Department of Information Science

Department of Information Science

Loughborough University is placed 6th in the Times Good University Guide May 2006.

The Department of Information Science is ranked as the top institution in the UK to study Library and Information Management with UCL (Times Good University Guide - June 2006).

The Department is proud of this achievement which confirms the excellence in teaching acknowledged by the award from the QAA of 24/24 together with the Grade 5 research rating RAE (2001). The staff are committed to being at the leading edge of the discipline and to providing a first class learning and teaching experience for all students.

The Department of Information Science is an active and highly regarded Department, which, since its creation in 1972, has established a national and international reputation in its field. The Department is in purpose-built accommodation, and is equipped with teaching and office space as well as laboratories for computer-based research and teaching.

There are currently 20 academic staff in the Department, of whom six are Professors, and two are Readers. A number of external professors, lecturers and contract research staff play a full part in research and teaching activities in the Department. A team of support staff and laboratory assistants complete the Department's staff complement.

The Department provides programmes for an intake of approximately 110 undergraduate students each year and 90 postgraduate students. In addition, about 20 students are currently undertaking full-time PhD research in the Department, and there are also a number of part-time research students.

The Department contributes to many areas of research in information science. It was rated 5 out of 5 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. Interests range from historical studies through online information retrieval, expert systems and networking to legal and economic issues related to the digital library. Research funding has been attracted from a variety of bodies, both national and international.

The Library and Information Statistics Unit (part-funded by Re:source) is part of the Department and is involved in many aspects of its work. The Department has a strong research culture and attaches considerable importance to the use of computer facilities to support its teaching and research in all fields, and is committed to the ongoing development of appropriate resources.

Facilities
The Department provides excellent Learning and Teaching resources within close proximity to the Academic staff and Support staff. This enables the department to give a good community atmosphere and student-friendly environment in which to enhance the learning experience. The Department has 5 computer laboratories and 4 seminar/meeting rooms.

There are 4 PC based computer laboratories based on the Windows XP operating system with the Office 2003 suite of programs installed. E-mail, FTP access, Dreamweaver are some of the software packages available. A large amount of data storage space is available to students.

There is also a Macintosh computer laboratory based on the operating system OS X. Additional software installed in this lab includes Quark Xpress and Photoshop CS. These facilities are primarily used in support of the Publishing programmes but are also freely available for use by the departmental student cohort.

The Department has two plasma screens which are used in the seminar rooms, these rooms may be booked and used by students for quiet study or workgroups when not being used for Learning and Teaching.

International Students
Welcome to the number one ranked department for Information Science in the United Kingdom. (Times Good University Guide, 2005) .

Why study Information Science at Loughborough University?

• The Department of Information Science is ranked as number one in its discipline in the United Kingdom.
• The Department of Information Science is based on one of the largest, self-contained, campuses in the United Kingdom - helping to ensure a very safe, green and friendly environment.
• Loughborough University is ranked in the top twenty Universities in the United Kingdom.
• We achieved a teaching quality assessment of 24/24.
• The quality of our staff research and publications in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) is ranked at 5 (maximum is 5*).
• Each year there is the opportunity for undergraduate students to get excellent placement/sandwich year jobs in industry. Current employers include Xerox, IBM and BT.
• Graduates, both undergraduates and post graduates, get a variety jobs in a broad range of sectors, involving technology, research and education as well as sales and marketing.
• Loughborough University has a reputation for success in academic studies and sport. However, it also fosters an attitude of social responsibility and respect for cultural diversity.
• Loughborough University is located in the middle of the country with excellent access via train, car and plane to the rest of the United Kingdom and overseas.

Other information

The Department of Information Science is an active and highly regarded Department, which, since its creation in 1972, has established a national and international reputation in its field. The Department is equipped with teaching and office space as well as laboratories for computer-based research and teaching.

There are currently 21 academic staff in the Department, of whom five are Professors, and one is a Reader. A number of external professors, lecturers and contract research staff play a full part in research and teaching activities in the Department. A team of support staff and laboratory assistants complete the Department's staff complement.

The Department provides programmes for an intake of approximately 110 undergraduate students each year and 50 postgraduate students. In addition, about 50 students are currently undertaking full or part-time PhD research in the Department

The Department contributes to many areas of research in information science and 85% if its research was rated as of international standard in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. Research interests range from the use of Web 2.0 technologies and effective use of e-mail through to scholarly publishing models, social networking analysis, to legal and economic issues related to the digital library. Research funding has been attracted from a variety of bodies, both national and international.

LISU is a national research and information centre and is part of the Department, LISU is involved in many aspects of its work. The Department has a strong research culture and attaches considerable importance to the use of computer facilities to support its teaching and research in all fields, and is committed to the ongoing development of appropriate resources.

Year institution founded: 1972

Number of academic staff: 21

Number of professors: 5

Scholarship

Details of these scholarships and bursaries are available below:

• For UK/EU undergraduate students in Information Science
• For international postgraduate students in Information Science
• For UK/EU postgraduate students in Information Science

Details of other scholarships and bursaries for taught and research-based studies are also available from the academic registry.

Career Development Loans may also be available for the taught postgraduate programmes for vocational courses and cover up to two year's of study. Contact learndirect on the free helpline 0800 100 900 or the CDL information line on 0800 585 505. Loughborough is a registered learning provider. Our registration number is 3853.

Accommodation

Living on the University campus is going to be the next best decision you make, the first was choosing Loughborough to study.

Loughborough University is committed to giving every student a distinctive and high quality Loughborough Experience, which will result in a positive life long relationship with the University. Within the residences the community spirit is unrivalled by any UK University.

Living in hall is the best place to start your University life, you will make friends and be involved in the Loughborough Experience. Where you live and who you live with at the University will create some of the best memories of your University career.

Loughborough has 6 catered halls and 3 self-catering halls owned and managed by the University imago Services Staff. We also work in partnership with other service providers who manage 1 catered hall and 6 self catered halls on our behalf.

The Student Accommodation Centre team offer advice on all aspects of renting accommodation on or off campus. We look forward to welcoming you to Loughborough.

Catered Halls - this means:

If you stay in catered accommodation you will take your meals in the dining hall provided for that hall. The meals are provided in a self-service style cafeteria. Menus are designed to meet the needs of our student customers. http://campuslife.lboro.ac.uk Our catered halls offer different let lengths & different meal packages. Further information is available as you browse each hall. Catered Halls Information Booklet

Self Catered Halls - this means:

Self-catered accommodation offers a degree of freedom, you can choose to cook for yourself or eat out at one of the many venues around campus. Give yourself a break - buy a diners+ card as this saves you from cooking giving you more time to study and have fun. http://campuslife.lboro.ac.uk

You will have your own room in a communal flat, sharing a kitchen with up to 8 other students.

Provider Features

• Course and Career Counselling services
• Halal food
• On campus medical facilities
• On-campus accommodation
• Religious Facilities - Christianity
• Religious Facilities - Muslim prayer rooms
• Social Activities
• Sporting facilities
• Temporary accommodation on arrival

Opportunities to study abroad

Study Abroad Programme

Experience student life at a Top 20 UK University*

This exciting programme offers a range of new opportunities for current undergraduate students of other international universities who wish to spend either one semester - or a full academic year - at a Top 20 UK university.

Please note, all European students should visit our ERASMUS incoming student pages. The Study Abroad Programme is applicable only to international students from outside of the EU.

Download Study Abroad Prospectus (PDF)

The Study Abroad Programme (with English) allows you to develop your knowledge and command of English prior to beginning your academic studies. The English course begins in April (as well as other start dates) and runs through to the beginning of Semester 1.

The Study Abroad Prospectus can be downloaded from this page (see above). Click here for an Application Form. We look forward to welcoming you to Loughborough University in the near future!

*Loughborough University has been ranked 10th in the Guardian University Guide 2010 and 15th in the Sunday Times University Guide 2010. It is the eigth year in a row that Loughborough has been ranked in the UK's Top 15 universities.

Official website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ls/

International students: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ls/international/international.html

Contact details: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ls/contact/contact.html

How to apply: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/admissions/

Accommodation: http://accommodation.lboro.ac.uk/

International scholarship: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/funding/pg/international/ls/index.htm