Library and Information Science (Bachelor of Arts, B.A.)
Students on this programme become qualified to make independent use of the scientific methods of Library and Information Science and adapt them to specific practical situations, as well as to open up new fields of knowledge on their own.
Please choose
- Major Field of Study
- Minor Field of Study
Table of Contents
At a glance
Course structure and content
Information in all its forms plays and will continue to play a vital role in every area of knowledge society. The subject is shaped by terms such as ‘networking’, ‘information literacy’, ‘long-term archiving’, ‘media diversity’, ‘open access’, ‘electronic publishing’, ‘copyright’, etc. All of these are closely related to the concept of the ‘digital library’, as well as to documentation and archiving.
In addition to supporting the ability to do independent academic work, the aim of the course is to acquire knowledge regarding functions, structures and working methods as well as the capacity to organise knowledge and information processes.
There is an extremely broad range of professional possibilities in knowledge society for graduates of this bachelor’s course. These range from classical fields of work in library, document and information institutions of all kinds, to activities in areas such as information, content and knowledge management.
The secondary subject course qualifies students for work in positions that require library and information science skills and also technical expertise, such as specialised libraries, technical information institutions, publishing houses and research institutes. This is one of the elements which sets HU students apart from graduates of library-related university courses.
The bachelor’s course offers special preparation for the research-orientated Library and Information Science master’s course, and may be followed by a doctorate at HU.
Major field of study (120 CP)
Mandatory modules (80 CP)
| Module no. | Module | Size |
|---|---|---|
| BP1 | Introduction into Library and Information Science | 10 CP |
| BP2 | Information and Communication Technology | 10 CP |
| BP3 | Information Production and Management | 10 CP |
| BP4 | Metadata Design and Information Organization | 10 CP |
| BP5 | Human Information Behavior | 10 CP |
| BP6 | Project Module | 10 CP |
| BP7 | Practical Training | 10 CP |
| BP8 | Bachelor's Thesis | 10 CP |
Mandatory elective modules(40 CP)
Select 2 of the following modules:
| Module no. | Module | Size |
|---|---|---|
| BWP1 | Information Literacy | 10 CP |
| BWP2 | Information Processing and Storage | 10 CP |
| BWP3 | Information and Society | 10 CP |
| BWP4 | Human-Computer-Interaction | 10 CP |
| BWP5 | Management of Information Organizations | 10 CP |
General Elective Modules (ÜWP) (20 CP)
Modules totaling 20 CP can be freely chosen from the designated module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions.
General elective course offerings (ÜWP) for Students coming from other Courses of Studies
| Module no. | Module | Size |
|---|---|---|
| BP2 | Information and Communication Technology | 10 CP |
| BP3 | Information Production and Management | 10 CP |
| BP4 | Metadata Design and Information Organization | 10 CP |
| BP5 | Human Information Behavior | 10 CP |
| BP6 | Project Module | 10 CP |
| BWP2 | Information Processing and Storage | 10 CP |
| BWP3 | Information and Society | 10 CP |
| BWP4 | Human-Computer-Interaction | 10 CP |
| BWP5 | Management of Information Organizations | 10 CP |
Special features
The Institute for Library and Information Science at HU is unique in Germany. Research and teaching respond directly to developments in the digital knowledge society. Students benefit from a research-oriented and practice-oriented course of study that accompanies and critically reflects on the transformation of scientific communication – from print to open access and open science.
You should be interested in digital media, information systems, and social issues related to knowledge and communication.
Important qualities include:
- Analytical thinking
- Technical affinity
- Enjoyment of working with data, texts, and information flows
- Communication skills and diligence
- Curiosity about new forms of knowledge transfer
Subject-specific admission and enrolment rules
Career opportunities & prospects
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Science programme can study a Information Science master’s programme at the consecutive master’s department.
Find out more in the overview of HU study programmes or via the database Hochschulkompass nationwide.
A bachelor's degree in library and information science opens up a wide range of career paths – e.g. in:
- Libraries, archives, and documentation centers
- Publishing houses, research institutes, and media companies
- Knowledge, data, and content management
- Educational and cultural institutions
More information on career prospects and alternatives can be found in the Berufenet database.
Study subject counselling and recognition of credits
Ms. Dr. Gäde
phone: +49 30 2093-46195
maria.gaede@ibi.hu-berlin.de
Department of Library and Information Science
Institutsgebäude, Dorotheenstraße 26, 10117 Berlin