Much of our success derives from our extensive links with the industry in the UK and internationally. Our industry network extends to some of the UK’s leading media organizations including Bloomsbury, Penguin Random House, Hearst, Conde Nast, Future, Immediate, BBC, Google and many more.
All members of staff have worked in industry and continue their connections through their research and consultancy work. We are involved with industry awards: for example we help to organize the British Book Design and Production Awards each year along with the British Print Industries Federation and the Publishers Association; our Director, Angus Phillips, was a judge for the Bookseller national industry awards for four years in a row. The Centre is a key partner in the international IPA Academy.
OICP is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists for its MA in Journalism and the pathway in journalism within the undergraduate degree, Media, Journalism and Publishing.
All students have access to key industry data such as Nielsen Bookscan.
Scholarships
There are a variety of scholarships available through the department, the university, and from industry. In 2023 there were industry scholarships from organizations including the London Book Fair, Princeton University Press, and the Stationers' Foundation.
A range of prizes are offered by the publishing industry for the best student work, ranging in value up to £500. In 2023 there were awards from Bloomsbury, Nielsen, Pearson and Taylor & Francis.
Work experience
All students have the opportunity to do work experience alongside their studies, and we have a member of staff with specific responsibility for work experience and internships. We run our own web board with advertisements for work placements.
Gaining employment
Our graduates have established an enviable reputation in the publishing industry and they are extremely successful in obtaining good jobs fast. The Centre has its own vacancy list of jobs in publishing and runs an annual Working in Publishing Day, attended by many employers.
An industry survey revealed that out of the top three universities attended by those in the publishing industry, our representation is second in the industry behind Oxford University and ahead of Cambridge University.
Field trips and trade fairs
We are the only publishing programmes in the world to run regular trips to the London and Bologna book fairs. The Centre arranges free entry for students to the London Book Fair, and our students are asked each year to help with the running of the Fair and its seminar programme. The Centre has a stand each year and has hosted seminars on topics including children's publishing, ebook pricing, social media, the gamification of publishing, publishing in the Arab world, publishing in India, censorship, and sustainability.
There are annual trips to the Bologna International Children's Book Fair. In the last few years, students have also visited the Frankfurt Book Fair, and visited Amsterdam for Dutch Book Week. In 2018 and 2019 there were field trips to the Beijing International Book Fair.
There are industry visits to publishers and industry suppliers such as printers. In recent years there have been trips to Bloomsbury Publishers, the British Library, Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, and Getty Images.
Training and consultancy
The Centre's links with industry are a two-way street. University courses are supported by visiting lecturers from industry. At the same time the Centre provides professional development programmes and consultancy for the international industry. All these activities enhance the quality and currency of the mainstream courses offered at Oxford Brookes.
Visiting speakers
Many visiting speakers from industry contribute to the degree programmes and also to the Publishing Seminar series.