As you leaf through this prospectus, the likelihood is that a number of questions will be racing through your mind: Where do I go from here? Which course should I choose? What will I get out of it? How many career opportunities may present themselves once I complete it successfully? More often than not, you will find that the answers to questions like these can be found by discussing your career aspirations with your nearest and dearest as well as with professionals in the particular field or sector you are interested in.
For some of you, the way forward has always been clear. For others, however, the process of distinguishing which path to take requires more thought. It can also happen that, even after completing a course, some may remain unsure what to do next. In itself, this is not necessarily a bad thing because it may serve as a springboard to be creative and use the skills acquired and apply them in different circumstances. In the fast and ever-changing globalized world we live in, matching graduates qualifications and skills to the demands of the working world calls for you to keep an open and creative mind. The years you will spend at our University should not be just about acquiring academic credentials, but most importantly, about being open to learning experiences that will provide you with the opportunity to link such credentials to the particular interests and the reality you live in.
A good balance of academic credentials, flexibility and a willingness to explore new grounds could be a winning formula towards a fulfilling career that will give you the chance to be a catalyst for change, and ensure success for yourself and for society at large. At our University you can rest assured that you will find the support you need as you start your journey towards the discovery of that knowledge, that is rewarding in its own right, and the fulfilment of your aspirations.
The International Office is responsible for developing, planning and implementing the University’s internationalisation policy, particularly in the area of relations with other institutions and in promoting the University of Malta overseas. Around one tenth of the student population at the University is international, originating from around 92 different countries. The International Office markets University courses overseas, responds to requests for information and generally deals with all aspects involving the recruitment and welfare of overseas students studying at the University of Malta. The office represents the University of Malta on a number of international University networks and groups and facilitates the participation of the University’s Faculties, Institutes, Centres and Schools in overseas projects. The International Office also provides information and technical assistance for the University’s participation in EU and other internationally funded projects and programmes. Amongst these programmes is Erasmus+, which enables University of Malta students to spend a semester or an academic year in a partner institution.
The International Office is tasked with coordinating the Erasmus+ opportunities for University of Malta students and staff, along with hosting all incoming Erasmus+, exchange and transfer students. The services offered by the International Office aim to support University students and staff with regard to all international initiatives that may benefit the University of Malta as a whole.
Internet-Based (iBT)Foundation Studies Course/Junior College 61 with a minimum score of 17 in the reading and writing components 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.0 in the reading and writing components First Certificate with a pass at Grade C or better Undergraduate Course 80 with a writing score of at least 20 6.0 overall with no less than 6.0 in Writing and no less than 5.5 in every other element Advanced Certificate with a pass at Grade C or better.
The language of instruction at the University of Malta is English. Applicants who have completed their secondary education overseas are obliged to satisfy the University’s English Language requirement by presenting a Secure English Language Test (SELT) result at the required levels.
The following are the main Examining Boards recognised by the University for this purpose.
1. Interested persons who wish to apply for courses commencing in October 2018 are invited to apply through the Online Application facility via www.um.edu.mt/apply
Applicants who will be sitting for their Matriculation Certificate examinations for the first time in 2018, or who will be awarded their Matriculation Certificate in 2018, should apply online after they receive their results in July 2018. Applicants who will be sitting for one or more Matriculation Examinations in September 2018 should also submit their online application by the deadline of 19 July 2018 at 2pm (CEST). Information about the online application and the list of courses available can be accessed from www.um.edu.mt/admissions
2. Applications for all courses are to be submitted against the relevant application fee as follows:
3. Late Applications for available courses may be submitted as follows:
Applications for University Courses commencing in October 2018
4. Very Late Applications for available courses may be submitted as follows:
5. The Students’ Advisory Services are available for advice and information to prospective students daily from their offices at the Msida Campus of the University of Malta. For an appointment one may contact a student advisor by sending an email to sas@um.edu.mt or by phone on (+356) 2340 3096/2847. The student advisors will also be available at the University of Malta – GozoCampus on 14 and 15 July 2018 between 9:00 and 13:00.
6. Application fees may be paid through a secure payment facility. Once you click the ‘Pay to Submit Application’ button which is found at the bottom of the last page in the online application, you will be prompted to input the card holder’s details which include the card number, card expiry date, CVV number and other security details (if paying using VISA) and the card holder’s name. Other alternative methods of payment include payment via Internet Banking, at any BOV or HSBC branch in Malta and Gozo (for local residents only) or at the Maltapost branch at the Msida Campus. All application fees are non-refundable.
7. Information meetings for prospective applicants will be held on 17 July 2018 at 9:30 and 17:30 at Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University of Malta. All applicants are strongly advised to attend one of these meetings.
8. Applicants will be able to make use of the Online Application facility from computers available at the University of Malta, Msida and at the University of Malta – Gozo Campus, Mgarr Road, Xewkija, Gozo on 18 and 19 July 2018 between 8:30 and 12:30. Staff will be present to assist applicants.
9. In terms of the Admissions Regulations, the University may consider admitting persons as regular students if they will have reached the age of 23 by the beginning of the course for which they would have applied. Admittance is not based on age only and such applicants are normally assessed through an interview and/or other forms of assessment to ascertain that they have the adequate academic background to be able to follow their selected course with profit.
10. Applying under the ‘maturity (adult learners) clause’ does not automatically guarantee entry to all courses offered by the University of Malta. Different Faculties/Institutes/Centres/School may lay down different requirements for adult learners, such as, but not solely, attending for a selection interview, sitting for proficiency tests, and/or presenting the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Standard Certificate. It is best to liaise directly with the Faculty concerned or the Student Advisory Services to determine what the requirements would be. Over and above this, all applicants who completed their secondary education overseas would need to present a Secure English Language Test (SELT) result. Adult learners are not exempted from this requirement. More details about SELT can be accessed from: http://bit.ly/1p7bsU6
11. The closing date for receipt of applications from applicants in terms of the ‘maturity (adult learners) clause’ for courses requiring passes in a proficiency/aptitude or other tests set by the individual Faculties/Institutes/Centres/School prior to admission (excluding courses/areas where a limited number of students is indicated) is 31 August 2018.
12. The Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of recognising learning obtained through formal, non formal and informal learning other than the mainstream certification. Such learning can also include the acquisition of competencies gained through educational institutions such as schools, colleges, workplaces, life and work experiences, or even through personal interests. During the RPL process University applicants will be assisted to collate a portfolio of their learning experiences. For further information kindly refer to: um.edu.mt/sas/rpl
13. Requests for change of course which are made between the 19 July (after 2pm CEST) and 31 August 2018 are subject to a fee of €35. Requests for change of course made from the 1 September 2018 onwards are subject to a late fee of €45. Such changes will only be possible for certain courses. Further information regarding change of course can be accessed from: www.um.edu.mt/registrar/prospective/faqs
14. Local candidates who are awaiting examination results from overseas boards are to submit a scanned copy of the result slip by email to admissions@um.edu.mt or by hand to Room 113, Admissions and Records Office, Administration Building by 31 August 2018. Applicants must quote their I.D. number or application reference number when submitting such documents.
15. Candidates sitting for one or more Matriculation Certificate Examinations during the September Examination Session need not present their results when these are published since the results will be forwarded by the MATSEC Office directly to the Admissions and Records Office.
Applicants must also satisfy any other Special Course Requirements indicated for the course/area of study of their choice.
The regulations and bye-laws for a course of studies may specify other requirements for admission to that course.
The Admissions Board may allow non-Maltese applicants to offer instead of Maltese, another language as approved by the Admissions Board, provided that, as from September 2018 such other language cannot be English and applicants whose mother tongue is English shall be required to offer a language other than English instead of Maltese.
However, for the M.D. course, all non-Maltese applicants who are not in possession of a SEC pass in Maltese at Grade 5 or better must present a Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate which is awarded if applicants pass an examination set by the University.
Maltese applicants who, in terms of regulation 12(5)(a) of the Admissions Regulations 2016, are exempted from possessing a Secondary Education Certificate pass in Maltese, are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta prior to the commencement of the Course.
However, where Course regulations or bye-laws specify Maltese as a Special Course Requirement, the required pass in Maltese must be obtained at the level and grade as stipulated in the respective Course regulations or bye-laws.
In the case of applicants who pursued their secondary education outside Malta, the University may consider and accept comparable qualifications, provided that the mix of subjects and levels of the qualifications presented are comparable to the subjects and levels required for the award of the Secondary Education Certificate and Matriculation Certificate.
Applications deadline: 19 July 2018 (by 2pm CEST)
The English Communicative Aptitude (ECA) programme has been developed in order to equip students at the University of Malta with an enhanced competence in the English language. It addresses students’ present needs as undergraduates by enabling them to cope with the demands of their course, and their future needs in the professional domain by furnishing them with the necessary competence to use English effectively in their career. In this sense, the ECA programme assists students to master fundamental skills in English while maximising their opportunities for future employability. The programme leading to the award of 12 ECTS credits over two years has been designed and is coordinated by the Centre for English Language Proficiency.
The programme targets those students at the University of Malta whose studies and future career prospects would benefit from additional support aimed at developing their mastery of the English language. It consolidates and improves their communicative language competence by addressing fundamental skills in speaking and writing and providing continuous practice. Students are challenged to achieve their full potential in these skills so as to be able to function effectively at university and in their future career. Thus, the study-units are designed to progressively hone the fundamental skills that are key to students’ communicative competence in the English language. The programme endeavours to reinforce students’ ability to capitalise on their linguistic aptitude in an autonomous manner.
To determine who is eligible for the programme, a Needs Analysis Exercise (NAE) has been developed. The NAE will determine which students have the most immediate need for the programme. It will identify whether a student requires intervention in key language skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, summarise, organise ideas coherently and cohesively, as well as select appropriate and context specific vocabulary and register. Students who are in possession of SEC English at Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 but who have not pursued English at either Intermediate or Advanced level will be required to participate in the NAE. Students who hold Grades D or lower at either Intermediate or Advanced level in English must also participate in the Needs Analysis Exercise. The eligibility of students who are admitted in terms of regulation 6(c) of the Admissions Regulations as ‘adult learners’ (previously known as the maturity clause) will also be determined following the Needs Analysis Exercise which all such applicants will be required to take.
Four interlinked study-units constitute the ECA programme. Based on the principle of scaffolding in language learning, these units are designed to bridge the gap in students’ skills and therefore each one offers provisional support until the skills in focus are mastered and ready to be consolidated by the following unit. The process is incremental and works on building student’s confidence as much as their language competence. The programme provides students with added exposure to English and greater self-awareness in their use of the language. This will enable them to function more effectively throughout their studies at university and in their employment upon graduating from their course. The four study-units are spread over the first two years of undergraduate study (see table on opposite page). These units are over and above the yearly allocation of ECTS credits determined by the course on which students are enrolled.
The ECA programme is embedded in students’ final transcript in order to demonstrate their successful engagement with the additional support in English provided by the University of Malta. Students are only awarded a ‘pass’ if they complete all four study-units successfully. A fail in one unit translates into an overall ‘fail’. Upon graduating from their course, the following information will appear on a student’s transcript:
If a student follows the ECA programme, a breakdown of the study-unit titles will appear with the respective grades. For example:
If a student is exempt from the ECA programme, the transcript will show ‘Exempt’ and a footnote will state the following:
Students are exempt from the English Communicative Aptitude programme if they are deemed not to require additional support in the English language based on their previous results in English.
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