We are very pleased to welcome you to this master’s programme!

Here, you will learn to work strategically with various forms of data and information. You will also develop the ability to critically reflect on the role of data in society, within organisations, and from a user perspective. Throughout the programme, you will prepare for a dynamic job market where you can pursue expert roles or continue toward an academic career.

The first term of program starts on Monday 1 September. We will meet for a programme introduction on Zoom at 09:30 AM via this link:

https://hb-se.zoom.us/j/5579737315

Your first course is Introduction to Information science and a course introduction will be given live in Zoom at 13.00 CET on 1 September. You can already access your syllabus and reading list if you wish to begin to prepare for your studies. Many of course literature is available digitally and free of charge from the university library, where you will also be able access databases and other resources with your student account. 

As students on this programme, you will read and write longer academic texts in English. If your previous studies have not included much reading and writing in English, it can be a good idea to start practicing a little over the summer. For example, you could read the book Information science: the basics by David Hopping and Judith Pintar. This book is an accessible introduction to the field and can also be helpful if your undergraduate degree has not specifically been in Information studies or Library and Information science. 

You should have access to a newer computer and a good enough internet connection. A headset is strongly recommended and a web camera a must for participation in zoom sessions. You may have to buy some software and teaching materials for your studies. 

Studying for this master’s degree requires about 40 hours of study per week. Teaching is conducted during working hours Swedish time, CET. This means that you need to be prepared to participate in some live workshops and seminars and attend lectures and meetings on zoom during the day. There will also be some recorded lectures to watch, and you need to allocate time for reading course literature and working on assignments. In some courses there will be group assignments where you team up with other students to complete an examination task together. We have a few voluntary sessions on campus in Borås during these two years, which you will receive information about in due course. 

Due to the full-time demands of this programme, we do not recommend that you work more than part time while studying. Although studying online for two years offers you some flexibility it also means that you need to take responsibility for structuring your own days in order to pass your courses. If you have studied humanities or social sciences, the challenging part may be our technological courses. If you have a computer science or IT background, there will be subjects dealing with critical perspectives and societal issues relating to information in digital environments that may make new demands of you.

We are very happy that you have chosen to study with us at The Swedish School of Library and Information Science (SSLIS), University of Borås. We are the largest information studies department in Sweden and a member of the iSchools network. Research conducted here is making an impact worldwide, and the department has strong contacts with the professional and research community in Sweden, Europe and around the world. As a student on this programme you develop your own skills and critical thinking about information while building your own international community and network of information professionals.

We once again welcome you and look forward to seeing you in September.

Kayvan Yousefi Mojir, Program Coordinator
kayvan.yousefi_mojir@hb.se

Important information

Registration

Don’t forget to register to keep your place in the programme.  By registering, you confirm that you intend to study and wish to keep your place. If you are a Swedish citizen, your registration will be reported to the Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN), making you eligible for grants and loans. Registration is also required in order to participate in the education and to ensure that your results from examinations can be recorded. 

At the same time as registering, you will create your student account. With the student account, you gain access to the systems you need for your studies, such as Zoom and the virtual learning platform Canvas. You also get access to your email account.

On the page “New Student” on the university website, you will find useful information for new students and links to different systems.

New Student 

Schedule in KronoX

The schedule is found in the digital scheduling tool KronoX, where live lectures, seminars and workshops will be found.  

The virtual learning platform Canvas is used to organise different course modules, and is where you will find recorded lectures, study materials, submission portals for examinations and information about live sessions in zoom. There are different canvas areas for you to keep track of:

The programme area MAIDI25h in Canvas will show information regarding the whole programme, prerequisites, upcoming registrations to courses in later periods, urgent messages, etc.

Course areas in Canvas will show all details regarding the content and examinations for the specific course modules. There will be a dedicated Canvas area for each course you take during your studies.

Register and create a student account

You must register so as not to lose your place in the programme or courses to which you have been admitted.

When you register for a programme or course, it means that you are confirming your admission and have decided to pursue these studies.

You must be registered to participate in the educational programme and for results to be reported from exams, laboratory work, or other study achievements.

At the same time you register, you create your student account. With the student account, you get access to the systems you need for your studies, for example the learning platform. You will also get access to a student email account.

Follow the instructions on how to register and create your student account

How to find your schedule

You can find your schedule, including locations, in the digital schedule tool KronoX. Please note that changes to the schedule can take place at short notice. Therefore, make a habit of checking the schedule in KronoX regularly.

KronoX

The learning platform Canvas

On the New Student website, you can find a lot of good information, including about the learning platform, Canvas, which you get access to after you register and create your student account. It is on the learning platform that we post information about the courses and this is also where a lot of communication between teachers and students, as well as between students, takes place.

Read more at New Student.

Kick-off and Orientation Days

Each term begins with a kickoff (in Swedish "Insparken"). The Student Union in Borås is responsible for the activities that are organised.

Read more on the Student Union's website

The week before the courses start, the university offers a number of information sessions that are good for you as a new student to take part in. You likely have many questions and concerns before the start of the term, and it’s here that you will have the opportunity to get answers to your questions and feel ready for the start of your studies.

Read more about Orientation Days