Master of Library and Information Science

Overview

The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programme of the University of Nairobi is geared towards empowering students in leadership, management and provision of quality information services. The programme is responsive to the challenges of emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs) as well as keeping with the needs to make information professionals globally competent. The Department produces information professionals who are not only visionary leaders and agents of change but also champions of the digital revolution in the knowledge-based economy. MLIS programme is designed to broaden student knowledge, skills, competencies and prospects within the emerging national and global trends, and in line with Kenya Vision 2030 policy.

MLIS - Profession and Discipline with a Difference

The MLIS programme targets graduates from a variety of backgrounds and specializations in humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. MLIS Graduates have adequate grounding in any discipline in the arts and humanities, natural sciences, applied sciences and social sciences, with strong leadership potentials and commitments to deal with the challenges and opportunities of the modern digital age. The programme attracts applicants working in the information industry and related fields from all over Kenya and the greater East African region and also provides an avenue for graduates with first degrees in other disciplines to advance career opportunities in library and information management. We recruit students with strong leadership potentials and commitments to service in the information industry.

The MLIS programme provides a holistic approach which covers various specialization options. In addition, MLIS programme consists of various components including course work, examinations and project or thesis option.

The MLIS programme is a profession and discipline committed to transforming and innovating information professional leaders through academic excellence. No matter the professional or discipline background, the students’ talents and dreams are truly achievable and valid through the MLIS programme.

Career Opportunities

MLIS programme offers unlimited employment opportunities in diverse areas of the knowledge-based economy. MLIS graduates work in various sectors of the economy including education, training and research organizations, business establishments, government organizations and agencies, county governments, public and private organizations, cultural institutions and special collections, archives, museums and related agencies, universities, colleges and schools, research and development organizations, banking and financial organizations, medical and health agencies, international organizations, commissions, information record centers, entrepreneurs, publishing and book trade industry, computer and software organizations, internet and web communications, consumer goods and services corporations, media industry, law organizations and more.

Why MLIS at the University of Nairobi is a Must Take

MLIS is a Programme with a Difference

The MLIS is a programme with a difference:

  • Based on the needs assessment in relation to demands and employability of the information graduates in the emerging national and global markets.
  • Provides multidisciplinary education, training and research opportunities to students in the information industry in response to emerging and new trends in ICTs.
  • Integrates students from various disciplines and backgrounds in the arts and humanities, natural sciences, applied sciences and social sciences.
  • Provides specialization options that suites the various needs and demands of the students in the ever-changing information industry.
  • A flexible programme that enables the students to select best and convenient learning modes including full time, part-time, ODEL, course work, examinations and options of project or thesis.
  • The programme attracts applicants from all over Kenya and the greater East African region.
  • Provides opportunities to both young and adult learners with first degrees in information-based qualifications and other disciplines to advance careers in library and information management.
  • Transforming information professionals through novel knowledge, innovative skills, competencies, research and consultancy.

Teaching, Learning and Research Methodologies

MLIS programme is a multidisciplinary profession that integrates various methods or approaches of teaching, learning, pedagogy, research, theory, principles and practice. Additionally, practical and internship attachments in the information industry are mandatory to all students. MLIS profession and discipline embraces and stresses the application of ICTs solutions in all teaching, learning and research processes.

The MLIS programme:

  • Offers specialization options that allow students to select the programme that best suits their academic and learning needs and demands.
  • Provides the students with the unique opportunity to acquire novel knowledge and skills from leading and scholarly teaching, learning and research institution.
  • Enables the students to attend practical and internship attachments in order to acquire hands-on experience and engage with the real-employers in the information industry.
  • Provides an avenue for graduates with first degrees in other disciplines to advance career opportunities in information and knowledge management including emerging and new trends in ICTs.
  • Provides state-of-the-art facilities and resources for teaching, learning and research purposes.
  • Engages professionally competent staff who are readily available to teach, guide and counsel the students in the teaching and learning processes.
  • Provides open, collaborative and inclusive teaching, training and learning environment.
  • Provides students with convenient modes of learning through full time, part-time and Open Distance E-Learning (ODEL).
  • Part-time and ODEL modes are convenient for students who cannot attend regular university programmes.
  • Fountain of novel knowledge, innovative skills and competencies in the modern information industry.
Exams Regulations

Final University examinations shall be given at the end of every semester in each taught course units, and each final examination shall be in the form of a two-hour written examination paper. To be awarded the MLIS degree, a candidate must pass all specialized, core and elective course units taken, as well as the project paper or thesis.

All examinations shall be governed by the following rules:

  1. Each course unit shall be graded out of one hundred marks (100).
  2. The written final examination shall account for sixty per cent (60%) of all the marks in each course unit, while continuous assessment tests shall account for forty per cent (40%); but the Project Paper/thesis shall be graded out of 100%, as there shall be no continuous assessment test associated with it.
  3. The pass mark for each course shall be fifty (50%) per cent 
  4. The grading of the courses shall be as follows:

           A = 70 % - 100 %

           B = 60% - 69%

          C = 50% - 59%

          F = below 50% - Fail

  1. A candidate who fails in any examination unit taken at the end of a semester may sit a supplementary examination when it is scheduled. 
  2. A candidate who fails in the supplementary examination shall be discontinued.
  3. A candidate who fails in any examination in an elective course unit may at his/her own discretion, register in an alternative elective course unit, in lieu of sitting another supplementary examination in which he/she failed once or more than once: provided that he/she pay such registration and other fees as may be prescribed by the Faculty in respect of such examination.
  4. In the event that a candidate sits a supplementary examination in any course unit, the pass mark shall be 50%.
  5. The rules set out in (iv) to (vi) above shall also apply when a candidate fails in more than one course unit, provided that these are not core courses. A candidate who fails a core course twice shall be discontinued.
  6. Existing University rules and regulations pertaining to conduct during actual examinations, and to examination matters not specifically mentioned in these regulations, shall apply to all candidates, invigilators and other persons.
  7. A student, who for good cause supported with authenticated documentary evidence, fails to sit or complete an end-of-semester examination may be allowed to sit for a special examination for the paper (s) concerned when the examination is next scheduled, without paying additional fees.

Research Project / Thesis Examination Process

(a) Research project

  1. A candidate who successfully completes the course work and written examination shall proceed to prepare and present a project research proposal in a departmental seminar.
  2. A candidate who successfully defends his/her research proposal in the departmental seminar shall be allocated a supervisor.
  3. A candidate shall undertake supervised research, write and submit a project report for examination within a semester.
  4. The candidate will be subjected to oral examination on the project paper which will be marked out of 40%. The supervisors will mark the research paper out of 60%.
  5. The pass mark for the research project shall be 50%.
  6. A candidate who fails in the project paper shall be allowed up to two resubmissions on the recommendations of the faculty board within six months.
  7. A student who fails after the second resubmission or fails to complete the course in the prescribed period shall, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by the Senate, be discontinued.

(b) Thesis option

  1. A student who successfully completes the course work and written examination shall proceed to prepare and present a preliminary proposal to the Head of the Department in order for the supervisors to be allocated to the candidate to guide him/her in development of the proposal.
  2. A candidate who successfully defends his/her research proposal in the departmental seminar shall be allocated two supervisors, one or both of them from the Department.
  3. A candidate who successfully defends his /her research proposal in the department seminar shall undertake supervised research, write and submit a thesis within a minimum of one academic year and a maximum of two academic years.
  4. The candidate shall submit for examination, a thesis with the approval of the academic supervisors. The thesis shall be examined in accordance with the common regulations of the Board of Postgraduate Studies of the University of Nairobi.

Degree Award

A candidate who passes in both the taught courses and research project/thesis shall be awarded the degree of Master of Library and Information Science in the area of specialization. The degree shall be awarded as follows:

  1. Option 1: Master of Library and Information Science (Library and Information Studies). It will be abbreviated as MLIS (LIS).
  2. Option 2: Master of Library and Information Science (Electronic Libraries and Information Services). It will be abbreviated as MLIS (ELIS).
  3. Option 3: Master of Library and Information Science (Records Management and Archival Informatics). It will be abbreviated as MLIS (RMAI).
  4. Option 4: Master of Library and Information Science (Publishing Industry). It will be abbreviated as MLIS (PI).

 

The MLIS programme shall consist of course work, examinations, and a project paper (Option 1) or thesis (Option 2), and shall run for a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of ten (10) semesters of fifteen weeks each. This maximum may be extended only with the prior approval of the Senate of the University of Nairobi.

MLIS programme has 4-specialization options that include several cores and elective courses and components that provide holistic academic education and learning to the students. Credit transfer and exemption are offered but based on the University of Nairobi regulations, although this does not reduce the requirements for the programme.

MLIS project programme includes 8 core courses and 4 electives while MLIS thesis programme has 4 core courses and 4 electives. The project is equivalent to 4 units and the thesis equals 8 units.

(a) Option 1: Research Project

  1. The student shall be required to successfully take twelve (12) course units prior to embarking on the project paper
  2. All courses shall be of forty-five (45) hours duration
  3. Topics for the project paper shall be identified by students in consultation with the department.
  4. In the first semester, students will be required to take all the three (3) core units and one (1) unit from the specialization option.  In the second semester, students will be required to take four (4) units from the specialization option. In the third semester, students will be required to take four (4) elective course units.  In the fourth semester, students will undertake a research project which will be equivalent to four (4) course units and present the project report for the examination.

(b) Option 2: Thesis

  1. The student shall be required to successfully take at least eight (8) taught course units prior to embarking on thesis work.
  2.  All courses shall each be of forty-five (45) hours duration
  3. Topics for the thesis shall be identified by students in consultation with the department.
  4. The minimum course load in each semester shall be two (2) course units; while the maximum load shall be four (4) course units per semester.
  5.  In the first semester, students shall take all the three (3) core units and one (1) unit from the specialization option. In the second semester, students will be required to take a minimum of four (4) units from the specialization option. In the second year, students will undertake the research thesis which will be equivalent to eight (8) course units and present the thesis report for the examination.

Mode of Study

There shall be two (2) modes of study

  1. Full time (Module 1): The full-time programme will be conducted during normal working hours.
  2. Part-time (Module 2): The part-time programme will be conducted in the evenings and weekends. This programme is designed to accommodate the special needs of those in full-time employment or those who have other demands on their time.

Mode of Instruction

Instructions for module 1 and 2 shall be given in the form of lectures, lecture-discussions, class presentations, seminars, lab work, student-lecturer consultations, supervised independent research, or any combination of these. Students shall undergo continuous assessment in each taught course which shall take the form of written tests, term paper, oral presentations, industrial attachment, or any combination of these.

 

The MLIS programme is guided by the application requirements and admissions selection criteria and common regulations of the Master's Degree in the Faculty of Arts that spells out the minimum qualifications for the students.

The student must meet the application and admissions requirements and attach the necessary documents when applying for the MLIS programme.

In addition, an applicant must have the following minimum qualifications:

  • At least an upper-class second honours degree or equivalent in any discipline from the University of Nairobi or any other university recognized by the University of Nairobi senate.

OR

  • At least a lower-second class honours degree or equivalent in any discipline from the University of Nairobi or any other university recognized by the University of Nairobi senate with three (3) years experience.

OR

  • A pass in the first degree or equivalent in any discipline from the University of Nairobi or any other university recognized by the University of Nairobi senate with at least five (5) years experience.

Students are advised to keep abreast with changes through the Websites of the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Library and Information Science for the application and admissions requirements or MLIS Handbook. When applying potential students are kindly requested to follow and meet the application deadlines within the stipulated period of time.

Application Procedure

  • The MLIS application forms are obtained from the University of Nairobi Board of Postgraduate Studies office at the Main campus upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Kshs 3,000.00 for Kenyan students while International students ADD 25% MORE on all the charges.
  • The application fees are paid by direct deposit into the UNES/UON Account, Barclay's bank, Westlands Branch, A/C No. 03-073-1023948.
  • Please note that cash and Postal orders are NOT accepted.
  • The application forms are also downloaded from the University of Nairobi Website at http://www.uonbi.ac.ke (Admissions).
  • The completed forms and copies of certificates and application deposit slip should be returned to the Dean’s Office, Faculty of Arts, Gandhi Wing, Room GW 303.

Credits Transfer and Exemptions

A student from a recognized university, or any other equivalent institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate wishing to transfer to the Master of Library and Information Science  programme at the University of Nairobi shall be allowed to transfer credits from his/her University if those credits are deemed relevant, and meets the required minimum contact hours. The transferred credits shall not be more than a third (1/3) of the total prescribed credits and/or course units required for the award of the Master of Library and Information Science degree.

A student wishing to transfer credit shall send a formal application for transfer to the Director, Board of Postgraduate Studies (BPS), through the Dean, Faculty of Arts justifying the request, and attaching evidence of supporting credentials.

 

  Semester 1 - 4units Semester 2 - 4units Semester 3 -4units Semester 4- project TOTALS
TUITION @36000 144000 144000 144000 144000 576000
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) 4000 4000 4000 4000 16000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) 2250 2250 2250 2250 9000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR) 1000 0 0 1000 2000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) 6500 0 0 6500 13000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR) 5000 0 0 5000 10000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) 2000 0 0 2000 4000
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) 7000 0 0 7000 14000
CAUTION - (ONCE) 5000 0 0 0 5000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) 1000 0 0 1000 2000
THESIS EXAMINATION 0 0 0 30000 30000
Total 177750 150250 150250 202750 681000
Department
Library and Information Science

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