University of Malta

The University of Malta offers an extensive number of Second Cycle programmes leading to:

•    Postgraduate Certificate

•    Postgraduate Diploma

•    Master’s Degree

These second cycle Courses can be followed on a part-time or a full-time basis. The admission criteria, programmes of study, assessment and progress, dissertations and classification criteria amongst others are all governed by  the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008. These regulations, forming part of the Education Act, are enhanced through further bye-laws established by the University Senate for specific courses.

Branches of Study

An extensive variety  of postgraduate certificate, diploma and Master’s Courses are offered by the University of Malta during 2018. These include joint programmes offered with universities in the EU and the United States. The following is the link to the courses which are being offered in 2018: The second cycle courses are offered in a variety of teaching methods from taught study-units, individual research and e-learning options.

Admission requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants need to be in possession of  a first cycle degree  from the University of Malta or any other recognised university which has been approved by Senate. Students who intend following a Master’s course require a first cycle Honours degree which is classified at least at Second Class in an area relevant to the studies to be pursued. Bye-laws for specific courses may provide applicants with a Third Class Honours degree with an opportunity to follow the course, if relevant experience in the field can be demonstrated. Another option available is the Conversion Masters courses which, whilst necessitating the broad academic preparation of a suitable first cycle degree, do not build upon a specific body of knowledge obtained in any particular first cycle degree course.  Admission to postgraduate diploma as well as to postgraduate certificate courses which do not necessarily lead to a Master’s degree may be through a first cycle degree with any classification.

Curriculum

In taught courses, the Curriculum and Programme of Study for each course are proposed by one or more than one Department jointly and are approved by Senate on the recommendation of the Board of the entity offering the course. The programmes of studies need to be published not less than 8 months prior to course commencement indicating the compulsory and elective study-units and the order in which the units are to be followed. Study-units are assigned a credit value in terms of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. For Master’s Degrees obtained through Research, students are required to register for at least two study-units, one of which a study-unit consisting of supervised research work leading to the writing of a dissertation.

Teaching methods

As with first cycle courses, lecturers are responsible for the methodology utilised throughout the lectures and approved through the study-unit outline. In Master’s degrees mainly by research, students may be allowed to participate in joint research projects where data is generated jointly by a group of researchers. However the student is still required to write a separate dissertation. Dissertations presented for Master’s degrees necessitate the work to be of an advanced or original nature in the area of study.

Progression of students

Students registered on taught programmes are allowed to enrol for the subsequent academic year if they have obtained all the credits for that year. Those following a programme mainly through research are permitted to enrol subject to a satisfactory progress report from their Principal Supervisor.

Students assessment

Taught study-units at Master’s level are examined by a Board of Examiners composed of not less than 3 persons, including the chairperson who must not be teaching the unit and the lecturer/s teaching the unit. Examiners give a percentage mark and a letter grade which is recorded in the students’ academic record. The percentage mark is used for student progression purposes and award classification. The following are the Descriptors, % mark range and grades that may be awarded:

For postgraduate awards which are only on a Pass or Fail system, the following applies:

When there is need for re-assessment due to a failed taught study-unit, the maximum mark/grade which can be awarded is 45% / Grade E. Students who fail to obtain the required number of credits would be withdrawn from the postgraduate course. The Boards of Examiners for Dissertations are made up of at least four members and normally include an external examiner. Students presenting their dissertation are required to defend their dissertation orally. The Principal Supervisor is invited to attend as an observer during the oral examination, but must withdraw prior to the final deliberations. After examining the dissertation, the Board of Examiners may approve it unconditionally or subject to correction of minor errors. Once these amendments are carried out, the student is admitted to an oral examination. If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality of the dissertation it can refer it back to the student for major revision and resubmission within six months or else not grant permission to resubmit and state that the degree was not awarded. Students who fail in the oral examination may be given permission to re-submit the dissertation after making the necessary changes and re-examined orally within a period of six months. Such permission shall only be granted once.

Certification

The Award Classification Board for postgraduate awards is composed of three members which includes the Dean/Director or her/his delegate as chairperson, the course co-ordinator, and another member appointed by the Board. The Award Classification Board convenes for the Postgraduate Diplomas and Master’s degrees. Postgraduate certificates are unclassified. The classifications for postgraduate diplomas and Master’s degrees are:

•    Pass with Distinction (Summa Cum Laude) 

•    Pass with Merit (Magna Cum Laude) 

•    Pass (Bene Probatus).

The classification of postgraduate awards is based on the final weighted average mark which is obtained through the individual marks in each study-unit as well as the credit value of the study-unit. The dissertation is included in this weighting factor.

•    80 – 100% Pass with Distinction

•    70 – 79% Pass with Merit

•    50 – 64% Pass

Students whose final average weighted mark is between 0 and 49% are considered to have failed the course and are not entitled to the award of any qualification. The Award Classification Board at its own discretion may award a higher classification than that indicated to students whose average mark is up to three marks less than the minimum. The Board however has to minute the decision with a justification. Similarly the Award Classification Board may award a lower classification. The same procedure as above is applicable.  In this case, the students concerned may appeal to Senate against the decision within 15 days of the publication of the classification.

Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST)

MCAST offers an extensive number of Second Cycle programmes leading to  Master’s Degree programme.

Branches of study

•    Master in Research Methods

•    Master by Research

•    Master in Artificial Intelligence for Industry 4.0

•    Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice

•    Master of Science in Professional Health Practice

•    Master of Science in Environmental Engineering

•    Master of Science in Integrated Water Resource Management

•    Master of Business Administration for the Small Business (MBA)

•    Master In Retail

•    Master of Science in Lean Enterprise

•    Master in Social Care Practice

•    Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Science

•    Master of Arts in Product Design

•    Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Sustainable Technology

•    Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering

•    Master of Science in Mechatronics

•    Master of Science in High Performance Buildings

•    Master of Science in Information Technology and Systems

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Business, Management and Commerce)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Health and Social Care)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Engineering and Transport)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Information and Communication Technology)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Media)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Hospitality)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Chemical Technology)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Environmental Technology)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Agribusiness)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Hairdressing and Beauty)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Design)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Arts)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Sports)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Maltese)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (English)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Mathematics)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Science)

•    Master in Vocational Education Applied Research 4.0 (Personal, Social and Career Development)

Admission requirements and methodology

Entry Requirements for each of the above Masters courses are available in the Prospectus.

Institute for Tourism Studies

Branches of studies

•    MBA in International Hospitality and Management (Emirates Academy)

•    Masters in Heritage Interpretation

Admission requirements and methodology

MBA in International Hospitality and Management (Emirates Academy) A relevant MQF/EQF Level 6 (180 ECTS) degree at second class or better OR An MQF/EQF Level 6 degree plus a portfolio evidencing relevant work experience for at least 3 years OR An MQF/EQF Level 5 full qualification in Tourism, Hospitality, Business or Management including six years work experience at supervisory/management level. Applicants may also be requested to submit a portfolio evidencing appropriate writing and analytical skills to ensure that the prospective candidate can fully and meaningfully participate in the course OR Ten years proven work experience at supervisory/management level. Applicants may also be requested to submit a portfolio evidencing appropriate writing and analytical skills to ensure that the prospective candidate can fully and meaningfully participate in the course. Applicants must also provide proof of their English proficiency at C1 level.

List of Modules for MBA in International Hospitality and Management (Emirates Academy)

MSTR7001    Applied Statistics for Business Research

MSTR7004    Law and Ethics in the Business world (Elective)

MSTR7003    Cross Cultural Selling and Marketing (Elective)

MSTR7008    Post Graduate Thesis

MSTR7006    Business Research Models

MSTR7005    Service Operations Management 

MSTR7009    Digital Marketing (Elective)

MSTR7011    Innovation Leadership (Elective) 

MSTR7007    Hotel Asset Management

MSTR7012    Managing Human Capital

MSTR7013    Developing and Monitoring Corporate Strategy

MSTR7014    Special Interest Tourism (Elective)

MSTR7010    Event Operations and Risk Management (Elective)

Minimum Accumulated total of ECTS for one to graduate is 90 ECTS at MQF Level 7

Masters in Heritage Interpretation

1. A relevant MQF/EQF Level 6 (180 ECTS) degree at second class or better OR

2. An MQF/EQF Level 6 degree plus a portfolio evidencing relevant work experience for at least 3 years OR

3.An MQF/EQF Level 5 full qualification with 120 ECTS, AND a portfolio evidencing appropriate writing and analytical skills to ensure that the prospective candidate can fully and meaningfully participate in the course, and work experience at professional and/or executive level for at least 5 years.

Applicants must also provide proof of their English proficiency at C1 level

List of Modules for Masters in Heritage Interpretation

MSTR7015    Principles of Heritage Interpretation 

MSTR7016    The Use of Digital Technologies in Heritage Interpretation 

MSTR7017    Fundamentals of Nature Interpretation

MSTR7018    Advocating Heritage Interpretation

MSTR7021    Heritage Interpretation as an Informal Learning Resource

MSTR7028    Research Methods in Heritage Interpretation 

MSTR7020    Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Development (Elective)

MSTR7023    Interpretation of the Historical Environment 

MSTR7024    Interpretative Strategies 

MSTR7022    Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Heritage Interpretation

MSTR7025    Interpreting Conflict and its Impact on Society (Elective)

MSTR7027    Media and Design as Methods of Heritage Interpretation

MSTR7029    Visitors study and Audience Segmentation Techniques (Elective)

MSTR7026    Local Placement (Practicum)

MSTR7019    Dissertation in Heritage Interpretation

Minimum Accumulated total of ECTS for one to graduate is 90 ECTS at MQF Level 7