Publishing Studies (MLitt)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. 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 View the entry requirements for your country. 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. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band. 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 Alastair Horne , 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 £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 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 . 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. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling 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