Overview

The University of Malta is the highest teaching institution  in Malta. It is publicly funded and is open to all those who have the requisite qualifications. Over the past few years, the University has reviewed its structures in order to be in line with the Bologna process and the European Higher Education Area. Conscious of its public role, the University strives to create courses which are relevant and timely in response to the needs of the country. The supreme governing bodies of the University are the Council and the Senate.

There are some 10,000 students including over 600 foreign/exchange students from nearly 60 different countries, following full-time or part-time degree and diploma courses, many of them run on the modular or credit system. A basic Foundation Studies Course enables international high school students who have completed their secondary or high school education overseas but who do not have the necessary entry requirements, to qualify for admission to an undergraduate degree course at the University of Malta. The University is geared towards the infrastructural and industrial needs of the country so as to provide expertise in crucial fields. Almost 3,000 students graduate in various disciplines annually. The degree courses at the University are designed to produce highly qualified professionals, with experience of research, who will play key roles in industry, commerce and public affairs in general. There are a further 2,800 pre-tertiary students at the Junior College which is also managed by the University.

The Campuses

The main campus is situated at Msida. There are two other campuses. One is the Valletta campus which is housed in the Old University Building which dates back to the founding of the Collegium Melitense and incorporates the Aula Magna. The Valletta Campus also serves as a prestigious setting for the hosting of international conferences, seminars, short courses and summer schools. It is also the venue of the University's International Collaborative Masters Programme and the Malta University Holding Company.

The other is the Gozo Campus on Malta’s sister-island, Gozo, where part-time evening degree and diploma courses in various areas of study are offered. This campus also provides a venue for short courses and seminars and it houses the Guesten Atmospheric Research Centre, within the Physics Department.

The Faculties, Institutes & Centres

The University today has twelve faculties: Arts; Built Environment; Dental Surgery; Economics, Management & Accountancy; Education; Engineering;  Health Sciences; Information & Communication Technology; Laws; Medicine & Surgery; Science and Theology.

A number of interdisciplinary Institutes and Centres have been set up in various fields. The Institutes include Anglo-Italian Studies; Baroque Studies; Confucius; Criminology; Earth Systems; Islands & Small States; Linguistics; Maltese Studies; Public Administration & Management; Physical Education & Sport; Sustainable Development; Sustainable Energy; Tourism, Travel & Culture; Mediterranean Institute and Edward de Bono Institute for the Design & Development of Thinking.

The Centres comprise: Centre for Communication Technology; Centre for Environmental Education and Research; Centre for Family Studies; Centre for Labour Studies; Centre for Literacy; European Centre for Gerontology,  European Centre of Educational Resilience & Socio-Emotional Health; Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Educational Research; Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Insular Coastal Dynamics; the IOI -  Malta Operational Centre and the European Documentation & Research Centre which incorporates the European Documentation Centre established to serve as a repository of European Community documents as well as a resource centre for students and the general public.

Associated with the University is the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies which was established by special agreement with the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. The campus is also home to the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI). The public response to the University of the Third Age has been very encouraging with membership constantly on the increase and all activities being well attended.

Areas of Research

There are a number of fields which the University has identified as priority areas. These include Information & Communication Technology, Engineering, Criminology and Sustainable Environmental Resource Management. Other priority areas are the University's contribution to the improvement of primary and secondary education and the forging of inter-university links to stimulate international educational exchange.

The University in Rome

A Link Campus has been opened in Rome in recent years. Initially, four Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree courses are being offered in the areas of International Studies, International Management, International Legal Affairs and Communication Management while Masters programmes are offered in the latter two fields as well as Business Administration (MBA) and in the area of Intelligence and Security.

The University as a Member

The University of Malta is a member of the European University Association, the European Access Network, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Utrecht Network, the Santander Network, the Compostela Group, the European Association for University Lifelong Learning (EUCEN) and the International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP). Over the years, the University has participated in a number of EU Programmes and has won several projects under the 5th and 6th Framework programmes in collaboration with various partner universities. The University of Malta has a large number of bilateral cooperation agreements with universities overseas through which staff and students may also participate in programmes such as Erasmus, Leonardo and Comenius.

The University as a Partner

Links have been forged with the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Industry and the Employment & Training Corporation in order to determine how the University, industry, business and the public sector can develop a mutually beneficial dialogue. Whilst acquainting potential employers with the knowledge and skills acquired by students at university, the University seeks to assess the needs of the various facets of the labour market in order to provide timely and relevant instruction.

The University of Malta Group of Companies

• Malta University Consulting Ltd
• Malta University Technical Services
• Professional Development
  
• Malta University Labs Services Ltd
  
• Malta University Special Projects
  
• Malta University Hospitality & Travel Services
  
• Clearner Technology Centre
  
• International School of Languages (Msida Campus)
  
• Malta University Broadcasting Ltd
  
• Foundation for International Studies Ltd