LONDON'S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY

Archives and Records Management MA

www.ucl.ac.uk/gradprospectus/infostudies

ARCHIVES AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT MA

The Archives and Records Management MA provides the skills and knowledge that are needed by new entrants to the profession in the United Kingdom. Students learn to manage records created in the present and those inherited from the past, and also to maintain and preserve records for use in the future.

Degree structure
Mode: Full-time 1 year; Part-time 2-5 years MA students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of five core modules (90 credits), two optional module (30 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time nine months or flexible study 2-5 years) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, full-time 15 weeks or flexible study over a period of up to two years) is offered.

Degree summary
The programme focuses on written records and archives, in both digital and hard copy format. Students learn to manage, organise, interpret and provide access to a wide range of records and archives, with equal emphasis given to the management of records for business purposes, and to their preservation and use for historical research.

Core modules
INSTG059 - Concepts and Contexts (30 credits, taught across two terms) INSTG032 - Creation and Capture INSTG060 - Curation and Stewardship INSTG021 - The Record-keeping Professional INSTG001 - Access and Use of Archives and Records

Archives management at UCL is one of the longest-established archive education programmes in the English-speaking world. Taught by leading experts in the field, the programme draws on staff's involvement in innovative projects as well as their extensive practical experience of archives and records work. Students benefit from UCL's central London location. The programme boasts an impressive range of visiting speakers and frequent opportunities for structured field visits to study archives and records management. London hosts not only a large number of records management services, but also the broadest and finest grouping of historical archives in any city in the English-speaking world.

Options include:
Advanced Preservation Database Systems Analysis Digital Resources in the Humanities EAD and Digitisation of Archives English Historical Frameworks Manuscript Studies Oral history: from creation to curation Reading and Interpretation of Archives from 1500 Standards for digital recordkeeping Web Publishing

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, computer laboratory practicals and classroom practicals, with a strong emphasis on informal teaching and the acquisition of practical skills. Assessment is through a mixture of essays, reports, and practical assignments such as website design and the creation of indexing tools.

Dissertation/report
All MA students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 12,00015,000 words.

Your career
The MA and Diploma are accredited by the Society of Archivists and are widely recognised by employers throughout the UK as entry-level professional qualifications. Places of employment of recent students include: British Library Department of Manuscripts, Exeter University Library, Guildhall Library, HSBC Group Archives, Institute of Actuaries, Institute of Education, International Records Management Trust, London Metropolitan Archives, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London South Bank University, National Archives, Royal Society of Arts and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

How can UCL Careers Service Help?

UCL Careers Service has 15 Careers Consultants, including two international specialists, who can help you get the most out of your time at UCL and plan your next move. The UCL Careers Service has specialist programmes for postgraduates.

Masters QuickFix! Programme

A series of Careers Consultant led information sessions and workshops aimed at the needs of Master's students, whether your aim is to get a job on completion of your programme, or if you are aiming to stay in academia. There are a range of topics covered: Career Planning and Job Hunting, How to Find and Fund a PhD, Writing Effective Applications and Succeeding at Interviews and Assessment Centres.

Did you know?

UCL has the lowest academic to student ratio of any public UK university.* UCL is the second most cited European university and the UK university most cited by Health and Engineering research.** UCL was ranked third in the UK Research Assessment Exercise for the volume of its research rated in the highest category: world-leading. UCL is a dynamic multi-faculty institution with strength in breadth across an impressive array of disciplines. This has given it a significant advantage in pioneering interdisciplinary research. With permission from the authors, all UCL research is made publicly accessible in the online UCL Discovery repository.

Research Staff and PhD Students

Research Staff and PhD students have access to a specialist consultant in twice-weekly sets of appointments where you can discuss any career related issue, such as: CV, cover letters and application forms, decisions about what to do at the end of your studentship, planning your next steps to get where you want to be and how to market your research and other skills to recruiters.

Meeting employers
Every year about 550 employers/organisations attend events arranged by the UCL Careers Service, including careers fairs, employer presentations and sector themed weeks. Graduate employers often run practical sessions across the year on how to sharpen skills such as marketing yourself, networking, teamwork, and how to perform well at interviews.

*The Complete University Guide 2012 **Thomson Scientific Citation Index 2011

Fees and funding

UK & EU 2013-14 Overseas 2013-14 8,250 16,250

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

why you want to study Archives and Records Management at graduate level why you want to study Archives and Records Management at UCL what particularly attracts you to this programme how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme where you would like to go professionally and/or academically with your degree

There are a small number of AHRC scholarships available for this programme, and candidates will be considered as part of the application process. Scottish applicants may be eligible for an award from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. Full details of funding opportunities can be found on the UCL Scholarships website: www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships

Contacts
Contact Email: Telephone: Ms Kerstin Michaels k.michaels@ucl.ac.uk +44 (0)20 7679 2107

Key facts
RAE: 55% rated 4* (world-leading) or 3* (internationally excellent) Information Studies Information Studies

Department: Prospectus Entry:

Entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Normally a year (or more) of paid or voluntary employment in an archive or records service, or in a post with management responsibility for archives or records.

Your application
You may choose to apply online or download application materials; for details visit www.ucl.ac.uk/gradapps Applications for the Diploma or MA programmes must be submitted by 15 December in the year preceding that for which entry is sought. Selected candidates will be invited to an interview, usually held in February or March. Offers of admission are made after interview. The MA/Postgraduate Diploma provides a foundation education for graduates who are seeking to enter the profession of archivist/records manager, and is approved by the Archives and Records Association. The Postgraduate Certificate is a programme with some professional elements, but is not wide-ranging enough for recognition as a professional qualification.
PDF Updated: March 20, 2013