Library & Information Studies

The GradDip programme comprises students of a variety of academic and cultural backgrounds. 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.



The Graduate Diploma of Library and Information Studies programme is designed to prepare university graduates for careers in the library and information profession.



The Graduate Diploma of Library and Information Studies (Grad Dip) programme prepares graduates for work in a range of professional settings, including academic, public, and special libraries, as well as information-based roles in commercial, civic, health, and legal organisations. Our programmes instil professional ethics and social responsibility, foster lifelong continuing professional education, and provide opportunities for active engagement with diverse communities. The Grad Dip is an in-person programme, structured to develop core professional competencies, as well as specialised knowledge and skills for librarians and information professionals. While the programme offers a generalist approach to suit multiple interests and aspirations, it is also possible to tailor learning to more specialised areas for particular career paths.

Stage 1 Core Modules

IS40520 Org of Info, Cat & Metadata Autumn 10

IS41780 Applied Research Methods Autumn 10

IS41800 Managing Information Services Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:

Select at least one Technology module. Students who have already taken IS30020 Web Publishing in a previous degree must choose one or more different technology modules instead.



IS30020 Web Publishing Autumn 5

IS41720 Language Models and Methods Autumn 5

POL42540 Applied Data Wrangling and Visualisation Autumn 5

IS40560 Digital Libraries Spring 5

IS40630 Digital Preservation and Digital Curation Spring 10

IS40760 Research Data Management Spring 5

IS40970 AI & Ethics Spring 5



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:

Students should select their remaining modules from the list of Option Modules below. Students wishing to select IS40390 Research Practice must confirm a project and supervisor in advance of registering; their supervisor will register them for this module. If students wish to select one of the Management modules offered by the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business - BMGT45700, HRM40660 or HRM40900 - they must first contact the School of Information & Communication Studies at icsadmin@ucd.ie to arrange registration. Places for Smurfit modules are strictly on a first-come-first-served basis.



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

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

EDUC41520 Children's Rights & Participation Autumn 10

ARCV41510 Archives Preservation Spring 5

IS40390 Research Practice Spring 5

IS40760 Research Data Management Spring 5

IS41020 Information Ethics Spring 5

IS41050 Platform Governance Spring 5

IS41550 Digital Media Literacy Spring 5

IS41580 Prof topics in LIS Spring 5

IS41790 Communities Outreach Spring 5

IS41830 Info Professional as Teacher Spring 10

IS41840 Health Info Users and Services Spring 5

IS41850 AI & Digital Cultural Heritage Spring 5



Stage 1 Options - D)0 of:

Select one Management module. Students should contact the School of Information & Communication Studies at icsadmin@ucd.ie to arrange registration to one of the following Management modules offered by the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business: BMGT45700, HRM40660 or HRM40900.



Places for Smurfit modules are strictly on a first-come-first-served basis via email to icsadmin@ucd.ie only.



BMGT45700 Global Leadership and Teams Autumn 7.5

HRM40660 Human Resource Management Autumn 7.5

HRM40900 Human Resource Management Spring 7.5

The entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies (GradDIpLIS) are:



-A minimum 2.2 award in a bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8 or International equivalent)



-Names and contact details of two referees who can assess your intellectual ability, maturity, and motivation



-If you do not meet the academic requirements above you must provide additional information to be considered for admission as listed below



- A letter of reference from an academic who has taught the applicant.

- A statement describing their previous library experience, which must be a minimum of 5 years.

- A letter from their work supervisor to confirm the length of experience, the nature of the experience as meeting professional library tasks.



​We recommend a minimum of 6 weeks’ experience working in a library or information environment before applying for the GradDip.



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



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. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

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

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: No



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

Grad Dip Library & Information Studies FT (W041): 1 year full-time

Grad Dip Library & Information Studies PT (W098): 2 years part-time.

W041 Grad Dip Library & Information Studies FT/PT Grad Dip Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



W098 Grad Dip Library & Information Studies PT Grad DipPG Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

The Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies (GradDip) programme is designed to prepare university graduates for professional careers in Library and Information Studies. The MLIS and GradDip degrees are highly regarded internationally; the school's accreditation by the Library Association of Ireland (LAI) is recognised by library associations elsewhere, covering Australia, Canada, and the United States. Recent graduates have dynamic careers as Digital Learning Librarians, Literacy Specialists, Chief Information Officers, and Library Directors.



Our Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) and Grad Dip LIS programmes allow students to earn degrees that are accredited by professional organizations and internationally recognised. These degrees qualify students to work as library and information professionals in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and throughout Europe. Recent graduates have dynamic careers as Chief Information Officers, Library Directors and Knowledge Managers.



The School of Information and Communication Studies also has vibrant research programmes and activities. Some MLIS students go on to take PhD or MLitt degrees at the School of Information and Communication Studies.