Scholarly and professional education for library and information practice.
The postgraduate programme in Library and Information Management has been developed by the School of Education in close collaboration with library practitioners to provide an academic route to professional qualification. The Postgraduate Diploma and MSc are accredited by the Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
Library and Information Management PgDip/MSc
The course at Ulster University is a fully online course, accredited by the professional body the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). As a CILIP-accredited course, it is a widely recognised professional qualification internationally.
Students are expected to be working in a library/information role (paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time) for the duration of the course. Most of our students are working in a library environment, however applications from other sectors are also welcome (e.g. book shops, information centres). Students who are not in regular paid library/information employment would typically take up a volunteer / intern position while on the course.
The Postgraduate Diploma is a two-year part-time course, with a combination of self-paced learning and regular online classes. Students are generally expected to work on learning activities prior to each of the online classes.
We will be using the software Blackboard Collaborate for this. There is useful information about Blackboard Collaborate at:
http://www.blackboard.com/online-collaborative-learning/blackboard-collaborate-features.aspx.
Students will need a PC / laptop, reliable internet access, a web cam, and headset with microphone and audio. In addition to the online classes, learning resources are posted online and students engage in regular online discussion and keep an online learning journal. All assessment is coursework based and we use a range of methods e.g. essays, portfolios, reports etc. The expected total word count for assignments for each module is approx. 6,000 words, and 16,000 words for the dissertation (for those that do the Masters).
Applications are processed on a rolling basis. The deadline for applications is the 30 June, although late applications are also accepted after this date. Applications are made online: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/e-learning
Year 1
EDU713: The Library in its Environment - which provides a foundation to the course and examines different library settings and services
EDU714: Improving Library Practice - which covers core library topics such as information management, collection development, teaching information skills, bibliometrics, cataloguing and classification, and
evaluating library services
Year 2
EDU718: Leadership in Libraries for the Future - which looks at management and leadership in a library context and brings in a range of guest speakers who are in positions of library leadership
EDU958: Research Design and Initiation - where the focus is on the research process and providing library and information professionals with the research skills to critically engage in the research literature to enable evidence-based practice.
After successful completion of two years, students can either exit with the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Management or continue on to do a third year for the MSc in Library and Information Management which involves undertaking independent research and completing a dissertation (60 credits). The MSc is also professionally accredited by CILIP.
The course is fully online. Where they are regular live online classes, these take place in an ‘online classroom’. For students commencing the course in September 2020 these will be on a Wednesday evening (6.00-7.30pm). We will be using the software Blackboard Collaborate for this.
There is useful information about Blackboard Collaborate at: http://www.blackboard.com & http://www.blackboard.com/online-collaborative-learning/blackboard-collaborate-features.aspx.
Students will need a PC / laptop, reliable internet access, a web cam, a usb headset with microphone and audio, and a quiet place from which to participate in the online class. In addition to the weekly online sessions, learning resources will be posted online and students will engage in regular online discussion and keep an online learning journal.
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including assessment requirements.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Assessment
Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This is the first module taken in the programme. It is designed to provide students with an academic foundation in library and information management and to enable students to develop and deepen their understanding of the library and/or information environment in which they work. The module is delivered fully online. Assessment is by coursework and there are two coursework components (contributions to online discussions and final portfolio).
Year: 1
Status: C
This is the second module taken in the programme. It is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of library and information management and to enable students to develop and further their understanding of the library and/or information environment in which they work. The module is delivered online using a variety of tools and approaches. Assessment is by coursework and there are two coursework components (online discussion contributions and final portfolio).
Year: 2
Status: C
This is the third module taken in the programme. It is designed to provide students with an academic knowledge of leadership theories and their application in a library and information context and to enable students to develop and deepen their understanding of real-world leadership issues, trends, and challenges in the library and/or information environment in which they work. The module is delivered fully online. Assessment is by coursework and there are two coursework components.
Year: 2
Status: C
The Research Design and Initiation module introduces students to the key ideas and issues that underpin educational research theory and practice. It provides a research methods course to guide them in commencing their own empirical research project. All students will have developed knowledge, insight and skills as reflective practitioners in the classroom or practice situation, and many will be very familiar with action research. This module is designed to widen their views of research enquiry, to help students organise, implement and progress an educational research project by dissertation encompassing good practice in primary and secondary research, methodological design, analytical insightfulness and piloting, and implementation planning including ethical enquiry.
Year: 3
Status: C
This module allows participants to produce a sustained piece of independent research. It seeks to improve the quality of the participants' personal and professional understanding and the excellence of their practice, so that the impact on their organisation and on their colleagues and students is enhanced. It provides opportunities for the development of educational research methodologies and deepening understanding of the participant's situation and context.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
To be eligible to apply for a postgraduate degree course, you must;
Students are also expected to be working in a library/information environment for the duration of the course.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
In this section
The Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Library and Information Management prepare individuals for professional library and information careers.
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) to assure students that programmes provide an excellent preparation for professional practice.
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2023/24, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI/GB Cost | International Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | £186.65 | £440 |
| 10 | £373.30 | £880 |
| 15 | £559.95 | £1,320 |
| 20 | £746.60 | £1,760 |
| 30 | £1,119.90 | £2,640 |
| 60 | £2,239.80 | £5,280 |
| 120 | £4,479.60 | £10,560 |
| 180 | £6,719.40 | £15,840 |
NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
Where the postgraduate course selected offers multiple awards (e.g. PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters), please note that the price displayed is for the complete Masters programme.
Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are charged at a pro-rata basis.
Find out more about postgraduate fees
The student with the highest overall mark in the Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Management each year received the Allen & Overy Trophy for Best Performance.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
