Information: Information Studies GDipISt

Graduate Diploma of Advanced Study in Information Studies

Admissions to this diploma program have closed. The program will close on August 31, 2025.

Program Description

The Diploma of Advanced Study in Information Studies is a post-master’s diploma. It is designed:

  • for information professionals who want to pursue further studies, but do not wish to take a PhD degree

  • for practitioners who wish to advance their professional standing, develop a specialization, or redirect their career

  • to build on a person’s knowledge, experience, previous education, and special interests

  • to be tailored to the individual’s needs and interests.

Diploma of Advanced Study in Information Studies credits cannot be transferred to the PhD program, and there is no thesis option.

The diploma may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Information's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants must have a Master of Information or equivalent degree. Visit the Faculty of Information website for details.

  • The graduate diploma program will be tailored to the individual's needs and interests with courses selected in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

  • All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of having taken one of the following tests. Scores must be from tests taken within the last two years.

    • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

      • Paper-based TOEFL: 600 and 5.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

      • Internet-based TOEFL: 107/120, with 24/30 on the speaking section and 27/30 on the writing section.

    • The International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.

    • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.

    • English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.

Program Requirements

  • Students must complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • At least 3.0 FCEs (six half courses) must be chosen from courses offered in the MI degree program.

    • Only 0.5 FCE (one half course) may be a reading course.

    • Up to 1.0 FCE (two half courses) may be taken in other departments.

Program Length

2 sessions full-time; 4 sessions part-time

Time Limit

2 years full-time; 3 years part-time