Postgraduate Diploma
In 2021, a revised PGDLIS programme, which can be completed in one academic year, was introduced. The full-time programme enables students to gain a professional qualification in one year. Students who wish to enrol on a part-time basis are allowed to complete the programme over two years. The amended programme permits graduates from other disciplines to obtain a postgraduate, and specialised qualification in LIS.Horizontal and vertical articulation
The PGDLIS is accepted as the first professional qualification in LIS, the equivalent of the undergraduate four-year professional BLIS degree. Students may transfer credits from similar programmes at other universities. The PGDLIS articulates with the MLIS (Information Studies).Admission requirements
Admission to the programme is by application and selection based on evidence of a three-year Bachelor degree. Prior learning within a cognate field and/or experience will be recognised for entry into this programme (RPL portfolio of evidence) where applicable and is subject to the Senate’s discretion.Modules
The amended programme consists of three, year-long modules and three semester modules. All the modules are compulsory.Summary and Module Descriptors
| Module Name | Code | HEQF Level | Credits |
| Year-long Modules | |||
| Organisational Management | LBS717 | 8 | 20 |
| Resource Description, Subject Analysis and Collection Management | LBS716 | 8 | 30 |
| Research Methods and Information Behaviour | LBS715 | 8 | 30 |
| Semester Modules | |||
| Foundations of Library and Information Science | LBS704 | 8 | 10 |
| Information Services and Literacies | LBS713 | 8 | 20 |
| Library Technologies and Scholarly Communication | LBS714 | 8 | 15 |
| Total Credits | 125 |
Deadline for application is 30 September each year.
Information on fees for the PGDLIS programme is available here [https://ap.uwc.ac.za/ViewProgrammes.aspx], and a quote can be obtained here [https://quote.uwc.ac.za/default].
Application forms with details of required accompanying documents are available at Online Applications
To find out more about enrolling for the PGDLIS programme, contact Dr Lizette King on lking@uwc.ac.za.
Master’s
There are two enrolment options for the Master’s degree in LIS (MLIS): option 1 - Structured, and Option 2 - Thesis.A revised industry-responsive MLIS curriculum was introduced in 2021. The 180-credit programme consists of 90 credits of coursework and 90 credits for the mini-thesis. The structured MLIS is designed for LIS professionals who wish to advance their careers and/or broaden their horizons beyond mere library operations and practise.
There are two components to the programme:
On offer from 2021 are new elective modules:
Completed research projects can be accessed via the UWC Research Repository. Some recent projects have included:
The minimum entry requirement for the MLIS programme is:
A BLIS degree (480 credits, NQF Level 8) with a minimum average mark of a 65%, or
An equivalent qualification (Postgraduate Diploma in Library & Information Studies, NQF 8 and some work experience) with an average mark of 65%, or
Honours in Library & Information Studies, NQF 8, with an average mark of 65%
Applicants with prior learning and other forms of relevant experience may, subject to the discretion of Senate, also be admitted to a Master’s programme. Rule A.2.4 is applicable and additional requirements may be determined for specific disciplines. Applicants should provide evidence of the ability to produce good scholarly writing.
Information on fees for the MLIS programme is available here and a quote can be obtained here.
Application forms with details of required accompanying documents are available at Online Applications.
There are two components to the programme:
- Coursework consisting of one compulsory module, and two elective modules
- A mini-dissertation
On offer from 2021 are new elective modules:
- Information Literacy Education - The teaching and learning role of LIS professionals has grown into a specialist position in libraries. This module fills that gap.
- Data Stewardship - Research data management in academic and research libraries is an area in which there is a growing demand for specialisation.
- Knowledge Management – This new module is a mix of two existing modules, Knowledge Management and the Knowledge Society (LIS814) and Knowledge Management Tools and Processes.
Curriculum summary
| Module Name | Alpha Code | HEQF Level | Credits |
| Core (2) | |||
| Mini-thesis | LIB803/4 | 9 | 90 |
| Research Methods in LIS | LIS825 | 9 | 30 |
| Electives (2) | |||
| Data Stewardship | LIS822 | 9 | 30 |
| Information Literacy Education | LIS823 | 9 | 30 |
| Knowledge Management | LIS824 | 9 | 30 |
| Total Credits | 180 |
Mini dissertation
The research dissertation is a crucial part of the programme, comprising 50% of the 180 credits. Research problems are identified based on on students' working environments, and from issues explored in the various modules.Completed research projects can be accessed via the UWC Research Repository. Some recent projects have included:
- Community and health science Libguides: A case study on the use of Libguides to enhance library electronic resources and services at the University of the Western Cape Library
- Resource Description and Access (RDA): continuity in an ever-fluxing information age with reference to tertiary institutions in the Western Cape.
- The responsiveness of the library collection to the information needs of researchers at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa.
- Knowledge sharing practices amongst academics at the Zimbabwe Open University
Entry requirements, fees and applications
The minimum entry requirement for the MLIS programme is:A BLIS degree (480 credits, NQF Level 8) with a minimum average mark of a 65%, or
An equivalent qualification (Postgraduate Diploma in Library & Information Studies, NQF 8 and some work experience) with an average mark of 65%, or
Honours in Library & Information Studies, NQF 8, with an average mark of 65%
Applicants with prior learning and other forms of relevant experience may, subject to the discretion of Senate, also be admitted to a Master’s programme. Rule A.2.4 is applicable and additional requirements may be determined for specific disciplines. Applicants should provide evidence of the ability to produce good scholarly writing.
Information on fees for the MLIS programme is available here and a quote can be obtained here.
Application forms with details of required accompanying documents are available at Online Applications.
Programme duration and mode of delivery
The programme is usually completed over a period of two years of full-time study. Year 1 is dedicated to the completion of coursework and a dissertation proposal, while ongoing research and completion of the mini dissertation is undertaken in Year 2. The MLIS programme is offered fully online. Live weekly lectures are delivered through virtual meeting platform and video recordings are stored on iKamva (UWC's learning management system). Course resources are also made available on iKamva including assessment tasks. All registered students can access these resources data-free (within South Africa) through the University provided VPN.The MLIS (Thesis) option consists of 180 credits. To be considered for admission, applicants should have a strong Honours degree in LIS, as well as a desire to conduct in-depth research on a relevant LIS topic.
The MLIS may be undertaken as a full dissertation. Admission requirements are an Honours degree in LIS including a research project. Occasionally, at the Department's discretion, applicants with an excellent BLIS/B.BIBL or PG Diploma in LIS might be considered.
The deadline for application is 30 September each year, and students who require Study Visas are advised to apply before 30 August.
To find out more about enrolling for the Master’s programme, contact Dr Lizette King on lking@uwc.ac.za.
The MLIS may be undertaken as a full dissertation. Admission requirements are an Honours degree in LIS including a research project. Occasionally, at the Department's discretion, applicants with an excellent BLIS/B.BIBL or PG Diploma in LIS might be considered.
The deadline for application is 30 September each year, and students who require Study Visas are advised to apply before 30 August.
To find out more about enrolling for the Master’s programme, contact Dr Lizette King on lking@uwc.ac.za.
PhD
Our PhD programme is by dissertation. The general rules regarding admission, curriculum, and examination for doctoral degrees apply. Entry to the doctoral programme in the Department requires:- A good MLIS or MBibl degree with an average of 65% and a minimum of 65% for the Master’s dissertation;
- If a structured Master’s degree, then it should include a research dissertation worth 50% of the total credits; and
- Evidence of satisfactory English writing competence.
Recently completed doctoral research projects can be viewed via our doctoral thesis repository here [http://etd.uwc.ac.za/handle/11394/3153].
Information on fees for the PhD programme is available here [https://ap.uwc.ac.za/ViewProgrammes.aspx], and a quote can be obtained here [https://quote.uwc.ac.za/default].
Application forms with details of required accompanying documents are available at Online Applications
The deadline for application is 30 September each year, and students who require Study Visas are advised to apply before 30 August.
For more information on the academic requirements, kindly contact Dr Lizette King on lking@uwc.ac.za or Ms Robyn Southgate, the Arts Faculty’s Postgraduate Officer on rsouthgate@uwc.ac.za, for guidance on the official application procedures.
