Our department offers a number of courses and qualifications at postgraduate level within the broad area of information studies. Central to all of these subjects is an interest in how people and information connect. This can range from a child using a library, a doctor working in a hospital, a lawyer researching a case, to a citizen's right to information about their government.

We are also interested in how culture is shared in society, through access to books in libraries, artefacts in museums and historical documents in archives. The Department has a long and prestigious history in providing education and skills for professional library staff throughout the world.

You can study with us on campus or by distance learning. Our graduates work in libraries, schools, hospitals, businesses, government departments and record offices. Their skills are highly valued by a wide range of employers both nationally and internationally.

Overview

The Department of Information Studies is able to supervise students researching into any aspect of modern librarianship or information science. The topic for research is chosen by the applicant, who should submit a proposal outlining the aims and methodology of the research. Intending applicants are invited to make informal enquiries about the suitability and viability of the topics before a formal application is submitted, and staff of the Department will advise candidates on the development of acceptable proposals if necessary. In the case of the Doctoral degree (PhD), a clear indication of the amount of original work to be undertaken will be required.

Research students undertake a programme of research and present a thesis on a chosen topic. The aim is to provide candidates with training in research methodology, by requiring them to undertake work which displays knowledge of the field and an ability to exercise critical judgement. Full time students are also required to register for the Research Training Programme. This is a course of six modules designed to provide training and research methods which is taken during the student's first year of study. The conduct of the research is the student's responsibility, but each candidate is assigned a Director of Studies with whom the candidate is expected to consult on a regular basis.

The university has a proud tradition of research excellence, as demonstrated in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014) assessment. It placed the university in the top 50 institutions for research power and intensity. It submitted 77% of eligible staff and 95% of the university's research was of an internationally recognised standard.