In the 21^st century, the library field is undergoing numerous changes that are redefining the traditional roles of and job opportunities for information professionals. Factors responsible for the changing nature of library field include the emergence of new technologies, changing user expectations, etc. In order to respond to the ongoing changes, the HKU SPACE collaborated with the Charles Sturt University, Australia (CSU) delivers the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of information studies for the prospective information professionals to equip their skills to meet the increasingly needs from diverse users.  The programmes are conducted in distance learning mode supplemented by local tutorials. The qualification awarded has the full recognition by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and internationally by other professional bodies such as American Library Association (ALA) as a librarian.

Students having bachelor's degree in non-library choosing to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Information Studies are required to complete seven core subjects and three practical subjects. Upon special request, students can choose to exit at Graduate Diploma level and will receive the CSU Graduate Diploma of Information Studies (which is the Intermediate Award of Master of Information Studies).

Students holding Diploma of Teacher Librarianship or Bachelor of Information Studies  and  Graduate Diploma of Information Studies receive special credit exemption.

Application Deadline: 31 December 2022 (July 2023 intake)
Programme Commencement Date: 1 March 2023

Programme structure (Total 96 points)

Core Subjects (64 points) (8 points per subject, unless otherwise specified)

• INF404 Foundations for Information Studies #
• INF406 Information Sources and Services #
• INF415 Management of Information Agencies 
• INF429 The Information Society #
• INF435 Collections #
• INF466 Professional Study Visit (4 points) #
• INF554 Metadata for Resource Discovery #
• INF567 Research in Practice
• INF571 Planning for Professional Placement (2 points) #
• INF572 Professional Placement (2 points) #

Elective Subjects (32 points) (8 points per subject) (Select 4 subjects)

• There are over 20 elective subjects. For details, please refer to Charles Sturt University's website. (https://study.csu.edu.au/courses/library-information-studies/master-information-studies)

Remarks:
1.  Students who completed all core subjects can select to exit the programme with the Graduate Diploma of Information Studies (GDIS).
2. Specialisation is not offered to HK students.

Exemption (Subject to review by CSU)

• Exemption may be granted to applicants who graduated from:

Bachelor of Information Studies
-- 48 points for core subjects (The core subjects with # will be exempted.)
Diploma in Teacher Librarianship
-- 8 points for core subjects
-- 24 points for elective subjects

• Exemption may be granted to students of relevant academic qualifications and/or working experience.

Assessment method

Assessments are mainly based on assignments. If students fail a subject, they have to re-take the subject in a session where the subject is being offered. 

Application Code	2135-LB008A	-

Duration

• 48 months for non-Library and Information Studies bachelor degree holders
  24 months for Library and Information Studies bachelor degree holders
  Students can speed up their studies if they take more subjects in a session.

Non-Local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance

This is an exempted course under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.

Application Fee

HK$150 non-refundable

Course Fee

• HK$15,225 per 8 credit points subject
  HK$7,613 per 4 credit points subject
  HK$3,806 per 2 credit points subject
  
  * Subject to review at the time of enrolment
  
  The tuition fee is paid by subjects per session (3 sessions in a year).