Courses
Foundation Degree In Publishing
Become a designer with a sound understanding of editorial process and marketing, or an editor with a good knowledge of design and production. This course will help you become the multi-skilled professional that today’s rapidly changing publishing industry needs.
Course structure and content
Whether you want to produce a magazine, book, leaflet, newsletter, exhibition catalogue or web content, you’ll need to employ sound editorial and design skills to varying degrees depending on your exact role. This innovative, highly practical course will help you develop these skills for use in either an in-house or freelance capacity.
During the first year all students are taught Graphic Design and Editorial modules in common to provide a shared foundation of skills and knowledge. These include: creative design principles, communication skills, text-editing techniques and online and print production methods. In the second year you will specialize in either design or editorial. You will be encouraged to consider the technical and commercial demands of the publishing industry alongside more creative approaches to product innovation. In your second year you will also be introduced to a range of business and presentation skills leading to a placement during the first semester. There will be opportunities for collaboration and hands-on experience working on live projects, including work for Bath Spa University Press.
A series of core modules provide a broad education in the contemporary print and online publishing industry, intended to provide you with vital background knowledge. This core course will also introduce you to other areas of publishing including marketing, copyright and contracts, and production management.
Year 1 Modules
Students take all modules:
- Contemporary Publishing 1: Contexts
- Contemporary Publishing 2: Professional Practice
- Introduction to Design & Production
- Envisioning Design
- Effective Communication
- Copywriting & Editing
Year 2 Modules
Both Pathways:
- Contemporary Publishing 3: Clients, Costings & Cash Flow
- Contemporary Publishing 4: Promotional Strategies
Design Pathway:
- Professional Design Practice
- Self Initiated Practice
Or
Editorial Pathway:
- Professional Editorial Practice
- Creating Content: Commissioning & Product Development
How will I be taught?
You will learn through a combination of workshops, studio work, lectures, seminars, work-based placements, one-to-one and group tutorials, and projects. Teaching is delivered in high-quality facilities, including the new Publishing Lab, and all staff and visiting lecturers are experienced practitioners. During the course you will be encouraged to pursue your personal career goals and seek opportunities to gain practical experience in industry while you study.
How will I be assessed?
A range of assessment methods are used. Most modules assess the skills involved in researching and presenting written and visual material. Teamwork may be assessed in some modules alongside individual work. Modules are assessed on the coursework produced, which may include Powerpoint presentations, written work, or a portfolio of set exercises.
Entry requirements
160-200 UCAS Tariff points (minimum 60 points from Art, Design, English, IT, Media Studies, or a related subject preferred). National Diplomas, a portfolio of art and design, or Art Foundation Course. Mature candidates with non-standard qualifications will be considered.
Award
FDA Publishing P400
Foundation Degrees were set up by the government as two-year vocational degrees with strong ties to industry. They have a work placement component and offer degree-level study for those wishing to progress into a chosen career on graduation.
Students who successfully complete the FD may apply to progress onto the BA (Hons) in Creative Writing or the BA (Hons) in Graphic Communication.
Course location
This course is taught by the Bath School of Art and Design and the School of English and Creative Studies at both University campuses (Sion Hill and Newton Park) as part of Artswork, the University's £4.5 million Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Course length
Two years full time
Course fees
£3,000 per year
Bursaries up to £1,175 available
Career opportunities
The course aims to produce students who have the skills and knowledge combined with a level of entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen to allow them to make a successful transition from the course into publishing careers as a designer or editor, or in a role which requires both skills such as publicity and marketing, or newsletter editor. In addition to book and magazine publishing, there is a wide range of other industries and organisations which employ multi-skilled people to produce published materials such as retail businesses, the music and fashion industry, art galleries and museums, charities, and local authorities.
Further enquiries
Course Leader, Katharine Reeve, k.reeve@bathspa.ac.uk or Admissions enquiries@bathspa.ac.uk, 01225 875433.
Contact for design enquiries: David Tinkham, Administrator,
Department of Graphic Communication D.Tinkham@bathspa.ac.uk, 01225 875528