Overview

Situated at Tal-Qroqq, the University of Malta is the highest teaching institution of the State by which it is mainly financed 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 which envisages the establishment of the European Higher Education Area by 2010. 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 750 foreign/exchange students from nearly 80 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. Over 2,500 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 3,000 pre-tertiary students at the Junior College which is also managed by the University.

The Faculties, Institutes & Centres

The University today has eleven faculties: Architecture & Civil Engineering; Arts; Dental Surgery; Economics, Management & Accountancy; Education; Engineering; Information & Communication Technology; Laws; Medicine & Surgery; Science and Theology.

A number of interdisciplinary institutes and centres have been set up in various fields. These include Agriculture, Anglo-Italian Studies, Baroque Studies, Energy Technology, International Environment, Forensic Studies, Health Care, Islands and Small States, Linguistics, Maltese Studies, Masonry & Construction Research, Public Administration & Management, Physical Education & Sport, Mediterranean Institute and Edward de Bono Institute for the Design & Development of Thinking.

The Centres comprise: Centre for Communication Technology, European Centre for Gerontology, Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Educational Research, Centre for Environmental Education and Research, Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Insular Coastal Dynamics, Centre for Labour Studies, Centre for Literarcy 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.

The Institute of Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage (ICMCH), the teaching and research arm of Heritage Malta promotes and co-ordinates the pursuit of interdisciplinary training at professional, technical and craftsman levels in all aspects of conservation-restoration and management of cultural heritage. ICMCH makes use of Heritage Malta's Conservation Division's extensive facilities to provide courses including those leading to degrees conferred by the University of Malta.

A centre on Malta’s sister-island, Gozo, is a venue for part-time evening degree courses in Arts and Commerce and facilitates short courses and seminars. 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) and the International Ocean Institute Malta Operational Centre (IOI-MOC). 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. Chief among these, are relations with industry and the strengthening of the Engineering departments; the further development of information technology, computer science and artificial intelligence; 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 Universities Association, the European Access Network, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Utrecht Network, the Santander Network, the Compostela Group 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

• Foundation for International Studies Ltd
• Conference and Facilities hosting and meeting
  logistics management
• International Programmes
• Malta University Consulting Ltd
• Management & Technical Consulting Services
• Malta University Technical Services
• Chemical, Physical and Biological Testing Services
• Continuing Education
• Short Courses and Professional Development
• International School of Languages.
• General and specialised segment English tuition
• Language proficiency courses
• Malta University Broadcasting Ltd
• Cultural and educational broadcasting services
• Malta University Residence Ltd
• Premium Student and non-student accommodation