Course Summary
Founded in 1995, the MA in Literature and Publishing remains Ireland’s only postgraduate programme dedicated to literature and publishing. This distinctive offering allows students to deepen their existing knowledge of literature while also developing new skills in areas such as marketing, promotions, editorial and production work, and the business aspects of contemporary publishing.?
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements for this programme include an NQAI Level 8 qualification with an overall degree result of H2.2 and with a H2.1 in one subject (or a BA with a 3.0 GPA or equivalent). Please note that admission to this programme is highly selective and meeting minimum achievement thresholds does not guarantee entry.
Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria are encouraged to contact the programme director to discuss eligibility under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. Such candidates may be interviewed to ascertain their suitability for the programme.
Application Details
Closing Date: No set closing date.
Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.
An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).
Next start date September 2026
Fees
Fees: EU
€7,890 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€7,750 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€19,000 p.a. (€19,140 p.a. including levy) 2024/25
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2024/25). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Linguistic
The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Career Progression
In recent years, graduates from the programme have filled posts as agents, editors and booksellers. They have gone on to work at companies including: Curtis Brown Books, Gill Education, Irish Writers Centre, Kenny's Books, Lilliput Press, Literature Ireland, O’Brien Press, Pan Macmillan, Poetry Ireland, Penguin, RTE, and UCD Press.