Library Science

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a second-class honours degree or the equivalent from an international institution in any discipline, or have LIS related work experience.

Other suitable qualifications:
If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to follow a Graduate Diploma pathway to the programme through one of our partners.

INTO City, University of London:
Don't meet the entry requirements? INTO City, University of London offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare you for study at City, University of London. You'll learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry. To prepare for this degree course, learn more about the Graduate Diploma in Informatics.

Kaplan International College London:
City works in partnership with Kaplan International College (KIC) London to provide preparatory courses for international students. Pre Masters courses at KIC London offer comprehensive support to students wishing to complete their postgraduate study at City. Progression to this degree is guaranteed if you complete the KIC London Pre-Masters course at the required level.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This course is for students with a first degree or equivalent in any discipline, who would like to work in a library, or similar collection-orientated organisation. It is also suitable for anyone wishing to update their knowledge and skills, in order to progress a career based around collections and services within galleries, libraries, museums and archives.

Library Science is a broad, interdisciplinary subject, the principles and practice of which underpin today’s information society. It appeals to students with an eye for detail, an interest in the organisation, technologies, and communication of information, and in understanding the organisational and wider social impacts of information policy, access and provision.

City’s MSc/MA Library Science aims to provide you with a deep understanding of collection-orientated institutions and services, and their relevance and impact within different layers of society.

The course examines the processes of information organisation, communication, access and provision, in order to understand how these activities can be designed and implemented to work towards individual development, organisational goals, and to support a fair and prosperous society.

The course considers the contemporary questions of library infrastructures and services, from both historical and philosophical perspectives. Our focus is divided equally between theory and its application to practice. You will benefit from a high level of engagement with practitioners, and we are pleased to welcome many leaders in the profession as guest speakers throughout the course.

Content covers fundamental concepts associated with libraries and library services, including: resources, collections, management, governance, publishing and information literacy. There is an emphasis on the use of new and emergent technologies; methods of investigation and analysis; ethical, legal and socio-political implications, and policy formulation.