Reaccreditation of our MA in Archives and Records Management

Extract from the Archives and Records Association (ARA) Magazine, November and December 2024, No: 401

ARA is delighted to announce that University College London’s MA in Archives and Records Management has been reaccredited from September 2024 until 2029. This was the first accreditation using ARA’s new accreditation criteria and process, approved by the ARA Board in May 2023.

The accreditation criteria are as follows:

1: Programmes must focus on delivering the knowledge, understanding and skills required to enter the recordkeeping profession.

2: Programmes must prepare students for a professional career in record-keeping and instil the importance of continuing professional development and lifelong learning.

3: Programmes must show engagement with employers and the wider recordkeeping sector to ensure that programmes remain relevant to students and employers.

4: Programmes must demonstrate sufficient staffing, expertise and resources to deliver and maintain a high-quality programme of learning.

5: Programmes must demonstrate engagement with the ARA.

6: Programmes must demonstrate Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

The ARA Board recognised that the Department of Information Studies at UCL continues to offer a very strong programme.

The academic and theoretical content is at the cutting edge of new thinking and the teaching quality is very high, as well as incorporating good practical experience, all via an ethos of ethical care and reflective practice. The Panel noted the strong research-led teaching, and would recommend to UCL that this is both understood and valued. There is clearly a very positive relationship between staff and students, with students expressing real appreciation of the pastoral care provided.

Current students commented with enthusiasm about the course, the special camaraderie, and the confidence that the quality and breadth of teaching had given them.

Dr Anna Sexton said: “We are delighted that our MA in Archives and Records Management Programme has been reaccredited by the Archives and Records Association, and that our work

to deliver high-quality education that leads to professional qualification has been recognised and celebrated. We look forward to continuing to offer a responsive, cutting-edge and forward-thinking archives and records management programme.”