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Information management and museum studies courses

Do you like the idea of collecting and conserving important historical objects or paintings and displaying them so people can enjoy them? Are you interested in helping companies store or use information, or the public access information? There are only a few museum studies or information services courses at undergraduate level; in most cases you'll specialise in one of these areas at postgraduate level.

Studying information management and museum studies at university

Example course modules

  • Insight into museum
  • Introduction to investigative cleaning
  • Analysis of artefacts
  • Technology and materials
  • Introduction to the museum environment
  • Metals: corrosion and conservation
  • Inorganic objects: decay and conservation
  • Museum exhibition and design
  • Bones, bodies and burials: the archaeology of death
  • Approaches to history

Teaching hours / week

Average for this subject

9
Hours
5
14
Hours

Average for all subjects

The time you'll spend in lectures and seminars each week will vary from university to university, so use this as a guide.

Who studies this subject

  • Female : 51%
    Male : 49%
  • Mature : 23%
    School leaver : 77%
  • Full-time : 80%
    Part-time : 20%

What you need to get on a course

Subjects you need

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required

  • No Specific Requirements

Useful to have

  • English
  • history
More advice on A-level requirements

Application checklist

Here's a guide to what to expect from the application process - also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.

  • January application
  • October application
  • Personal statement
  • Portfolio
  • Interview
  • Entry test
  • Work experience
  • Audition
More advice on applying to uni

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement is a core part of your university application, and getting it just right takes time. Before you start work on yours, take a look at our five quick tips on writing a personal statement. We'll help you past that writer's block!

Personal statement tips and advice

Career prospects

Information services covers a broad range of degree options including librarianship and museum studies, which are usually only taken by a small number of students. These areas tend to be much more popular at postgraduate level - and with a lot of competition for jobs in libraries and museums, most of these jobs go to holders of Masters qualifications. However, many industries are increasingly looking for professionals skilled in managing data and information - so there are related jobs to be had with just a first degree.
Professional and accrediting bodies:
Sources: HECSU & KIS

Six months after graduating

Typical graduate job areas
  • Sales, marketing and related associate professionals

Longer term career paths

Jobs where this degree is useful

  • Public relations officer
  • Picture Librarian
  • Information manager

Other real-life job examples

  • Records manager (with appropriate postgraduate qualification)
  • Personnel adviser
  • Business analyst

What employers like about this subject

A degree in information management or museum studies will help you gain subject-specific skills including an understanding of methods of organising information and how to identify and use relevant information sources for yourself or for other users. You will also gain useful transferable skills including research skills, written and spoken communication, IT, budgeting and project management. Information management graduates find work in industries including education, PR, IT, telecoms, recruitment, manufacturing, hospitals and libraries and archives. Most new entrants to librarian roles have a Masters or other postgraduate qualification, so whilst you can become a librarian with an undergraduate degree, this might be worth considering.