Initial Education for Academic Staff in Higher Education

University of Malta

Entry into the University of Malta (UM) depends on the level of qualifications possessed by the applicants. The resident academic stream is composed of four grades: Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor. Entry into the grade of Lecturer or above within this stream is open to persons in possession of a PhD.  All appointments are made after review by selection and on an initial definite four-year contract of employment. Following the successful completion of the one-year probationary period, the Resident Academic will commence a two-year Tenure Track process. At the conclusion of this two-year period of service, the Resident Academic will be subject to a Tenure Review. At the end of the Tenure Review, subject to a positive recommendation by the Tenure Review Board and by Council the Resident Academic will be awarded an indefinite contract.

Academic posts are offered depending on the circumstances; posts are offered based on the call issued. An applicant for the post of Assistant Lecturer must already be registered for a Ph.D. and have shown progress to the satisfaction of the selection board that completion will be within the four-year period.

Assistant Lecturers are expected to complete their Ph.D. within the 4 years. On attainment of the PhD, an Assistant Lecturer's employment will become eligible for promotion to Lecturer. 

The University may also appoint promising candidates as Assistant Lecturers provided that within a period of four years they obtain the necessary qualifications to enter the resident academic stream. Failure to do so will result in termination of their employment.

Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST)

Entry into the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is dependent on the qualifications as well as on the number of years of lecturing and/or industrial experience of the applicants. 

The first stage of entry into MCAST is as an assistant lecturer with the minimum qualifications for appointment to this grade being a relevant first degree or relevant vocational qualifications (MQF Level 5) and a minimum of three years full-time relevant experience.

The qualifications for direct appointment to a lecturer is a relevant first degree together with a professional teacher training qualification with at least six years full-time relevant experience or a relevant Master’s degree with at least six years full-time relevant experience. 

MCAST offers three routes to direct entry as Senior Lecturer I. The first option is a Master’s degree with a professional teacher training qualification and ten years full-time relevant experience; the second option is a First degree and a Master’s degree with a professional teacher training qualification and seven years full-time relevant experience; and the third option is First degree and a Doctorate degree with a professional teacher training qualification. 

MCAST also offers three routes to direct entry as Senior Lecturer II. The first constitutes of a relevant First degree and a Doctorate degree with a professional teacher training qualification and at least six years full-time relevant experience. The second option is with a relevant Master’s degree and Doctorate degree with a professional teacher training qualification and at least nine years full-time relevant experience. The final option is with a relevant First degree, a Master’s degree, a Doctorate degree with a professional teacher training qualification, and at least one year full-time relevant experience.

Institute for Tourism Studies

Entry into the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) is via a public call for applications. The requested academic qualifications are determined by agreement between the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) and the Management of ITS.

Eligibility for the post of Senior Lecturer 2   requires a relevant Doctoral degree at MQF level 8  (or equivalent), and at least 6 years full-time relevant industrial or professional experience in a managerial post or related teaching experience. New applicants qualifying for recruitment to this grade are accepted on condition that they obtain a relevant and recognised teacher training qualification pegged at MQF level 6 within 5 years from employment. 

Eligibility for the post of Senior Lecturer I requires a relevant Master’s Degree at MQF Level 7 and at least eight years full-time relevant industrial or professional experience in a managerial post or related teaching experience; or a relevant recognised Doctorate at MQF level 8 and at least 1 year full-time relevant industrial or professional experience in a managerial post or related teaching experience. Applicants qualifying for recruitment to this grade are accepted on condition that they obtain a relevant and recognised teacher training qualification pegged at MQF level 6 within 5 years from employment engagement date. 

Eligibility for the post of Lecturer requires a relevant recognised first degree qualification at MQF level 6 and at least six years full-time equivalent industrial or professional experience or related teaching experience; or a relevant recognised qualification at Master’s Degree MQF level 7, and at least 5 years full-time equivalent industrial or professional experience or related teaching experience; or a relevant recognised qualification at MQF level 8  without experience.  Applicants qualifying for recruitment to this grade will be accepted on condition that they obtain a relevant and recognised teacher training qualification pegged at MQF level 6 within 5 years from employment engagement date. 

Eligibility for the post of Assistant Lecturer requires a qualification at MQF level 5 and a minimum of 4 years fulltime relevant end appropriate industrial experience in a supervisory post or related teaching experience; or a relevant recognised qualification at MQF level 6 or level 7 without experience. Applicants qualifying for recruitment to this grade will be accepted on condition that they obtain a relevant and recognised teacher training qualification pegged at MQF level 6 within 5 years from employment engagement date. New applicants will also be required to obtain a minimum MQF level 6 qualification in their teaching subject area, within 5 years from the date of engagement. 

Institute for Education

Lecturers at the Institute for Education are selected by a Selection Board and are required to satisfy the requirements indicated in the call for applications and satisfy the requirements and working conditions. Entry into the grade of Lecturer shall be open to candidates in possession of a recognised MQF Level 8 in areas related to Education plus five years professional teaching experience or a recognised Master’s Degree at MQF Level 7, in areas related to education plus ten years professional teaching experience.