Adelaide University

Master of Information Management Specialising in Archives and Records Management

Delivery: Online
Study Level: Postgraduate
Duration: 24 months
Course Type: Master's

Ensure future generations have a window to their heritage by gaining a sought-after skillset and pursuing a career that’s as fulfilling as it is crucial.

Course overview

The Master of Information Management specialising in Archives and Records Management is the only qualification of its kind in South Australia. It is industry-informed, leveraging unique partnerships to set you up for success in the field.

Master cutting-edge digital archiving and records management practice, from database management to preservation technologies. Explore information theory and its practical applications. Gain real-world experience through fieldwork projects.

Understand the ethical implications and legal frameworks surrounding data privacy and record management. Gain leadership and communication skills. Study metadata, marketing, preservation, information governance and compliance.

In your second year, you’ll undertake a research project aligned to your interests. You’ll graduate equipped to be a records manager or archivist – and eligible to pursue further research studies.

Key features

The study is the only qualification of its kind in South Australia.
Develop the unique, advanced skills required for archiving and information preservation.
Take on a practical fieldwork project.
Connect with experts and professionals in the industry.
Benefit from the university's unique partnerships and industry-informed approach.
Complete a research project in an area of interest.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery

Online

Course Type

Master's

Duration

24 months (Full time)

Intake

April, 2026
June, 2026
September, 2026

Units

Fees

HECS, CSP

What you will study

Students must complete 96 units comprising:

42 units for all core courses.
24 to 36 units of specialisation courses.
18 to 30 units for electives.

Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth six units.

Core courses

Complete 42 units for all of the following:

Masters Research Theory and Practice
Information Management Professional Practice
Information Management Foundations
Technological Foundations
IM Masters Research Project (12 units)
Information Management Project Placement

Specialisation courses

Electives

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

A completed bachelor's (AQF level 7) or bachelor's honours (AQF level 8) degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution; OR
A completed nested or related graduate certificate (AQF level 8) or higher or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Adelaide University is committed to recognising the contribution of students’ prior learning towards their program requirements.

Credit may be granted for formal, informal and non-formal learning, with guidance on eligibility provided to prospective students in a clear, transparent and publicly available credit framework.

Credit determinations will be:

Evidence-based, equitable and transparent.
Academically sound.
Applied consistently, fairly and subject to review.

Credit will be granted for prior learning that is relevant and equivalent to the learning required for the courses for which credit is sought.

Credit will only be granted if it:

Maintains the credibility and integrity of the program for which credit is sought.
Does not contravene the conditions of the program’s professional accreditation.
Does not disadvantage the student’s ability to achieve the expected course or program learning outcomes.

For more information, contact the university or visit its website.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

You’ll graduate from Adelaide University ready to safeguard the many stories of communities, cultures and corporations. You could be an archivist for a film archive, meticulously cataloguing original scripts, production notes and behind-the-scenes footage. You might work in compliance and risk management, advising businesses on how to protect sensitive information. Perhaps you’ll steer digital transformation projects, turning physical archives into interactive online databases.

You could also be a:

Records Manager
Chief Archivist
Records and Information Officer
Data Governance Specialist
Digital Archivist
Records Management Consultant
Records Retention Specialist

Fees and CSP

Fee information not provided.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

The number of courses studied per term.
The choice of major or specialisation.
Choice of courses.
Credit from previous study or work experience.
Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.