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Master of Information Science

<p>The Master of Information Science is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in information management, knowledge organisation, and digital information services. The programme combines information science theory with practical information management and technology application.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 252,500
Ksh 505,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 139,100
Ksh 278,200 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 252,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 505,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 139,100 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 8 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

Core areas include information science theory, knowledge organisation, information retrieval, digital libraries, information systems management, data management, research methods in information science, and thesis research. Students engage with both information theory and modern digital information tools.

The programme is offered by Mount Kenya University, Kisii University, Karatina University, and Kenya Methodist University. Both public and private universities offer the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes.

Students develop competencies in information organisation, knowledge management, digital library management, information retrieval systems, data management, information policy, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, practical projects, and thesis.

Mount Kenya University charges KES 69,550/semester (approximately KES 139,100/year). Kenya Methodist University confirmed offering the programme over 4 semesters. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in Information Science, Library Science, Records Management, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as information managers, knowledge managers, digital librarians, data managers, information systems analysts, and lecturers in information science.

Skills Required

  • Information Science Theory
  • Knowledge Organisation and Taxonomy
  • Information Retrieval Systems
  • Digital Library Management
  • Data Management and Curation
  • Information Systems Management
  • Knowledge Management
  • Information Policy and Ethics
  • Research Methods in Information Science
  • Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

  • Information Science Theory
  • Knowledge Organisation and Taxonomy
  • Information Retrieval Systems
  • Digital Libraries
  • Data Management and Curation
  • Information Systems Management
  • Records and Archives Management
  • Information Policy and Ethics
  • Research Methods in Information Science
  • Thesis Research

Certifications

  • Kenya Library Association Membership
  • IFLA Professional Membership

Specializations

Knowledge Management

Focuses on managing organisational knowledge, covering knowledge capture, sharing, repositories, and knowledge management systems.

Digital Libraries

Examines digital library design and management, covering digital collections, metadata, digital preservation, and digital library systems.

Information Retrieval

Covers information retrieval systems and techniques, covering search algorithms, indexing, relevance ranking, and user search behaviour.

Data Management and Curation

Focuses on managing and curating data, covering data governance, data quality, data lifecycle management, and research data management.

Records and Archives Management

Examines managing records and archives, covering records management systems, archival theory, digital preservation, and records policy.

Information Policy and Ethics

Covers information policy and ethics, covering information law, privacy, intellectual property, access to information, and information ethics.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Information Science Theory
  • Knowledge Organisation and Taxonomy
  • Information Retrieval Systems
  • Digital Libraries
  • Data Management and Curation
  • Information Systems Management
  • Records and Archives Management
  • Information Policy and Ethics
  • Research Methods in Information Science
  • Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Foundations of Information Science

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines information science theory, information behaviour, and the role of information in society and organisations.

  • Knowledge Organisation and Taxonomy

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers classification, cataloguing, metadata, taxonomy, ontologies, and knowledge organisation systems.

  • Information Retrieval Systems

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines information retrieval systems and techniques, covering search algorithms, indexing, relevance ranking, and user search behaviour.

  • Research Methods in Information Science

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting information science research, preparing students for their thesis.

  • Digital Libraries

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers digital library design, digital collections, metadata, digital preservation, and digital library systems and platforms.

  • Data Management and Curation

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines data governance, data quality, data lifecycle management, research data management, and data curation.

  • Information Systems Management

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers managing information systems in organisations, including system selection, implementation, evaluation, and information systems strategy.

  • Knowledge Management

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines managing organisational knowledge, covering knowledge capture, sharing, repositories, and knowledge management systems.

  • Records and Archives Management

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers records management systems, archival theory, digital preservation, and records policy in organisations.

  • Information Policy and Ethics

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines information law, privacy, intellectual property, access to information, and information ethics in the digital age.

  • Research Seminar

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Preparation of research proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation for thesis development.

  • Research Thesis

    Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore

    Original research thesis on an information science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

  • Knowledge Management

    Focuses on managing organisational knowledge, covering knowledge capture, sharing, repositories, and knowledge management systems.

  • Digital Libraries

    Examines digital library design and management, covering digital collections, metadata, digital preservation, and digital library systems.

  • Information Retrieval

    Covers information retrieval systems and techniques, covering search algorithms, indexing, relevance ranking, and user search behaviour.

  • Data Management and Curation

    Focuses on managing and curating data, covering data governance, data quality, data lifecycle management, and research data management.

  • Records and Archives Management

    Examines managing records and archives, covering records management systems, archival theory, digital preservation, and records policy.

  • Information Policy and Ethics

    Covers information policy and ethics, covering information law, privacy, intellectual property, access to information, and information ethics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Information Science programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, project work, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover information science theory, knowledge organisation, digital libraries, and information systems. Information science theory sessions examine information theory, information behaviour, and the role of information in society. Knowledge organisation sessions cover classification, cataloguing, metadata, taxonomy, and ontologies. Information retrieval sessions cover search algorithms, indexing, relevance ranking, and user search behaviour. Digital library sessions examine digital library design, digital collections, digital preservation, and digital library systems. Data management sessions cover data governance, data quality, data lifecycle management, and research data management. Records management sessions cover records management systems, archival theory, and records policy. Information policy sessions cover information law, privacy, intellectual property, and access to information. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with information systems, digital library platforms, and data management tools. Project work involves designing and implementing information systems, digital libraries, or knowledge management solutions. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in information science. The programme culminates in a research thesis on an information science topic.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Programme addresses the growing need for information management professionals in the digital age, with increasing demand across sectors.Kisii University and Karatina University fee data not independently verified, limiting cost comparison.
Programme offered by multiple universities including both public and private, providing institutional choice.No public university fee data independently verified, limiting cost comparison for public options.
MKU offers the programme at relatively affordable fees (~KES 139,100/year) for a private institution.Programme may be confused with IT or computer science programmes, despite different focus areas.
Programme combines information theory with practical technology skills, providing versatile career options.Information science is sometimes perceived as a niche field, potentially limiting awareness of career opportunities.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses
Public250k to 253k
250k at Technical University of Kenya253k at JKUAT
Private139k to 139k
139k at Mount Kenya University139k at Mount Kenya University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TUK ~250K/yr (eduloaded). JKUAT ~253K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). MKU ~139K/yr (victormatara).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KLA may provide professional development support for information professionals. IFLA and other international bodies may provide professional development support. Some institutions may offer internal scholarships for information science studies.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • KLA Professional Development

  • IFLA Professional Development

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.

  • KLA Professional Development

    ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan

    Kenya Library Association supports professional development for library and information professionals in Kenya.

  • IFLA Professional Development

    GrantKsh 150,000

    IFLA provides professional development support and grants for library and information professionals globally.

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
N/A (Postgraduate)minimum entry
Alternative entry

Most universities require a Bachelor's degree in Information Science, Library Science, Records Management, or related fields with Upper Second Class Honours. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience or research publications are considered. Karatina University also accepts relevant Postgraduate Diploma holders. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

When it next starts

Taught at 8 institutions
January 20278 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kirinyaga University.

May 20278 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kirinyaga University.

September 20278 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kirinyaga University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Coursework and Continuous Assessment

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, practical reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.

  • Written Examinations

    Examination40% of the mark

    Written examinations covering information science theory, knowledge organisation, digital libraries, and information systems.

  • Practical Project Assessment

    Practical30% of the mark

    Practical assessment through system design exercises, digital library projects, data management tasks, and applying theory to real information scenarios.

  • Research Thesis

    Research100% of the mark

    Original research thesis on an information science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Programme accredited by CUE. Mount Kenya University (private) and Kisii University and Karatina University (public) offer Master of Information Science. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate information science training. Graduates are eligible for Kenya Library Association professional membership.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Mount Kenya University (private) and Kisii University and Karatina University (public) offer Master of Information Science. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate information science training. Graduates are eligible for Kenya Library Association professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

  • Information Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Manages information resources and systems in organisations, overseeing information organisation, access, and information governance.

  • Knowledge Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Manages organisational knowledge, overseeing knowledge capture, sharing, repositories, and knowledge management systems.

  • Digital Librarian

    Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Manages digital library collections and services, overseeing digital collections, metadata, digital preservation, and user services.

  • Data Manager

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Manages data in organisations, overseeing data governance, data quality, data lifecycle management, and research data.

  • Information Systems Analyst

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Analyses and manages information systems in organisations, overseeing system selection, implementation, and evaluation.

  • Information Science Lecturer

    Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaches information science at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as information managers, knowledge managers, digital librarians, data managers, information systems analysts, and lecturers in information science.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • DSpace

    SoftwarePrimary

    Open-source digital repository platform for building digital libraries, managing digital collections, and institutional repositories.

  • Greenstone Digital Library Software

    Software

    Open-source software for building and distributing digital library collections, widely used in information science education.

  • SPSS

    Software

    Statistical analysis software for information science research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.

  • Microsoft SQL Server

    Software

    Database management system for managing information, building information retrieval systems, and data management in information science.

Common misconceptions

  • Information science is just about libraries.

    Information science covers knowledge management, data management, digital information systems, information policy, and information retrieval, far beyond traditional library work.

  • Information science is outdated in the digital age.

    Information science is more relevant than ever, as digital information growth creates demand for professionals who can organise, manage, and retrieve information effectively.

  • This programme is the same as IT or computer science.

    While related, information science focuses on information content, organisation, and use, while IT and computer science focus on technology infrastructure and software development.

  • Information science has limited career prospects.

    Growing demand for information management, data governance, and knowledge management creates diverse career opportunities in both public and private sectors.

  • Only librarians benefit from this programme.

    Information science skills are valuable for records managers, data managers, knowledge managers, content managers, and anyone working with information systems.

  • Information science does not involve technology.

    Modern information science heavily involves digital technologies, including digital libraries, databases, information retrieval systems, and knowledge management platforms.

Further reading

Read next