivalent for major projects). In preparation, for this module you will be introduced to research methods, data analysis, critical reading and writing skills culminating in the submission of a research proposal.
Learning and teaching
The course has a modular framework of compulsory and optional modules. These provide core competencies and knowledge and allow you to tailor your programme.
The modules are designed to accommodate a range of learning styles and personal circumstances. They are delivered using:
 written materials and supplied textbooks
 supplementary video and audio
Teaching methods include:
 discussion forums
 individual reading
 investigative practices to engage actively with your study.
Study groups
You'll be part of a small study group with an Associate Tutor. You also have support from the Subject Coordinator.
The Programme Lead:
 oversees the tutors’ involvement with you
 provides the tutors with guidance
 acts as a second level of support to you.
Work experience
We are unable to guarantee work experience. However, OICPS has an international network of contacts and alumni. If you would like to pursue some work experience while you are studying we will provide, where possible, links for you.
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Entrants to the programme should possess the following:
 a 2:1 honours degree or above or international equivalent in any subject.
 demonstrable interest in the creative publishing industries, such as work experience or voluntary work in a publishing company or fulfilling a publishing-related function in a non-publishing organisation.
 two references; these may be, for example, two academic references, or one academic reference and one from an employer.
 access to the Internet through broadband or fast modem on a daily basis. This programme is delivered through web technology and makes extensive use of digital resources. In order to study effectively on this programme, students should have experience and familiarity with computer technology.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
Selection process
Apply with references, a personal statement and supporting documents.
Your personal statement should explain why you want to study on the programme and your particular area of interest in publishing.
Discuss any work experience you have enjoyed that is relevant to the programme.
English language requirements
Applicants whose home language is not English must demonstrate that their level of reading, written and spoken English is appropriate for study at postgraduate level. This may be demonstrated through attaining one of the following qualifications:
 British Council IELTS: Level 7 overall with 6.0 in each component.
 recognised and approved equivalent qualification
If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment
This part-time course is usually studied over 32 months. However, you can take up to 5 years to complete the necessary credits.
In your first year you will take four core compulsory modules covering:
 Sales and Marketing for Publishing
 Digital Production and Workflow
 Editorial Management, Functions and Strategies
In the second year you choose one module per semester from the following options:
 either International Publishing and Rights, or Data-driven Marketing for Publishing or Independent Study
 either Culture of Publishing, Journals or Independent Study.
 either Children's and YA Publishing, or Publishing and Product Innovation or Independent Study.
The Independent Study module is specifically designed to provide you with a structured pedagogic framework in which to reflect on and develop your experience of work in publishing. You can only select the Independent Study module once.
In the final year, you will complete your studies with a longer period of research and writing (about 8 months) for a 15,000-word dissertation or major project.
You will be assessed with a range of coursework assignments appropriate to both core and optional modules. These include:
 reports
 reading diaries
 academic essays
 proposals.
You will complete an independent research project, leading to a 15,000 word dissertation
Assignments provide an opportunity for dialogue between student and staff, with specific feedback provided. In some modules, we use peer formative feedback.
Research
The Oxford International Centre for Publishing (OICP) is one of the leading centres for publishing education in the world. We focus on areas such as:
 book consumption and the life cycle of books
 book trade and publishing history (especially 18th-21st centuries)
 museum publishing
 serials publications
 pedagogy and publishing education
 the future of the industry.
Research is supported by the resources of Oxford Brookes Library. The Special Collections feature:
 the Booker Archive
 the Publishing in Africa Collection
 the Rainbird Archive
 the Peter Stockham Collection of Children’s Books.
OICP carries out independent research and training with the international publishing industry. Recent clients include:
 the British Council
 Hewlett Packard
 the Society of Experimental Biology
 Sports Books.
The OICP can offer PhD and MPhil supervision in the following areas:
 The Culture and History of Publishing
 International, Strategy, Policy and Development
 Publishing by museums, galleries and other institutions.
Career Opportunities
This course is targeted at individuals who either want to start a career in publishing or who are already working and want to enhance their career with an advanced degree.
If you are a recent graduate who wants to enter publishing but are unable to continue with full time study then this programme enables you to develop appropriate knowledge of the industry. If you are already working and want to progress your career or change career, then the topics we cover in this programme provide the basis for this change.
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