Master of Information Management

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. understand the disciplines of librarianship, records management and archives, their theoretical underpinnings, ways of thinking and professional approaches; understand and apply in practice established and developing knowledge and professional practice; extend the boundaries of knowledge through academic research and have developed a commitment to continuing research, both work-based and academic
2. apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of an issue; think creatively to generate innovative solutions to information management issues
3. understand the nature of information and how information is created, organised, distributed and used in the information management sectors; apply best practice in servicing the needs of users of libraries, records and archives; locate and evaluate information resources and manage collections effectively
4. communicate appropriately with information users and colleagues; assess the information needs of information user groups, in both the public and private sectors
5. assess the impact of emerging technologies on the work of the librarian, records manager or archivist; learn the technologies relevant to information creation, organisation, dissemination and use; decide on appropriate applications and systems for specific information service needs
6. apply a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity; develop a commitment to professional research and publication within the librarianship, records management and archives sectors
7. think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives; apply relevant international standards, tools and practices to the professional practice of librarianship, records management, and archiving
8. recognise individual human rights, including rights of free access to information; appreciate the importance of cultural diversity and the sensitivities which may be created when disseminating information to diverse user groups; value diversity of language and how this may be fostered in services offered by information professionals
9. apply as appropriate the professional skills of librarians, records managers and archivists; work independently and in teams; demonstrate leadership; understand and demonstrate professional behaviour; understand issues in the ethical use of information and demonstrate how ethical practices may be followed in the workplace. Understand and apply major tools for information organisation, metadata creation and indexing and record-keeping throughout the continuum to ensure efficiency and compliance.

The Master of Information Management offers graduates the opportunity to complete all of the subjects required for triple accreditation in librarianship, records management and archives. In addition you will complete a major research project that allows you to specialise in an area of your choosing with the support of a supervisor. Successful completion of a Master of Information Management to a required standard can be a pathway to entry into a PhD.

This degree is designed to enhance technical skill and to provide an understanding of the ways in which the field of information management is developing. This degree is designed to provide graduates with a professional qualification in information management or an avenue to upgrade previous qualifications. Areas of study include Librarianship, Records Management, Corporate Information Management, Archives and Knowledge Management.

Recommended study pattern

All students must complete the 14 subjects to complete the Master of Information Management.

Students should enrol in INFM120 as a first subject of study.

New pre and concurrent requisites have been implemented in the degree structure to guide student enrolment and to ensure successful study sequence, therefore learning experience. 

Students enrolled in the Master of Information Management may choose to take an interim award of a Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies or a Graduate Diploma in Records Management and Archives. If you believe this is possible, you should take care to firstly ensure you have completed the 8 subjects required for these qualifications.

Please refer to the study plan below.

2020 Master of Information Management study plan (PDF, 442 kB)

If you commenced study in the Master of Information Management prior to 2015, you will continue on with your existing study plan.

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Master of Information Management, students must complete a total of 14 subjects. This consists of 12 subjects of 25 credit points each, and 2 research project subjects of 50 credit points each.

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Core subjects

This program has been withdrawn effective 2023.

Students enrolled in this existing course have the potential to be affected by the proposed changes as transition arrangements do not include “teaching out” any units to be removed from new course structures. These units will be deactivated following their final study period of delivery in 2022, however all units to be deactivated will have replacement units identified to enable students in the existing courses to complete their course. Student experience has been carefully considered and the changes have been planned to minimise the impact on existing students. More than half of Libraries, Archives, Records and Information Science (LARIS) students are enrolled part-time, which provides some flexibility in relation to progression and course completion.

Students who wish to change from the old course to the new course during 2023 will receive CRL for all units they have already completed in the old course.

Existing students admitted to each of the old courses will be reviewed to identify all those who have not maintained continuous enrolment and ensure they are set to AWOL. These students will receive notification that they will not be able to return to study in the old course from SP1 2023, but will need to apply for re-admission to the new course.

FAQ document for reference.

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Applicants require equivalent to or higher than a three year bachelor's degree from a recognised tertiary education provider EITHER in a discipline other than librarianship or information studies or records or archives completed any time; OR a three year bachelor degree in librarianship or information studies or records or archives, completed more than 10 years ago, OR a Graduate Diploma in librarianship or information studies or records or archives. 

Applicants need to meet Curtin’s English Language requirement as all degrees are taught in English.

If your education degrees were not solely in English, as per the International Handbook of Universities or the World Higher Education database please attach a scanned original copy of English Proficiency Test results. Admission requires an overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) (or equivalent test) score of at least 6.5 and competence in all test components (IELTS score of 6.0).

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Entry Requirements' document at https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/.

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/accepted-english-proficiency-tests/

*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.

To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/

It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.

More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).

Curtin is very committed to professional experience for students and satisfactory completion of practicums is a requirement. All students undertake three-week full time work placements in two subjects; INFM510 Management of Information Services, and INFM130 Information Theory and Research.

Practicums are arranged in your local area by the Practicum Coordinator.  Further information is available at https://humanities.curtin.edu.au/industry/industry-partnerships/information-studies-practicum/

The degree relies on technology skills, so applicants must be competent in word processing and the use of the internet, including web browsing software, before starting the degree.