MSc Library & Information Studies

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 programmeThis 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.Career prospects​As a CILIP-accredited qualification (application pending) the Masters will offer reciprocal accreditation in countries including the USA, Canada, Ireland, and Australia. The programme offers a foundation for work in a diverse range of library and information sectors, including working with rare books and special collections, providing services in public and school libraries, academic libraries, health libraries, and corporate library environments. Other potential career roles include work in the areas of information governance.

Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject.

You should have a minimum of two weeks' experience in a related field.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training): 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome): 93 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21

Pearsons PTE Academic: 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169

Oxford English Test: 7 overall with no subtest less than 6

LanguageCert Academic SELT: 70 overall with no subtest less than 60