Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences Program Offered at Egerton University

Bachelors Degree 4 years Fulltime Fee: on application Intake: Ongoing

Bachelors Degree (Accredited by: Egerton University)

About Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences Bachelors Degree program.

Information is an important resource in the day-to-day operations of individuals, organizations and society. Owing to the fact that the world has evolved to an age where information technology and information explosions are here with us, there is need for information professionals with higher and relevant qualifications and skills for libraries and other information centres.

It is due to this need in our country that the Bachelor of Library and Information Studies (BLINS) programme is being introduced at Egerton University. Hitherto, most schools of libraries have had a leaning towards either the Arts and Social Sciences or Physical and Natural Sciences.

The Bachelor of Library and Information Studies degree programme at Egerton University cuts across disciplines whilst being professionally focused. Secondly, it emphasizes the learning of international languages in order to overcome the monolingual handicap of other training schools in Kenya. This should help to produce librarians who are marketable, both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, the programme has a major element of training in Information Technology, which will enable the graduates to be even more competitive in the job market.

Objectives of Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences

The broad objective of this programme is to equip the students with appropriate technical and professional knowledge, skills and attitudes in Library and Information Studies. The specific objectives are:

  • To equip students with knowledge, skills and attitudes for the generation, organization, storage and dissemination of information in different types of information institutions and Information Technology required for libraries and other information centres;
  • To prepare students for a qualification sufficient to cater for the needs of staffing of libraries and other information centres;
  • To equip students with knowledge, skills and culture in international languages to enable them to be versatile in handling information globally.
  • To enhance the library and information knowledge and skills of those already practising.

Entry requirements for Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences

Candidates must satisfy the general University requirements for admission together with those in the Faculty.

Applicants who have passed with at least a ―Credit or its equivalent in the Diploma in Library and Information Studies from a recognized institution may join the programme.

A maximum transfer of thirty percent (30%) of the Senate-approved Credit Factors towards the requirements for the degree programme will be accepted, provided the candidate had obtained a grade  B‘ or above in the specific relevant course. However, this is not automatic.
Applicants may be admitted under the Mature Age Qualifying Scheme as specified in the Statutes. The Department reserves the right to set a special qualifying examination and/or conduct interviews of applicants as individual cases may apply.

Mininum Entry Requirements for Bachelor's Degree at Egerton University
The entry requirements set out below are only minimum, and they in no way entitle an applicant to a place in the University. Applicants must:

  • Have the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with an average grade C+ (C plus)passed at one sitting from at least seven subjects drawn from subject groupings as specified by the Kenya National Examinations Council or its equivalent.

OR

  • Have one of the following combinations of passes in the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education examination:
  • Two (2) Principal passes obtained at the same sitting.

OR

  • Egerton University Statutes 2008 43
  • Two (2) Principal passes obtained at different sittings provided the passes are of Grade C or higher.

OR

  • Hold a Diploma of Egerton University with a 'Credit' pass or higher or an equivalent
  • Qualification from a recognized institution in the relevant field of specialization acceptable to Senate. Those with a 'Pass' Diploma will be considered if they have at least two years relevant experience after graduation.

AND
Meet additional entry requirements as may be specified by the respective Department, Faculty, School or Institute.

To be admitted for a PRE-SERVICE DEGREE PROGRAM, a prospective candidate must have all the requirements set up by the joint Admission Board (JAB), with a prospective IN-SERVICE student must have completed a diplomaprogram in the relevant field and graduated with at least a CREDIT.

Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences Course Subjects

The Bachelor of Library and Information Studies programme is a structured professional and discipline-specific curriculum; The BLINS programme will usually extend for a period of four (4) academic years for full-time students;

Part-time students will be permitted to complete the programme in not more than eight (8) academic years;

To qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Information and Library Studies, a student must have taken and passed one hundred and forty-two decimal five (142.5) Credit Factors (CFs).

About Egerton University

Egerton University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya. It was founded as a Farm School in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, a British national who settled in Kenya in the 1920s.

Egerton University has three (3) Campuses and one Campus College.

The main Campus is based at ... read more