-A minimum 2.1 award in a bachelor's degree in any subject (NFQ Level 8 or International equivalent )

-Names and contact details of two referees who can assess your intellectual ability, maturity, and motivation

-If you do not meet the academic requirements above you must provide additional information to be considered for admission as listed below

A letter of reference from an academic who has taught the applicant.

A statement describing their previous library experience, which must be a minimum of 5 years.

A letter from their work supervisor to confirm the length of experience, the nature of the experience as meeting professional library tasks.

?We recommend a minimum of 6 weeks’ experience working in a library or information environment before applying for the MLIS.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

While applications are accepted up to August of the year of entry, offers are made to suitably qualified candidates on a first-come-first-served basis so early application is recommended. Entry to the programmes is very competitive and the number of places is limited.

Please note that requests to progress along the pathway from the Graduate Diploma to the MLIS must take place within 5 years of completion of the Graduate Diploma. All requests should be sent to the School of Information and Communication Studies, and will be approved by Graduate School, College of Social Sciences & Law.

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online.

Who Should Apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No

W006 Master of Library & Information Studies Master of Library and Information Studies Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught

W099 Library & Information Studies Master of Library and Information Studies Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught

This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

The Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) programme is designed to prepare university graduates for professional careers in Library and Information Studies. The MLIS degree is highly regarded internationally; the school's accreditation by the Library Association of Ireland (LAI) is recognised by library associations elsewhere, including Europe/UK, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Recent graduates have dynamic careers as Digital Learning Librarians, Literacy Specialists, Chief Information Officers, and Data Stewards.

Some MLIS students go on to do a PhD degrees in ICS. Some of the research areas that can be supervised by ICS academic staff include:

The uses of social media by individuals, groups and communities
Artificial intelligence in libraries and other institutions
Scholarly communication, research evaluation, and research policy
Digital and information literacies
Digital cultural heritage
Ethical issues in information work