Librarianship

Entry requirements

You'll need at least a good second class degree in any subject. You would normally be expected to have some library or related work experience. Most applicants have around 12 months' experience but we are flexible. Please contact us with any queries about your work experience.

Months of entry

September

Course content

About the course

Our established MA Librarianship degree includes guest lectures from industry professionals and field visits. Through group work, you’ll hone your organisational and teamworking skills. We can also help you to develop leadership and management capabilities.

This CILIP-accredited course prepares you for a library career in a variety of sectors. Most applicants have around 12 months’ work experience but there is flexibility around this. Please contact us if you have queries about your work experience. If you’re more experienced, you should take the Professional Enhancement Programme.

Your career

Effective use of information improves the world and makes a positive difference to our lives. It is also central to economic development. The rapid pace of technological change and the globalisation of markets means that organisations in all sectors must realise the value of information systems. The world needs graduates who are information literate.

Our graduates work for all kinds of organisations, in the public and private sectors. Employers include:

Adidas; BBC; British Red Cross; Cambridge University; The Department of Health; Ernst and Young; GCHQ; Goldman Sachs; Hewlett-Packard CDS; House of Commons Library; Imperial College London; IBM; Kings College London; NHS; Pepsico; Pricewaterhouse Coopers; Stanford University

If you’re already an experienced professional, you can develop new skills and advance your career with one of our Professional Enhancement Programmes.

Your subject

Our courses are research-led, which means you’ll learn about the latest concepts from academics who work with organisations to drive developments in this field. Alongside the theory and technical skills, you’ll develop some valuable attributes including effective communication, application of research methods and creative problem solving.

How we teach

All our courses (except our distance learning courses) include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical laboratory classes, group work, online discussion, case studies and lectures by visiting speakers. Our MA Librarianship course also includes visits to library and information service organisations. You’ll be assessed using a wide variety of methods including essays, reports, small projects, in-class tests, presentations, posters, group work and a research-based dissertation.

Learning Environment

Our dedicated departmental teaching suite contains two networked laboratories with 60 computers and a 30-seat lecture room. Our state of the art iLab includes a Usability Lab and Digital Media Lab designed to collect research data into human–computer interaction.

The iSpace is an open plan, social learning area for students. It has display facilities, open-access PCs and bookable partitioned group work areas. There is Wi-Fi coverage throughout the department, and you can connect your own laptop to our network. Mobile devices and tables are available for you to borrow for project work.

We’re right in the middle of the campus and close to the Information Commons and the new Diamond building so you’ll be able to access the University’s many resources.

Part time study

Part-time students normally take one or two taught module in each semester, depending upon whether the course is taken over three or two years. In the final year you’ll also take a dissertation module. For most modules, you’ll usually need to come in for three to four hours per week.

Core modules

• Dissertation
• Management for Library and Information Services
• Information Retrieval: Search Engines and Digital Libraries
• Information Literacy
• Libraries, Information and Society
• Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation

Examples of optional modules

• Archives and Records Management
• Information Governance and Ethics
• Researching Social Media
• Data and Society
• Digital Advocacy
• Business Intelligence
• Database Design
• Human Computer Information Interaction: Content Management Systems
• Digital Multimedia Libraries
• Public and Youth Library Services
• Academic and Workplace Library, Information and Knowledge Services

Information for international students

Overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.

Qualification and course duration

MA