Archives & Records Management
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.
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 internal or external archival repositories. UCD is also very conveniently located for the use of Dublin city centre research and cultural institutions, including the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives where an extensive range of Irish manuscripts and Irish state papers are housed.
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.
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.
More generally, you will learn the skills to enable you:
-to work as a professional archivist and records manager in archives services and in other organisations which require professional expertise in corporate record services;
-to contribute to government and corporate accountability regimes;
-to contribute to the expansion of the profession in Ireland and elsewhere by establishing and managing new archives services and new corporate record services;
-to contribute to a sustainable environment for research and exploration in archivistics;
-to meet the challenges posed by technology, to work with records and archives in a variety of media and to address the demands of their capture, use and retention;
-to recognise gaps in collective memory, to develop inclusive collecting policies and to implement ways of reconstructing or supplementing archival sources;
-to encourage and provide access services to a range of stakeholders in the knowledge economy.
Accredited by the Archives and Records Association (UK and Ireland) and currently the only fully accredited course of its kind in Ireland
Subjects taught
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
Entry requirements
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. Apply early to avoid disappointment. A waiting list will also be created.
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. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax
Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Credits
90
Duration
Z020: 1 year full-time
Z100: 2 years part-time
Delivery: On Campus
Fees
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.
Enrolment dates
Z020 Archives & Records Management Master of Arts Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Z100 Archives & Records Management Master of Arts Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Post Course Info
The MA programme is the first step for those seeking to pursue an academic career in archives and records management education. Since programmes were first established in UCD for the education of professional archivists, successful graduates have found work in a wide range of archives, library and corporate positions in Ireland, the UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. A few have embarked on academic careers in the education of archivists and records managers.
In recent years there has been 100% success rate in finding suitable professional careers. However the recent downturn in the economy has had an inevitable effect and its medium term impact is difficult to ascertain.
In Ireland graduates are working in, for example,
• The National Archives of Ireland
• The National Library of Ireland
• Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
• Chester Beatty Library
• Irish Architectural Archive
• Irish Film Archives
• Guinness Archives
• UCD Archives and other university archives services
• Local government archives services
• Church archives
• Arthur Cox and Associates
• The National Treasury Management Agency
• Records management consultancy services
More details
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Qualification letters
MA
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Qualifications
Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ)
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Attendance type
Full time,Part time,Daytime
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