Bachelor of Information Studies

CSU's Bachelor of Information Studies provides a range of career opportunities for students interested in the information and cultural sectors. Specialisations are available in Information and Library Management, Librarianship and Records and Archive Management.

Why study this course?

The changing nature of society has brought a growing demand for knowledge and information at work, in education and in leisure. Librarians, archivists, knowledge managers and many other information professionals are meeting that demand by providing effective access to information resources and services. CSU’s Bachelor of Information Studies reflects the critical importance of information and knowledge management across a wide range of fields and institutions. The course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the creation, evaluation, collection, organisation, utilisation and dissemination of information in the contemporary.

CSU’s School of Information Studies (SIS) is one of the world’s largest providers of education for the information industries internationally and has been educating and researching in the Information and Library Studies field for nearly 40 years. Today well over half of Australia's information and library studies students are enrolled at CSU. This experience means we understand our students and our professions, and design and deliver distance education courses that respond to students’ needs. 

Specialisations

Students can choose to study a general qualification or specialisations are available in the following areas:

• Information and Knowledge Management
• Librarianship
• Records and Archives Management

More information on specialisations

Career opportunities

This degree is an industry recognised professional qualification, enabling graduates to work in the full range of library, records and related information sectors.

More information on career opportunities

Course structure

Comprising of 16 core subjects and 10 elective subjects, the course can be completed over six years part-time (12 sessions). There is flexibility to progress at faster or slower rates, and over an optional summer session and opportunities for recognition of prior learning or credit.

More information on the course structure

Credit

Credit is available for students with a TAFE Diploma of Library and Information Studies or equivalent where they will receive credit for a maximum of eight subjects (64 points.) Students with an Advanced Diploma of Library and Information Studies receive credit for 10 subjects (80 points).

Professional recognition

CSU’s Bachelor of Information Studies is recognised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIM Professionals Australasia) as a professional qualification, enabling graduates to work in the full range of library, records and related information sectors.

Residential schools

There is a compulsory three-day course orientation residential school scheduled at the commencement of the course.

Graduation requirements

To graduate with CSU's Bachelor of Information Studies, students must complete 192 subject points. To exit with the Associate Degree in Information Studies, students must complete 128 subject points.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Specialisations

CSU's Bachelor of Information Studies offers a general qualification or students can chose from the following specialisations:

Librarianship

Information and Knowledge Management

Records and Archives Management

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2