Charles Sturt University

What you'll study

This compact postgraduate program covers the theory and practice of managing digital collections and records across their lifecycle. You will learn the standards, tools and workflows used to ensure authenticity, accessibility and sustainability of digital content.

• Digital preservation and curation: principles of long-term preservation, risk assessment, preservation planning and application of the OAIS reference model.
• Metadata and descriptive standards: metadata schemas and best practice (e.g. Dublin Core, PREMIS, METS), controlled vocabularies and data modelling for discoverability and interoperability.
• Digitisation and file formats: digitisation workflows for analogue materials, selection of sustainable file formats, technical metadata and quality control.
• Repositories and access systems: design and management of institutional repositories and digital asset management systems, including ingestion, storage and access layers.
• Information governance and legal/ethical issues: records management, copyright, privacy, cultural sensitivity and the ethical stewardship of digital heritage.
• Practical tools and workflows: hands-on exposure to software and services commonly used in the sector, such as archival management systems, preservation platforms and scripting for batch processing.

The program is typically delivered through a combination of online study and practical activities, enabling students to apply concepts to workplace projects or case studies.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent tertiary qualification. Candidates with substantial professional experience in archives, libraries, records management, cultural heritage or IT may be considered on a case-by-case basis and could be asked to provide a CV and a statement of relevant experience.

International applicants must meet the University's English language requirements. Where necessary, applicants may be asked to submit examples of relevant work or undertake a short interview to demonstrate suitability for the program.

Career prospects

Graduates gain specialised skills that are in demand across the cultural, government and private sectors. Typical roles include:

• Digital archivist / digital preservation officer
• Records manager or electronic records specialist
• Metadata or repository manager
• Digital collections coordinator in libraries, galleries, museums and archives (GLAM sector)
• Information governance adviser or compliance officer

The course supports career progression for existing information professionals and provides a pathway into specialist technical roles that combine archival knowledge with digital skills.

Why study at Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University offers flexible delivery suited to working professionals, with strong emphasis on practical, workplace-applicable skills. The program draws on staff expertise in archives, library and information management and benefits from Charles Sturt's collaborations with state archives, libraries and cultural institutions.

Students can expect a practice-oriented curriculum, opportunities to work on real-world projects and access to online resources and virtual laboratories that reflect current industry tools and standards. The university's regional and online focus makes the program accessible to a wide range of students while maintaining links with sector employers for networking and professional development.