Charles Sturt University

What you'll study

The program covers foundational topics in contemporary information work, emphasising practical skills for organising, managing and providing access to information in digital and physical environments. Typical subjects include:

• Information organisation and metadata — principles of cataloguing, metadata standards and subject access to support discovery.
• Records and archives management — lifecycle of records, retention and disposal, and strategies for preserving digital and analogue materials.
• Information architecture and user services — designing information systems, user-centred discovery interfaces and reference services.
• Information governance and policy — legal, ethical and organisational frameworks that shape information handling, privacy and compliance.
• Digital information management — digital preservation, content management systems and workflows for managing born-digital and digitised resources.
• Research methods and project work — applied research skills, project planning and a practice-based capstone or industry-aligned project in some instances.

Subjects are delivered with a mix of theoretical foundations and hands-on tasks such as metadata creation, system evaluation, policy development and practical projects using contemporary tools and platforms.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally need a recognised undergraduate degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field such as library and information services, archives, records management or a discipline where information management is central. Mature-age applicants with substantial workplace experience may be considered. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to the university's requirements for postgraduate coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles across library, archival, corporate and government information environments. Common career paths include:

• Records and information manager
• Metadata or cataloguing specialist
• Digital collections officer or digital preservation specialist
• Library or information services officer
• Information governance or compliance officer
• Knowledge management practitioner

The Graduate Certificate is also suitable for professionals who want to upskill quickly for changing workplace demands or to use the qualification as a pathway into higher postgraduate study in information and library science.

Why study at Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt offers flexible delivery options that suit working professionals, including online study supported by experienced academic staff who combine research expertise with sector experience. The university emphasises applied learning, with opportunities for project-based work that engages real-world information challenges. Students benefit from resources tailored to information professionals and from a community of learners across public, academic and corporate sectors, helping build networks and practical skills that are directly transferable to the workplace.