Master of Archives and Records Management (MARM)

Program Overview

The Master of Archives and Records Management (MARM) program, accredited by the Archives and Records Association, provides a comprehensive understanding of archives and records management through theoretical and practical training. It offers three pathways: Archives and Records Management, International Pathway, and Digital Pathway. Through a combination of in-person and online classes, students develop skills in managing, preserving, and accessing archives and records, preparing them for careers in this field. Graduates are recognized for their professional qualification and have successfully obtained entry-level positions in various organizations both in the UK and abroad.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Archives and Records Management (MARM) is accredited by the Archives and Records Association as the recognized qualification for archivists and records managers in the UK and Ireland. It offers three specialist pathways:

• Master of Archives and Records Management: This pathway is distinctive for including palaeography as a core component, both English for the period 1500-1800 and optional Latin, as well as a module looking at the stewardship of physical collections.
• Master of Archives and Records Management (international pathway): This pathway caters to graduates seeking to specialize in archives and records management in countries worldwide.
• Master of Archives and Records Management (digital pathway): This pathway focuses on the management and preservation of digital records in the information society.
It emphasizes the accountability and transparency demanded for good governance and equips students with the processes and techniques required to implement environment-specific, best practice record keeping. The program also introduces students to post-medieval legal, financial, and administrative vernacular documents, develops palaeographical skills, and covers the concepts, tools, and resources required for managing an archive or records management service.

Outline:

The MARM program is delivered in a synchronous hybrid format, combining in-person and online classes. Some modules combine pre-recorded lectures with interactive seminars. All classroom sessions with a lecture-style taught element are recorded. Online students are offered additional tutorial opportunities.

Semester One:

• Compulsory Modules:
• ENGLISH POST-MEDIEVAL RECORDS (READING AND INTERPRETATION) (HIST579):
This module introduces students to post-medieval legal, financial, and administrative vernacular documents commonly found in local government, diocesan, and specialist repositories. It covers palaeography and diplomatic in archival science and the development of vernacular scripts.
• RECORD-KEEPING THEORY AND PRACTICE (HIST577): This core module introduces students to key concepts associated with record-keeping and encourages them to consider their applicability in various environments and for different purposes.

Semester Two:

• Compulsory Modules:
It covers generic management concepts and techniques and sector-relevant issues like preservation, advocacy, and community engagement. It covers standards, models, tools, and software for collections care, storage, environmental conditions, disaster planning, and preventative conservation.
• Optional Modules:
• Heritage Documentation, Digitisation and Presentation (ARCH739): This module covers conventional and innovative ways of recording, digitizing, visually presenting, and virtually experiencing heritage assets.
Students produce a fieldwork report, including images and text.
• MEDIEVAL PALAEOGRAPHY (GENERAL) (HIST560): This module introduces students to the history of Western scripts and various forms of writing in the Latin alphabet between the Roman period and the end of the Middle Ages.
• MEDIEVAL PALAEOGRAPHY (MARM) (HIST540): This module focuses on developing palaeographical skills through extensive practice in reading and transcribing documents, with a focus on legal, financial, and administrative organizations operating in England between 1100 and 1500.
• Visual Cultures: Institutions, Exhibitions, Interventions (COMM761): This module examines historical and contemporary media practices and approaches within visual culture, including museum exhibitions, cultural interpretations, institutional policies, and artistic interventions in the city.

Summer Period:

• Optional Modules:
• DISSERTATION (HIST550):
This module involves research into a chosen topic, with supervision and support provided throughout the summer vacation period.
• WORK BASED DISSERTATION (HIST555): This module involves research into a record-keeping problem or issue experienced by an organization, written up as a dissertation, including a report to the client organization.

Assessment:

Assessments may include a combination of written and oral assessments, as well as examinations to test specific skills developed through the course.

• Written Assessments: Essays, professional communication methods such as reports, blogs, and flyers, and transcription/translation assessments.
• Oral Assessments: Face-to-face and video presentations.

Teaching:

Teaching takes place in regular two-hour interactive lectures or 50-minute small-group seminars and workshops. Practical learning is embedded throughout the course through short placements on some modules, as well as the option to undertake a work-based dissertation. There are also field trips during the program. This takes place alongside directed and self-directed digital learning with professional digital tools to support the development of relevant skills for future careers.

Careers:

The MARM and PG Dip ARM are accredited by the Archives and Records Association (UK and Ireland) as a professional qualification that prepares graduates for entry-level professional employment in any area of archives and records management in the UK and Ireland. It is also widely recognized overseas. Graduates have obtained professional posts after graduation in organizations such as:

• The National Archives
• Hertfordshire Archives
• The National Gallery
• International Slavery Museum
• Bristol University
Graduates have also gained posts abroad, including at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt and the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation in Rome.

Other:

The Liverpool University Centre for Archive Studies (LUCAS) frequently runs events and workshops that students on the course are encouraged to attend. These are great opportunities to extend knowledge outside of the parameters of the course and to network with professionals in the region. The Department of History is based in the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, an ornate Georgian property located on historic Abercromby Square.

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) Full-time place, per year £10,800 Part-time place, per year £5,400 International fees Full-time place, per year £22,400 Part-time place, per year £11,200 Fees stated are for the 2024-25 academic year. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. You can pay your tuition fees in instalments. All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship. International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.