Technology

Master of Information Science

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.

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.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 252,500
Private, up to: Ksh 139,100
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

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 favour

Programme addresses the growing need for information management professionals in the digital age, with increasing demand across sectors.
Programme offered by multiple universities including both public and private, providing institutional choice.
MKU offers the programme at relatively affordable fees (~KES 139,100/year) for a private institution.
Programme combines information theory with practical technology skills, providing versatile career options.

Against it

Kisii University and Karatina University fee data not independently verified, limiting cost comparison.
No public university fee data independently verified, limiting cost comparison for public options.
Programme may be confused with IT or computer science programmes, despite different focus areas.
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.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
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.

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

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.

Accredited by

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.

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