Master of Arts in Library and Information Sciences
University of Malta
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
The course is designed to provide specialised training and the required national and international practical and theoretical skills for librarians and information professionals. The degree promotes research in the field by integrating traditional and digital theories and practices. It also aims to enhance librarians and information professionals' careers and give them a body of knowledge and experience to position themselves in the local and international communities. The degree is structured around the concept of a one-year common compulsory course that covers the main library and information theories and practices. After the first year, you will be asked to choose between: Stream A ֠Library and Information Management; Stream B ֠Rare Books and Manuscripts. The course is designed to provide specialised training and the required national and international practical and theoretical skills for librarians and information professionals. The degree promotes research in the field by integrating traditional and digital theories and practices. It also aims to enhance librarians and information professionals' careers and give them a body of knowledge and experience to position themselves in the local and international communities. The degree is structured around the concept of a one-year common compulsory course that covers the main library and information theories and practices. After the first year, you will be asked to choose between: Stream A ֠Library and Information Management; Stream B ֠Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Career Opportunities
The course provides specialised and diversified knowledge in theory and practice-based library and information disciplines to work in public and private national and international institutions. Furthermore, you will be able to further your studies at doctoral level.
Program Curriculum
Year 1 Semester 1 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) LIA5015 Research Methods 5 ECTS LIA5031 Introduction to Libraries: Theory, Principles and Practices 5 ECTS LIA5032 Cataloguing Standards, Authority Files and Classification 5 ECTS Semester 2 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) LIA5016 Introduction to Electronic Records and Digital Humanities 5 ECTS LIA5018 Legal and Ethical Issues of the Information Professions 5 ECTS LIA5034 Reference, Information Services and Methods of Evaluation 5 ECTS Summer Semester Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) LIA5000 * Dissertation 30 ECTS * Work on the dissertation is expected to start in Summer Semester of Year 1 and continue up to the end of the course. Requirement for regular progression to Year 2: 60 ECTS credits Year 2 Students are required to choose either Stream A: Library and Information Management or Stream B: Rare Books and Manuscripts Semester 1 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) Stream A: Library and Information Management LIA5036 Library Management 5 ECTS LIA5037 Technology and Digital Resources 5 ECTS LIA5038 School and Academic Librarianship 5 ECTS Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) Stream B: Rare Books and Manuscripts LIA5017 Palaeography and Diplomatics 5 ECTS LIA5042 History of Libraries 5 ECTS LIA5043 Manuscripts and Early Modern Books Cataloguing 5 ECTS Semester 2 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) Stream A: Library and Information Management LIA5039 Library Systems and the Web 5 ECTS LIA5040 National, Public and Special Libraries 5 ECTS LIA5041 Publishing and Literacy Trends 5 ECTS Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) Stream B: Rare Books and Manuscripts LIA5007 Melitensia Typologies: Books 5 ECTS LIA5030 Preservation, Conservation and Holdings Management 5 ECTS LIA5044 Historical Bibliog
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be in possession of: Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications a first cycle degree obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) or Category II in Knowledge and Information Management, awarded by this University or any other higher education institution recognised by Senate or a first cycle degree obtained with a Third Class (Honours) or Category III in Knowledge and Information Management, awarded by this University or any other higher education institution recognised by Senate, provided that such applicants shall be required to submit a portfolio documenting and describing proven professional experience in the library, archive or information management sector, which experience was obtained following their first cycle degree. Applicants in possession of the degree with Third Class (Honours) or Category III shall be allowed to proceed to the research component subject to the attainment of an average mark of at least 55% in the taught component or a first cycle degree obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) or Category II in any other subject, awarded by the University or any other higher education institution recognised by Senate, provided that they satisfy the Board that they are in possession of other qualifications, including relevant experience, obtained following their first cycle degree. The Admissions Board, on the recommendation of the Faculty Admissions Committee, may admit into the Course applicants in possession of the Diploma in Library and Information Studies with at least a Merit classification, obtained from this University, or an equivalent qualification obtained from any other higher education institution recognised by Senate. Such applicants shall be required to demonstrate the learning achieved through prior experience and certification through the evaluation procedures established by the University Policy for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning (RPL). The admission of such applicants may be made s
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
€10,800 (Non-EU)
About University of Malta
University of Malta
Msida, Malta
TheUniversity of Malta(Maltese:L-Università ta' Malta;UM; formerlyUOM) is apublic research universityin the towns ofMsidaandValletta, Malta. It serves as theflagshipandnational universityof...
University Profile- Start Date October
- Language English
- Duration 3 years
- Credits 90
