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MSc Information & Library Studies – (M.Sc.)
Robert Gordon University
Aberdeen Business School
| Application Deadline: | Early September every year | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 4,110 - ≈ € 10,396 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Aberdeen / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Start Date: | September | ||
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 180 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of Robert Gordon University
This is an intensive, though enjoyable and engaging course using a range of teaching techniques - lectures, tutorials, group-work, seminars and lab sessions e.g. for online searching. It integrates theory with professional and vocational practice and students will develop an understanding of the principles and ideas of contemporary information management. They will also have the opportunity to work autonomously or with minimal guidance where appropriate.
The overall aim of the course is to produce creative, innovative and reflective practitioners. Particular emphasis is placed on the research, evaluative and analytical skills of each student.
Study modes
The course is designed to be flexible and allows a choice of study modes. It can be undertaken full-time on campus and completed in 12 months (in three semesters). The taught element of the course is covered in the first 2 semesters (4 modules in each) and the third semester is spent working on the dissertation.
Alternatively, for part-time and distance-learners the course is completed in 3 years. Study is on a part-time basis, either on-campus or online by distance learning (using our virtual learning environment). This leads to three exit qualifications: Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) at the end of Year 1, Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) at end of Year 2, and the Masters (MSc) after 3 years. The taught element of the course is covered in the first 2 years and during the final year students work independently, but under tutorial supervision, to undertake research and prepare the dissertation.
It is also possible to enrol for individual modules on a Continuing Professional Development basis.
Contents
Course Structure by Module
BSM050 Information Studies
BSM555 Management Principles and Operations
BSM058 Cataloguing and Classification
BSM623 Knowledge Organisation
EXIT AWARD Postgraduate Certificate
BSM137 Information Services
BSM553 Planning and Developing Library and Information Services
BSM152 Professional Fieldwork Placement
BSM055 Research Methods
EXIT AWARD Postgraduate Diploma
BSM587 Dissertation
EXIT AWARDMaster of Science Information and Library Studies
Fieldwork Placement
The Professional Fieldwork Placement is a mandatory part of the course, and offers students an opportunity to apply the theories of the taught course to the professional work environment. It is found to be enormously beneficial to students and is particularly valuable in informing and developing ideas and theories for the Dissertation stage. In some cases the placement has also helped students to secure a full-time professional post in the same organisation after the completion of their degree.
Dissertation
The Dissertation stage offers an important opportunity for the student to explore thoroughly and in-depth an issue of their own choice for their dissertation. The student has considerable latitude and freedom in their choice of topic as virtually any subject can be said to have "an information management angle". Dissertation topics have ranged from information seeking behaviour of Generation Y and Baby Boomers to the history of Benjamin Britten and the Nunavut cataloguing in Baffin Island. The student will be matched with a supervisor who has research experience or special interest in the area in question. All students undertaking the Dissertation find it challenging but also inspiring and hugely rewarding.
Teaching Method A wide range of teaching techniques are employed. Learning on-campus occurs via lectures, tutorials, team-work activities, seminars and lab sessions (e.g. for online searching of databases and other information sources). However, the student is also expected to take responsibility of their own learning and work autonomously or with minimal guidance where appropriate.
The distance-learning mode of study is delivered entirely online via CampusMoodle, the university´s online learning environment. Learning is supported by a wide range of material (lecture notes, reading lists, case studies, weblinks) and activities (threaded forum discussions, live-time chat sessions, and synchronous interactions). The distance learning mode of study replicates the environment of the real classroom where communication, collaboration and interaction are key elements of the learning experience.
Assessment of Student Work Various forms of assessment are used to monitor student progress. The coursework for a module may consist of essays, case studies, oral presentations, open-book exercises, formal reports on practical work as appropriate to the learning outcomes of the modules. The course has no examinations.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
An Honours Undergraduate degree in any discipline
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade C (Score: 60) |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 570 |
Accreditation
The Information and Library Studies Course is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). The Department of Information Management has a close relationship with CILIP and organises a CILIP Roadshow each year. The department also has links with other bodies in the sector, both locally - with Grampian Information, and nationally - with the National Library of Scotland.
CILIP accreditation means that the course is recognised, around the world, by other professional bodies such as the American Library Association and the Canadian Library Association. In practice this means that these bodies recognise CILIP as the appropriate national accreditation body for the United Kingdom and graduates from accredited programmes possess the appropriate professional degree for librarians and are considered acceptable for employment in the United States and Canada. Details can be obtained from the American Library Association (ALA).
Ask a Question
You can contact Professor Peter Reid to ask a question about MSc Information & Library Studies at Robert Gordon University.
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