Aimed at resourceful people with excellent communication and organisational skills, this course is ideal for those with ambitions to work in library and information roles across a wide variety of sectors. The MA and PG Diploma awards are CILIP accredited.
Course description
This course is now closed to new applications for 2022 entry.
You’ll be introduced to the best current thinking and practice needed to enter this fast developing sector. You’ll learn core competencies in IT, management and information handling, together with a wide range of specialisms.
Library and information professionals need strong information handling, managerial and interpersonal skills, plus an understanding of the power of technology to transform information services provision. They must also have the imagination, commitment and enthusiasm to play a part in the exciting changes taking place in the fast-developing information world.
The skills of librarians and information specialists are essential to identify, control, organise and make accessible the ever-increasing amounts of information available in paper, digital and multimedia formats. This course prepares you for a professional role in areas ranging from public service to business.
There are a number of opportunities made available to students to gain experience of the workplace. These include part-time paid roles reserved for our students at the University of Sheffield Library, internships organised as part of the University internship scheme, and volunteering opportunities in various community-based projects. We support students in gaining places on these various schemes (taking particular care to ensure that student volunteers do not replace paid roles in any organisation), and those that choose to take advantage of them always find them very useful.
If you have two or more years’ relevant work experience in the information sector and wish to study for a higher degree, you may be interested in our Professional Enhancement programme. The programme is designed for people already in work who want to further their careers, and allows greater freedom in module choice in recognition of your existing expertise.
Accreditation
CILIP accredited for the MA and PG Diploma awards
Modules
A selection of modules are available each year – some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course.
You’ll need 180 credits to get a masters degree, with 75 credits from core modules, 45 credits from optional modules and a dissertation (including dissertation preparation) worth 60 credits.
Core modules:
- Information Organisation
- Libraries, Information and Society
- Information Literacy
- Management for Library and Information Services
- Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation
- Dissertation
Optional modules – one or two from:
- Public and School Library Services
- Academic and Workplace Library, Information and Knowledge Services
Optional modules – one or two from:
- Researching Social Media
- Information Governance and Ethics
- Business Intelligence
- Database Design
- User-Centred Design and Human-Computer Interaction
- Archives and Records Management
Other courses:
Postgraduate Certificate requires a total of 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma requires a total of 120 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it’s up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we’ll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Duration
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
- 3 years part-time
Teaching
The Information School has an international reputation for teaching and research in library management, and the latest ideas are fed directly into the Librarianship MA programme.
A variety of teaching methods are used, combining lectures from academic staff and professional practitioners with seminars, tutorials, small-group work and computer laboratory sessions, as well as visits to library and information services. There is strong emphasis on problem-solving and individual aspects of learning, with the expectation that you’ll engage in independent study, reading and research in support of your coursework.
Teaching consists of two 15-week semesters. After this you will write your dissertation.
Assessment
Assessments vary depending on the modules you choose but may include essays, in-class tests, briefing papers and literature reviews, and creation of a website or database, or production of a library design, plus presentations.
There is also a dissertation of 10–15,000 words, which provides the opportunity, under one-to-one supervision, to focus in depth on a topic of your choice. You may choose to carry out your dissertation with an external organisation, for instance if you are a Professional Enhancement student, your project could be directly related to your own work situation. In the past, students who have carried out such dissertations have welcomed the opportunity to tackle real-life problems.
Your career
A postgraduate qualification in library and information management is essential for many roles in the library and information profession. Our Librarianship MA programme has been designed for people who want to enter the profession or who are preparing to take the next step up in their careers.
Modern library and information services require professionals who can manage large volumes of information in both digital and traditional forms. You’ll be equipped with the skills that are needed for the developing role of the library and information professional in organisations today.
Department
The University of Sheffield Information School is ranked number one in the world for library and information management in the QS World University Rankings by subject 2021. These rankings are based upon academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact.
The school has been at the forefront of developments in the information field for more than fifty years. The subject is characterised by its distinctive, interdisciplinary focus on the interactions between people, information and digital technologies. It has the ultimate goal of enhancing information access, and the management, sharing and use of information, to benefit society.
When you come to study with us you’ll be an integral part of our research culture. The school is your home and we pride ourselves on the friendliness and helpfulness of our staff.
We offer an outstanding academic education through a wide range of taught postgraduate degrees which embed the principles of research-led teaching.
When you join any of our degree programmes you’ll develop a critical understanding of current issues in library and information management. You’ll benefit from being taught by staff who are undertaking leading-edge research and who have many links with industry.
As part of our mission to provide world-quality university education in information, we aim to inspire and help you pursue your highest ambitions for your academic and professional careers.
Entry requirements
Main course
You’ll need at least a good 2:2 in any subject and work experience would be helpful, but it is not a necessity.
Please contact us if you have any queries about your work experience.
Professional enhancement programme
This is a different route to the main course. It’s aimed at those who already have relevant work experience.
To apply for the the professional enhancement programme you will need either:
- an undergraduate degree in any subject discipline and at least 2 years’ relevant work experience
- an undergraduate degree in any subject together with an acceptable relevant professional qualification and at least 2 years’ relevant work experience
- an undergraduate degree in any subject area, and at least 5 years’ relevant work experience.
If you do not have an undergraduate degree but have other qualifications and substantial relevant work experience you may be considered for entry onto the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma courses.
Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.
Fees and funding
- Home (2022 annual fee) : £9,300
- Overseas (2022 annual fee) : £22,100
The fee listed is for the advertised mode of study. If you’re studying for an alternative qualification or via a different mode of study (eg full-time, part-time) then the fee could be different. Due to inflation, the fee for Home students could also increase after your first year of study.
key dates
September start
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Monday 29 August 2022
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Last date to request a deferral to September 2023 entry. You can request a deferral via your online application. We’re not able to consider deferral requests for applications to courses using our staged admissions process.
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Friday 9 September 2022 (17:00 British Summer Time)
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Applications close for September 2022 entry
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Monday 17 October 2022
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Last date to register for most courses
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