University of Brighton
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Information Studies
MA (PGCert PGDip)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 1 year

    Part-time: 2 years

    Professional accreditation

    The course is formally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in the UK (CILIP) and recognised by the American Library Association as an equivalent to masters programs in the United States.

    International applicants are eligible for University of Brighton international scholarships.

    About the course

    Open to students of any discipline, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills for a career either in the library sector or as a business information professional. Practical skills are integrated with the knowledge base of information science in order to deliver wide-ranging learning suitable for any information role within industry or the public sector.

    This is an inspiring award which is delivered via an informal, collaborative-contact teaching style. The personal touch given to students is then complemented by the practical project, where the learnt skills are directly applied in a real setting.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    Individual offers may vary.

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in writing.

    Degree and/or experience:
    Honours degree or equivalent.

  • Course content

    Course structure

    The course consists of six taught modules and a final placement and project which allows students to apply the techniques and knowledge learnt in a practical environment. The project forms the basis for the written dissertation required for the masters qualification.

    Areas of study

    Organising Information develops an understanding of the principles by which information can be organised and the practical skills necessary to be able to organise and describe a range of printed and electronic sources.

    Professionalism and Information Policy provides students with a critical appreciation of the core values and ethical principles that inform the work of library, information and knowledge professionals.

    Managing Information Services aims to equip a new generation of information professionals with the management skills required to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. It enables them to develop a strategic awareness of leadership, marketing, and resource management concepts and techniques as they apply to information services.

    Information Architecture and Design for the Web provides students with understanding and skills in current technologies, for example web 2.0, and the ways in which organisations can use them for information service provision, aggregation and dissemination.

    Information Retrieval and Collection Development introduces students to the principles and practice of information retrieval using a combination of established and emerging electronic sources. It also introduces them to the principles and practices associated with collection development, with particular emphasis on the changing nature of collections in a digital age.

    Data Management (elective) explores the theory and practice of contemporary database management systems, and students also gain practice in designing and building databases.

    Research Methods introduces the range of issues involved when designing, implementing and evaluating research in the field of library and information management.

    Syllabus

    - Organising Information
    - Professionalism and Information Policy
    - Managing Information Services
    - Information Architecture and Design for the Web
    - Information Retrieval and Collection Development
    - Data Management
    - Research Methods
    - Project/Dissertation

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2013-14. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    Information Studies (MA) (Full time)  [J4BD001]
    UK/EU (Full Time)4,500 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)9,450 GBP
    International (Full Time)13,500 GBP

  • Location

    Location Help Moulsecoomb

    Located to the north of Brighton city centre, the Moulsecoomb campus offers students an excellent learning environment and a wide range of facilities. It is the largest of our five campuses with over 8,000 students.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • Career opportunities

    Graduates are prepared for both specialist and management careers in a wide range of library and information service environments. Our graduates have gained employment in all library sectors (public, academic, health and commercial) and in digitisation projects, information management and online marketing.

    The course also provides a basis from which to progress to research at PhD and MPhil level.

    Visit the careers service website.

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Find out more

01273 642428
Email cemadmissions@brighton.ac.uk

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