Curtin University

What you'll study

This graduate diploma combines core concepts of librarianship and information management with practical skills in digital information environments. Typical subjects cover information organisation and metadata, cataloguing and classification, information retrieval and search technologies, information services and user needs, collection development and management, and records and archives fundamentals. You will also study research methods for information professionals and consider ethical, legal and policy issues that affect information access and privacy.

Learning is delivered through a mix of taught units, applied assignments and case studies. Some students may complete a workplace-based project or practicum unit to gain hands-on experience in library, archives or information management settings. The program is structured to allow completion full time over a shorter period or part time across multiple semesters, depending on enrolment load.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold an Australian bachelor degree, or equivalent qualification, in any discipline. Applicants with substantial relevant professional experience in library, information or records roles may be considered. All applicants whose prior study was not in English must demonstrate proficiency in academic English to Curtin's specified standard.

Specific entry pathways and credit for prior learning are available for graduates who already hold relevant tertiary qualifications; credit and articulation arrangements depend on previous study and are assessed on application.

Career prospects

Graduates of this program are prepared for a wide range of roles across libraries, archives and information-intensive organisations. Common career outcomes include positions as public, academic or school librarians, library technicians and officers, records and information officers, digital archivists, metadata specialists, cataloguers, and information or knowledge management assistants. The course also provides a foundation for further postgraduate study in information management, archives, digital curation or records management for those seeking more senior professional or management roles.

Why study at Curtin University

Curtin offers industry-focused teaching informed by current practice in libraries, archives and information services. Students benefit from access to Curtin's library resources and learning support, opportunities for applied projects and links with professional workplaces for practicum experiences. The university's flexible study options and recognition of prior learning make the program suitable for both recent graduates and working professionals looking to re-skill or specialise in contemporary information roles.