Masters Degrees in Librarianship

About the course

Our established MA Librarianship degree includes guest lectures from industry professionals and field visits. Through group work, you’ll hone your organisational and teamworking skills. We can also help you to develop leadership and management capabilities.

This CILIP-accredited course prepares you for a library career in a variety of sectors. Most applicants have around 12 months’ work experience but there is flexibility around this. Please contact us if you have queries about your work experience. If you’re more experienced, you should take the Professional Enhancement Programme.

Your career

Effective use of information improves the world and makes a positive difference to our lives. It is also central to economic development. The rapid pace of technological change and the globalisation of markets means that organisations in all sectors must realise the value of information systems.
The world needs graduates who are information literate.

Our graduates work for all kinds of organisations, in the public and private sectors. Employers include:

Adidas; BBC; British Red Cross; Cambridge University; The Department of Health; Ernst and Young; GCHQ; Goldman Sachs; Hewlett-Packard CDS; House of Commons Library; Imperial College London; IBM; Kings College London; NHS; Pepsico; Pricewaterhouse Coopers; Stanford University

If you’re already an experienced professional, you can develop new skills and advance your career with one of our Professional Enhancement Programmes.

Your subject

Our courses are research-led, which means you’ll learn about the latest concepts from academics who work with organisations to drive developments in this field. Alongside the theory and technical skills, you’ll develop some valuable attributes including effective communication, application of research methods and creative problem solving.

How we teach

All our courses (except our distance learning courses) include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical laboratory classes, group work, online discussion, case studies and lectures by visiting speakers. Our MA Librarianship course also includes visits to library and information service organisations. You’ll be assessed using a wide variety of methods including essays, reports, small projects, in-class tests, presentations, posters, group work and a research-based dissertation.

Learning Environment

Our dedicated departmental teaching suite contains two networked laboratories with 60 computers and a 30-seat lecture room. Our state of the art iLab includes a Usability Lab and Digital Media Lab designed to collect research data into human–computer interaction.

The iSpace is an open plan, social learning area for students. It has display facilities, open-access PCs and bookable partitioned group work areas. There is Wi-Fi coverage throughout the department, and you can connect your own laptop to our network. Mobile devices and tables are available for you to borrow for project work.

We’re right in the middle of the campus and close to the Information Commons and the new Diamond building so you’ll be able to access the University’s many resources.

Part time study

Part-time students normally take one or two taught module in each semester, depending upon whether the course is taken over three or two years. In the final year you’ll also take a dissertation module. For most modules, you’ll usually need to come in for three to four hours per week.

Core modules

Dissertation; Management for Library and Information Services; Information Retrieval: Search Engines and Digital Libraries; Information Literacy; Libraries, Information and Society; Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation.

Examples of optional modules

Including: Archives and Records Management; Information Governance and Ethics; Researching Social Media; Data and Society; Digital Advocacy; Business Intelligence; Database Design; Human Computer Information Interaction: Content Management Systems; Digital Multimedia Libraries; Public and Youth Library Services; Academic and Workplace Library, Information and Knowledge Services.

Read less

About the course

Aberystwyth University’s MA/Diploma in Information and Library Studies by distance learning will equip you with the highly desirable skills employers need to manage their most valuable assets in our global ‘information economy’. You will be able to identify, organise, retrieve and make accessible information across paper, electronic and multimedia formats. This MA or Diploma will equip you to fulfil the essential role that companies and professional bodies need to compete effectively in a fast-moving national and international business environment.

The MA and Diploma are accredited by both CILIP and the Institute of Information Scientists making it one of the best courses for professional practice.

The Department of Information Studies at Aberystwyth has an impressive track record. In the department’s forty years of teaching, we have produced some of the UK's, and indeed the world's, leading librarians and information professionals. Our alumni include two national librarians (Scotland and former Wales), the first black national librarian in South Africa, and the Director of the Bureau for Library and Information Services at the United Nations.

This course features an extensive list of optional modules which allow you to direct your studies into areas which particularly fascinate you.

As a Distance Learner in employment, you should find that your work experience enhances your studies, while your studies enable you to reflect on your work experience in new ways. Your studies can also help you to promote the best current practice in your workplace.

Although this postgraduate programme is primarily designed to meet the needs of those who wish to work in various types of information and library services, you can exploit the transferable skills mastered during the programme to pursue careers in related professions (e.g. media management and book publishing), or continue your studies to a more advanced level through undertaking further postgraduate level research.

This degree will suit you:

•If you wish to obtain a Masters degree or Diploma from one of the UK’s leading departments;
•If you wish to gain the knowledge and skills for professional work within Information and Library fields;
•If you wish to work in various types of information and library services or gain transferable skills for the pursuit of related careers such as media management and book publishing;
•If you wish to continue your studies to a more advanced level through undertaking further postgraduate level research.

Course content

Core modules:

Collection Management
Dissertation
Information Organisation and Retrieval
Information Services: Planning for Delivery
Information and Society
Research in the Profession
Studies in Management

Optional modules:

Archive Management: Principles & Techniques
Digital Information : Discovery to Delivery
Digital Preservation
Focus on the Child : Reading and Libraries
Knowledge and Information Architecture
Music Librarianship
Publishing and the Web:Exploring New Technologies
Rare Books Librarianship i
Rare Books Librarianship ii
Records and Information Governance

Contact time

Contact time can be arranged remotely with your tutor. Attendance at at least two study schools is required and these provide the main contact.

Assessment

The programme is assessed on the basis of coursework in Part One and the dissertation in Part Two. Successful completion of Part One allows the award of a Diploma. The subsequent successful submission of your research dissertation (Part Two) leads to the award of an MA.

Accreditation

The Masters degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and the Institute of Information Scientists. Graduates will have a qualification which is recognised for admission to the Register of Chartered Librarians (subject to the Institute's chartership regulations). Please note that the Diploma qualification is recognised as an accredited course.

Employability

Every aspect of the Aberystwyth University’s Masters in Information and Library Studies programme is designed to enhance your employability. Successful completion of this degree is in itself certain to do so by building your CV; but more significant is the hugely enhanced array of knowledge, abilities and skills with which you will graduate.

As a graduate, you will possess a wealth of subject-specific expertise, such as a thorough understanding of how ethical, legal, and social factors affect the flow of information; information literacy and the effect of 'information deprivation'; and the ongoing challenges of organising, storing, and retrieving information. You will also be confident in the use of system and their tools which you will use to order, store and retrieve information. These skills, which are fundamental to the subject, are applicable across a diverse array of workplaces. Likewise, the study skills, research methods and interpersonal awareness that you will learn within the context of study can be applied in any place of work where people and systems meet. In such situations, you will be at a tremendous advantage over your competitors.

As information is increasingly recognised as a core resource for organisations of all kinds, the range of posts to which our graduates progress widens all the time. In addition to the traditional library and information service sector, our graduates also go on to work as Information Officers, Information Managers, Information Systems Officers, Information Analysts and Computer Systems Officers. The most prestigious of our alumni include two national librarians (Scotland and former Wales), the first black national librarian in South Africa, and the Director of the Bureau for Library and Information Services at the United Nations. In addition, companies which acknowledge the value of information also benefit from our graduates’ information skills when applied to the areas of management, sales, production or marketing. Your personal adaptability, coupled with the critical information and library skills, will make you a strong candidate for any post where excellence in organisations and systems management is prized.

Study in a Practical Context

The content of this MA/Diploma is weighted in favour of mastering the practical applications of Information and Library Studies. The University of Aberystwyth boasts library resources which are amongst the best in Europe. The Department’s specialist Thomas Parry Library is one of the leading libraries for Information Studies. As a student, you will have access to this exceptional resource where you can apply your learning in activities which will convert the purely academic theory into the proven know-how of experience.

In addition to this, you will also have access to the University's Hugh Owen Library which houses more than 700,000 volumes and subscribes to more than 3,500 current periodicals. Also, the National Library for Wales next to the campus is one of the UK's five copyright libraries housing more than 6,000,000 volumes. In addition to the University's computing facilities, you will also have access to the Department's own extensive computer workstation rooms, all housed in a purpose built Department on the attractive Llanbadarn campus.

Skills in Management of Systems and Stakeholders

The MA/Diploma is designed to give you a broad knowledge of a range of transferable skills that you can apply in a variety of research interests, particularly in your Master’s dissertation. A significant proportion of postgraduate jobs demand management abilities; this course aims to support your progression into professional employment beyond by including such training.

You will become well versed in contemporary management theory and practice of relevance to the management of the relationship between information and organisations. You will learn to analyse and control how information is transmitted to users, including access to information and measurement of use. The monitoring an analysis of data is crucial to the success of business organisations and initiatives. Mastering it will enable you to manage within a changing and turbulent environment and provide you with an understanding of the inter-relationship of the organisation with its customers and stakeholders.

As business relies on meeting needs, this training will be a significant advantage to you when you enter the jobs market.

Read less

About the course

The demands placed upon managers in the library and information profession are increasingly complex. Library and information managers have to cope with rapid change and development. This CILIP accredited degree (Diploma and Masters) has been devised as a response to the needs of the profession for Continuing Professional Development: to help professional practitioners cope with the demands placed upon them, and to prepare mid-career practitioners for the next stage in their career. It is therefore not designed to provide the student with a first qualification in information and library studies, but to update and progress existing knowledge and qualifications.

This Degree will suit you:

• If you wish to obtain a Masters degree or diploma from one of the UK’s leading departments
• If you wish to gain the knowledge and skills for managerial work in Library and Information Services
• If you wish to develop and update existing knowledge and qualification within an information or library service sector.

Objectives

• Enable senior library and information service staff to manage key resources through an understanding of their organisational value;
• Provide managers with specific skills in core activities;
• Offer an academic component to the career advancement of professionals;
• Enable employers to support Continuous Professional Development without the need for breaks in employment.

Course structure and content

This programme is offered in flexible distance learning mode as it is recognised that prospective students will not wish a mid-career break in order to update their qualifications. The length of the degree scheme is normally three years, but students may take between two and five years to complete their studies. Normally, the first two years (Part One) consist of a taught element, whereby students complete 120 credits. Those wishing to finish study at the end of the taught element will be eligible for a Diploma (120 credits). The remaining period (Part Two) is to complete a dissertation (60 credits), to gain the Master’s qualification (180 credits).

Students on this course will be required to attend two compulsory residential study schools in Aberystwyth. The first will be in September at the commencement of the course, and is designed to prepare students for the taught element (Part One) of the programme. The second is a research study school (offered during April and September) and is designed to prepare students for the dissertation (Part Two).

Completion requires accumulation of 120 credits for the award of the Diploma and 180 credits for the award of the Master’s degree.

Core modules:

Dissertation
Research and Evaluation Methods in Information Systems
Studies in Management

Optional modules:

Archive Management: Principles & Techniques
Collection Management
Digital Information : Discovery to Delivery
Information Services: Planning for Delivery
Knowledge and Information Architecture
Music Librarianship
Publishing and the Web:Exploring New Technologies
Rare Books Librarianship i
Rare Books Librarianship ii
Records and Information Governance

Contact time

Contact time can be arranged remotely with your tutor. Attendance at at least two study schools is required and these provide the main contact.

Assessment

There is a variety of assignments in Part One, including reports, presentations, essays, critical reviews and case studies which enable you to relate theoretical knowledge to your own workplace. Part Two, is assessed on the Dissertation.

Employability

Every course at Aberystwyth University is designed to enhance your vocational and general employability. This CILIP accredited Masters will place you in the jobs market as a highly-trained manager with knowledge and skills in Library and Information services. This course will also develop a wide range of general work skills such as research, analysis, writing, presentation and management, ensuring your employability is improved across all areas.

Study Skills

You will develop skills in quickly and accurately assimilating and interpreting data – which you will find invaluable in a managerial post. You will develop productive strategies for planning and problem-solving that can be applied beyond your chosen area of study, making you a versatile academic as well as a productive professional. You will learn to analyse and control how information is transmitted to users, including access to information and measurement of use. The monitoring and analysis of data is crucial to the success of business organisations and initiatives. Mastering it will enable you to manage within a changing and turbulent environment and provide you with an understanding of the inter-relationship of the organization with its customers and stakeholder

Study in a Practical Context

The University of Aberystwyth boasts library resources which are amongst the best in Europe. The Department’s specialist Thomas Parry Library is one of the leading libraries for Information Studies. As a student, you will have access to this exceptional resource where you can apply your learning in activities which will convert the purely academic theory into the proven know-how of experience.

In addition to this, you will also have access to the University's Hugh Owen Library which houses more than 700,000 volumes and subscribes to more than 3,500 current periodicals. Also, the National Library for Wales next to the campus is one of the UK's five copyright libraries housing more than 6,000,000 volumes.

Self-Motivation and Discipline

Studying at a Postgraduate level requires high levels of discipline and self-motivation. You will have access to the expertise and helpful guidance of departmental staff but you will be ultimately responsible for devising and completing a sustained programme of scholarly research in pursuit of your masters degree. This process of independent study at an extremely high level will strengthen your skills as an independent and self-sufficient worker, a trait prized by most employers.

Read less

Long Island University offers the Master of Science in Library and Information Science – accredited by the American Library Association– at the Palmer School at LIU Post in Brookville, New York and at New York University’s Bobst Library in Manhattan. In addition, the Palmer School partners with NYU to provide a unique Dual Degree program for scholar-librarians, leading to a Master's degree from NYU Steinhardt or NYU College of Arts and Science and a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from LIU. Students can also take master's level courses at LIU Brentwood in Brentwood, N.Y. or Long Island.

Areas of Study

-Academic & Special Librarianship
-Digital Libraries
-Health Sciences
-Rare Books & Special Collections
-School Library Media Specialist
-Technical Service
-Youth Librarianship (Children's & Young Adult Services)

Read less

The course will enable you to obtain a professional qualification accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and recognised by the profession worldwide.

This course brings together a mixture of theory and practice that replicates activities found in the workplace. It attaches strong importance to producing creative and reflective practitioners and prepares students for a wide range of employment opportunities, ranging from traditional librarianship to information management and research. A variety of research methods and techniques are taught and our students are equipped with a broad range of managerial, professional and technological knowledge and skills.

The MSc Library and Information Studies is available to study full-time or by distance learning. It also offers a four-week placement opportunity for full-time students. We are part of iSchool - the world's leading group of Information Science departments

Visit the website http://www.rgu.ac.uk/information-communication-and-media/information-communication-and-media-study-options/postgraduate/information-and-library-studies

On-campus - Full-time or Part-time

Full-time study on campus is completed in 12 months or part-time over 3 years. The course consists of the taught (Diploma) element and the Dissertation element. The taught part is composed of eight modules (each worth 15 credits) and once you have passed all of them you will be eligible for the Postgraduate Diploma. You can then proceed to the dissertation stage (worth 60 credits). Once it is successfully completed you are eligible for the MSc (a total of 180 credits).

Distance learning - Part-time

Study is online through the University's virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle, which offers the opportunity to interact with tutors and fellow students from around the world. All the modules can be also taken on a free-standing basis through the Postgraduate Professional Studies Programme and may contribute to your own Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Stage 1

•Information Studies
•Managing Library Services
•Knowledge Organisation

Exit Award: PgCert Information and Library Studies

Stage 2

•Digital Age
•Cataloguing and Classification
•Professional Fieldwork Placement
•Research Methods

Exit Award: PgDip Information and Library Studies

Stage 3

•Dissertation

Award: MSc Information and Library Studies

In Semester 2, you will present a written research proposal for submission. This will normally form the basis for the Masters level dissertation. You will work independently but under tutorial supervision, to undertake the research and prepare the dissertation.

Full-time Study

In full time mode, you will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshop sessions. These comprise of a mix of group study, discussion, simulation and presentations of findings by teams and individuals. You will work as an individual and also as part of a team on case studies, team activities, presentations and discussions.

Access to our virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle, is also provided giving you access from home to learning materials (including videos, e-books and journals).

Part-time Study

Our part-time delivery mode combines aspects of distance learning and on-campus delivery. You will benefit from the support of the virtual learning environment but also face-to-face interaction with tutors and classmates.

Distance Learning

Our supported distance learning mode of delivery allows you to study online from any location and is designed to fit in around your work commitments. You will be taught and supported by experienced industry professionals who will recreate the same challenging interactive format of the on-campus courses for those studying at a distance.

Our virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle offers students flexibility of where and when they can study, offering full and open access to tutors and other class members. Students have the benefit of being part of a group of learners with the invaluable opportunity to participate in active, group-related learning within a supportive online community setting. The online campus provides students with lectures and course materials and it also includes:
•Virtual tutorials
•Live chat
•Discussion forums - student and tutor led
•Up-to-date web technology for delivery methods
•User friendly material
•Access to our online library

As online learners, students are part of a 'virtual cohort' and the communication and interaction amongst members of the cohort is a significant aspect of the learning process.

Careers

The information industry continues to expand, providing a wide range of opportunities for graduates equipped with a broad range of managerial, professional and technological knowledge and skills. This course prepares the student to work in or enhance their career in all aspects of the information sector. Our graduates now work in all parts of the information and library sectors, ranging from traditional librarianship to information management and research.

The job market is changing too, with fluctuations in the demand for librarians in public and academic libraries paralleled by a continual expansion in the number of librarians and information scientists in specialised information services in both the public and privately funded sectors. There are also many opportunities arising from developments in networking and multimedia information services within commercial and educational establishments. Here is what some of our recent graduates are doing now:
• Systems Librarian, Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland
• Online Information Relationships Manager, Thomson Reuters, London
• Library Media Centre Specialist, International School of Aberdeen
• Head librarian, Western International School, Shanghai
• Senior Information Researcher, U.S. Embassy to Italy, Rome
• School librarian, The Wordsley School, West Midlands
• Group Information & Research Analyst, Acergy Group, Houston Texas
• East Asian Studies Librarian, University of Edinburgh

How to apply

To find out how to apply, use the following link: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/applyonline

Funding

For information on funding, including loans, scholarships and Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) please click the following link: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/future-students/finance-and-scholarships/financial-support/uk-students/postgraduate-students/postgraduate-students/

Read less

About the course

This CILIP-accredited course is about the creation, management and use of digital libraries and resources. It will introduce you to the strategic thinking and project management skills you need for a successful career. You’ll learn about digitisation, repositories, web creation and how to design digital libraries people want to use.

The course combines lectures from academics and professionals, seminars, small-group work and computer labs. We can also help you to develop leadership and management capabilities.

Your career

Effective use of information improves the world and makes a positive difference to our lives. It is also central to economic development. The rapid pace of technological change and the globalisation of markets means that organisations in all sectors must realise the value of information systems.
The world needs graduates who are information literate.

Our graduates work for all kinds of organisations, in the public and private sectors. Employers include:

Adidas; BBC; British Red Cross; Cambridge University; The Department of Health; Ernst and Young; GCHQ; Goldman Sachs; Hewlett-Packard CDS; House of Commons Library; Imperial College London; IBM; Kings College London; NHS; Pepsico; Pricewaterhouse Coopers; Stanford University

If you’re already an experienced professional, you can develop new skills and advance your career with one of our Professional Enhancement Programmes (page xxx).

Your subject

Our courses are research-led, which means you’ll learn about the latest concepts from academics who work with organisations to drive developments in this field. Alongside the theory and technical skills, you’ll develop some valuable attributes including effective communication, application of research methods and creative problem solving.

How we teach

All our courses (except our distance learning courses) include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical laboratory classes, group work, online discussion, case studies and lectures by visiting speakers. Our MA Librarianship course also includes visits to library and information service organisations. You’ll be assessed using a wide variety of methods including essays, reports, small projects, in-class tests, presentations, posters, group work and a research-based dissertation.

Learning Environment

Our dedicated departmental teaching suite contains two networked laboratories with 60 computers and a 30-seat lecture room. Our state of the art iLab includes a Usability Lab and Digital Media Lab designed to collect research data into human–computer interaction.

The iSpace is an open plan, social learning area for students. It has display facilities, open-access PCs and bookable partitioned group work areas. There is Wi-Fi coverage throughout the department, and you can connect your own laptop to our network. Mobile devices and tables are available for you to borrow for project work.

We’re right in the middle of the campus and close to the Information Commons and the new Diamond building so you’ll be able to access the University’s many resources.

Core modules

Dissertation; Designing Usable Websites; Digital Multimedia Libraries; Management and Strategy for Digital Libraries; Information Retrieval: Search Engines and Digital Libraries; Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation.

Examples of optional modules

Including: Researching Social Media; Information Systems in Organisations; E-Business and E-Commerce; Database Design; Libraries, Information and Society; Introduction to Digital Humanities; Content Management Systems; Information Governance and Ethics; Data and Society: Business Intelligence; Academic and Workplace Library, Information and Knowledge Services; Human Computer Information Interaction; Archives and Record Management; Advanced Digital Humanities.

Read less

About the course

Change happens fast in information management. As a professional, you need to keep up with new technologies and approaches if you want to provide great services. That’s what we’re here for.

Our new CILIP-accredited MA helps you develop the skills you need to move your career forward. It’s also a unique opportunity to share your experience with fellow professionals. We offer modules that focus on leadership and on your own personal and professional development.

This course is designed to suit busy professionals. It’s taught completely online so you can fit it around your other commitments. And you can study from anywhere in the world.

Your career

Effective use of information improves the world and makes a positive difference to our lives. It is also central to economic development. The rapid pace of technological change and the globalisation of markets means that organisations in all sectors must realise the value of information systems.
The world needs graduates who are information literate.

Our graduates work for all kinds of organisations, in the public and private sectors. Employers include:

Adidas; BBC; British Red Cross; Cambridge University; The Department of Health; Ernst and Young; GCHQ; Goldman Sachs; Hewlett-Packard CDS; House of Commons Library; Imperial College London; IBM; Kings College London; NHS; Pepsico; Pricewaterhouse Coopers; Stanford University

If you’re already an experienced professional, you can develop new skills and advance your career with one of our Professional Enhancement Programmes (page xxx).

Your subject

Our courses are research-led, which means you’ll learn about the latest concepts from academics who work with organisations to drive developments in this field. Alongside the theory and technical skills, you’ll develop some valuable attributes including effective communication, application of research methods and creative problem solving.

How we teach

All our courses (except our distance learning courses) include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical laboratory classes, group work, online discussion, case studies and lectures by visiting speakers. Our MA Librarianship course also includes visits to library and information service organisations. You’ll be assessed using a wide variety of methods including essays, reports, small projects, in-class tests, presentations, posters, group work and a research-based dissertation.

Learning Environment

Our dedicated departmental teaching suite contains two networked laboratories with 60 computers and a 30-seat lecture room. Our state of the art iLab includes a Usability Lab and Digital Media Lab designed to collect research data into human–computer interaction.

The iSpace is an open plan, social learning area for students. It has display facilities, open-access PCs and bookable partitioned group work areas. There is Wi-Fi coverage throughout the department, and you can connect your own laptop to our network. Mobile devices and tables are available for you to borrow for project work.

We’re right in the middle of the campus and close to the Information Commons and the new Diamond building so you’ll be able to access the University’s many resources.

Part time study

Part-time students normally take one or two taught module in each semester, depending upon whether the course is taken over three or two years. In the final year you’ll also take a dissertation module. For most modules, you’ll usually need to come in for three to four hours per week.

Core modules

Libraries, Information and Society; Information Literacy; Leadership, Strategy and Change; Information Retrieval: Search Engines and Digital Libraries; Information and Knowledge Management; Personal and Professional Development Portfolio; Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation; Dissertation.

Examples of optional modules

Public and Youth Library Services; Academic and Workplace Library, Information and Knowledge Services; Information Governance and Ethics; Database Design and Data Management.

Read less

Western's Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program is widely recognized as one of the best programs of its kind in North America. The curriculum stresses an exploration of the literature of the discipline and the development of advanced research skills and aims to graduate qualified professionals with a thorough knowledge of theory and practice in library and information science. The MLIS program provides a strong foundation in traditional librarianship together with an opportunity to engage with innovative ideas and new information technologies.

Visit the website: http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/programs/program_NEW.cfm?p=81

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please see: http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/applying/index.html

Financing your studies

As one of Canada's leading research institutions, we place great importance on helping you finance your education. It is crucial that you devote your full energy to the successful completion of your studies, so we want to ensure that stable funding is available to you.
For information please see: http://grad.uwo.ca/current_students/student_finances/index.html

Read less

[Dual MAS/MLIS]]
The Dual Degree Program is designed to allow students to earn both an MAS and an MLIS. Students considering this option should carefully read the descriptions for both the MLIS and the MAS degrees.

Core Courses

Students in the Dual MAS/MLIS program will complete both the MAS Core courses and the MLIS Core courses. Students starting their program in the September term will begin with the MAS Core courses, whereas students who start in the January term must begin with the MLIS Core courses.

Electives

Candidates admitted to the Dual MAS/MLIS program will be assigned an adviser from each of the two degree programs. These advisers will be able to assist the student in selecting electives from both the MAS and MLIS programs.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Archival Studies and Master of Library and Information Studies
- Specialization: Archival Studies and Library Information Studies
- Subject: Information Technology
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Options
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts
- School: School of Library, Archival and Information Studies

Read less

Mission Statement: The MLIS program prepares professionals to exercise creativity, integrity and leadership in designing, implementing and promoting programs and systems for the creation, organization, management, preservation and effective use of information and collections. Graduates of the MLIS program go on to careers as librarians, information managers, researchers, analysts, interaction designers, web content specialists, and more.

The MLIS degree program offers a wide range of courses and is highly customizable based on specific student interests. Areas of particular focus include the following:
- Information sources and services
- Digital resource management
- Human-information interaction
- Information analysis and management
- Services and management of information organizations
- Youth services and literature

Program Overview

The Master of Library and Information Studies, which gives its graduate professional stature, is accredited by the American Library Association and is one of some fifty in North America, including seven in Canada. Graduates employed in academic, public, school, special libraries, or other information agencies combine work with information and its users with some aspects of supervision knowledge management services. Graduates work in libraries and a wide variety of positions involving the uses of information in their broadest context; many are self-employed.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Library and Information Studies
- Specialization: Library and Information Studies
- Subject: Information Technology
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Options
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts
- School: School of Library, Archival and Information Studies

Read less

About he course

Aberystwyth University’s MA/Diploma in Information and Library Studies will equip you with the highly desirable skills employers need to manage their most valuable assets in our global ‘information economy’. You will be able to identify, organise, retrieve and make accessible information across paper, electronic and multimedia formats. This MA or Diploma will equip you to fulfil the essential role that companies and professional bodies need to compete effectively in a fast-moving national and international business environment. This course features a range of optional modules which allow you to direct your studies into areas which particularly fascinate you.

The MA and Diploma are accredited by both CILIP and the Institute of Information Scientists making it one of the best courses for professional practice.

The Department of Information Studies at Aberystwyth has an impressive track record. In the department’s forty years of teaching, we have produced some of the UK's, and indeed the world's, leading librarians and information professionals. Our alumni include two national librarians (Scotland and former Wales), the first black national librarian in South Africa, and the Director of the Bureau for Library and Information Services at the United Nations.

You can tailor your learning towards a wide range of career paths, such as children and schools work (with the Focus on the Child: Children's Literature and Schools Libraries and Learning Resources modules) and business services (including the modules on Business Information Services, and Management Information Systems).

This highly practical course is built around a variety of reports, essays, presentations, and case studies which will enable you to relate theoretical knowledge to the workplace. These challenges will also encourage you to improve your ICT, personal management and interpersonal skills, making you into a well-rounded, competent and highly employable individual.

This degree will suit you:

• If you wish to obtain a Masters degree or Diploma from one of the UK’s leading departments;
• If you wish to gain the knowledge and skills for professional work within Information and Library fields;
• If you wish to work in various types of information and library services or gain transferable skills for the pursuit of related careers such as media management and book publishing;
• If you wish to continue your studies to a more advanced level through undertaking further postgraduate level research.

Course structure and content

The course curriculum will focus on both theory and practice but you will be actively encouraged to draw upon any relevant experience that you have already acquired. Course visits to relevant organisations and guest lectures, will further enhance your exposure to professional practice.

Semester 1: core modules addressing the information society, the organisation and retrieval of information as well as the provision of information services.

Semester 2: core modules covering both organisational management and the management of collections.

There is also the opportunity to complement these core modules with an optional module which will enable you to develop an area of special interest. In addition to these taught modules, you will also be able to access a series of research training sessions that will help to prepare you for the 15,000 word Masters dissertation in Semester 3.

Semester 3: 15,000 word Masters dissertation

With staff guidance and support, here you will have to the opportunity to conduct a piece of independent research within the information and library field. Not only will this enable you to further develop a specialism, but you will also acquire a range of transferrable research skills that are highly desirable in today’s employment market.

Core modules:

Information Organisation and Retrieval
Information Services: Planning for Delivery
Information and Society
Collection Management
Studies in Management
Dissertation

Optional modules:

Digital Information: Management for Access and Preservation
Rare Books and Special Collections
Records and Information Governance

Contact time

Contact time is 6-10 hours a week during the first two semesters. In semester three you will arrange your level of contact time with your assigned dissertation supervisor.

Assessment

The taught part of the course, which is 120 credits, is delivered and assessed through lectures, student seminars, practical exercises, case studies and course work. Successful completion of 60 credits of taught modules makes you eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate, 120 credits gives eligibility for a CILIP accredited Postgraduate Diploma, or successful completion of your postgraduate dissertation leads to an accredited Master’s degree.

Accreditation

The Masters degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and the Institute of Information Scientists. Graduates will have a qualification which is recognised for admission to the Register of Chartered Librarians (subject to the Institute's chartership regulations).

Employability

Every aspect of the Aberystwyth University’s Masters in Information and Library Studies programme is designed to enhance your employability. Successful completion of this degree is in itself certain to do so by building your CV; but more significant is the hugely enhanced array of knowledge, abilities and skills with which you will graduate.

As a graduate, you will possess a wealth of subject-specific expertise, such as a thorough understanding of how ethical, legal, and social factors affect the flow of information; information literacy and the effect of 'information deprivation'; and the ongoing challenges of organising, storing, and retrieving information. You will also be confident in the use of system and their tools which you will use to order, store and retrieve information. These skills, which are fundamental to the subject, are applicable across a diverse array of workplaces. Likewise, the study skills, research methods and interpersonal awareness that you will learn within the context of study can be applied in any place of work where people and systems meet. In such situations, you will be at a tremendous advantage over your competitors.

As information is increasingly recognised as a core resource for organisations of all kinds, the range of posts to which our graduates progress widens all the time. In addition to the traditional library and information service sector, our graduates also go on to work as Information Officers, Information Managers, Information Systems Officers, Information Analysts and Computer Systems Officers. The most prestigious of our alumni include two national librarians (Scotland and former Wales), the newly appointed first black national librarian in South Africa, and the Director of the Bureau for Library and Information Services at the United Nations. In addition, companies which acknowledge the value of information also benefit from our graduates’ information skills when applied to the areas of management, sales, production or marketing. Your personal adaptability, coupled with the critical information and library skills, will make you a strong candidate for any post where excellence in organisations and systems management is prized.

Study in a practical context

The content of this MA/Diploma is weighted in favour of mastering the practical applications of Information and Library Studies. The University of Aberystwyth boasts library resources which are amongst the best in Europe. The Department’s specialist Thomas Parry Library is one of the leading libraries for Information Studies. As a student, you will have access to this exceptional resource where you can apply your learning in activities which will convert the purely academic theory into the proven know-how of experience.

In addition to this, you will also have access to the University's Hugh Owen Library which houses more than 700,000 volumes and subscribes to more than 3,500 current periodicals. Also, the National Library for Wales next to the campus is one of the UK's five copyright libraries housing more than 6,000,000 volumes. In addition to the University's computing facilities, you will also have access to the Department's own extensive computer workstation rooms, all housed in a purpose built Department on the attractive Llanbadarn campus.

Skills in management of systems and stakeholders

The MA/Diploma is designed to give you a broad knowledge of a range of transferable skills that you can apply in a variety of research interests, particularly in your Masters dissertation. A significant proportion of postgraduate jobs demand management abilities; this course aims to support your progression into professional employment beyond by including such training.

You will become well versed in contemporary management theory and practice of relevance to the management of the relationship between information and organisations. You will learn to analyse and control how information is transmitted to users, including access to information and measurement of use. The monitoring an analysis of data is crucial to the success of business organisations and initiatives. Mastering it will enable you to manage within a changing and turbulent environment and provide you with an understanding of the inter-relationship of the organisation with its customers and stakeholders.

As business relies on meeting needs, this training will be a significant advantage to you when you enter the jobs market.

Read less

The MLIS Program leads to the master of library and information studies (MLIS) degree, which is a 36-credit-hour program that is one of approximately fifty-five such programs in the United States and Canada accredited by the American Library Association. It is the only ALA-accredited program in the state of Alabama. The degree prepares graduates to work in any type of library or information center—academic, K–12, public, or special—and in entrepreneurial and research environments, especially those using advanced information technologies.

Find out how to apply here - https://slis.ua.edu/mlis_admission

Read less

About the course

This Masters in Digital Curation is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the professional ethics, laws, principles, policies and design principles which underpin the discipline. You will go beyond this to interrogate the structures and systems that define the information continuum in order to find more efficient and productive ways of operating. The world-class instruction from our departmental staff will be augmented by visiting professionals from cutting-edge organisations.

By the end of your course of study, you will be able to demonstrate a mastery of the technological processes for information governance and digital preservation. You will achieve this by applying your specialist skills to real real-life situations throughout the course and, by making the most of this experiential learning, you will graduate with valuable hands-on experience of this increasingly important subject. Your study will culminate in a significant piece of independent research and your academic dissertation on an aspect of digital curation that holds particular interest for you. You may choose to use this study as a showcase of your expertise or as a springboard into future study or research.

In addition to this first-rate training in digital curation, you will also nurture a skill set perfect for almost any role in any business or postgraduate workplace. You will be confident in research, analysis and planning, as well as writing, reporting and argument formation to justify your decisions in managing an organisation's most precious commodity: information. These are just some of the skills you will gain which will make you a desirable employee for a wide range of public and private sector organisations and businesses.

The university has a proud tradition of research excellence, as demonstrated in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014) assessment. It placed the university in the top 50 institutions for research power and intensity. It submitted 77% of eligible staff and 95% of the university's research was of an internationally recognised standard.

This degree will suit you:

• If you wish to receive first-rate training in digital curation
• if you want to become an authority on the digital information ecology in which business and government now operates
• if you are, or intend to be, a gatekeeper for information resources
• if you desire skills highly sought-after by any postgraduate employer

Course content

Core modules:

Archives Collection Development and Description
Digital Information: Management for Access and Preservation
Information Systems in Organisations
Knowledge and Information Architecture
Records and Information Governance
Dissertation

Optional modules:

Studies in Management

Assessment

The taught part of the course (Part 1) is delivered and assessed through lectures, student seminars, practical exercises, case studies, course work and formal examinations. Successful completion allows the award of a Diploma. The subsequent successful submission of your dissertation (Part 2) leads to the award of a Masters.

Employability

Every course at Aberystwyth University is designed to enhance your vocational and general employability. This Masters will equip you with latest developments in digital information curation, both in terms of technological and theoretical approaches. By balancing the theory with the practice, you will be strongly placed to succeed in the jobs marketplace, particularly in organisations that prize well-trained managers of its most valuable resource: information. The course of study will also equip you with a wide range of more general work skills – in research, analysis, writing, presentation and management – ensuring your employability is improved across the board.

Study skills

You will develop skills in quickly and accurately assimilating and interpreting data – which you will find invaluable in curating information for storage and future use. You will develop productive strategies for planning and problem-solving that can be applied beyond your chosen area of study, making you an versatile academic as well as a productive professional. You will also enhance your research skills which you will draw on in both your dissertation and future career.

Self-Motivation and discipline

Studying at Masters level requires discipline and self-motivation from every candidate. You will have access to the expertise and helpful guidance of departmental staff, but you are ultimately responsible for devising and completing a sustained programme of scholarly research in pursuit of your Master’s degree. This process of independent study at an extremely high level will strengthen your skills as an independent and self-sufficient worker, a trait prized by most employers.

Transferable skills

The Masters programme is designed to give you a range of transferable skills that you can apply in a variety of employment contexts. Upon graduation, you will have proven your abilities in structuring and communicating ideas efficiently, writing for and speaking to a range of audiences, evaluating and organizing information, working effectively with others and working within time frames and to specific deadlines. Whether you pursue a career in an information pathway or not, the prestige of your Masters will open doors for you into workplaces in every industry.

Read less

In collaboration with New York University (NYU), the Palmer School of Library and Information Science at Long Island University (LIU) offers a unique 52-credit dual master's degree program that prepares you as a subject specialist/scholar-librarian in academic and research institutions or as an information specialist in a specialized library or information center. The program grants an ALA-accredited Master of Science in Library and Information Science from LIU's Palmer School and a Master of Arts or Science (in any of approximately 54 programs) from NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or from three programs within NYU's Steinhardt School: Costume Studies, Food Studies or Media, Culture, and Communication.

Program Highlights

-Students take approximately 13 fewer credits than would be required if they pursued each master's separately.
-Students are able to take Palmer School courses at any of our sites. All NYU courses are taught at NYU’s Washington Square Manhattan campus.
-Students select from among numerous NYU GSAS programs or NYU Steinhardt School’s approved programs (see above) and enroll simultaneously at the LIU Palmer School.
-Specially designed mentorship program with NYU Libraries' library subject specialists offers professional guidance and experience throughout the duration of the program.

About the Program

Academic librarians traditionally need two master’s degrees—a subject master’s and the MSLIS. Our dual degree with NYU offers this opportunity. Students apply to LIU’s Palmer School and NYU’s Graduate School of Arts and Science or NYU’s Steinhardt School of Media, Culture, and Communication. Once admitted to both universities, students apply to be a part of this unique program that offers a mentorship under the direction of a subject specialist librarian here at NYU’s Bobst Library. The entire program is offered at Palmer’s NYU site in Bobst Library. Students take a total of 13 fewer credits in the dual degree program than if they took each master’s separately.

Career Opportunities

The Palmer School of Library and Information Science prepares you for a wide range of professional careers in public and private library systems and information technology settings. Our master’s degree programs, advanced certificates and doctoral degree are highly respected among libraries, organizations and businesses nation-wide.

The faculty of the Palmer School consists of distinguished professors with outstanding credentials and track records of scholarship, research and instruction at top universities across the nation and around the world. They are ready to help you complete your degree and make your own contributions to the fields of library science and information studies.

Graduates will be prepared to pursue positions in a number of areas or to apply their enhanced knowledge to their current positions.

Our alumni hold positions as:
-Academic Librarian
-Archivist/Children’s Librarian
-Chief Information Officer
-Corporate Information Manager
-Database Manager
-Digital Collections Manager Knowledge Organization Director
-Law Librarian
-Information Specialist
-Information Technology Director
-Public Librarian
-Public Library Director
-Medical Librarian
-Rare Books Preservationist
-Records Manager
-Reference Librarian
-School Media Specialist

Read less

Why this course?

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).

It covers the creation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information in organisations and society at large. It encompasses both private and public sector libraries and information systems and services. This is along with related subjects such as management, publishing and the evaluation and use of information.

The course is for graduates in any discipline who wish to pursue a career in the field of information or library services.

See the website https://www.strath.ac.uk/courses/postgraduatetaught/informationlibrarystudies/

You’ll study

Diploma and MSc students follow the same instructional course for the first two semesters.

If you meet the standard required to proceed to MSc, you’ll undertake a dissertation in the following three months.

Compulsory classes:
These classes are as follows:
- Organisation of Knowledge
- Information Retrieval & Access
- Information Law
- Library Technology & Systems
- Managing Information Services
- Libraries, Information & Society
- Research Methods

- Dissertation
This is an individual research project of up to 20,000 words on an approved topic. It allows you to pursue an area of specific interest, providing scope for original thought, research and presentation.

Work placement

There's an optional placement at the end of the second semester. The department helps to arrange this. Previous participating organisations include:
- NHS Scotland
- Scottish Television
- IDOX
- various national and local libraries
- Government agencies

Accreditation

The course is accredited by the CILIP.
Graduates will be entitled to become associate members of CILIP and will be eligible for chartership leading to the award of MCLIP, providing direct entry to a professional body and meeting the requirements of many specialist employers.

Pre-Masters Preparation Course

The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course for international students (non EU/UK) who do not meet the entry requirements for a Masters degree at the University of Strathclyde. The Pre-Masters programme provides progression to a number of degree options.

To find out more about the courses and opportunities on offer visit isc.strath.ac.uk or call today on +44 (0) 1273 339333 and discuss your education future. You can also complete the online application form , or to ask a question please fill in the enquiry form and talk to one of our multi-lingual Student Enrolment Advisers today.

Learning & teaching

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials and practical laboratories. Dissertation is by supervision.

Assessment

Coursework assignments involve:
- individual work
- group projects
- exams
- practical work in computer laboratories

For the award of the MSc, you’ll be required to complete an individual project under supervision. This should contain an element of original research.

Careers

The course opens up opportunities in a range of jobs.

- Public sector
Job opportunities in this sector include working in:
- Universities
- Schools
- Museums and Archives
- NHS Scotland
- Public Libraries

- Private sector
Private sector opportunities include:
- Legal & Financial Institutions
- Media Companies
- Publishing
- Bookselling
- Industrial Firms
- Consultancy
- Scottish Television
- IDOX

Not for profit:
- Research Institutes
- Voluntary Organisations

How much will I earn?

Starting salaries for public librarians can be around £19,500 - £23,500.*
Gaining chartered status can increase salaries and with two to five years' experience chartered librarians could earn £23,500 - £30,000.*

*information is intended only as a guide.

Find information on Scholarships here http://www.strath.ac.uk/search/scholarships/index.jsp

Read less