The Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication has long held a global reputation for the provision of publishing education at Masters level. The MSc in International Publishing Management is an innovative postgraduate degree aimed at those already working within the publishing industry. It encourages critical thinking, develops strategic management skills, sharpens teamworking, and creates an environment in which to exchange ideas and expertise with fellow publishers from around the world.
Hear more about the MSc in International Publishing Management from our Director, Claire Squires:
Overview
The MSc in International Publishing Management provides an opportunity for those already working in publishing and related industries to reflect upon their current practice, to develop management skills, to enhance career prospects, and to work within a stimulating international environment.
There are usually 12-15 students on the programme, which begins in September and lasts for one academic year (two for part-time students). Students come from all over the world to study publishing at the Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication – in 2009-10 there are students from – among other countries – the UK, Ireland, France, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkmenistan and the United States.
The Centre also offers an MLitt in Publishing Studies an MRes in Publishing Studies, and the possibility to study for a PhD.
Teaching Programme
The MSc in International Publishing Management utilises the case study method in order to analyse issues of strategic management within international publishing. Individually and in teams, programme members research and construct effective responses to international publishing scenarios, thus developing their theoretical and conceptual knowledge.
The programme aims to develop programme members’ expertise and confidence in analysing issues of strategic publishing management. It builds skill and confidence in applying theoretical and conceptual knowledge developed from analysing real-world case studies, all derived from the publishing, communication and creative industries. The programme thus enables its graduates to handle the increasing scale and complexity of 21st-century publishing with confidence.
The degree is centred on case studies specially written for the programme. Every case study focuses on management issues in publishing. Alongside each case study, there is a carefully designed programme of associated reading and research.
Structure and Content
The programme begins in September and extends over two (four for part-time students) semesters, and includes a period of research in the summer.
The core taught skills developed on the programme will be:
- Risk Management in International Publishing Businesses
- Knowledge and Resource Management for International Publishing Businesses
- Financial Management for International Publishing Businesses
- Strategic Planning for International Publishing Businesses
- Management of Publishing Marketing and Communications for International
- Publishing Businesses
- Management of Intellectual Property and Contract Assets for International Publishing Businesses
- Management of Human Resources for International Publishing Businesses
Substantial parts of the programme are based on case studies which are purpose-written for the course. The case study method enables students to develop progressively their management skills. There is a carefully designed programme of lectures, seminars, class exercises, and reading and research associated with each case study module.
The following modules are studied:
- Introduction to International Publishing Management: This module introduces students to the case study method and transferable skills used throughout all the case study modules, including teamworking and written and oral presentation skills.
- Publishing Dynamics: This module investigates different market sectors, introduces concepts of publishing business, finance and intellectual property, and analyses current publishing trends and issues.. It also explores job roles and publishing processes, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a publishing career.
- Marketing Management and Communications: This module introduces marketing theory and practical publishing examples in order to develop a range of strategies for effective promotion of publishing products, through traditional and digital media, including social networking. The module also explores the publishing supply chain and effective sales.
- Skills for Publishing Management: This module enables students to develop management skills crucial to publishing. Areas covered include strategic, operational, risk, financial and HR management.
- Case Studies 1, 2, 3 and 4: The content of the case studies varies from year-to-year, in order to develop management skills in relation to a range of current publishing trends and challenges.
- Research Case Study: An individual research case study of up to 12,000 words on a topic approved in advance by the Programme Director. The case study must derive from researching a real-world publishing scenario.
Delivery and Assessment
The MSc in International Publishing Management is delivered via interactive lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one teaching. Programme members draw on the expertise of staff, visiting speakers, and each other. Assessment is based on both group and individual assignments, which is delivered both as presentations and as written work.
Other Activities
As well as the programme teaching, there are a range of activities that the MSc in International Publishing Management programme members can take advantage of, including events within the Department of English Studies (including the Scottish Centre of Poetry), and events outside the University (including the Society of Young Publishers Scotland).
Teaching Staff
All staff members teaching in the Centre have substantial experience working in publishing and publishing-related industries. Our experience ranges across several publishing market sectors, including trade, academic and educational publishing. The Centre staff is supplemented by a number of additional visiting speakers from the publishing industry, who come to share their knowledge and expertise with programme members.
To support the development and currency of our teaching programmes, we have an Industry Advisory Board, which is made up of senior figures the UK publishing industry (including some of our alumni), who give us advice and support in terms of keeping our curriculum up-to-date, offering internship and – frequently – employment opportunities.
Career Opportunities
The MSc in International Publishing Management has as its central aim the enhancement of programme members’ career prospects within the global publishing industries. The strategic management skills and publishing-specific knowledge at the heart of the programme enables the development of critical thinking, and through the individual research case study, programme members undertake action research into an aspect of their current publishing practice. This provides an exceptional opportunity for programme members to apply high-level strategic management skills.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants should have a good Honours degree (or international equivalent) in any subject, and relevant professional publishing, or publishing-industry related, experience. If English is not your first language, you provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent.
Funding
For details on scholarships and bursaries, see the Department of English Studies funding page.
Further Information
The Programme Director would be delighted to discuss the programme further with prospective students, and to welcome you to Stirling to see the campus and meet with staff at the Centre for International Publishing and Communication. Contact us for further details.
Please note that it is possible to apply online for this course – please scroll down to ‘Department Name – English Studies’.