MA

Archives and Records Management

You are viewing this course for April start 2025

Key Facts

Course Code P132D2

  • Qualification

    MA

  • Course duration

    2 years

  • Delivery method

    Distance learning

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This MA course is identical to the 5-year version (P132D) but is for those students in receipt of the UK Government Loan only. The pace of progress is more intense to satisfy the regulations of the UK Government Loan. If you are not planning to fund your studies through such a loan we recommend applying for P132D, which can be undertaken flexibly over 2-5 years and allows more time for a better work/life balance.

By studying this degree, students will develop the academic and practical knowledge skills needed to collect, preserve, and provide access to records and archives from our earliest surviving manuscripts to born digital records.

This MA or Diploma, accredited by both the UK’s Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and the Archives and Records Association (ARA), will prepare you for work in any archive or records management environment. Graduates from the course go on to work in a wide range of local, national, and specialist organisations.

This course is delivered via distance learning over a period of two years.

Typical Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements 2:2 Bachelors (Honours) degree in any subject, or equivalent. Distance learners must demonstrate 3 months (around 400 hours) work experience and be in continued employment or have regular volunteer work in a relevant sector.  Non-graduates will be considered individually based on relevant work experience.

English Language Requirements IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent

Other Requirements Applicants should provide details of previous relevant work/volunteer experience, and current position held, at the point of application and include an up-to-date CV.

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Course Overview

Department of Information Studies

The Department has a well-established international reputation in teaching and research in information studies; studying in a town with a rich information history and range of cultural organisations with which the Department has close links including: the National Library of Wales (one of the UK’s five copyright libraries); the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales; the Welsh Books Council; Ceredigion Archives; and Ceredigion Museum.

About this course

Why study Archive and Records Management at Aberystwyth University?

  • The department has a well-established international reputation in teaching and research in information studies
  • We have a strong history of delivering distance education
  • You will have the opportunity to study in a flexible, but guided way to enable you to fit your studies around your work commitments
  • Study schools will provide an opportunity for you to meet staff and fellow students.


Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Dissertation DSM1460 60
Access, Outreach and Advocacy DSM2020 20
Archives and Records - Practical Project DSM2410 10
Collections Care DSM2120 20
Record Keeping Process and Practice DSM2520 20
Record Keeping Theories and Contexts DSM2610 10
Research in the Profession DSM1810 10

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Archives and Manuscripts : Content and Use DSM0020 20
Digital Collection Development DSM2220 20
Digital Information : Discovery to Delivery DSM7510 10
Digital Presence: Content and Creation DSM0520 20
Knowledge and Information Architecture DSM6820 20
Manuscript Skills:Post Medieval Palaeography & Diplomatic DSM3810 10
Rare Books Librarianship i DSM1610 10
Rare Books Librarianship ii DSM1710 10

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

This course will also equip you with a wide range of general work skills such as research, analysis, writing, presentation and management, ensuring your employability is improved across all areas. Upon graduation, you will have proven your abilities in structuring and communicating ideas efficiently, writing for and speaking to a range of audiences, evaluating and organizing information, working effectively with others and working within time frames and to specific deadlines.

Teaching & Learning

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study:

  • Recordkeeping Theories and Contexts
  • Recordkeeping Process and Practice
  • Access, Outreach, and Advocacy
  • Collections Care
  • Archives and Records Practical Project
  • Research in the Profession.

Choose from a list of option modules including:

  • Manuscript Skills
  • Digital Collection Development
  • Rare Books Librarianship.

How will I be taught?

This programme is offered via flexible distance learning and you may take up to two years to complete your studies. On completion of 120 credits of taught modules you are eligible for a CILIP accredited Diploma. By completing a 60 credit Masters dissertation you will gain a CILIP accredited MA qualification (180 credits).

Attendance at three study schools for the MA and two study schools for the Postgraduate Diploma is required and these provide the main contact. For the rest of the time you will work through specially designed self-study module packs supported by online learning materials. Contact time can be arranged remotely with your tutor.