Course details

Summary

Get a head start in your library, records management, archives or data management career with New Zealand's only postgraduate qualification in Information Studies.

Master the management of information

Become an expert in managing information in a world driven by big data. Government departments, businesses, libraries, museums and archives all need people who can identify relevant information, retrieve it, organise it and make sure people can access it.

Get the professional skills you need to understand and manage information in today's fast-changing world. Learn about information storage and retrieval, while gaining skills in management and communication, information technology and research methods.

You'll gain a thorough, technology-focused and research-based education in information organisation, oriented to the needs of New Zealand information professionals.

Specialise

You can choose to specialise in either Library Science (LIBS) or in Archives and Records Management (ARCR) and this will be stated on your qualification. You don't have to specialise, or you can choose to specialise in both areas, which will take a little longer.

Diploma, certificate and single course options

Depending on your goals, you can opt for a shorter postgraduate Information Studies qualification by doing the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma. These are valuable programmes in themselves, or you can use them as stepping stones towards the Master's degree.

You can also study most courses in the MIS programme individually. This is useful for targeted professional development and you will receive a certificate of proficiency in that one subject area.

Careers

Many employers in the information field are now looking for graduates with Master's-level education. Go on to work as a records manager, librarian, web content manager, archivist, knowledge manager or information manager.

Professional recognition

The Master of Information Studies is recognised by these local and international professional bodies:

• Library and Information Association New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA)
• Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIMPA) (For those with a ARCR specialisation)
• American Library Association (ALA)

Employer support

The capability boost you get from doing an MIS means your employer may be willing to pay some or all of your costs.

Qualification family structure

The Master of Information Studies is part of a tiered family of qualifications:

• Master of Information Studies
• Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies
• Postgraduate Certificate in Information Studies

Choose the qualification that suits your career goals, eligibility, time commitments and financial situation.

What you'll study

The MIS will give you the broad skills and knowledge you need to work in many information professions. Your studies will include:

• Six core courses you'll learn about different information professions, services and databases, and explore information policy and access issues. You'll also find out how to carry out research in information management.
• A research project you'll do your own investigation into an information management problem.
• Four other courses choose from a wide variety of courses according to your interests and career goals in subjects like 毛利 information sources, managing archives, and digital technologies. These courses change regularly to include fast-developing subjects.

Entry criteria

To be accepted into this degree you need:

• A Bachelor's degree with Honours or a Master's degree
• To be accepted by the programme director as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study

Other English Language requirements:

• IELTS: minimum overall score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0
• TOEFL: minimum score of 90 for the internet-based test with a minimum of 20 in writing
• Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58)
• EPP: minimum final scores of 4,4,5,5