Bachelor in Records Management and Archival Science

  • About the programme
  • Programme structure
  • Entry requirements
  • Tuition fees & scholarships
  • Career prospects

• Programme duration : 3 years
• Delivery language : English
• Degree awarded : Bachelor in Records Management and Archival Science
• Accreditation : The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris. This programme is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation.
• Deadline to apply : 22 August 2025

The Bachelor in Records Management and Archival Science degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris and delivered by world-class academics in Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
It is athree-year professional programme taught in English and has been designed in collaboration with the National Library and Archives in the UAE. It aims to equip students and working professionals with the skills to lead a successful and thrilling career in a strategic field.

Students enrolled in this degree programme acquire a thorough knowledge in records management and digital archiving.
In order to manage the data and documents produced daily in our current world, all institutions and companies need to hire specialized experts in this strategic area because document management is very important for them to have full control over all institutional data and information in order to make better decisions, protect their rights and document institutional memory.

The extensive scope of this professional programme ensures students build a comprehensive understanding of the theories and methods for controlling the creation, capture and classification of documents and records through their lifecycle.
Moreover, it provides scientific knowledge and skills for appraising, collecting, classifying, describing, managing and preserving authentic archives in all media formats to serve business, economic, administrative, legal, and the historical needs of public and private organisations and citizens. Students will learn the specific historical, administrative and legal parameters relating to the production of records and archives, especially in the context of the UAE and beyond.
They will also analyse the current problems and issues in record keeping and archive administration using appropriate electronic management tools. Evaluating the professional, ethical and legal requirements for the processes of acquisition, arrangement, accession and dissemination of records and archives is also a key learning outcome for careers related to this field.
Beyond the fundamental archival courses, students will also gain technical,digital and professional skills for administrative,business and management purposes. Professors and professionals help students develop essential critical thinking and decisionmaking skills related to all forms of records, to manage and preserve authentic and trustworthy records and archives for business, government, public needs, scientific research, or for the protection of cultural heritage. Students will gain a well-rounded experience due to semestrial-applied works and a long internship in private or public companies in the UAE, with the support of the National Library and Archives.

The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris. Its complete title is: Bachelor in the Field of Human and Social Sciences; Area: History; Specialty:
Records Management and Archival Science. In the French Academic System, this specialisation is usually related to history due to a long-standing tradition of historical record keeping and archives. However, this degree mainly focuses on the topical issues of records management and archival science in a professional context.

International Mobility and Internships

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed in March 2023 with the Geneva School of Business Administration in Switzerland (HEG) to promote international mobility of our students.
Based on this agreement both parties agree to provide students to their institutions in the Information Science department (HEG-GE) and the History department (SUAD).
Students enrolled in the BRMAS have both options: either to apply for a full term or to get a two-month internship in Switzerland (international organisations or Swiss institutions).
Among the other partner institutions are prestigious universities such as Wuhan University and Tsinghua University (China) and University of Malta (Malta). From the 2026 academic year onwards, some exchange programs will also offer scholarships to support selected students.
A 2 months internship is mandatory in the UAE or abroad.

Resources and facilities

Our students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities through our partnership with the UAE National Library and Archives, including access to the CPR premises.
In collaboration with Piql, a Norwegian company specializing in long-term data preservation, we have developed a Digital Archiving Lab that merges academic excellence with advanced technology.
This partnership offers a unique learning environment focused on preserving valuable records for future generations. Students also have the opportunity to take part in an educational field trip to Piql’s Research and Development Center in Drammen and the Arctic World Archive in Svalbard—an immersive experience at the forefront of global data preservation innovation.

First Year

Fundamental archival courses

  • Introduction to archival science and information science
  • UAE institutions: public and private entities
  • Diplomatics
  • Records management programme
  • Archival legislations: UAE archival laws
  • International cooperation, preservation standards and ethics

Fundamental academic courses

  • Principles of statistics
  • Quantitative methods
  • History of the Arab-Muslim world

Applied Work I

  • Legislative text and standards analysis and comparison

Options

  • Advanced English
  • Languages
  • Sports
  • IT

Second Year

Fundamental archival courses

  • Appraisal and data collection
  • Managing records and archives
  • Data and digital records description
  • Electronic records and archives management
  • Digital preservation
  • Preservation of archival materials
  • Business records
  • Digital tools and environments

Fundamental academic courses

  • History of the Modern Middle East
  • History of the Contemporary Middle East

Applied Works

  • Administration forms and issuing documents
  • Digitizing documents and archives

Options

  • Communication skills in Arabic and English for records management and archiving
  • Languages
  • Sports
  • IT

Third Year

Fundamental archival courses

  • Daily operations of archival departments and buildings
  • Non-textual archives processing
  • Promotion and dissemination of resource documents
  • Information governance
  • Oral archives and collecting memory

Fundamental academic courses

  • Digital law
  • Digital history
  • Cultural heritage management

Applied Work IV & Internship

  • Visits in public and private entities/ technical reports
  • 2 month internship at governmental or private institutions

Options

  • Communication skills in Arabic and English for records management and archiving
  • Languages
  • IT
Admission to the program is very selective ; the following are minimal criteria to apply for admission in to the Foundation Year:

  • French baccalaureate: minimum average of 12 out of 20.
    or having already completed other studies or Foundation Year at the university level.
  • Valid academic IELTS certificate with minimum overall band of 5.5 with a validity of 2 years or TOEFL score of 530, IBT TOEFL certificate with minimum score of 71, CBT TOEFL of 197 with a validity of 2 years or equivalent.
  • A minimum average of 75% in the Arabic subject in high school (or equivalent) is required.

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is committed to considering applications from all students regardless of their country of origin, income, gender, religion or physical condition.

Other Countries Education’s Systems Conditions apply on other foreign curriculums according to the admission’s policy set by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
Please contact the Student Recruitment office by email: admissions@sorbonne.ae for more details.

• Programme tuition fees (Including admin. fees – over 3 years):
 		AED 215,100 (approximately US$ 58,615)
• Payment of fees: click here

*The fees presented for each program do not include administrative fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Scholarships*

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for Emirati students

Admitted Emirati nationals and children of Emirati mothers’ are awarded a full scholarship covering tuition and study related fees for their Bachelor Programmes (and Foundation year, if any)

Current high school students may apply through NAPO, whereas the graduates of previous years can apply on the Apply Now page.

Academic Excellence Scholarships (for the 1st semester of enrolment)

• 15% scholarship on tuition for the 1st semester of joining

New joiners with excellent academic results in high school are eligible following the below criteria. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

  • Government schools: 90% in the advanced stream, or 95% in the general stream.
  • American system: CGPA of 3.6 out of 4.0 or minimum average of 90%.
  • British system: “A” grade or higher in three “AS-Level” subjects or “A” in the equivalent “A-Level” Subjects, plus “B” grade or higher in six O level subjects.
  • SABIS: minimum average of 85%.
  • International Baccalaureate: IB diploma with minimum score of 5 out of 7 in all courses – three of those subjects must be higher-level courses.
  • French Baccalaureate: minimum average of 14 out of 20.

Academic Excellence Scholarship (starting from the 2nd semester of enrolment)

• 25%-75% Academic Excellence Scholarship

Based on the academic results obtained during the previous semester at SUAD, students are eligible to the academic excellence scholarship granted semester by semester. The scholarship scheme is progressive (25% to 75% and the minimum average grade to be eligible is 12/20. A specific scholarship is available for the 2nd semester of the Foundation Year. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Other Scholarships

10% French Curriculum Schools Scholarship for the 1st semester of enrolment

Students holding a French baccalaureate obtained in one of the GCC countries are eligible for a 10% discount for their first semester. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

Sponsored scholarships

Total, Chalhoub and Ardian Foundation, offer specific scholarships based on academic excellence and/or financial circumstances to selected students.

The deadline for submitting an application is communicated by University email each semester to all enrolled students. Applications are submitted via the online application form. Incomplete and late applications will not be assessed.

Scholarships can’t be combined. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Preferential rate: 10% Family discount

Students who have a first-degree relative currently enrolled in an undergraduate or a postgraduate programme are eligible for a 10% discount.

*Conditions apply

This bachelor’s degree fulfils job market requirements by offering a highly demanded specialty for all businesses.

This bachelor degree allows candidates to pursue a career as an Archivist (Digital And Physical), Digital Asset Manager, Database Librarian, Electronic Records Manager or A Metadata Specialist in a university/college.
Opportunities exist in Cultural Institutions, General Management And Administration, Government Agencies, Health, Service Industries, public and private organisations, international companies and NGOs.

Q: Can I pursue further studies after completing this degree?

A: Yes, graduates can enrol into the Master in Records Management &
Archival Studies at SUAD or pursue further academic studies at overseas
institutions.

Q: What professional organizations can I join as a student?

A: Students can join professional organizations such as the International
Council on Archives (ICA), Arab Regional Branch of the International Council
on Archives (ARBICA), Association of Records Managers and Administrators
(ARMA International)

Q: How can I keep connected with current students or alumni ?

A: Prospective students can connect with current students or alumni and join
this network once graduated through the university’s twitter now X, LinkedIn,
Facebook, Instagram and You Tube channel can also join our mailing list.

For more information, please contact:

The Career Centre
Tel: +971 (0) 2 656 9104/9342
Email: careercentre@sorbonne.ae

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