The Master of Archives and Records Management International Pathway (MARMI) is accredited by the Archives and Records Association. It is available for overseas students who want to meet the practice requirements of their home countries and who need a master's award to do so.
Introduction
You’ll gain the knowledge you need to pursue an archives and records career in research, business, government, academia – indeed anywhere that qualified professionals are needed.
The International pathway is intended for overseas students who want to meet the practice requirements of their home countries and who need a master’s award to do so. It includes modules specifically designed to develop knowledge of record-keeping internationally, as well as a range of optional modules for students to tailor the programme to their specific needs.
We’ll teach you to work in a way that provides the accountability and transparency demanded for good governance, effective operating public in an organisational context or which meets the needs of archive users in the wider cultural and heritage environments.
This pathway is available full-time for in-person study on campus only.
Who is this course for?
This pathway is suitable for overseas graduates looking to pursue an archives and records career in research, business, government, academia. Although many applicants do have a first degree in History, this is neither a requirement, nor necessarily desirable. We are delighted to receive applications from students in other disciplines who can all bring new insights to the profession.
While some professional experience is needed for this course, we are keen to support people from all backgrounds to access this course and would encourage anyone interested to review our FAQs document.
What you'll learn
This is the right course for you if you are interested in:
gaining a deep theoretical and practical understanding of effective management of archives and records, including standards and best practice for practice outside of the UK
working in a way that provides the accountability and transparency demanded for good governance, effective operating public in an organisational context or which meets the needs of archive users in the wider cultural and heritage environments
formalising your experience in archives and records management with a pathway designed for graduates outside the UK
joining an academic department with an international reputation for research and innovative and student-centred teaching.
working with academic staff with extensive professional experience, strong international links as well as academic expertise.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
On the international pathway, all modules in semester one are required.
Compulsory modules
COMPARATIVE RECORD KEEPING STUDY (HIST519)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The module introduces students to UK academic practice at Master’s level. It does so by guiding students through the processes necessary to undertake a comparative study of a record-keeping, archival or information-related process common to their own home country and the UK.
RECORD-KEEPING THEORY AND PRACTICE (HIST577)
Credits: 30 /
Semester: semester 1
This core module introduces students to the key concepts associated with record-keeping and encourages them to consider how they may be applicable in various environments and for different purposes.
RECORDKEEPING SYSTEMS AND THE ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT (HIST575)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The module covers the processes and techniques required to implement environment-specific, best practice recodkeeping. It aims to provide an introduction to the range of processes necessary to meet the operational requirements of an organisations and to emphasise the importance of understanding both the organisational context, and the centrality of the user when designing and implementing systems. In doing so it enables the student to compare theoretical models with their implementation in practice.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester two
On the international pathway, students take 45 credits of required modules and 15 credits of optional modules in semester two.
Compulsory modules
DIGITAL RECORDS: THEIR NATURE, USE AND PRESERVATION IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY (HIST580)
Credits: 20 /
Semester: semester 2
The module introduces students to ways in which information and communication technologies have affected, and will continue to affect, the management and exploitation of records and archives, and the consequences of these changes both for professional practice and for users.
MANAGEMENT SKILLS (HIST565)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module introduces students to the concepts, tools and resources required for managing an archive or records management service. It includes generic management concepts and techniques and specifically sector-relevant issues, such as preservation, advocacy and community engagement.
PRESERVATION MANAGEMENT (HIST538)
Credits: 10 /
Semester: semester 2
This module aims to students an overview of the range and complexity of the issues that underpin preservation decision-making. In this module we will look at a number of basic issues surrounding the management of records in order to ensure that their content remains accessible over time. This module concentrates on traditional media, as a complement to the Digital Preservation content of HIST580. This includes the standards, models, tools and software which can be utilised to support collections care, recommended storage and environmental conditions, disaster planning and preventative conservation.
Optional modules
Data Mining and Visualisation (COMP527)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
The module covers a range of topics and techniques for analyzing data. Students will learn about different types of data mining problems, including classification, clustering, association pattern mining, and social network analysis, as well as algorithms to solve them.
Students will program selected data mining algorithms from scratch using Python. This hands-on approach will allow them to gain a deeper understanding of how the algorithms work and how they can be applied to real-world datasets. They will experiment with different datasets to see how the algorithms perform and learn how to interpret the results.
Heritage Documentation, Digitisation and Presentation (ARCH739)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
The module provides students with knowledge of conventional and innovative ways of recording, digitizing, visually presenting and virtually experiencing different heritage assets. These come in different forms and shapes from architectural to archaeological sites and artefacts, and from movable heritage to oral history. Students will produce a fieldwork report, including images and text. Therefore, along with digitisation and IT skills specific to heritage contexts, students will acquire heritage drawing, communication and teamwork skills. Hands-on workshops with heritage experts will enhance students’ experience and employability skills. Assessment is based on an oral presentation of the findings and a coursework assignment consisting of fieldwork report.
INTERNATIONAL RECORD KEEPING (HIST561)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
The module provides an overview of record keeping developments from an international perspective. It introduces students to record-keeping structures, traditions and practices throughout the world, and to the legislative, cultural and political traditions which affect those practices. In doing so it enables students them to approach record-keeping theory and practice in their home country both critically and comparatively. The module considers the role that records and archives have played over time, particularly, from 1945, in the area of human rights.
This module aims to introduce students to historical and contemporary media practices and approaches within visual culture, including museum exhibitions, cultural interpretations, institutional policies and artistic interventions in the city. The module will examine a broad range of modes and methods to investigate the promotion and representation of culture and national heritage, the transformations of these activities over the years, and their analysis within media studies and cultural theory. Students will read and discuss past and present activities of cultural institutions and artistic activists, as well as theorisations of art and anthropology museums, World’s Fair exhibitions, cultural programmes and other visual and cultural media. Students will examine different conceptions of museums, sites of memory, and cultural events as potential arenas of public transformation, de-colonisation, community activity and public fora. The module will more broadly address social and ethical questions; concepts and practices of cultural appropriation and representation; ideas of power relations and self-reflexivity; and definitions and conversations around ‘otherness’ within and beyond contemporary cultural institutions.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Summer period
For all pathways, students must take either HIST555 or HIST558. HIST555 and HIST558 are taken over the summer vacation period. Students must seek advice from the Programme Director before registering for the work-based Dissertation HIST555.
Optional modules
WORK BASED DISSERTATION (HIST555)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: semester 2
This module takes the form of research into a record-keeping problem or issue experienced by an organisation, which is written up as a dissertation, including a report to the client organisation. The sorts of issues covered by the research might include:
Creation of a retention schedule with guidelines for staff training in its adoption;
Creation of a file plan and classification scheme, including data security analysis;
Creation of a records management policy;
Archival appraisal policy, including guidance on destruction and potential deposit with an archive service as well as future retention;
Report on use of records to add value to the organisation’s work (e.g. use of historical material for outreach, researching an organisational history);
Curation of digital datasets, including compiling a report on future management;
Devising and curating an exhibition (including online exhibitions).
The research is undertaken both via theoretical and/or literature-based methods and via a placement with a client organisation. Identification of problems and potential solutions is undertaken in partnership with the organisation, to whom the report element of the dissertation is directly addressed.
MARM DISSERTATION (HIST558)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
Sessions on research skills and methodologies will be held as part of the core modules offered by History. MARM students will have tutorial sessions and produce a feasibility study as part of the preparation for the dissertation.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
Teaching takes place in regular two hour interactive lectures or 50 minute small-group seminars and workshops as we believe this leads to the best collaboration between students and staff.
Practical learning is embedded throughout the course through short placements on some modules, as well as the option to undertake a work-based dissertation, which is designed to help embed professional practice and prepare you for a career in archives and records management.
There are also field trips during the programme, which enables you to experience and research relevant best practice in the industry.
This takes place alongside directed and self-directed digital learning with professional digital tools to support the develop of relevant skills for future careers.
How you're assessed
Assessments may include a combination of written and oral assessments, as well as examinations to test specific skills developed through this course.
Written assessments may include essays, professional communication methods such as reports, blogs and flyers, and transcription/translation assessments.
Oral assessments may include face-to-face and video presentations which mirror skills used in professional life.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Your experience
The Department of History is based in the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, an ornate Georgian property located on historic Abercromby Square. Students have access to extensive library facilities, special collections and Liverpool’s renowned museums, libraries and galleries, including the University’s own Special Collections and Archives.
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 both to extend knowledge outside of the parameters of the course but also a chance to network with professionals in the region.
History students Emma and Amy talk about studying History at Liverpool
Careers and employability
MARM graduates have gone on to a range of positions including Records Manager, Digital Archivist, Compliance Officer, Cataloguer, Collections Development Officer and Heritage Activities Manager, at destinations such as The National Archives, Hertfordshire Archives, The National Gallery, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and International Slavery Museum.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
Our graduates have also gained posts abroad, including at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£11,700
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£24,100
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 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.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree can be in any subject discipline.
As MARM is a professional qualification, you’ll also need to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the archives and records management profession. Most of our students also have relevant work experience, paid or voluntary.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this Master of Archives and Records Management, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test
120 overall, with no component below 105
Pearson PTE Academic
61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic
70 overall, with no skill below 65
PSI Skills for English
B2 Pass with Merit in all bands
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6 or above
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
