MA MSc Library Science MA MSc Library Science City University London ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1553760654City-University-London.jpg

City University London

Masters Degree , Information And Library Services

MA MSc Library Science MA MSc Library Science City University London

City University London

Masters Degree , Information And Library Services

Course Description

With our Library Science MA/MSc you can develop the skills and understanding to initiate, work with and develop modern collection based information services.

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.

Course Content

The MA/MSc in Library Science is offered as a one year full-time course, or two year part-time course. On successful completion of the course, you can choose between the award of MA or of MSc. This is usually based on the arts or science content of the work undertaken for the degree, and/or your career aspirations. The course structure and modules are the same for either award. The difference occurs in the focus of the assignments and the dissertation.

You can expect to study for approximately 40 hours per week full-time, and 20 hours per week part-time. The actual time required will vary according to the individual, and with existing experience and prior study.

The course comprises seven core modules and one elective module. These taught modules run during the first and second terms, whilst the third, summer term is reserved for the dissertation. While we aim to run all of our advertised electives, we reserve the right to cancel an elective should this be necessary. For example, if very few students choose it. Some electives are offered by other departments, who may need to restrict access to very popular electives (though this has not happened in recent years). Please note that as some electives run on different days, students who can only attend on one day per week may be restricted in their choice of elective module.

Each of the modules counts for 15 credits, and requires approximately 150 hours work, of which 30 hours are face-to-face instruction (this may be lectures, seminars, group work, discussion or practical work), and 120 hours are self-directed study.

On successful completion of eight taught modules, students can progress to the dissertation. The dissertation is worth 60 credits, and takes around 400 hours. This is an original piece of research conducted with academic supervision, but largely independently.

The MA/MSc in Library Science covers:

library history
social-cultural impact of libraries and library services
information resources
collection management
cataloguing and classification
metadata
information law and ethics
digital libraries
information technologies
information literacy
libraries and publishing
research methods
library and information services for children and young adults

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.

English requirements

For overseas students whose first language is not English, the following qualification is required:

IELTS: 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in all four components)

English language programmes

Don't meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

Academic English
Pre-sessional English

Assessment Methods

We expect you to study independently and complete coursework for each module. This will amount to approximately 120 hours of study per module, in addition to class attendance. Each of the modules run by CityLIS is assessed through coursework, where you will need to answer a variety of assignments to show that you are able to apply your theoretical learning to practical situations. Elective modules may be assessed by examination.

On successful completion of the course’s eight taught modules, you will undertake your dissertation. This is an original piece of research conducted with academic supervision, but largely independently. The dissertation allows you to demonstrate your ability to think and work independently, to be aware of and to comprehend current issues within the discipline and practice, to initiate ways of investigating and solving current problems or questions, and to deliver results, solutions and recommendations on time.

The individual project is a substantial task. It is your opportunity to develop a research-related topic under the supervision of an academic member of staff. This is where you can apply what you have learnt to a real-world problem or to develop further, contemporary conceptual theory in library science.

Communication and networking are an integral part of our Library Science masters course, and in preparation for professional practice, you will be expected to engage with blogs, Twitter and other relevant communications media as part of your studies. Face-to-face participation in student and new professional forums including research seminars, workshops and conferences is actively promoted. You will be encouraged to present your work (assignments, dissertation) to the wider LIS community for discussion and development.