Librarianship - MA/Cert/Diploma (Professional Enhancement Programme)

School of Information, Faculty of Social Sciences

If you're beginning a career in information management, a masters from Sheffield can give you the grounding employers are looking for. If you're already an experienced professional, our professional enhancement programmes will enhance your knowledge and skills.

About the course

1 year full time/2-3 years part time

Our MA/PGCert/Diploma Librarianship is also available as a Professional Enhancement Programme, designed for experienced professionals. The emphasis is on helping you re-evaluate the way you work in the context of new and emerging ideas.

As a library or information professional, this course will help you re-evaluate your practice in the context of current library and information management theory. You'll apply research-based approaches to solve problems and make decisions, and will develop new skills relevant to your professional development plans.

Entry requirements

You'll need at least two years' relevant work experience and a first degree in librarianship or information studies, or a first degree in any subject area and an acceptable relevant professional qualification.

If you have a first degree in another subject but no relevant professional qualifications, you'll need at least five years' relevant work experience. If you don't have a first degree, but do have other qualifications and substantial relevant work experience, you may be considered for the PGDip or PGCert.

Please contact us for more information on entry requirements and to discuss your circumstances.

English language requirements for overseas students

IELTS minimum score 6.5, or TOEFL 90–91 (iBT), or equivalent.

Entry requirements for international students

Core modules

Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation
Dissertation (MA only)

Optional modules

Choose from our wide range covering public library services to e-business and e-commerce, and including up to three independent study modules.

Teaching

(May differ for distance learning option)

Lectures
Seminars
Tutorials
Practical laboratory classes
Group work
Online discussion
Case studies
Lectures by visiting speakers
Visits to library and information service organisations

Assessment

Essays
Reports
Small projects
Presentations
Posters
Group work
Research-based dissertation

Fees and funding

You may be eligible for a competitive studentship under the AHRC’s Professional Preparation Masters scheme. Contact us for further details.

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

Any questions?

If you'd like to know more about any aspect of our courses, contact us:

E: is@sheffield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)114 222 2660

Rachel Bickley, MA Librarianship

Your career

Your masters prepares you for a library or IT-related career in any sector where information management is key. Graduates also become consultants to organisations who value their expertise.

If you're already an experienced professional, our Professional Enhancement Programmes can help you advance your career by building on your skills.

Your subject

In the information age, effective use of information improves the world and makes a positive difference to our lives. It is also central to economic development.

The rapid pace of technological change and the globalisation of markets means that organisations in all sectors must realise the value of information systems. The world needs graduates who are information literate.

Our department has been rated as the UK’s number one for Information Studies research in every single Research Assessment Exercise. Employers know our masters students are taught by experts at the forefront of their fields.

Ranked first amongst all library and information science departments in every single Research Assessment Exercise.

Learning environment

We make sure you have all the tools you'll need. Our dedicated departmental teaching suite contains two networked laboratories with 60 computers, a 30-seat lecture room and two seminar rooms, and you can connect your laptop to our wireless network.

For research, the Michael Lynch Research Computing Laboratory has networked PCs and UNIX-based workstations. We’re right in the middle of things, next to St George’s Library and close to the new state-of-the-art Information Commons, so you'll easily be able to access the University's many resources.

Flexible study

Study part-time or full-time. You can build up to the masters degree at a pace that suits you – for instance, take the PG Certificate part-time, take a year out, come back and take the PG Diploma full-time, and so on.

Apply now

You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It is a quick and easy process.

Postgraduate Online Application Form