International Archives, Records and Information Management MScEcon (Distance Learning)
Also available at Diploma and Certificate level
By studying international archives, records and information management at postgraduate level, you will learn professional principles and techniques and acquire the core skills which will enable you to play a part in the management and exploitation of an invaluable informational resource which underpins organisational success.
The Diploma/MSc Econ in International Archives, Records and Information Management is designed to provide you with the necessary range of knowledge and skills in appropriate areas. The course offers three pathways: Archives Management, Records Management, and Information Management and aims to foster the ability to communicate across different levels of an organisation and with fellow information professionals. Furthermore, while it provides a sound foundation upon which a specific career can be built, it also equips you to be both innovative and flexible in a range of employment opportunities which require transferable skills.
Course structure and delivery
How is the course structured?
This programme is divided into two parts. In Part One, you will take a mixture of core and optional modules, which will total 120 credits. Those wishing to finish studying at the end of Part One will be eligible for a Diploma. If you successfully pass these modules at the required assessment level, you can progress to the dissertation element (Part Two), which counts for another 60 credits. Successful completion of the dissertation, therefore, counts towards a total of 180 credits at Master’s level - and gains you a Master’s degree.
You are able to progress at your own pace, taking between 2 and 5 years to complete the total 180 credits required for the Master’s degree. The programme is flexible and current students are progressing at three different pace levels of their own choosing (faster, average and slower). The normal minimum requirement is that you complete 40 credits per year. Most students take about two years to complete Part One and one year to complete Part Two (total of three years).
What does the course cover?
You will be expected to follow a combination of core and optional studies.
Part One: Modules
Core Module topics include management, research in the profession and risk, governance and managing digital assets.
Additional core modules for the Records Management Pathway include archive management and a workplace case study; for the Information Management pathway modules on information and society and organisation and retrieval; and for the archival pathway, modules addressing the acquisition, preservation, and processing of archival material, providing the opportunity to explore new and innovative ways of opening up archival material to a variety of users and audiences.
Option Modules: students can choose 20 credits from the current options offered by the department: subjects like marketing, digital preservation, knowledge management, digital information and web publishing.
Part Two: Dissertation
Students are awarded a Diploma on successful completion of Part One but can progress to Part Two (60 credits) to acquire a Master’s- level qualification.
A Certificate-level course comprising 60 taught credits is also available; comprising core modules in Records Management and Digital Records, and the option to study Archive Management, Studies in Management or Knowledge Management according to individual preference.
Tuition is provided through printed study packs containing the core learning material, supplemented by a resource pack and a conference area on (the computer conferencing facility), which provides information updates relevant to the course, and a directory of websites referred to in the study packs. Assessment is by means of a variety of written assignments including essays and reports.
Students can progress at their own pace, taking between two and five years to complete the course. On average, you should expect to spend 10 to 15 hours a week studying.
Assessment
The programme is assessed on the basis of coursework in Part One and the dissertation in Part Two. A variety of assignments in Part One, including reports, essays, presentations, and case studies enable you to relate theoretical knowledge to your own workplace.
Study schools
You are required to attend three study schools of 3-5 days in length at various times during your studies. The introductory study school takes place at the start of the course providing an introduction to the course, the University and its facilities as well as to tutors and fellow distance learners.
The second study school is used to introduce students to professional aspects of records and archives management, and incorporates visits to specific working operations in the public sector. This study school enables you to relate your learning experience to the world of work, to discuss current issues with practising members of the profession, as well as providing you with an opportunity to review your progress.
The final study school is a module in research methodology, which provides you with an introduction to the variety of information studies research methods. This module is also essential preparation for the dissertation.
In addition to the three compulsory study schools, at some point during your time on the course you are encouraged to join a series of study visits in London. This tour is organised annually in January to give both full-time and distance learning students the opportunity to visit a range of national and specialist archives and records management institutions.
Entry Requirements
The minimum basic entry requirement for a Masters degree is normally a good Honours Degree or equivalent. Applicants must also:
- in related employment for the duration of the course (supported voluntary posts are potentially acceptable).
- have pre-defined Information and Communication Technology skills and access to a computer linked to the Internet.
Non-native English speakers are required to take a University recognised test of academic English language proficiency with required minimum proficiency levels equating to an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 580 (paper based test) or 237 (computer based) with an essay rating of 5.0. Applicants who have successfully undertaken a Bachelors degree in a UK University are exempt from this requirement.