Archives & Records Management

The MA Archives & Records Management programme in the School of History trains students to select, curate and ensure access to the historic and future memory contained in records. It is aimed at graduates who wish to acquire the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to enable them to ethically manage records and archives in all formats, from medieval manuscripts to born digital records.



The programme is based on the conception of the record-keeper as a reflective professional, who is informed in terms of adherence to international best practice, creative in the delivery of services, sensitive to cultural difference, and dynamic in relation to technological change.



The programme’s learning environment comprises lectures, seminars, field trips, practitioner visits and work placements. Onsite facilities allow students to gain practical experience of archival preservation, processing and digitization, often working in collaboration with internal or external archival repositories. UCD is also very conveniently located for the use of Dublin city centre research and cultural institutions, including the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives where an extensive range of Irish manuscripts and Irish state papers are housed.



- This MA is the entry-level professional qualification for archivists and records managers in Ireland and globally.

- UCD’s programme has an international reputation and has long-standing accreditation by the Archives and Records Association (UK and Ireland).

- The MA curriculum provides students with practical knowledge based on a strong theoretical foundation.



What Will I Learn?

The programme provides education in the management of records and archives in all formats from ancient manuscripts to email. It covers a range of areas including scheduling and retention, accountability, legislation, appraisal and acquisition, preservation, arrangement and description, management, ethics, access and advocacy. It also provides students with the tools to conduct theoretical research in archives and records management.



- Students should be able to demonstrate a thorough grounding in and knowledge of the principles underlying the theory and practice of the care and management of archives and records in all formats.

- Actively embrace the ethical and cultural responsibilities of the professional record keeper.

- Apply the skills of the archivist and records manager in a variety of working environments.

- Engage critically with current research trends and methodologies in archives and records management and appreciate their relevance to the workplace.

- Identify with the national and international community of archivists and records managers.



Teaching, learning and assessment is based on enabling students to complete assignments, both individually and in groups, which practically simulate the work of the professional record-keeper. An engagement with the theory behind contemporary practice is encouraged through presentations, essays and a minor research dissertation.



More generally, you will learn the skills to enable you:



- to work as a professional archivist and records manager in archives services and in other organisations which require professional expertise in corporate record services;

- to contribute to government and corporate accountability regimes;

- to contribute to the expansion of the profession in Ireland and elsewhere by establishing and managing new archives services and new corporate record services;

- to contribute to a sustainable environment for research and exploration in archivistics;

- to meet the challenges posed by technology, to work with records and archives in a variety of media and to address the demands of their capture, use and retention;

- to recognise gaps in collective memory, to develop inclusive collecting policies and to implement ways of reconstructing or supplementing archival sources;

- to encourage and provide access services to a range of stakeholders in the knowledge economy.



The MA Archives and Records Management class comprises an international cohort of students with a variety of academic backgrounds and life experiences. The programme is ideal for both recent graduates and those seeking a career change. It is also ideal for individuals with advanced academic degrees seeking a professional qualification. Applications are generally sought from arts and humanities’ graduates although graduates of other faculties and disciplines such as law, life and human sciences will be welcomed.



Accredited by the Archives and Records Association (UK and Ireland) and currently the only fully accredited course of its kind in Ireland.

The MA consists of a number of taught modules, each of which is worth 5 or 10 credits, and a dissertation worth 30 credits. Core modules provide students with the fundamental knowledge, competencies and skills relevant to a career in archives and records management. Optional modules afford students the opportunity to specialise in areas such as digital curation and palaeography.



Stage 1 - Core

ARCV40040 Archives and their Users - Advocacy and the Archives Gateway Autumn 5

ARCV40070 Managing Records & Information in Public & Private Organisations Autumn 10

ARCV41340 Archival Representation - Arranging and Describing Archives Autumn 10

ARCV41500 Deciding What to Keep Spring 5

ARCV41510 Archives Preservation Spring 5

ARCV41520 The Recordkeeping Professional Spring 5

ARCV40200 Dissertation Year-long (12 months) 30



Stage 1 Options - A)20CR:

Select 20 credits of option modules

ARCV41330 Introduction to Palaeography: Medieval and Early Modern Scripts Autumn 5

LAT10090 Beginners' Latin I Autumn 10

ARCV41490 Placement Spring 5

EDF40060 Digital Methods Spring 10

IS40560 Digital Libraries Spring 5

IS40630 Digital Preservation and Digital Curation Spring 10

IS40760 Research Data Management Spring 5

Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications:



Ireland and the UK: 2nd class honours, grade I in the primary degree. In exceptional circumstances candidates with a high 2nd class honours, grade II degree will be considered.



Canada and the USA: a primary degree with a grade point average of 3.5



Other: an internationally recognised equivalent of the above



Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element) or equivalent.



Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/



In applying for this course applicants will have a distinct advantage if they have a good academic record, relevant pre-course experience, good interpersonal skills, acceptable IT skills, evident commitment to work as an archivist or records manager. Pre-course experience does not have to be extensive but should allow applicants to have a good understanding of the work of a professional record keeper.



You will be asked to provide two academic references from referees who are in a position to assess your intellectual ability, maturity and motivation.Ideally both academic but they can also be one academic and one professional. You can upload your references to your application itself or if your referees prefer, they can email their letters of reference to gradhistory@ucd.ie.



As the number of places on the course is limited, the allocation of places is on a competitive basis. Apply early to avoid disappointment. A waiting list will also be created.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Apply online

Applications to the MA programme can be made at any stage from October 2025 with an initial closing date for the 2026/27 course of 31 March 2026.

* Late applications will be considered after this date depending on available places.

If advice on the application procedure is sought, please contact gradhistory@ucd.ie



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

90

Z020: 1 year full-time

Z100: 2 years part-time

Delivery: On Campus

MA Archives & Records Management (Z020) Full Time

EU: fee per year - €9385

nonEU: fee per year - €19900


MA Archives & Records Management (Z100) Part Time

EU: fee per year - €5730

nonEU: fee per year - €9950


***Fees are subject to change.


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

Z020 Archives & Records Management Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



Z100 Archives & Records Management Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

The MA programme is the first step for those seeking to pursue an academic career in archives and records management education. Since programmes were first established in UCD for the education of professional archivists, successful graduates have found work in a wide range of archives, library and corporate positions in Ireland, the UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. A few have embarked on academic careers in the education of archivists and records managers.



In recent years there has been 100% success rate in finding suitable professional careers. However the recent downturn in the economy has had an inevitable effect and its medium term impact is difficult to ascertain.



In Ireland graduates are working in, for example,



• The National Archives of Ireland

• The National Library of Ireland

• Public Record Office of Northern Ireland

• Chester Beatty Library

• Irish Architectural Archive

• Irish Film Archives

• Guinness Archives

• UCD Archives and other university archives services

• Local government archives services

• Church archives

• Arthur Cox and Associates

• The National Treasury Management Agency

• Records management consultancy services