MSc Econ Diploma Information & Library Studies

Master

Distance

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Methodology

    Distance Learning

  • Duration

    2 Years

provide you with an overview of the principles of information and library work. enable you to develop key information handling, ICT, management and interpersonal skills. offer you the opportunity to study specialist subjects in more depth. develop your ability for further research at postgraduate level in the information and library studies field. provide a professional qualification and eligibility for Chartered status with CILIP.

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Course programme

This is a distance learning course

The course accepts two intakes every year, one in April and another in September. Applications are welcomed throughout the year.

Why study for the MSc Econ or Diploma in Information and Library Studies?

The skills of information and library professionals are in demand as employers recognise the necessity for staff to identify, organise, retrieve and make accessible information as it exists in paper, electronic and multimedia formats.

If you take this course you will be introduced to the key information handling skills as well as the opportunity to develop your ICT, management and interpersonal skills.

The MSc Econ/Diploma Information and Library Studies course will equip you with the knowledge and skills for professional work. In addition, as the programme is studied at a distance, you should be able to feedback your newly acquired knowledge into your workplace as you progress.

Although this postgraduate programme is primarily designed to meet the needs of those who wish to work in various types of information and library services, you can exploit the transferable skills mastered during the programme to pursue careers in related professions (e.g. media management and book publishing), or continue your studies to a more advanced level through undertaking further postgraduate level research.

How is the course structured?

This programme in information and library studies is divided into two parts. In Part One, you will take a mixture of core and optional modules, which will total 120 credits. Those wishing to finish studying at the end of Part One will be eligible for a Diploma. If you successfully pass these modules at the required assessment level, you can progress to the dissertation element (Part Two), which counts for another 60 credits. Successful completion of the dissertation, therefore, counts towards a total of 180 credits at Master's level - and gains you a Master's degree.

You are able to progress at your own pace, taking between 2 and 5 years to complete the total 180 credits required for the Master's degree. The programme is flexible and current students are progressing at three different pace levels of their own choosing (faster, average and slower). The normal minimum requirement is that you complete 40 credits per year. Most students take about two years to complete Part One and one year to complete Part Two (total of three years).

Study schools

There are three study schools attached to this programme and they are all linked to the core modules you will complete in Part One. You will attend schools at Aberystwyth in April or September each year. Visits to local libraries, including the National Library of Wales, are incorporated into the study schools.

What does the course cover?

You will be expected to follow a combination of core and optional studies. See the links above see details of the core modules.

Those candidates who attain the required assessment for the 120 credits of taught modules may exit with a Diploma.

Part Two dissertation

After successful completion of Part One at the required assessment level, those wishing to gain the Master's qualification, will need to complete a 60 credit dissertation.

Dissertation (60 credits)
On successful completion of the taught element, students pursuing the Master's degree will prepare a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on an approved topic.

Subject to the satisfactory completion of the dissertation, the MSc Econ in Information and Library Studies is awarded.

Assessment

The programme is assessed on the basis of coursework in Part One and the dissertation in Part Two. A variety of assignments in Part One, including reports, essays, presentations, and case studies enable you to relate theoretical knowledge to your own workplace.

Acreditation

The Master's degree and the postgraduate Diploma are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP); formerly known as The Library Association and the Institute of Information Scientists. Master's and Diploma graduates will have a qualification which is recognised for admission to the Register of Chartered Librarians (subject to the Institute's chartership regulations).

Personal development

Within the context of the assignments set in this postgraduate programme and through practical exercises at the study school, there will opportunities to develop your communication and computer literacy skills as well as the ability to work in collaboration with others. As a result, we expect that you will leave the course with improved career prospects in information and library work as well as a range of personal and learning skills which will be useful when applying for posts in a wide range of other fields. The Department offers a skills induction programme (SKIP), which will further help you to develop these transferable skills.

Who can apply?

The Diploma and Master's in Information and Library Studies by distance learning programme is open to graduates in all disciplines, other than information and library studies. If you wish to pursue this programme, you must have appropriate pre-course experience in information and library work or in a related area.

You are welcome to apply if you:

  • are a graduate (in any discipline) or suitably experienced non-graduate
  • are currently employed in a library or information environment (or have experience of working in this field)
  • have access to a computer with CD-ROM and Internet facilities*

What if I'm a complete IT beginner?

If you have any questions about what equipment and software you will need for the course, please contact the OLU.
For pre-course preparation, we currently recommend any of the following introductory IT texts:

  • Robert Ferrett, John Preston and Sally Preston Office 2000 Essentials , Prentice Hall.
  • Dr Alan Clarke Computing for adults: an essential guide for beginners , Hodder & Stoughton.
  • Dr Alan Clarke European computer driving licence , Hodder & Stoughton.

Each applicant will be considered on their own merits, but the criteria for admission are based on a combination of relevant experience and academic capability sufficient for this level of study. If you are unsure whether you fulfil the admissions criteria, please contact us.

When should I apply?

At present, there are two start dates for the course each year: 1st April and 1st September.
The closing date for applications is two months prior to the start date of the course. However, please note that it is best to apply as early as possible as places can fill quickly well in advance of the closing date. You will be notified whether or not you have been successful in gaining a place on the course within six weeks of the University receiving your application.

Additional information

Career opportunities: Information professionals are required in almost all fields of activity in both the public and private sectors alike. In addition to the more traditional career prospects in academic, public and special libraries, there are also opportunities for information and library studies graduates in related areas such as broadcasting, publishing and bookselling. Recent graduates have found jobs as web officers, information consultants, information brokers and information officers in many institutions. Many of our distance learning students gain promotion while they are studying the course.

MSc Econ Diploma Information & Library Studies

Price on request