Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Science

Qualification code: 90003
NQF level: 8
Total credits: 120
SAQA ID: 93878
APS/AS: 60
Rules:
This qualification consists of 6 modules. This 120-credit qualification can be completed full-time (notional hours required: 32-36 hours of study per week for a year) or part-time (16-18 hours of study per week for two years). Students should note that during the course of their studies they would be required to have access to a computer or laptop, printer and the internet.
Purpose statement:
The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic review of current thinking, practice and research methods in the area of Library and Information Science. It also presents graduates from other disciplines with an opportunity to obtain a postgraduate specialised qualification in Library and Information Science.
This qualification will be presented online only.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2025 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.

  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
AIS4801 - Descriptive Cataloguing and Subject Organisation
AIS4802 - ICT Applications in Library and Information Services
AIS4803 - Library and Information Practice
HIN4801 - Research Methodology in Information Science
INS4801 - Information Users and Use
INS4802 - Management of Knowledge and Information Services