Library and Information Management PgDip/MSc

Program Overview

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Library and Information Management - PgDip, MSc

Overview

Scholarly and professional education for library and information practice.

Summary

The postgraduate programme in Library and Information Management has been developed by the School of Education in close collaboration with library practitioners and professional bodies to provide an academic route to professional qualification. The Postgraduate Diploma and MSc are accredited by the Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).

About this course

About

The course draws on the direct experience of leaders in the library and information world to provide up-to-date and relevant insight into the key issues facing information services as they relate to the wider learning community, the strategic goals of the parent institution and the promotion of lifelong learning in a knowledge-based society. The course also benefits from the active involvement of the University Library in the provision of learning resources and direct support to students. It provides an academic foundation for professional practice.

Attendance

The course is fully online. Where they are regular live online classes, these take place in an ‘online classroom’. For students commencing the course in September 2025 these will be on a Thursday evening (6.00-7.30pm) and for students starting in September 2026 they will be on a Wednesday evening (6.00-7.30pm). We will be using the software Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for this.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including assessment requirements.

Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.

The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.

Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.

Assessment

Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

• The Library in its Environment
  • Year: 1
  • Status: C
  • This is the first module taken in the programme. It is designed to provide students with an academic foundation in library and information management and to enable students to develop and deepen their understanding of the library and/or information environment in which they work. The module is delivered fully online. Assessment is by coursework and there are two coursework components (contributions to online discussions and final portfolio).
• Improving Library Practice
  • Year: 1
  • Status: C
  • This is the second module taken in the programme. It is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of library and information management and to enable students to develop and further their understanding of the library and/or information environment in which they work. The module is delivered online using a variety of tools and approaches. Assessment is by coursework and there are two coursework components (online discussion contributions and final portfolio).

Year two

• Leadership in Libraries for the future
  • Year: 2
  • Status: C
  • This is the third module taken in the programme. It is designed to provide students with an academic knowledge of leadership theories and their application in a library and information context and to enable students to develop and deepen their understanding of real-world leadership issues, trends, and challenges in the library and/or information environment in which they work. The module is delivered fully online. Assessment is by coursework and there are two coursework components.
• Research Design and Initiation
  • Year: 2
  • Status: C
  • The Research Design and Initiation module introduces students to the key ideas and issues that underpin educational research theory and practice. It provides a research methods course to guide them in commencing their own empirical research project. All students will have developed knowledge, insight and skills as reflective practitioners in the classroom or practice situation, and many will be very familiar with action research. This module is designed to widen their views of research enquiry, to help students organise, implement and progress an educational research project by dissertation encompassing good practice in primary and secondary research, methodological design, analytical insightfulness and piloting, and implementation planning including ethical enquiry.

Year three

• Dissertation
  • Year: 3
  • Status: C
  • This module allows participants to produce a sustained piece of independent research. It seeks to improve the quality of the participants' personal and professional understanding and the excellence of their practice, so that the impact on their organisation and on their colleagues and students is enhanced. It provides opportunities for the development of educational research methodologies and deepening understanding of the participant's situation and context.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible to apply for a postgraduate degree course, you must;

• provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grades A-C or equivalent); and
• hold an Honours degree from a UK or Republic of Ireland or from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from another institution which has been recognised by the Senate for this purpose; or
• hold an equivalent standard in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or Postgraduate Certificate or an approved alternative qualification; and
• satisfy additional requirements as described in the prospectus entry for your chosen course; or
• provide evidence of your ability to study at postgraduate level through the accreditation of your experience or learning.

Students are also expected to be working in a library/information environment for the duration of the course.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

• English language requirements
• Your country

Careers & opportunities

Career options

The Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Library and Information Management prepare individuals for professional library and information careers.

Professional Recognition

Accreditations reflect the excellence of our teaching, research, and knowledge exchange and ensure our programmes realise the highest expectations. By studying at Ulster University you’ll gain insight and be at the forefront of current industry practices, while our many accredited degree programmes open doors to the world’s top professional organisations, making you more attractive to future employers and giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) to assure students that programmes provide an excellent preparation for professional practice.

Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.

Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).

The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.

For modules commenced in the academic year 2025/26, the following fees apply:

Fees Credit Points| NI/ROI/GB Cost| International Cost*
---|---|---
5 | £201.10| £494.70
10 | £402.20| £989.40
15 | £603.30| £1,484.10
20 | £804.40| £1,978.80
30 | £1,206.60| £2,968.20
60 | £2,413.20| £5,936.40
120 | £4,826.40| £11,872.80
180 | £7,239.60| £17,809.20
240| £9,652.80| £23,745.60

NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.

*International student access to courses is subject to meeting visa requirements. More information can be found in the Visas and Immigration section.

Where the postgraduate course selected offers multiple awards (e.g. PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters), please note that the price displayed is for the complete Masters programme.

Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are charged at a pro-rata basis.

Annual Increase Disclaimer

Important Notice: Annual Fees Increase

Fees illustrated are based on academic year 25/26 entry and are subject to an annual increase.

If your study continues into future academic years your fees are subject to an annual increase. Please take this into consideration when you estimate your total fees for a degree.

Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.

Visit our Fees pages for full details of fees.

Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

The student with the highest overall mark in the Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Management each year received the A&O Shearman Trophy for Best Performance.

The Biggar Award is given to the student with the best overall performance in the MSc in Library and Information Management each year.

View Available Scholarships

See if you can access financial or other forms of support, including mentorship to excel in your studies.

Additional mandatory costs

No additional mandatory costs are associated with this course.

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.