Program Overview

Bachelor of Information Studies (with specialisations)

The Bachelor of Information Studies (with specialisations) from Charles Sturt University delivers expert education for the information and library professions. The degree is accredited by peak industry bodies, backed by more than 50 years of expertise in the information and library studies field, and taught by experts.

Key Information

• Study mode and sessions: Online
• Duration: Minimum time - 3 year(s), Maximum time - 6 year(s)
• Entry score: 60
• Indicative fees:
  • International online: Fee paying overseas: Full-time - $26,160.00 pa, Part-time - $13,080.00 pa
• Course points and codes: Credit Points: 192, AQF: Level 7
• Additional information: Professionally accredited course, Integrated Industry connections

Why Study with Us?

Our academics are experts with strong links to the information and library professions nationally and internationally.

• Tailor your degree: The Bachelor of Information Studies (with specialisations) offers a general information and library studies qualification, or you can choose from several specialisations: Librarianship, Children's Librarianship, Information Management or Records and Archive Management.
• Professional study visits: Explore institutions through an industry-focused study visit. Study visits are held in a variety of national and international locations throughout the year and offer you unique insight into some of our leading information and cultural organisations.
• Learn with industry leaders: With Charles Sturt University, you'll study with one of the world's leading providers of education for the information and library professions. Our experience means we are uniquely placed to design and deliver highly effective and engaging online education to meet the needs of the workplace.
• Flexible study: You'll study your information studies course online, to you can learn anywhere, anytime. Access study resources, tools and support services - all at your fingertips. Connect to our network of support and interact with other students in our student-friendly online learning environment.

Career Opportunities

When you graduate, you'll be ready to make your mark in a wide range of careers, including:

• Archivist
• Children’s librarian
• Librarian
• Records manager

What You Will Study

For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.

Intensive School

You may need to attend an online or on-campus intensive school for certain subjects in this course. These schools usually involve lectures, tutorials and practicals that will give you a deeper understanding of your subject.

Course Information

• Domestic students: The course consists of fourteen (14) core subjects (96 points) plus ten (10) restricted elective subjects (80 points) OR a Major (eight (8) subjects - 64 points) plus two (2) restricted electives (16 points), and an additional two (2) unrestricted electives (16 points).
• Hong Kong University (SPACE) students: The course consists of fourteen (14) core subjects (96 points) and twelve (12) restricted electives (96 points).
• Note: Students can only complete a maximum of two (2) 400-level subjects across the course.

Credit Information

• Students with prior learning: May receive 0 - 64 points credit for core subjects and 16 - 64 points credit for restricted elective subjects.

Essential Set (176 pts)

Core Subjects (96 Credit Points)

• INF109: BIS Online Intensive Introductory Learning
• INF111: Introduction to the Information Professions
• INF200: Supervision and Management
• INF209: Metadata for Resource Discovery
• INF210: Collections
• INF211: Information Sources and Services
• INF218: Providing Access to Information
• INF219: Web Publishing for Information Agencies
• INF220: Professional Study Visit (4 points)
• INF221: Planning for Professional Placement
• INF222: Professional Placement
• INF303: The Information Society
• INF305: Professional Learning and Networking
• INF321: Introduction to Research

With Major (80 Credit Points)

• Domestic students only
• Major (64 Credit Points): Select one (1) major from the following:
  • CL0001: Children's Librarianship
  • IM0001: Information Management
  • LB0001: Librarianship
  • AM0001: Records and Archives Management
• Restricted Electives (16 Credit Points): Select two (2) restricted electives from the restricted elective list below

Without Major (80 Credit Points)

• Restricted Electives (80 Credit Points): Select ten (10) subjects from the following:
  • IKC101: First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country
  • INF203: Information Literacy
  • INF205: Literature and Other Resources for Children and Young Adults
  • INF310: Marketing of Libraries and Information Agencies
  • INF317: Organisational and Personal Records
  • INF318: Community Histories
  • INF327: Project and Event Management
  • INF329: Leadership in Library Services to Children and Young Adults
  • INF330: Library Services for Children and Young Adults
  • INF332: Community Outreach
  • INF333: Human Resource Management in Information Agencies
  • INF335: Records, Archives and Society
  • INF338: Records and Archives Practice
  • INF430: Audiovisual Archiving
  • INF431: Preservation of Audiovisual Materials
  • INF432: Audiovisual Archiving 2
  • INF441: Knowledge Management in Practice
  • INF443: Digital Curation and Preservation
  • INF449: Research Data Management
  • INF451: Issues in Bibliographic Access
  • INF459: Designing and Creating Usable Websites
  • INF461: An Introduction to Data Management: Governance, Standards and Ethics
  • INF463: Introduction to Data Tools and Analytics
  • INF464: Designing and Delivering Programs for User Engagement
  • INF465: Working with Special and Cultural Collections

Elective Set (16 pts)

• Unrestricted Electives (16 Credit Points): Domestic students select two unrestricted electives. Students enrolled via the HKUSpace campus complete a further two subjects from the restricted elective list.

Specialisations / Majors

• Children's Librarianship: You'll be introduced to the knowledge and skills needed to support the needs of children and young adults in public libraries. Explore their literature and develop strategies to plan, develop and implement tailored collections, services and library programs.
• Information Management: Study beyond traditional information management areas as you work with real clients and live scenarios on relevant and practical assignments in business, government and other settings. Get set to develop a comprehensive understanding of people, processes, innovations and trends, and become an expert at combining this understanding with technology to create, share and use information.
• Librarianship: Choose from a variety of elective subjects that will give you specialised skills to work in libraries in areas such as reference services, library management, information access and information delivery.
• Records and Archive Management: Be introduced to the world of government, corporate, community and personal record keeping. You'll explore international and Australian theory and practice including standards, legislation and ethical issues relating to the management of digital and analogue records. Our emphasis is on building knowledge and skills, which you can apply in a range of organisational contexts and in a climate of rapid change. This Specialisation is accredited by Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) only.

Costs

Calculate My Fee

The section below is designed to allow you to select the option specific to your circumstances to discover the course fee and course offering information appropriate for you.

• Student type: Australian or New Zealand Student, International Student
• Commence year:
• Study mode:
• Location:
• Fee type:

Bachelor of Information Studies (with specialisations)

• Course Fees: If you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold a permanent humanitarian visa, and meet the relevant citizenship and residency requirements, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place
• 1 year full-time equivalent fee: $TBA
• Subject fee (8 Points): $TBA

Payment Options

• Pay all of your student contribution up front direct to the university
• Pay part of your student contribution to the university and defer the balance via a HECS-HELP loan through the Australian Government (if eligible)
• Defer all of your student contribution via a HECS-HELP loan through the Australian Government (if eligible)

Scholarships

We have scholarships and grants, totalling over $11 million annually! They cover various areas such as academic performance, volunteering, sports achievements, community service, specific courses, on-campus living and individuals in unique circumstances.

Entry Requirements

• Selection rank: 60
• Academic entry requirements:
  • Minimum ATAR requirements (including adjustment factors)
  • Successful completion of two university level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies
  • A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification
  • 50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification
  • Successful completion of a Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an equivalent ranking to the currently listed ATAR
  • Demonstrated work experience of a minimum of 2 years full-time equivalence in an information or cultural organisation such as an academic, public, school or corporate library, data or archival centre, government information agency, museum, gallery or other information or cultural organisation will be considered
• Language requirements: Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements apply

Credit and Pathways

If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. Which would mean completing your qualification quicker. Find out how to apply for credit and see our credit policy.

We also have several admission pathways to help you take the step into your preferred course, even if you don't quite meet the entry requirements at first. Find out what admission pathways are available to you.

How to Apply

Applying to Charles Sturt University is easy. Choose how you want to apply below, or get in touch with Charles Sturt University and we can help you with your application.

• Apply via UAC: Important dates: Refer to key dates on the UAC website
• Apply via VTAC: Important dates: Refer to key dates on the VTAC website
• Apply directly to Charles Sturt: Important dates: Check out our direct application closing dates

Related Courses

Other courses that you might be interested in…

• Graduate Certificate in Information Studies
• Master of Information Studies (with specialisations)

My boss at the time recommended this university and this course and it 's been brilliant. This course and the online systems are really good. The subject coordinators are generally very supportive and helpful.

Gavin Glenn - Bachelor of Information Studies (with specialisations)