Do I need to already work in a library to take the Master of Library and Information Science?

No, but library or information experience helps you get the most from the master's. Applicants from related fields such as computing, humanities and education are welcomed.

Is the master's focused on traditional libraries or digital ones?

Both. The Master of Library and Information Science treats digital libraries, archives and knowledge management as core, alongside traditional library theory.

Will it qualify me as a chartered librarian?

Chartered status is granted by professional bodies (such as CILIP in the UK) and has its own requirements. The master's supports your application but you should check the current chartership criteria with the relevant body.

Can the master's be studied online?

Yes. Online and distance modes are available. Many learners study while working in library, archive or knowledge management roles.

Is the qualification recognised outside the UK?

It is a UK postgraduate qualification. Local recognition by professional bodies varies; check with the relevant body in your country.

How long does the programme take?

Typically 12 to 24 months depending on full-time or part-time mode. Exact duration is confirmed at enrolment.

Master of Library and Information Science | HICL London | Harold International College of London

Master of Library and Information Science at HICL

The Master of Library and Information Science is built for people who already work in libraries, archives or information services and want to move into senior librarian, information specialist or knowledge manager roles. It is also a credible route for graduates from related fields — humanities, computing, education, museum studies — who are converting into the information professions.

The modern library is not what it was twenty years ago. Public libraries are community hubs, academic libraries are digital service points, corporate knowledge teams curate enterprise information, and archives are increasingly digital. The Master of Library and Information Science is structured around that reality rather than around a nostalgic image of stacks and silence.

What the Master Covers

Expect serious work on information organisation (cataloguing, classification, metadata), digital library systems, archival theory, user studies, information policy, copyright and ethics, knowledge management, and research methods. There is a thread of technology running through the whole programme — library work now overlaps heavily with data and systems, and the master's reflects that.

Who This Degree Is For

Library assistants and senior library staff aiming at chartered librarian roles.
Archives and records professionals seeking a postgraduate qualification.
Information officers in legal, medical, government and corporate environments.
Graduates from humanities, computing or education converting into the information sector.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the Master of Library and Information Science typically progress into roles such as academic librarian, knowledge manager, archivist, records manager, information analyst, and metadata specialist. Many libraries and information employers require postgraduate qualifications for senior posts, so this master's is often a structural step in the career rather than a nice-to-have.

How the Programme Is Delivered

HICL offers the Master of Library and Information Science on-campus, online and via distance learning. Online delivery works particularly well for this discipline because the content is heavily research- and document-based. Module structure and intake calendar are confirmed at enrolment.

Entry Requirements

Bachelor's degree in any subject, or equivalent professional experience in library or information work.
IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
Minimum age 21.
A short statement about your interest in libraries, archives or information work.

Apply for the Master of Library and Information Science

If you take information seriously — how it is found, kept, organised, used and protected — the Master of Library and Information Science is the postgraduate route to take. Click Enroll Now and HICL admissions will respond within one working day.