University of Malta

Branches of study

The University of Malta offers MQF Level 5 and 6 programmes of study in a variety of areas of study. Information on these courses is available on the University website https://www.um.edu.mt/study/ 

The Short-Cycle programmes may lead to First-Cycle programmes.  First-cycle bachelor’s degrees vary in duration between three to four years depending on the specialisation and the area of study.

For undergraduate degree courses, the entry requirements are:

• The Matriculation Certificate that includes six subjects – two subjects taken at Advanced Level and four subjects taken at Intermediate Level, including Systems of Knowledge.
• Passes in the Secondary Education Certificate examination at Grade 5 or better in Maltese, English Language and Mathematics.
• Some undergraduate courses also prescribe Special Course Requirements which are considered critical for successful completion of the course applied for. These requirements also specify the level and minimum grades that must be obtained. These Special Course Requirements are published by the University of Malta two years in advance of coming into force.

In addition, the University considers also applicants who are mature students (at least 23 years of age by the first semester of the course) and who do not necessarily possess the entry qualifications. Such applicants are required to demonstrate formal and informal learning achieved since completing secondary school education. Each applicant is assessed by the faculty and the University Admission Board to determine whether the prospective student has the necessary academic background to successfully complete the course of their choice.

In the case of foreign students, qualifications that are recognised and give access to tertiary education in their country of origin are considered as long as these qualifications are of comparable breadth and standard to the University of Malta’s General Entry Requirements. Where appropriate, applicants could be advised to follow a one-year Foundation Studies Course which prepares them for the first cycle course of their choice. Maltese language is not a requisite for overseas students, though another language needs to be presented.

Each study unit is assigned a code in accordance with the regulations, and students then are required to select a number of study units according to the level weighting of each unit, as shown in the following Table:

All study-units within courses are assigned credits according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) which is the only credit system in operation at the University since 2003/4.

The number of study hours students have to undertake is indicated by the number of ECTS credits assigned to the individual study-unit. The amount and level of credits making up each undergraduate qualification awarded by the University of Malta is found below:

Courses at the University of Malta are mainly of an academic nature and structured on the modular study-unit system. Courses which lead to professions such as education, engineering, medical and health sciences incorporate teaching, practical or clinical sessions, work placement, fieldwork and similar experiences as required.

The method of instruction varies according to course requirements. Generally, a variety of methods are adopted according to the topic being considered and to facilitate learning. Methodology varies and could include lectures, seminars, group projects, tutorials, practical work in laboratories or workshops, clinical sessions, and fieldwork, depending on the type of programme of studies. The use of communication technologies has become the norm. Lecturers are free to identify the best teaching methods and instruments required for the effective delivery of their credit. Computerised library services are essential sources of reference for students’ studies.  The Library offers online access to journals, electronic indexing services and bibliographical databases in many areas,

Students following the different courses are expected to cover a number of study units over one full-time academic year.

For Degree courses, students are awarded a total of 60 ECTS credits on successfully completing one full-time academic year. Once these 60 ECTS credits have been obtained students are progressed to the following year of their course.

Students who fail to obtain all the credits can sit for a supplementary session under certain conditions. Those students who after the supplementary session need not more than 12 ECTS credits  to successfully complete the course programme for the year, whenever possible and after academic advice by the Dean and /or the Head of Department, the Board may give one of the three following options:

• refer the Incomplete Study-Units to the following year of their Course plan to be done over and above the Study-Units indicated for that year; or
• refer the Incomplete Study-Unit/s to an extension year, if the student is in the final year of the Course; or
• repeat the year in its entirety, if eligible in terms of the regulations.

Those students who opt to take up the option to refer incomplete units to the following year of their Course are considered as conditionally progressed students. Students who again fail the assessment of a referred study unit in a normal session of examinations are allowed a final reassessment in the September supplementary session, if they are eligible according to the regulations. Students are not allowed to continue the course if, after supplementary assessment sessions, they fail once again to obtain the required credits for any of the referred units. A study-unit may be referred to the following year only once.

Students who, after the June assessment session of a particular academic year of study, lack more than 20 of the credits required for their current year including credits for referred study-units are not allowed to sit for the supplementary session. These students are required to repeat the year if eligible in terms of the regulations. If they are not eligible to repeat a year, students are required to withdraw from the course. Students are allowed to repeat a year only once.

In the final year of a course, students who after the supplementary session of examinations, still need to successfully complete only one study-unit (normally a dissertation, a long essay or a project) to which more than 12 ECTS credits are assigned to successfully complete the course, may be allowed an extra year of study in which to complete the missing unit.

Links between the world of education and that of employment are ongoing and continuously being enhanced. Initiatives are taken in a number of faculties, institutes, centres, and schools to familiarize students with the world of work. These initiatives include actual placements, such as those of student teachers in the Faculty of Education, and industry linked projects in the Faculties of Engineering and ICT. Some courses incorporate work experiences as an integral part of the academic course. Courses in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery have direct work-related periods. Students following nursing and other health sciences courses include work experiences in hospitals and/or clinics. A number of faculties organise study visits for students both locally and abroad.

A student’s performance and progress is assessed in a number of ways. Assessments may include written supervised examinations, oral examinations, home assignments, including a short or long essays or dissertations, clinical or practical examinations; portfolios; projects; fieldwork; case studies; logbooks; continuous assessment or a placement. There can also be acombination of two or more methods or any other method approved by Senate. The lecturer responsible for the study-unit determines the method of teaching and assessment. These methods of teaching and assessment for each study-unit is indicated in the study-unit description and published in the catalogue of study-units, following approval by Senate. All students on the same study-unit are assessed by the same method/s of assessment.

Any student who fails in any study-unit, except in a study-unit that is declared to be non-compensatable in a Programme of Studies, with a mark of not less than 35% and whose year mark average is at least 50%, can be awarded the grade of Compensatory Pass. Thus, the credit is awarded for the unit by compensation and the credit is not required to be reassessed. Students who fail in any study-unit and who are not eligible for a compensatory pass are allowed a supplementary assessment under certain conditions.

Certification classification is different for each award. Students following a Certificate course are awarded a general unclassified certificate. Students following Diplomas and Higher Diplomas may be  awarded any of the following classifications:

• Pass with Distinction 
• Pass with Merit
• Pass

Bachelor degrees may be awarded in any of the following categories:

Category I (Summa Cum Laude) 
Category IIA (Magna Cum Laude) 
Category IIB (Cum Laude) 
Category III (Bene Probatus)

Bachelor  Honours degrees may be awarded in any of the following classes: 

• First Class Honours (Summa Cum Laude)
• Second Class Honours (Upper Division) (Magna Cum Laude)
• Second Class Honours (Lower Division) (Cum Laude) 
• Third Class Honours (Bene Probatus)

The classification of awards is determined by the Award Classification Board in accordance with criteria that are indicated in the general regulations and in the course bye-laws.

The Admission Regulations are specified in the Prospectus which is available on the MCAST website. As a rule, admission is based on qualifications obtained through the SEC and MATSEC. Entry requirements are established by the MCAST central administration and quality assurance department in collaboration with the MCAST Institutes’ directors. While students may be able to progress from the lower-level programmes to the higher-level ones, applicants holding the relevant qualifications may be eligible to apply from outside the College if they prove they can benefit by joining a course of study at the appropriate level.
Applicants who satisfy the following conditions may apply for consideration to join MCAST programmes as mature students:
- Be in possession of a School Leaving Certificate and other certificates achieved at

various levels – depending on the course level one is aspiring to follow.

- Have, by the end of the same calendar year, attained:

a. the age of 27 years for entry to programmes at MQF Level 7

b. the age of 23 years for entry to programmes at MQF Levels 5/6

c. the age of 21 years for entry to programmes at MQF Level 4

d. the age of 19 years for entry to programmes at MQF Level 3.

MCAST as a self-accrediting institution has full autonomy in developing curricula of study and training based on the concept of lifelong learning. Curriculum development is carried out in consultation with students, lecturers and stakeholders from various economic sectors whilst considering the changing economic landscape. This ensures that knowledge, skills and competences within the Curriculum are relevant and appropriate. 

As outlined in previous chapters, at MCAST teaching methods include both theoretical and practical sessions in laboratories and workshops with some courses including on-the-job training. Extensive use of ICT is made by staff and students alike. This is further enhanced through the state-of-the-art Library and Learning Resource Centre which supports students in their research activities to complete their assignments.

Many of the higher-level courses offered by MCAST extend over a period of two or three years. Throughout each year students are expected to complete a number of units or modules and perform adequately in the assessments forming part of the programme. Students have an opportunity to re-attempt the necessary work when they do not manage to satisfy the entire unit’s learning outcomes. This is necessary if they intend to progress to the following year. Re-sits are subject to established regulations as specified in the course respective handbooks. When the academic performance of a candidate is considered insufficient, the student may qualify to complete the failed units in a subsequent year.

MCAST has a student support and advisory service which provides extensive services to students both with regard to full-time and part-time courses run at the various Institutes, as well as personal support which students can get both before and during their stay at MCAST.

The Guidance and Counselling service within MCAST also offers support and assistance to students in:

• Vocational Guidance and Counselling – which aims at assisting students along their career path as well as identifying alternative paths.
• Personal Counselling – which is more growth oriented aimed at helping, supporting and encouraging students in their daily challenges
• Group Activities – to facilitate students to work as a team.

A variety of assessment instruments including home-based assignments, group work, presentations, practical assessments etc. are used to gather and interpret evidence of student competence toward pre-established assessment criteria that are aligned to the Learning Outcomes of each unit of the programme of study.  Lecturers also  provide formative, ongoing feedback to students highlighting both the student strengths and possible areas for development and/or improvement. Through this learner-centred teaching, learning and assessment approach, students are offered an opportunity to demonstrate their progress in the learning process. 

All the courses offered by MCAST have been pegged to the Malta  Qualifications Framework (MQF) as issued by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority . Full-time courses range from introductory Level A going up to Doctoral Level (MQF Level 8) MCAST also offers Part time courses from MQF Levels 1 - 8. The Doctoral programme at MQF Level 8 was launched in 2021.

MCAST issues Europass Certificate/Diploma Supplements and Transcripts alongside the final certificate to candidates successfully completing all courses in all MQF Levels.

Bachelors Degrees are classified as follows:

•    First Class (80%-100%)
•    Second Class (Upper Division) (70%-79%)
•    Second Class (Lower division) (60%-69%)
•    Third Class (50%-59%)

MQF Level 7 candidates receive the Europass diploma supplement alongside their Masters degree certificate upon successful completion. Masters Degrees are classified as follows:
•    Distinction (80%- 100%)
•    Merit (65%-79%)
•    Pass (50%-64%)

• Tourism and Hospitality
• Events
• Food and Beverage Service
• Food Preparation and Production
• Rooms Division
• Travel and Tourism
• Tourist Guiding
• Climate-Friendly Travel
• Culinary Arts

The entry criteria for all programmes are detailed in the ITS prospectus.

Through its innovative, high-quality lifelong learning academic programmes, ITS prepares individuals for the future of the tourism and hospitality industry. Resources are focused on developing inclusive programmes that facilitate the acquisition of technical, generic, and behavioural skills and competencies, whilst integrating theory with practical experience. Additionally, the programmes promote modern leadership approaches.

The values driving our vision are to:

• Provide a student-centred curriculum that fosters creativity, innovation, participation, self-reflection, and personal independence;
• Develop specialised technical, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills aligned with future industry trends and requirements;
• Encourage an international perspective whilst embracing and respecting cultural differences between local and foreign communities;
• Promote professional development through lifelong learning opportunities for all members of society;
• Advocate for ethical and environmentally sustainable practices; and
• Offer individual guidance, mentorship, and holistic development for our students.

A variety of instructional strategies are employed within each module to accommodate different learning styles. The direct instruction approach, which includes lectures, didactic questioning, and explicit teaching are used to convey core information. This is complemented by indirect instruction, such as reflective discussions, concept formation, and problem-solving. Interactive instruction through whole-class discussions emphasises the learning process rather than the final product. Additionally, personalised reflection on experiences and the development of plans to apply learning in other contexts will be encouraged, as these are crucial components of effective experiential learning.

The programmes mentioned above open up a wide range of employment opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sector. Students are highly sought after for positions in areas such as events management, food and beverage service, kitchen and pastry operations, housekeeping, front office management, travel services, and tourist guiding. The table below provides a snapshot of some of the most popular career paths these courses lead to.

Assessment is module-based, with each module featuring one or more of the following forms of evaluation: class assignments, examinations, practical examinations, projects, presentations, on-field assessments, and home assignments, amongst others.

The Foundation, Certificate, Diploma, and Undergraduate/Higher National Diploma from ITS is awarded upon the successful completion of the programme. Module assessments are graded according to the criteria set by ITS, and qualifications are awarded as followings:

•    Distinction: 85% and over
•    Merit: 65% - 84%
•    Pass: 50%- 64%
•    Fail: 0% - 49%

ITS issues certificates, diplomas, and awards in the name under which the student is registered. Replacement certificates or diplomas are provided only if the student submits a formal application (available from the Conferment Unit/Registrar’s Office) along with a sworn declaration in front of a Commissioner for Oaths and payment of the required fee. A damaged certificate or diploma is replaced free of charge upon the return of the original to the Conferment Unit/Registrar’s Office. In cases of a name change, a replacement certificate or diploma is issued only under exceptional circumstances, provided the student submits the necessary evidence, returns the original, and pays the applicable fee.

ITS issues certification in standard format, with each graduate receiving a hard copy of the certificate or diploma along with a full transcript. Additionally, ITS is the first institution in Malta to issue certificates in the form of block-certs, a secure electronic format. This platform was recently launched and will be used for all courses starting from January 2018. 

Institute for Education 

There are no Short-Cycle Programmes at the Institute for Education.