Library and Archive Studies

Entry requirements

We normally expect students to have a First or Upper Second Class honours degree (or its overseas equivalent) or at least one years’ experience in a research focused archive or library setting.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MA in Library and Archive Studies is taught in collaboration with The University of Manchester Library. This is major multi-site research library with National Research Library and Archive Service Accreditation status. It includes the stunning John Rylands Research Institute and Library with its world-leading collections of archives and rare books and cutting-edge digital practices. The John Rylands Library has close links to research and teaching through the John Rylands Research Institute and Library and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures.

These relationships give students on the MA in Library and Archive Studies the opportunity to engage with a wealth of academic specialisms closely linked to Library and Archive Studies, in addition to benefitting from broad-ranging core courses centred on working with special collections.

This MA focuses on contemporary practices in collection-led librarianship and archival studies. It provides unique curriculum-based access to world-leading special collections and comparative cultural institutions alongside a strong professional practice element in collaboration with University of Manchester Library staff. Course delivery includes compulsory courses in librarianship, archival studies, and records and information management in addition to optional work placements in a variety of library and collections-based fields.

Additionally, students are offered a choice of optional courses in a variety of specialist topics linked to collections promotion, rare books curation, information governance and compliance, exhibitions, public engagement, digital practices, and the heritage sector. Students are also given the option to take modules from and gain experience with a variety of research specialisms within the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures in art gallery and museum studies, arts management and policy, creative and cultural industries, digital media and culture, and heritage studies.