Technology

Master of Science in Information and Knowledge Management

The Master of Science in Information and Knowledge Management is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in information management, knowledge management, records management, and digital libraries. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in knowledge management, information governance, records management, and digital information services.

Core areas include knowledge management, information management, records management, digital libraries, information governance, content management, knowledge organisation, information systems, data management, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical information and knowledge management applications.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Chuka University, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, with JKUAT as a college. Moi University offers MSc in Information Sciences. JKUAT offers MSc in Information and Knowledge Management through its postgraduate programmes.

Students develop competencies in knowledge management, information governance, records management, digital libraries, content management, and research. The programme includes coursework, projects, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes. JKUAT requires Second Class Upper or Lower with 3 years experience. JKUAT fees are KES 126,000 per year. JKUAT application fee is KES 1,500 for postgraduate courses.

Graduates pursue careers as knowledge managers, information managers, records managers, digital librarians, content managers, and lecturers in libraries, archives, government, corporate organisations, and universities.

Skills Required

Knowledge Management and Knowledge Transfer
Information Management and Information Governance
Records Management and Archives Administration
Digital Library Management and Digital Preservation
Content Management and Knowledge Organisation
Information Systems and Data Management
Knowledge Capture and Knowledge Sharing
Digital Information Services and E-Resources
Information Policy and Regulatory Compliance
Information and Knowledge Management Research Methods

Key Subjects

Knowledge Management
Information Management
Records Management
Digital Libraries
Information Governance
Content Management
Knowledge Organisation
Information Systems
Data Management
Information Research Methods

Certifications

IFLA Professional Certification
ICA Records Management Certification

Specializations

Knowledge Management

Focuses on knowledge management, knowledge creation, knowledge capture, knowledge sharing, knowledge transfer, and managing and leveraging organisational knowledge.

Records Management

Examines records management, records lifecycle, archives administration, records preservation, digital records, and managing and administering records and archives.

Digital Libraries

Covers digital libraries, digital collections, digital preservation, digital repositories, open access, and designing and managing digital library services.

Information Governance

Focuses on information governance, information policy, information compliance, data protection, information security, and governing and managing information in organisations.

Content Management

Examines content management, content strategy, content systems, digital content, knowledge organisation, and managing and organising digital content.

Data Management

Covers data management, data governance, data quality, data lifecycle, big data, and managing and governing data in organisations.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 130,000
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

Knowledge Management
Information Management
Records Management
Digital Libraries
Information Governance
Content Management
Knowledge Organisation
Information Systems
Data Management
Information Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Knowledge Management Principles and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines knowledge management, knowledge creation, knowledge capture, knowledge sharing, knowledge transfer, communities of practice, and managing and leveraging organisational knowledge.
Information Management and Governance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers information management, information lifecycle, information quality, information policy, information strategy, information governance, and managing information in organisations.
Records Management and Archives Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines records management, records lifecycle, records classification, records retention, archives administration, digital records, and managing and administering records and archives.
Digital Libraries and Digital Preservation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers digital libraries, digital collections, digital preservation, digital repositories, open access, institutional repositories, and designing and managing digital library services.
Content Management and Knowledge Organisation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines content management, content strategy, content systems, digital content, classification, cataloguing, metadata, taxonomies, ontologies, and organising and structuring knowledge.
Information Systems for Knowledge Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers information systems, databases, content management systems, document management systems, knowledge management systems, and managing information systems for knowledge management.
Data Management and Governance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines data management, data governance, data quality, data lifecycle, big data, data analytics, and managing and governing data in organisations.
Information Policy and Regulatory Compliance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers information policy, data protection, access to information, information rights, regulatory compliance, and understanding and applying information policy and compliance.
Digital Information Services and E-Resources
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines digital information services, e-resources, electronic journals, databases, open access, digital reference, and designing and managing digital information services.
Information and Knowledge Management Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for information and knowledge management, qualitative methods, quantitative methods, data analysis, and conducting information research, preparing students for their thesis.
Emerging Technologies in Information Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines emerging technologies in information management, AI in knowledge management, semantic web, linked data, blockchain for records, and applying new technologies in information management.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an information and knowledge management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and IKM knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Knowledge Management
Focuses on knowledge management, knowledge creation, knowledge capture, knowledge sharing, knowledge transfer, and managing and leveraging organisational knowledge.
Records Management
Examines records management, records lifecycle, archives administration, records preservation, digital records, and managing and administering records and archives.
Digital Libraries
Covers digital libraries, digital collections, digital preservation, digital repositories, open access, and designing and managing digital library services.
Information Governance
Focuses on information governance, information policy, information compliance, data protection, information security, and governing and managing information in organisations.
Content Management
Examines content management, content strategy, content systems, digital content, knowledge organisation, and managing and organising digital content.
Data Management
Covers data management, data governance, data quality, data lifecycle, big data, and managing and governing data in organisations.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Information and Knowledge Management programme begins with morning lectures on knowledge management, information management, or records management. Students engage in theoretical discussions on knowledge theories, information systems, and governance. Knowledge management sessions cover knowledge creation, knowledge capture, knowledge sharing, knowledge transfer, communities of practice, and managing and leveraging organisational knowledge. Information management sessions examine information lifecycle, information quality, information policy, information strategy, and managing information in organisations. Records management sessions cover records lifecycle, records classification, records retention, archives administration, digital records, and managing and administering records and archives. Digital library sessions examine digital collections, digital preservation, digital repositories, open access, institutional repositories, and designing and managing digital library services. Information governance sessions cover information governance, information policy, data protection, information security, compliance, and governing and managing information. Content management sessions examine content strategy, content systems, digital content, content lifecycle, knowledge organisation, and managing and organising digital content. Knowledge organisation sessions cover classification, cataloguing, metadata, taxonomies, ontologies, and organising and structuring knowledge and information. Information systems sessions examine information systems, databases, content management systems, document management systems, and managing information systems. Data management sessions cover data governance, data quality, data lifecycle, big data, data analytics, and managing and governing data. Projects provide hands-on experience in designing knowledge management systems, implementing records management, and managing digital libraries. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering information research methods, qualitative methods, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KNLS directors, KNADS archivists, ICTA officials, IFLA experts, and information management practitioners provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme combines knowledge management, information management, records management, and digital libraries, providing versatile skills for diverse information roles.
JKUAT offers at KES 126,000 per year, making it relatively affordable for a postgraduate programme.
Programme is available with full-time and part-time modes, accommodating working professionals.
Career opportunities with KNLS, KNADS, ICTA, libraries, archives, government, corporate organisations, and international organisations.

Against it

Job market demand is moderate compared to more technical IT programmes, with fewer dedicated knowledge management positions.
Programme requires information sciences, library science, IT, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
JKUAT requires Lower Division applicants to have 3 years of relevant experience, which may exclude recent graduates.
Information and knowledge management is an evolving field, requiring continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies.

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

Public130k to 130k

130k at Chuka University130k at Chuka 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

Chuka 130,000/yr (chuka.ac.ke). JKUAT unverified. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. IFLA supports library and information professional development. ICA supports archives and records management capacity building. ASIS&T supports information science research. The programme's information and knowledge management focus attracts professional body and institutional funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
IFLA Professional Development Funding
ICA Capacity Building Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate information and knowledge management studies at recognised universities.
IFLA Professional Development Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
IFLA supports library and information professional development, providing funding for training and research in information sciences globally.
ICA Capacity Building Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
ICA supports archives and records management capacity building, providing funding for training and research in records management globally.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from information sciences, library science, IT, records management, business, and related fields. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes. JKUAT requires Second Class Upper or Lower with 3 years experience. JKUAT fees KES 126,000/year. JKUAT application fee KES 1,500 for postgraduate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, information analysis projects, knowledge management plans, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering knowledge management, information management, records management, and digital libraries, conducted at end of each semester.
Projects and Presentations
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of projects, system designs, knowledge management plans, digital library designs, records management plans, and project presentations.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an information and knowledge management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and IKM knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Moi University offers MSc in Information Sciences, accredited by CUE since 2013. JKUAT offers MSc in Information and Knowledge Management through its postgraduate programmes. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate information and knowledge management training. KNLS provides national library services and KNADS manages national archives in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University offers MSc in Information Sciences, accredited by CUE since 2013. JKUAT offers MSc in Information and Knowledge Management. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate information and knowledge management training.
Kenya National Library Service (KNLS)
Professional accreditation
KNLS provides national library services in Kenya. Graduates working in libraries may benefit from KNLS professional affiliation and development opportunities.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Knowledge Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages organisational knowledge, overseeing knowledge capture, sharing, transfer, communities of practice, and ensuring effective knowledge management.
Information Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages information in organisations, overseeing information lifecycle, information quality, information governance, and ensuring effective information management.
Records Manager
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages records and archives, overseeing records lifecycle, records classification, retention, digital records, and ensuring effective records management.
Digital Librarian
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages digital library services, overseeing digital collections, digital preservation, e-resources, and providing digital information services.
Content Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages digital content, overseeing content strategy, content systems, content lifecycle, and ensuring effective content management.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches information and knowledge management in universities, conducting research and training future information professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as knowledge managers, information managers, and records managers in libraries, archives, government, and corporate organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SharePoint
SoftwarePrimary
Document management and collaboration platform for content management, records management, knowledge sharing, and enterprise information management.
DSpace
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source digital repository platform for digital libraries, institutional repositories, digital collections, and digital preservation.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for information management data analysis, records data management, and information and knowledge management data.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for information research data analysis, survey analysis, and statistical modelling in information and knowledge management research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Information and knowledge management is just about librarianship.
The programme involves knowledge management, information governance, records management, digital libraries, content management, and research, covering comprehensive information and knowledge management.
This programme is only for library science graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from information sciences, library science, IT, business, records management, and related fields.
There is limited demand for knowledge management professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's digital transformation, data protection requirements, records management needs, and knowledge economy create moderate demand for qualified information and knowledge management professionals.
Knowledge management is just about documenting procedures.
Knowledge management involves knowledge creation, capture, sharing, transfer, communities of practice, and organisational learning, not just documentation.
Records management is obsolete in the digital age.
Digital records, electronic documents, and data protection requirements make records management more important than ever in the digital age.
A master's in information and knowledge management is redundant after a bachelor's in information sciences.
The master's provides specialised knowledge management skills, research capability, and career progression to senior information management and knowledge management positions.