Course summary
The MA in Library and Archive Studies is taught in collaboration with The University of Manchester Library. This is major multi-site research library with National Research Library status. It includes the stunning John Rylands Research Institute and Library with its world-leading collections of archives and rare books and cutting-edge digital practices. The Rylands Library has close links to research and teaching through the John Rylands Research Institute and Library and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures. These relationships give students on the MA in Library and Archive Studies the opportunity to engage with a wealth of academic specialisms closely linked to Library and Archive Studies, in addition to benefitting from broad-ranging core modules centred on the fundamentals of librarianship, archival practice, and records and information management. This MA focuses on contemporary practices in collection-led librarianship and archival studies. Its curriculum offers students unique access to the world-leading special collections and archives of the Rylands. With its home in the Institute for Cultural Practices, it offers students an extraordinary opportunity to position archives and libraries in the context of the broader cultural heritage sector. Through highly engaging placement opportunities, students are offered unique opportunities to work alongside University of Manchester Library staff as well as professionals in other Manchester-based archives and records management organisations. Additionally, students are offered a choice of optional courses in a variety of specialist topics linked to rare books curation, information governance and compliance, exhibitions and public engagement, digital practices, and community engagement. Students are also given the option to take modules from and gain experience with a variety of research specialisms within the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures in art gallery and museum studies, arts management and policy, creative and cultural industries, digital media and culture, and heritage studies.
Entry requirements
We normally expect students to have a First or Upper Second Class honours degree (or its overseas equivalent) or at least one years’ experience in a research focused archive or library setting.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | 7.0 with 7.0 in writing and no skill below 6.5. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 100 | 100+ in the TOEFL iBT with a minimum writing score of 25 and no skill below 22. |
If you have obtained a different qualification, please check our English language requirements to ensure that it is accepted and equivalent to the above requirements.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For fees for entry in 2025, please view the course listing on our website.
Sponsorship information
Each year the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures offer a number of School awards and Subject-specific bursaries (the values of which are usually set at Home/EU fees level), open to both Home/EU and international students. The deadline for these is early February each year. Details of all funding opportunities, including deadlines, eligibility and how to apply, can be found on the School's funding page where you can also find details of the Government Postgraduate Loan Scheme. See also the University's postgraduate funding database to see if you are eligible for any other funding opportunities. For University of Manchester graduates, the Manchester Alumni Bursary offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a 1st within the last three years and are progressing to a postgraduate taught masters course. The Manchester Master's Bursary is a University-wide scheme that offers 100 bursaries worth £3,000 in funding for students from underrepresented groups. Postgraduate 1+3 funding is available from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for students to pursue postgraduate study through a master's (one year) leading into a PhD (3 years). It requires a project proposal as part of the application.
Provider information
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL