Overview
Publishing is the foundational communication industry. It has enabled the sharing of ideas and information globally for over 600 years. It’s a profession that brings stories to life and empowers through knowledge. The UK’s publishing sector is worth an extraordinary £11 billion overall to the economy. International demand for UK publishing is expected to grow by 20% in the next decade (Publishers Association, 2024).
Our MLitt Publishing Studies covers all types of publishing including print, digital, consumer and specialist. You’ll learn how to plan, edit, produce, market, and manage publications across all formats. You’ll also explore major industry challenges such as diversity, sustainability and the rise of AI.
Our Publishing Studies MLitt is run by the Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication, a world-leading centre for postgraduate study in publishing. The Centre’s staff are active researchers in the field, with extensive publishing industry experience.
Scotland is an excellent place to study publishing. It has a rich literary heritage and a dynamic publishing sector.
Gain practical skills for a career in publishing
We have designed this course to train the publishers of the future. You’ll develop expert knowledge of the publishing process. You will gain practical skills by producing your own publication. In the process, you'll learn to use InDesign and Photoshop software.
You’ll produce professional marketing plans and business development reports. You also get unlimited access to Nielsen Book Scan, a key source for sales data in the industry.
Work experience and placements
- Opportunities to apply your skills on a work placement or an internship at a publisher, or any organisation that has an element of publishing.
- Gain experience by working for our in-house publisher, Stryvling Press and the University of Stirling Human Rights Journal.
Guest speakers and experts
Hear from guest speakers and publishing professionals. Previous speakers include:
- Richard Charkin, former Global MD of Bloomsbury Publishing and President of the International Publishers Association
- Marion Sinclair, Former Chief Executive, Publishing Scotland
- Federica Trogu, Campaigns at Penguin Audio
- Kate Neilan, Senior Marketing Manager at Harper NonFiction
- Hannah Todd, Literary Agent at Janklow & Nesbit
- Kiren Shoman (Executive Vice President, Editorial & Global Executive Lead, DEI at Sage)
Connect with an active publishing community
You can participate in industry events such as the London Book Fair, the Scottish Book Trade Conference and the Society of Young Publishers Scotland Conference. There are hundreds of book fairs and literary events on our doorstep such as the Edinburgh Book Festival.
Comprehensive employability and skills programme
Our employability and skills programme helps you to develop the attributes that employers look for. In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities we have a dedicated Employability and Skills Officer. The University of Stirling’s Careers Service works in partnership with academic staff to ensure you are ready for the employment market.
Top reasons to study with us
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
The Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication carries out a wide range of staff and student research activities, including collaborations with industry, publishing-related organisations and other universities. We focus on the history of the book and publishing studies in the 20th and 21st centuries – both in Scotland, the UK and globally. Research areas include:
- digital publishing
- contemporary literary publishing
- children’s publishing literary awards
- literary prizes
- book festivals
100% of our research environment in English Language and Literature was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent during the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The MLitt in Publishing Studies is a one-year, full-time course designed to help you develop your career in publishing. You also have the option to take this course part-time over two years.
Modules
Teaching
The MLitt in Publishing Studies is delivered through interactive lectures, seminars, workshops (including sessions in the Publishing Computer Lab) and one-to-one teaching.
You’ll also have opportunities to:
- attend a regular series of talks by visiting speakers from the publishing industry;
- go to industry events like the Scottish Book Trade Conference, The SYP Scotland conference and the London Book Fair;
- take part in field trips, including visiting a printer, a book distributor, Scotland’s first lending library at Innerpeffray and Stirling’s own centre for letterpress printing – The Pathfoot Press;
- join the Stryvling Press team to produce an anthology of poetry and prose in collaboration with Creative Writing students;
- undertake internships and work experience placements.
Assessment
Assessment is based on a range of practical and academic activities, including the creation of a physical publishing product (a book, magazine, e-book or app), marketing plans, business reports, presentations, essays and either a 15,000 word dissertation or a major digital project.
Course director
Key staff
Staff at the Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication all have backgrounds working in the publishing industry, and retain extensive contacts across the sector. Staff members have active research profiles, and are regularly invited to speak at industry events, literary festivals and academic conferences in Scotland and around the world – including China, France, Germany, India, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden.
The Centre is also supported by an Industry Advisory Board, with members from Floris Books, Faber & Faber, Publishing Scotland, Oxford University Press and Taylor and Francis. It is also a network member of Publishing Scotland.
Teaching at the Centre is supplemented by a regular series of visiting speakers. Recent speakers include staff from 404 Ink, Bloomsbury, Bookspeed, Charco Press, Hodder Gibson, Simon & Schuster and Publishing Scotland.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
These scholarships are for candidates from developing Commonwealth countries, looking to study selected postgraduate Masters courses. Find out if you could be eligible for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
The Gaelic Books Council Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student studying MLitt Publishing Studies at the University of Stirling, and who is fluent in written and spoken Scottish Gaelic. Find out more about The Gaelic Books Council Scholarship.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
A postgraduate degree in Publishing Studies opens opportunities in roles such as:
- Publisher
- Editor
- Rights manager
- Literary agent
- Marketing coordinator
- Print buyer
- Production manager
- Publicist
- Marketing manager
These positions span different sectors within the industry. They offer diverse opportunities for those interested in books and literary works. (Source: Masters Portal)
The estimated salary for a Publisher is £34,577 per year (Source: Glassdoor, 2025).
Our graduate success
This Masters will prepare you for a rewarding publishing career. Our graduates work in organisations such as:
- Canongate
- Faber and Faber
- Bloomsbury
- Simon & Schuster
- Oxford University Press
- Taylor and Francis
- China Social Sciences Press
- The Bookseller
- Cicerone Press
- Suncolor Publishing Group
Some of our alumni who have worked in the publishing industry have gone onto the following job roles:
- Group Sales Director and President
- Chief Executive
- Managing Editor
- Higher Education Texts and eBook Sales Manager
- Director
- Production Editor
- Founder and Publisher
