The study programme offers an extensive and diverse range of disciplines in library science, information science and book science. These studies enable the students to develop the ability to organize, manage and systematize information. The study process is designed to train highly qualified specialists, experts and managers for work in libraries and other information institutions. “Library Science and Information” is the only accredited master's level study programme of this kind in Latvia.

The 1st year

Study courses that will be of assistance in starting to write the master's thesis – several courses dedicated to theories of communication science, information science and library science, courses about research methods, terminology and the regulatory framework of the field. In the first year of studies, courses related to the provision of information services and management of information institutions are also offered.

The 2nd year

At this stage, the students acquire the study courses related to data processing, theoretical concepts of reading, bibliophilia.

HOW ARE THE STUDIES LINKED WITH PRACTICE?

Renowned professionals of the field work as lecturers in the programme. Andris Vilks, the director of the National Library of Latvia, teaches several study courses. Students go on study tours to various information institutions.

 

After completing the programme, graduates can pursue a career in libraries and other information management institutions, public and private companies, which need to select, search, organize and disseminate information in the position of an expert or head of a structural unit.

Full-time regular studies – 2 years or 4 semesters. The studies take place on Thursdays, Friday afternoons and Saturdays.
Tuition fee per year: full-time regular studies – EUR 2700
For admission in the 1st year of full-time regular studies, the autumn semester of 2023/2024 – 11 budget-funded places. If a budget-funded place is not available immediately, it can still be obtained in the 2nd year of studies, because UL FSS practices rotation system – the students with good results can be awarded a budget-funded place on the basis of their performance.
Master's Degree of Social Sciences in Library, Information and Archive Studies

General conditions

Previous education:

Bachelor's degree or second level professional higher education, or equivalent higher education.

Competition result calculation formula: entrance examination (1 x 700 = 700) + the average weighted grade (15 x 10 = 150) + the grade obtained for the final thesis (15 x 10 = 150); the minimum score obtained in the entrance examination valid for admission – 300;

Those holding a UL bachelor’s degree in library science and information can participate in the competition with the following competition result calculation formula: weighted average grade (60 x 10 = 600) + total (or average) grade of final examinations (40 x 10 = 400).

Eligibility for noncompetition registration: the graduates of the UL bachelor’s study programme “Information Management” of academic year 2022/2023, whose weighted average grade in bachelor studies is not lower than 8 and the evaluation of the bachelor thesis is not lower than 9 (excellent).

Additional requirement: Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Methodologist Inga Poļaka, room 220, T. 67140022, e-mail: inga.polaka@lu.lv