Publishing (distance learning)
MA or PGDip or PGCert
Key facts
Start dates
January 2024 / January 2025
Location
Course length
Part time: MA 24 months, PGDip 18 months, PGCert 12 months
Department
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.

How to apply
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.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
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 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component.
- recognised and approved equivalent qualification
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Optional costs
Additional costs | Amount (£) |
---|---|
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. |
From £30 |
You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. |
Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. |
From £10 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
All financial support and scholarships
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.

Study modules
The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
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.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
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.
After you graduate
Career prospects
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.
Our Staff
Helena Markou
Helena Markou is a Senior Lecturer and the Subject Coordinator for the MA Publishing responsible for curating the taught aspects of the programme. In addition to tutoring across all aspects of publishing, she is passionate about supporting people in their publishing careers and continued professional development
Read more about HelenaProgramme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.