Library and Information Management
Data, information, knowledge, and their communication are central to our increasingly interconnected, digitalised society.
The Bachelor’s degree course in Library and Information Management at HAW Hamburg produces specialists in information and media whose advanced insight into the mechanisms, ultra-rapid evolution and rising diversity of the media and information market enables them to efficiently and effectively create and curate holdings and digital collections for libraries and information-focused institutions and drive advances in information services.
Students on this degree course learn methods and techniques for structuring, managing, and communicating about data around all types of media and online information services, including strategies for organising and securing public and commercial access to information.
Your future career
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Library and information managers might work in community, academic or other types of libraries, information centres, agencies or research institutions, which are increasingly using IT-based data and content management systems. Their roles entail identifying, sourcing and evaluating relevant information, media and books, indexing them and creating their metadata, and communicating with specific groups of users. Depending on the type of organisation, their tasks may involve providing advice to users, managing databases and cooperating networked systems, and/or managing budgets and staff. Public libraries in particular serve vital cultural functions and have a key role to play in lifelong learning. Whether an institution is public or private, it needs management with an eye to budgetary and cost considerations.
A study conducted among our graduates, Auf gutem Kurs... (in German), provides additional insights into the field.
Course content and structure
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The required modules taken in the first two semesters of the degree course provide an exemplary overview of the academic principles underlying the field.
Semester 3 is devoted to practical experience which gives students an in-depth insight into this area of work. From the fourth semester onwards, required elective modules allow you to choose one or more focal areas from the following:
- Information technologies
- Information management
- The information market; information services
- Media and culture
An interdisciplinary project conducted in collaboration with a business or public institution and completed in semester 5 entails exploring and finding solutions to real-world problems from the field.
The sixth and final semester is dedicated to the Bachelor thesis.
Your interests and skills
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Information and media specialists need interpersonal competencies such as empathy, teamworking skills, the ability to handle and resolve conflict constructively, a customer service mindset and an innovative spirit, and should enjoy interacting with people, be they customers or colleagues. You’ll do best in this degree if you have a good grasp of structure in data, content and text and are drawn to IT.
Interested – but not quite sure yet whether this is the right course for you? Our self-assessment test can help you make up your mind. Take it here: HAW Navigator
Admission requirements
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Higher education entrance qualification
You can apply directly for this course if you hold one of the following qualifications:
- Fachhochschulreife
- Allgemeine Hochschulreife
- Fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-specific HE entrance qualification)
- Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
- Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)
Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).
Find out more atAdmission requirements for a Bachelor's degree.
Pre-course experience
We do not require you to have completed pre-course experience for this course.
International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability.
You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.
Application process
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We only accept online applications. Before applying, applicants must register with www.hochschulstart.de. During the application period (for the winter semester: 1 June–15 July you can find the online application and detailed information about the application process on the Applying for a Bachelor's degree course page.
You can find information about the selection process and the numerus clausus (NC) from the previous semester here: Applying for a Bachelor's degree course/Selection criteria.
International applicants are also required to apply during the application period.
To make the process easier for you, we have compiled a step-by-step checklist: International applicants
Questions about selecting a course, applications, admissions and degree courses
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Applications and admissions
Student Admissions and Registration Office (Studierendensekretariat)
Stiftstraße 69, 20099 Hamburg (ground floor)
T +49.40.428 75-9898
Contact us with your questions about applications and admissions
Drop-in hours: Monday/Tuesday: 11:00 am–1:00 pm; Thursday: 2:00–5:00 pm
Infothek opening hours: Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–4:00 pm; Friday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Advice and information by phone: Monday/Tuesday: 9:00–10:00 am; Thursday: 9:00–11:00 am
Due to the restrictions resulting from the corona pandemic, drop-in office hours are not being offered at the moment. You can reach us by telephone during these times. The Infothek is closed until further notice.
For general queries on HAW Hamburg degree courses and course choice
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstraße 69, 20099 Hamburg, rooms 121/122
T +49.40.428 75-9110
studienberatung(@)haw-hamburg.de
Advice and information by phone: Monday/Tuesday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm; Thursday: 1:00–5:00 pm
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions
Meike Butenob
Alexanderstraße 1, 20099 Hamburg, room 4.10
T +49.40.428 75-7220
meike.butenob(@)haw-hamburg.de
Current office hours
Contact the department
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Specifically subject-related queries
Student advisory service
Prof. Christine Gläser
Finkenau 35, room 253, 22081 Hamburg
T +49.40.428 75-3630
christine.glaeser(@)haw-hamburg.de
At a glance
Degree
No. of semesters
Applications accepted
Selective / restricted entry
Language of instruction
Fees/charges
Full-/part-time
Location
Information about this degree course is available in German only.
