Insight into Publishing
Skills programme for University of Oxford students interested in a career in publishing, delivered over three sessions in Hilary term.
The Careers, University of Oxford Insight into Publishing programme is designed to demystify publishing (fiction books only account for a small part of the industry) and increase understanding of professional life to help students become ready to get a job in publishing. It is designed for those who want to work with writers and authors rather than be an author (the Insight into Creative Writing programme is a better fit for aspiring authors).
Insight into Publishing will build upon your academic learning and by the end of the three-session programme you will be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of how the publishing industry works and the skills you need to show prospective employers. You will also be able to apply the learning to your applications and interviews.
Insight into Publishing is designed as an intensive, comprehensive, online programme and you should make every effort to attend all three workshops in order to fully benefit from it. By starting the Insight into Publishing programme you are registering for the whole programme. To take part in this programme, you must complete an application on CareerConnect.
Applying for the programme
Applications for the 2027 programme will open at the end of Michaelmas term 2026.
When we do open applications, we use a hard deadline (rather than a rolling deadline) so we won't consider applications after the deadline has closed.
In 2026, the sessions covered:
- An introduction to the publishing industry and publishing CVs workshop. Online via Teams
- A panel discussion and Q&A featuring Oxford alum now working in publishing. Online via Teams
- Publishing cover letters and interview technique workshop. Online via Teams
Learning outcomes
At the end of the programme, you can expect to have:
- A commercial awareness and understanding of the various publishing roles and divisions in the UK
- An understanding of academic, educational and trade publishing, and how they differ
- The knowledge to craft a good publishing CV
- An insight into what publishing recruiters look for in candidates at the application stages, including interviews
- Ideas about what you can do while at Oxford to make yourself competitive for publishing applications.
Who is eligible to apply?
Current, matriculated University of Oxford students (undergraduate or postgraduate) may apply.
How will applications be assessed?
Applications will be considered in the order in which they were received (i.e. first-come, first-served) on a rolling-basis until the closing date. We will review the statement included in your application form, so we encourage you to explain your reasons for wanting to participate in the programme, as well as any intentions you have for pursuing a career in publishing. We encourage you to apply even if you are unsure whether or not publishing is for you – the programme is a good place to find out more about it!
Please don't use AI/ChatGPT to write your application: it will come across as generic and inauthentic if you do. You need good communication skills to work in publishing and you are better at communicating than AI is.
When can I apply?
Applications are now closed and will open on CareerConnect at the end of 2026.
My question is not answered here
If you cannot find the answer to your question, please get in touch on [email protected]. If you would like publishing careers advice, please book an appointment with a careers adviser. You can also read our sector overview to find out more about publishing and attend the termly Introduction to Publishing talk found in the Term Planner.