School of Social Sciences

Information Studies

Student with headphones taking notes from the laptop

Information Studies was established in 1973. It offers the full range of study programmes from an undergraduate course in Information Literacy to PhD. Information Studies enjoys the support of an impressive number of organisations in selecting and training students. Its graduates find employment as qualified professionals in libraries and media centres and as records managers. Note that Information Studies is available only on the Pietermaritzburg campus.

Mission
The mission of Information Studies (University of KwaZulu-Natal) is to educate and train library and information professionals who are able to apply their knowledge and skills in local and global contexts in a socially-responsive way. Our programme is characterised by innovative research and scholarship which informs a broad-based curriculum with opportunities to specialise at post-graduate level.

Vision
Information Studies (University of KwaZulu-Natal) is a leading educator of library and information professionals in Southern Africa and a significant player in the global scene.  Our work advances the field of information and knowledge management and we share our expertise in specialist areas including information literacy, records management, internet studies and indigenous knowledge systems.

We:

  • Produce graduates who are proficient in core areas of Information Studies; are independent thinkers; socially responsive and able to work in diverse contexts
  • Inform our offerings and modes of delivery by innovative developments in ICT
  • Develop our staff as well-qualified, established researchers working in a collaborative environment
  • Underpin our teaching and research activities with appropriate resources and infrastructure

Through our comprehensive teaching programme, socially relevant research and interaction with scholars in the discipline, we contribute to the growth of our profession, and to the life of our School & Faculty. In all our endeavours, actively promote the goals and vision of the University.

 

Information Studies Website

Bachelor of Library and Information Science Honours

  • Holders of the BTech in Library Science or the three year Bachelor of Library and or Information Science who are accepted by the Programme.
  • Satisfied the requirements for a relevant prerequisite degree in LIS of NQF level 7.

Postgraduate Diploma

Applicants may be registered for the qualification of Postgraduate Diploma provided that they have:

  • (i)completed a Bachelor’s degree regarded as appropriate by the college concerned; or
  • (ii)been admitted to the status of that degree in terms of Rule GR7(a); or
  • (iii)attained a level of competence as defined in Rule GR7(b). b) A college may prescribe further minimum criteria for admission to study. c) A college may provide in its rules for an appropriate Advanced Diploma to be accepted for entry to a Postgraduate Diploma in accordance with the HEQF.

MIS Coursework

(a)  An applicant shall not be registered for the degree of Master by coursework unless the applicant has:

(i)              satisfied the requirements for a relevant prerequisite degree in LIS of NQF level 8( with at least an average of above 60%).  These are typically a 4-year Bachelor’s or Honours’ or Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies degree in Library and Information Science (or related field);

(ii)            or been admitted to the status of that degree in terms of Rule GR7 (a); or obtained a level of competence as defined in Rule GR7 (b). As per school handbook.

a.     GR7 Selection for postgraduate studies a) Graduates of any other recognised university (whether a Public Higher Education Institution in the Republic of South Africa, or elsewhere) may, for the purpose of proceeding to a postgraduate qualification of the University, be admitted by the Senate to a status in the University equivalent to that which they possess in their own university by virtue of any degree held by them.

b.      An applicant who has graduated from a South African registered and accredited Private Higher Education Institution or who has in any other manner attained a level of competence which, in the opinion of the Senate, is adequate for the purpose of postgraduate studies or research, may be admitted as a student of the University

MIS Research

a) An applicant shall not be registered for the degree of Master by research unless the applicant has: 

(i) satisfied the requirements for a relevant prerequisite degree (NQF LEVEL 8 with an average of 65% and above).  These are typically a 4-year Bachelor’s or Honours’ or Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies degree in Library and Information Science (or related field)

or (ii) been admitted to the status of that degree in terms of Rule GR7(a);

or (iii) attained a level of competence as defined in Rule GR7(b). 

Doctoral Degree

  1. An applicant shall not be registered for a Doctoral degree unless the applicant has:

(i)              satisfied the requirements for a relevant prerequisite degree in LIS of NQF level 9 ( with at least an average of above 65%).  These are typically a Masters’ degree in Information Studies degree in Library and Information Science (or related field);

(ii)            or been admitted to the status of that degree in terms of Rule GR7 (a); or attained a level of competence as defined in Rule GR7 (b). As per School handbook. International applicants should have their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

  • The College may prescribe further minimum criteria for admission to study
  • Candidates registered for a research Masters’ degree, who have completed the requirements for the Masters’ degree, may apply to have their registration converted to a Doctoral degree registration before the Masters’ degree is awarded. The time allowed for the Doctoral degree would be two semesters. The material from the Masters’ dissertation may then be used towards the Doctoral degree. If the Doctoral degree is not completed, the Masters’ degree will be awarded.
  • A student registered for a Doctoral degree shall be so registered for a minimum period of four semesters before the degree may be conferred

Ruth Hoskins
Ruth Hoskins
Zawedde Nsibirwa nsibirwaz@ukzn.ac.za
Siyanda Edison Kheswa kheswas1@ukzn.ac.za
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