Library & Information Studies (Taught)

Our programme offers students the opportunity to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to become versatile and progressive library and information professionals. The programme is based in the College of Arts & Humanities and is led by academic staff in the Information Studies subject area. Teaching staff hold diverse teaching, research and sector expertise across Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM), and Records and Information Management. Students also benefit from studying alongside postgraduates in Museum Studies and Archives, Records, & Information Management

WHY THIS PROGRAMME
We're ranked 36th for Library & Information Management in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject

• This brand-new programme for 2025 is being presented for accreditation by CILIP: The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. This will offer graduates the benefit of reciprocal accreditation for recognition in countries like the USA, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.

• The programme includes contributions from sector professionals with varied local, national and international experience, and formal partnerships with leading professional organisations, such as Glasgow Life and National Library of Scotland.

• Gain experience working with collections of international significance and standing, including Glasgow’s civic, university and national collections. Access specialised study facilities at Kelvin Hall and the University’s Archives and Special Collections.

• Learn about the role of the libraries and information studies within the wider cultural heritage sector, particularly Galleries, Archives and Museums.

• Apply a theoretical framework for critically understanding the role of libraries and information studies in society, such as supporting important human rights such as access to information, preservation of the cultural record, and intellectual freedom.

• Develop a critical awareness of the role that international, national, and local contexts play in shaping policy and practice related to information behaviours, information literacies and information ethics and law.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme is made up of:

• Five core courses

• One optional course.

• Students enrolled on the MSc are also required to undertake an independent research project/dissertation.

Semester One
Core courses

• Libraries & Information Services Management

• Information & Society

• Special Collections & Digital Scholarship

Semester Two
Core Courses

• Description, Cataloguing and Navigation

• Research Design & Methods in Information Studies

Optional Course
An optional course from those available in Information Studies or with the agreement of the Programme Convenor any other Level 5 Course from the College of Arts and Humanities.

Summer (MSc only)

• Dissertation

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.