Does the MA Creative Media and Publishing cover books, podcasts and digital?

Yes. The MA Creative Media and Publishing treats books, podcasts and longform digital as parts of the same publishing industry. The substantial publishing project must use at least two formats; the dissertation can sit on any of them.

Can the MA Creative Media and Publishing be taken part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time, with the same project and dissertation requirements. Online and distance routes are available; many students are working publishing professionals who study around the day job.

Will the MA Creative Media and Publishing help me start an independent publisher or podcast?

Yes. The publishing strategy and contract modules cover the business and legal foundations a small press or podcast network needs. The substantial publishing project can be the prototype for a launch artefact, with tutor and industry-mentor support.

What dissertation can I write on the MA Creative Media and Publishing?

A 10,000–12,000 word piece on a publishing or media question of your design, agreed with a named supervisor. Past dissertations have included independent press economics, podcast audience development and longform digital business models.

Is the MA Creative Media and Publishing recognised by UK publishers?

Yes. The MA Creative Media and Publishing is a UK Master's degree (Level 7) structured around current publishing practice. Several recent graduates from comparable programmes have moved into commissioning and senior production roles at trade publishers, podcast networks and longform digital outlets.

MA Creative Media and Publishing in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Creative Media and Publishing at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK Master's degree for graduates and working publishing professionals targeting senior editorial, commissioning or production roles. You will study advanced editorial craft, multi-format production and the strategic context of contemporary publishing, and complete a substantial publishing project plus a dissertation.

This is a research-informed MA built around the strategic and craft realities of UK publishing in 2026 — independent presses, podcast networks, longform digital newsrooms and the back-list businesses that fund most of the industry. By the end you can lead a publishing project and contribute to strategic planning at editorial level.

Key Features

One-year UK Master's degree in creative media and publishing — twelve months full-time, twenty-four months part-time.
Advanced editorial craft modules — commissioning, structural editing, author relations.
Multi-format production — print, digital, audio and longform online at senior level.
Publishing strategy module — business models, rights, audience development, the UK retail ecosystem.
Substantial publishing project — a publishable artefact across at least two formats.
10,000–12,000 word dissertation on a publishing or media question of your choice.

What You Will Learn

The MA Creative Media and Publishing is structured around the working life of a senior publishing professional — commission the work, manage the production, plan the audience strategy, defend the financial logic. You finish able to lead a publishing project and contribute meaningfully to organisational strategy.

Advanced editorial craft — commissioning, developmental editing, author relations at senior level.
Multi-format production — print, ebook, podcast, longform digital at senior level.
Publishing strategy — business models, rights and licensing, audience development.
Contract and rights — author contracts, agent relationships, subsidiary rights.
Marketing and audience — book promotion, audience building, distribution.
Publishing law — copyright, defamation, contract law, UK GDPR for publishers.
Research methods — qualitative interviewing, market analysis, dissertation methodology.
Strategic communications — publisher-author-reader relationships, transparency, crisis handling.

Who This MA Is For

Bachelor's graduates in publishing, media or related disciplines targeting senior editorial roles.
Working publishing professionals seeking a senior credential to support promotion.
Career changers from journalism, librarianship or bookselling moving into publishing leadership.
Independent publishers and podcast founders wanting strategic depth.

Career Pathways

MA Creative Media and Publishing graduates move into senior editorial and strategic roles across UK publishing, podcast networks, longform digital outlets and broadcaster publishing operations. Typical first or next roles include:

Commissioning Editor (trade publisher, academic press)
Senior Producer (podcast network, audio publisher)
Multimedia Producer (broadcaster, corporate publisher)
Digital Editor (online publisher, longform site)
Independent Publisher / Founder (small press, podcast network)
Creative Director (publisher, multi-format imprint)

The MA also supports senior strategic roles, doctoral study in publishing studies, and applied research positions.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, publishing experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a portfolio.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.