Centre for Creative Writing, Translation and Publishing

Matthew Hodder Trust Scholarship 2012-13

Scholarship overview

City University London's MA in Publishing Studies and MA in International Publishing Studies 2012-13 invites applications for the Matthew Hodder Scholarship for 2012-13.

N.B. the application deadline is 19 May 2012.

By providing business, content development and digital skills, enhanced through either a compulsory full-time five-week industry placement or an international industry case study, graduates of the top-rated MAs in Publishing Studies from City University London consistently build careers find jobs in a range of a creative, communication, content creation, marketing, production and sales roles within the industry as well as in research jobs.

With the current digital explosion within the industry, MA graduates with IT skills and a keen eye for detail as well as excellent levels of literacy, especially those who engage with the commercial demands of the industry, have every chance of competing successfully for the all-important first job in this highly competitive industry, or applying their skills to research or in other creative sectors.

The publishing industry offers a range of satisfying roles across a wide variety of sectors, from children's publishing to scholarly journals. This is not just an industry for English graduates: it welcomes graduates from any first degree background, and BA/BSc journalists, psychologists, sociologists, nurses, engineers, informatics or business studies graduates are just as likely to find a role that uses their first degree.

The Matthew Hodder Trust hopes to support a UK candidate committed to a career in book publishing who otherwise would not be able to afford the programme. They are also willing to consider exceptional applications from overseas students or those interested in other sectors of publishing.

The scholarship invitation

  1. The Matthew Hodder Charitable Trust will award a £7,500 (seven and a half thousand pounds) Scholarship for an outstanding student accepted by City University London for either their MA in Publishing Studies or MA in International Publishing Studies courses.

  2. The selection of the student shall be at the discretion of the awarding panel. The MHCT Trustees' preference is for candidates:
    a) who are UK citizens
    b) who are deemed to have special commitment and aptitude for a career in "book" publishing
    c) whose financial circumstances are such that only such a scholarship would make this course possible.

Applicants may apply for this Scholarship alongside other sources of funding, but these must be detailed on the application. The Scholarship will not include a maintenance grant.

Applicants who are successful in receiving awards from other sources of funding which cover their tuition fees will not be eligible for the Scholarship, and must inform the Programme Director. Eligibility will not be affected by funding covering maintenance costs. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to maintenance costs.

Application brief and deadlines 

Award criteria

The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

  1. a proven interest in a career in publishing, especially book publishing
  2. a considered explanation of what the master's course will contribute to the student's learning and career development
  3. financial need.


Submission material

Applicants for the Scholarship must already have accepted by the time of application for the scholarship a conditional or unconditional offer of a place on the MA in Publishing Studies or MA in International Publishing Studies for 2012-13. To apply for one of these courses, please see the MA Publishing Studies or MA International Publishing webpages.
 
Applicants for the Scholarship should also submit by email a CV, personal statement, and a short report (up to five pages of A4 in length) which demonstrates their commitment to at least one publishing sector and supports their suitability for the Scholarship, relating to criteria (1) and (2) above.
 
Towards criterion (3), applicants are also invited to detail any further funding sources they are applying for; to indicate how they intend to pay for the remainder of their fees and maintenance costs; and to provide copies of evidence of financial need, which might include (in confidence): copies of bank statements, copies of recent tax returns, information on dependants, or evidence of previous government or means-tested support for study.

Submission process and deadline

The application must be made by email (maryann.kernan.1@city.ac.uk) to Mary Ann Kernan, Programme Director, MA in Publishing Studies, dated no later than 19 May 2012.

Applicants will be informed by email of the Scholarship Panel's decision (which will be final) by 22 June 2012. A place on the relevant programme will be held for the successful 2012-13 Matthew Trust Scholar.