Overview
Publishing is evolving at a rapid pace. Digital platforms, self-publishing, and new revenue models are reshaping the industry. The MRes Publishing Studies equips you to keep up with these trends, develop evidence-based strategies for publishers, and enhance your professional profile with strong analytical expertise.
This research-focused Masters degree lets you customise your publishing studies to your area of passion. It provides a pathway to PhD preparation through specialised research in publishing. It also offers publishing professionals the chance to focus deeply on issues relevant to their current practice.
On this research Masters in Publishing Studies you’ll:
- explore the history, culture, and contexts of Scottish, UK, and global publishing;
- develop an analytical and research-focused approach to publishing;
- have the option to gain hands-on experience with digital publishing tools and strategies;
- showcase your ability to carry out independent research and concentrate on a topic of interest.
Study at a dedicated publishing research centre
The Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication runs the MRes Publishing Studies. You’ll benefit from their 40+ years' experience of conducting research activities. Staff at the centre regularly collaborate with industry, publishing organisations, and other universities. Research areas include:
- Digital publishing
- Contemporary literary publishing
- Literary prizes
- Book festivals
- Small press publishing
- Publishing and the visual arts
- Academic publishing and open access debates
For those preparing for PhD study it offers opportunities to apply for funding.
Connect with an active publishing research community
There’s plenty of opportunities to build your professional network though guest speaker events. Past speakers include:
- Richard Charkin (Former MD of Academic Publishing at Oxford University Press and President of the International Publishers Association)
- Marion Sinclair (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)
You can also attend industry events such as the Scottish Book Trade conference and the London Book Fair.
Gain practical publishing experience
On our Publishing Studies Masters degree you can choose a work placement module. You’ll undertake an internship at a publisher, or any organisation that has an element of publishing. It’s a great chance to apply your learning in a workplace.
You'll plan and project manage a professional publishing project. At the end of the course you’ll have a portfolio of work which you can use to showcase your skills to potential employers.
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
Research overview
The Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication carries out a 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, in Scotland, the UK and globally. Research areas include:
- digital publishing
- contemporary literary publishing
- literary prizes
- book festivals
- small press publishing
- publishing and the visual arts
- academic publishing and open access debates
The following are all recent PhD topics within the Centre:
- The Publishing Industry in the Digital Ecosystem (Carnegie Trust scholarship)
- Industry Shakeup: Independent Publishing and the Plight for Change
- The Shelf-Life of Books: An Exploration of the Lifecycle and Longevity of Books in the UK in the 21st Century (SGSAH/AHRC DTP studentship)
- Women of Words: Gender equality in contemporary writing and publishing in Scotland (an SGSAH Creative Economies Studentship; co-supervised with University of Glasgow and Scottish Book Trust)
- Publishing in Scotland 1968–2018: From Cultural Heritage to Digital Engagement (University of Stirling match-funded studentship, in partnership with Publishing Scotland and HarperCollins)
- British Trade Publishing and India in the 21st Century: Cartelisation and its Postcolonial Impact
Our work has been funded by a number of organisations, including the AHRC, RSE, British Council, Nesta, and Creative Scotland. We also work with partners including Glasgow Life, the Saltire Society and Publishing Scotland.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
You must submit a research proposal of 2,000 words along with your application.
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 MRes Publishing Studies is a one-year, full-time course designed to enable you to research aspects of contemporary or historical publishing. There is also an option to take the course part-time over two years. The course benefits from access to the modules in the MLitt in Publishing Studies as well as independent research modules. The course differs from the MLitt Publishing Studies in the time and weight allocated to independent research. At the heart of the MRes course is an extended dissertation project of up to 25,000 words, on a topic developed by you, with the support of the Centre’s staff.
Modules
Teaching
The MRes Publishing Studies is delivered through lectures, seminars, self-guided study and one-to-one supervision.
The course isn’t just about independent research and classroom learning. You will also have opportunities to:
- attend a regular series of visiting speakers from the publishing industry;
- go to industry events, such as the Scottish Book Trade conference, the SYP Scotland conference and the London Book Fair;
- take part in field trips to visit a printer, a book distributor, Scotland’s first lending library at Innerpeffray and Stirling’s own centre for letterpress printing – The Pathfoot Press.
Assessment
Assessment includes a variety of written assignments and presentation, alongside a portfolio of publishing research, and an extended dissertation.
Course director
Dr Caroline Wintersgill, Course Director
caroline.wintersgill@stir.ac.uk
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 & Francis. It’s also a network member of Publishing Scotland.
Teaching at the Centre is supplemented by a regular series of visiting speakers. Recent speakers include guest lecturers 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.
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
Graduates from our research Masters degree in Publishing Studies are well prepared to pursue further study at PhD level.
Many others pursue roles outside of academia and advance their publishing careers. Sectors that need publishing skills include:
- Consumer, trade or education publishing
- Literary agenting
- Audio publishing
- Audience and digital development
- Marketing, publicity and communications
- Editorial
- Design and production
The estimated salary for a publisher is £34,577 per year (Glassdoor 2025).
