APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2021 PROGRAMME

The Department of Information Science at the University of Pretoria offers a specialised two year coursework degree at Masters level in Information Technology (M.IT degree) aimed at Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals at middle management level. This is an IT centered degree that does not primarily focus on traditional LIS content.  A variety of themes from Information Ethics, Knowledge Societies, Information Retrieval, Knowledge Management, etc. are addressed in this degree. The programme is open to students from across the world and will be offered as a blended distance (online) learning education programme. This is a full-time degree which requires commitment, planning and support from colleagues and line manager/s. This degree totals 180 credits which is equal to 1800 hours spent towards completion, thus 900 hours per year.

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Course and Application Information

For more information on the degree: selection, how to apply, outline of the curriculum, format of the degree, estimated fees and contact details, see: MIT ICT Information Science (Stream B) Document_2021.

Please note that you must apply and pay application fee (currently R300), online before selection will be considered. Select MIT ICT Information Science (Stream B) programme code (12254016)

For Course Application Information, please click here.
 

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Aim of programme:

• To empower the next generation of Library and Information Science professionals (LIS) across the world with knowledge and skills to apply modern information and communication technologies (ICTs).
• To build capacity amongst middle managers involved in managing ICT or working in ICT-intensive environments in all library and information services and faculty members at Library and Information Science schools to support the next generation of academics and researchers.

 

What do we offer:

Please note that the complete time table will be made available throughout the year.

The programme will consist of coursework as well as a mini-dissertation based on applied research related to the individual’s own institution, each component carrying 50% of the credits of the programme.

 

Research data management (MIT 885)

Institutional repositories and virtual work environments (MIT 886)

The Knowledge Society and international librarianship in the fourth industrial revolution (MIT 887)

Information ethics (MIT 889)

Data, information and knowledge Management (MIT 890)

Facilitating information retrieval and information use (MIT 891)

IT Research (MIT 892)

Mini-Dissertation (MIT 880)

 

How will the programme be offered? 

Technology-mediated distance education: This will consist of real-time video- and/or audio-conferencing from the University of Pretoria and partner institutions, podcasts that can be downloaded, interaction via the University of Pretoria Learning Management System, etc. Reliable Internet access is therefore a prerequisite.

 

Who will your lecturers be? 

Lecturers for the programme will be from the School of Information Technology at the University of Pretoria and guest lecturers from industry.

 

What are the selection criteria? 

Selection of candidates for this self-funded programme will be highly competitive and will be based inter alia on the following criteria:

• Current qualifications – a three-year first degree in Information and Library Science (LIS) plus a second degree in LIS/ at least an Honours degree in Library and Information Science / a four year degree in Library and Information Science / a Masters degree in Library and Information Science or equivalent degree from a reputable university (SAQA accredited);
• Past academic performance (at least an average of 65% for the final year of the previous degree);
• Proficiency in English;
• Work experience, current job description in a library and/or university department teaching Library and Information Science, and responsibilities in the work environment;
• A recommendation letter from the current employer / line manager; and
• A commitment from the current employer that they will make time available for the employee to devote to his / her studies.

In addition, prospective students will be required to write an essay explaining why they would like to participate in the programme, what they hope to learn from the programme, why they should be selected for the programme and what they hope to contribute to the programme.

 

 Who will be considered? 

• The programme is aimed at information professionals at middle management level working in government and public libraries and libraries at research institutions, tertiary academic institutions or in Library and Information Science schools/departments.
• Candidates must be involved in ICT management, working in ICT-intensive environments or teaching ICT related courses at tertiary level.

 

Fees: 

• Approximately R20,000.00 per year, i.e. R40,000.00 over two years for students from South Africa and SADC;
• For students not from South Africa or SADC the fee is doubled;
• Non-SA students have to pay an additional R3,000.00 as foreign students;
• If you were to take a third year to complete the degree, you will have to pay a further R20,000.00 (SA and SADC) or R40,000.00 (non-SADC) per additional year.

Important dates: 

• Applications for the self-funded programme opened in March 2020.
• Applications for the self-funded programme close on 31 October 2020 for South African students. 
• Applications for  the self-funded programme close on 31 August 2020 for international students.
• No late applications will be considered.
• Successful candidates will be informed in November 2020.
• The academic programme will start in January 2021.

 

Contact details:

All enquiries must be sent via e-mail to [email protected].