Program Overview

MSc/PgDip Information & Library Studies

The MSc/PgDip Information & Library Studies is a conversion degree, designed specifically for graduates from any discipline. This internationally-recognised, professionally-accredited conversion degree will provide you with a pathway into a continuously-evolving and exciting profession which supports and underpins the economic fabric of society.

Key Facts

• Start date: September
• Accreditation: Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
• Study mode and duration: MSc: 12 months, full-time; PgDip: 9 months full-time
• MSc conversion: Suitable for undergraduate degree holders from any discipline
• Top 25 in the world for Library & Information Management (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)

Course Overview

Our MSc/PgDip Information & Library Studies is a conversion degree, designed specifically for graduates from any discipline. Previous students have joined us from a variety of backgrounds, including history, English literature, forensic science, psychology, chemistry, and linguistics.

• Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
• Incorporates international reciprocal agreements with professional bodies in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
• Benefit from the practical experience of a placement

Why This Course?

This course will provide you with a range of skills in high demand from employers, including the ability to organise, synthesise, and make use of information for the advancement of society. Suitable for those holding an undergraduate degree from any discipline, the degree will prepare you for a wide range of positions in the information field.

What You'll Study

The course is professionally accredited and provides you with relevant work experience and required technological skills in the context of many information settings, resources, and services. You'll learn how to organise, retrieve, store, protect, and help people access information. You'll also develop skills that are highly sought after in digital work settings.

• Fundamental issues such as copyright, freedom of information, and data protection requirements in the modern era
• Ethical and moral principles of the profession, such as freedom of access to information and freedom of expression
• How and why people search for information, with an emphasis on understanding information behaviours and how they differ throughout society
• Research skills across both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including instruction in the use of industry-leading software such as NVivo and Qualtrics
• Digital skills around preservation and access to information objects, incorporating skills such as web design, and digital imaging, as well as information retrieval systems
• How to organise, classify, describe, and catalogue information for efficient access and retrieval, including taxonomies, thesauri, metadata schemas, and current library cataloguing standards

Dissertation

After completing two semesters of taught modules, you'll complete an individual dissertation research project under the supervision of one of our experienced academics. The dissertation enables you to pursue an area of specific interest, providing scope for original thought, research, presentation, and depth of your chosen area.

Professional Work Experience

You'll obtain professional work experience via a one-day per week (one semester) work placement that is an essential integral part of the course. On work placements, you'll see fundamental theories and practices gained through classroom and laboratory learning put into practical application. Work placements are available across many sectors.

Course Content

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
• MSc students only

Both Semesters

• Organisation of Knowledge (20 credits)
  • This class provides you with an understanding of the theory involved in analysing, representing, and organising knowledge.
  • It also provides practical skills in the application of this theory to domains of knowledge.

Semester 1

• Information Law (10 credits)
  • The aims of this class are to help students understand the laws relating to the delivery of information services.
  • Be aware of the implications for society of the various legal issues related to information and computing work.
  • Understand the legal framework in which criminal investigations involving digital evidence are carried out.
• Information Retrieval & Access (20 credits)
  • Students will learn how to demonstrate the ability to critically examine a number of influential information-seeking models.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research methodologies for studying human information behaviour.
  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of important concepts, such as relevance, in the context of information seeking and retrieval.
• Information Analysis (10 credits)
  • This class will introduce students to the concept of information analysis, covering major techniques in information analysis, including sentiment analysis, content analysis, information visualisation, systematic reviews, and summarisation.
• Human Information Behaviour (10 credits)
  • On this module, students will learn to develop an understanding of models and theories of human information behaviour.
  • Develop an understanding of the factors influencing human information behaviour.
  • Develop an understanding of information need in context.
  • Develop an understanding of appropriate research approaches and methodologies.

Semester 2

• Research Methods (10 credits)
  • This class will enable students to appreciate the nature and application of selected statistical methods.
  • Appreciate the range of qualitative research methods.
  • Write a research proposal.
  • Develop a research methodology for a given research problem.
• Library Technology & Systems (20 credits)
  • The objectives of this class are to introduce you to the functionality of the LMS and MARC/BIBFRAME usage.
  • Introduce you to the concept of digital libraries.
  • Provide understanding of the systems and standards which underpin libraries.
• Libraries, Information & Society (20 credits)
  • From this class, you'll gain knowledge of various library models and sectors.
  • The range of management challenges and services offered across the various library and information sectors.
  • The role of libraries and information services within society.

Learning & Teaching

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

Assessment

Coursework assignments involve individual work, group projects, exams, and 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.

Entry Requirements

• Academic requirements: Minimum second-class Honours degree or international equivalent.
• English language requirements: You must have an English language minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with no component below 5.5).

Fees & Funding

• All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
• Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
• Annual revision of fees: Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.

Annual Fees

• Scotland: £11,900
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £11,900
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
• International: £28,700

Available Scholarships

Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.

Additional Costs

If you are an international student, you may have associated visa and immigration costs.

Careers

Our graduates work across a range of sectors, including government information services, legal libraries and court services, television and other media centres, corporate knowledge management, third sector/charities, health and social care organisations, university, college, public, special, and school libraries.

Much more than libraries, a Masters in Information and Library Studies offers a diverse range of opportunities for graduates in a myriad of sectors. Information is the lifeblood of modern society, and graduates who can organise, synthesise, and utilise information are invaluable across the workforce.

Graduate Roles

Typical roles for our graduates include:

• Media managers working in television, newspaper, or other digital media organisations, harnessing the value of intellectual property, supporting colleagues in their use of digital materials, and efficiently organising materials for retrieval.
• Taxonomy developers working in e-commerce to organise the information objects and make them as visible and accessible as possible, enhancing the customer and user experience.
• Medical knowledge managers helping medical professionals access the highest quality research to enable the best possible outcomes for patients.
• Academic librarians working in a college or university to enable faculty and students to meet their research and teaching goals.
• Information governance officers ensuring organisations and their employees adhere to laws involving data protection, copyright, and freedom of information.
• Public librarians supporting their local communities through access to the highest quality information resources, as well as providing information instruction in how to use services such as the Internet.
• School librarians working in schools to support the educational attainment goals of teachers and students, helping students maximise their intellectual potential.