History - Archives & Records Management

MA Archives & Records Management
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

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.

• 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.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

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.

Vision & Values Statement
The MA Archives and Records Management programme 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, and to select, curate and ensure access to the historic and future memory they contain.

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 external archival repositories.

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.

Programme Outcomes
- 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.

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
Archives and their Users - Advocacy and the Archives Gateway ARCV40040
Managing Records & Information in Public & Private Organisations ARCV40070
Dissertation ARCV40200
Record Keeping Theory & Principles ARCV40340
Archival Representation - Arranging and Describing Archives ARCV41340
Record Keeping: Principles & Practice ARCV41470
Archives preservation ARCV41480

Stage 1 - Option
Introduction to Palaeography: Medieval and Early Modern Scripts ARCV41330
Medival Manuscript Fragments ENG41950
Digital Libraries IS40560
Digital Curation:Core Concepts IS40630
Research Data Management IS40760
Beginners' Latin I LAT10090

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.

As the number of places on the course is limited, the allocation of places is on a competitive basis.

The following entry routes are available:

MA Archives & Records Management FT (Z020)
Duration 1 Years Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*

MA Archives & Records Management PT (Z100)
Duration 2 Years Attend Part Time Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

90

Z020: 1 year full-time
Z100: 2 years part-time

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.

Next Intake: 2020/2021 September

Careers & Employability
Since programmes for the education of records professionals were first established in UCD in the 1970s, successful graduates have found work in a range of archives, libraries and corporations in Ireland and globally. The MA programme is also the first step for those seeking to pursue an academic career in archives and records management education.