Typical Course Length
The demands placed upon managers in the library and information profession are increasingly complex. Library and information managers have to cope with rapid change and development. This CILIP accredited degree (Diploma and Masters) has been devised as a response to the needs of the profession for Continuing Professional Development: to help professional practitioners cope with the demands placed upon them, and to prepare mid-career practitioners for the next stage in their career. It is therefore not designed to provide the student with a first qualification in information and library studies, but to update and progress existing knowledge and qualifications.
Of flexible duration, generally taking between two and five years. September intake only.
Contact time can be arranged remotely with your tutor. Attendance at at least two study schools is required and these provide the main contact.
There is a variety of assignments in Part One, including reports, presentations, essays, critical reviews and case studies which enable you to relate theoretical knowledge to your own workplace. Part Two, is assessed on the Dissertation.
A strong honours degree at undergraduate level
A minimum of five years experience at a middle or senior management level within an information or library service
Professional qualification in library and information studies, or library and information science qualification, equivalent to a UK accredited qualification or equivalent professional experience
Candidates with equivalent experience and qualifications will be considered.
English Language Requirements:
If you have a Bachelor’s degree from a UK University, you do not need to take an English proficiency test.
Non-native English speakers who do not meet this requirement must take a University-recognised test of academic English language proficiency. For further information please see our English Language requirements page.
Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.
Funding opportunities may be available, please check our funding calculator for details.
The objectives of the MSc in Management of Library and Information Services course are to:
- enable senior library and information service staff to manage key resources through an understanding of their organisational value;
- provide managers with specific skills in core activities;
- offer an academic component to the career advancement of professionals;
- enable employers to support Continuous Professional Development without the need for breaks in employment.
This programme is offered in flexible distance learning mode as it is recognised that prospective students will not wish a mid-career break in order to update their qualifications. The length of the degree scheme is normally three years, but students may take between two and five years to complete their studies. Normally, the first two years (Part One) consist of a taught element, whereby students complete 120 credits. Those wishing to finish study at the end of the taught element will be eligible for a Diploma (120 credits). The remaining period (Part Two) is to complete a dissertation (60 credits), to gain the Master’s qualification (180 credits).
Students on this course will be required to attend two compulsory residential study schools in Aberystwyth. The first will be in September at the commencement of the course, and is designed to prepare students for the taught element (Part One) of the programme. The second is a research study school (offered during April and September) and is designed to prepare students for the dissertation (Part Two).
Completion requires accumulation of 120 credits for the award of the Diploma and 180 credits for the award of the Master’s degree.
The minimum basic entry requirement for a Masters degree is normally a good Honours Degree (in any discipline).
Applicants must also have:
- a professional library and information studies, or library and information science qualification (equivalent to a UK accredited qualification)
- a minimum of 5 years experience at a middle or senior management level within an information or library service (dependent on level and range of experience)
- pre-defined Information and Communication Technology skills and access to a computer linked to the Internet
Non-native English speakers are required to take a University recognised test of academic English language proficiency.
The university has a proud tradition of research excellence, as demonstrated in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014) assessment. It placed the university in the top 50 institutions for research power and intensity. It submitted 77% of eligible staff and 95% of the university's research was of an internationally recognised standard.
- If you wish to obtain a Masters degree or diploma from one of the UK’s leading departments
- If you wish to gain the knowledge and skills for managerial work in Library and Information Services
- If you wish to develop and update existing knowledge and qualification within an information or library service sector.
Every course at Aberystwyth University is designed to enhance your vocational and general employability. This CILIP accredited Masters will place you in the jobs market as a highly-trained manager with knowledge and skills in Library and Information services. This course will also develop a wide range of general work skills such as research, analysis, writing, presentation and management, ensuring your employability is improved across all areas.
You will develop skills in quickly and accurately assimilating and interpreting data – which you will find invaluable in a managerial post. You will develop productive strategies for planning and problem-solving that can be applied beyond your chosen area of study, making you a versatile academic as well as a productive professional. You will learn to analyse and control how information is transmitted to users, including access to information and measurement of use. The monitoring and analysis of data is crucial to the success of business organisations and initiatives. Mastering it will enable you to manage within a changing and turbulent environment and provide you with an understanding of the inter-relationship of the organization with its customers and stakeholder
Study in a Practical Context
The University of Aberystwyth boasts library resources which are amongst the best in Europe. The Department’s specialist Thomas Parry Library is one of the leading libraries for Information Studies. As a student, you will have access to this exceptional resource where you can apply your learning in activities which will convert the purely academic theory into the proven know-how of experience.
In addition to this, you will also have access to the University's Hugh Owen Library which houses more than 700,000 volumes and subscribes to more than 3,500 current periodicals. Also, the National Library for Wales next to the campus is one of the UK's five copyright libraries housing more than 6,000,000 volumes.
Studying at a Postgraduate level requires high levels of discipline and self-motivation. You will have access to the expertise and helpful guidance of departmental staff but you will be ultimately responsible for devising and completing a sustained programme of scholarly research in pursuit of your masters degree. This process of independent study at an extremely high level will strengthen your skills as an independent and self-sufficient worker, a trait prized by most employers.