PCDEDPET1-2023-4-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Postgraduate Certificate in Developing the Educator

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Semesters

30 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

the degree of Bachelor of Education (Honours) or
a first cycle degree together with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education or
a first cycle and/or second cycle degree or higher and a permanent teacherҳ warrant or
any other recognised teaching qualification and a permanent teacherҳ warrant or
any other recognised qualification in education that allows one to be employed in schools.

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Applications for our February and October intakes have been officially open since the third week in November. You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

Continuing professional development is deemed crucial for school improvement. A crucial move towards sustaining your professional development as an educator to prepare you to become a researcher. Indeed, you are enabled to act as a professional when you can research your own practice and that of others. The Postgraduate Certificate in Developing the Educator (PGCDE) programme of studies offers you CPD opportunities to assume the much-needed agency in planning your own personal professional development by taking short courses that eventually lead them to a postgraduate certification.

This programme is based on three central features:

Practice-based courses.
Address professional needs.
Tailor-made to one's work-life plans.

Continuing professional development is deemed crucial for school improvement. A crucial move towards sustaining the professional development of educators is to prepare them to become researchers. Indeed, educators are enabled to act as professionals when they can research their own practice and that of others.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Developing the Educator (PGCDE) programme of studies offers you CPD opportunities to assume the much-needed agency in planning your own personal professional development by taking short courses that eventually lead you to a postgraduate certification. In developing the educator, this programme offers a set of four core study units – The Action Researcher, The Reflective Educator, Lesson Study & Co-Teaching – based on developing the research, reflective and collaborative skills and competencies of educators. In addition, the PGCDE offers a wide range of elective courses from which one can self-regulate and design their own programme of studies.

This programme is based on three central features:

Practice-based courses – all courses relate to the practice of educators within schools and offer a hands-on approach to learning about practice;
Address professional needs – the courses offered arise as a result of a training needs analysis conducted within a number of schools, that is, needs determined by educators;
Tailor-made to one's work-life plans – this programme offers a flexible framework for prospective students with core courses offered in two semesters during the year and with the availability of semester 3 (the summer semester).


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

LLI5101	The Action Researcher	5 ECTS
LLI5103	Co-Teaching	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

LLI5102	Lesson Study	5 ECTS
LLI5201	Building Effective Working Relationships	5 ECTS


Summer Semester

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

LLI5100	The Reflective Educator	5 ECTS
LLI5107	Collaborative Learning in the Classroom	5 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Postgraduate Certificate in Developing the Educator under the auspices of the Faculty of Education.

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

Exhibit strong commitment to the teaching profession and stand as a role model for other teachers.
Show resilience, flexibility, persistence and open-mindedness in your innovative perspective towards new and future challenges.
Understand that personal development is an ongoing requirement and identify the current professional needs of yourself and others.
Demonstrate excellent communication and positive attitude skills.
Show responsibility for yourself and be responsible and respectful towards others.
Engage intellectually, professionally and socially with the aim of making a difference.

Attitude and character:

is a role model for other teachers
exhibits strong commitment to the teaching profession
believes in continuing professional development as a means to improve practice
is confident in researching practice
demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning
is reflective and able to learn from mistakes
is keen to share ideas, views and insights
is resilient, flexible, persistent and open-minded
is innovative and looks forward to new and future challenges.

Professional competence and experience:

understands that personal development is an ongoing requirement
recognises and identifies current professional needs of self and others
has excellent knowledge of pedagogy and subject matter
has confidence in her / his own instructional skills
demonstrates excellent communication and positive attitude skills
exhibits action research skills
plans, implements and evaluates practice through research
is willing to learn and to develop practices.

Communication skills:

is able to listen and provide relevant feedback to others
is able to share and promote professional learning
asks questions that prompt reflection and understanding
engages intellectually, professionally and socially with the aim of making a difference
offers critique in positive and productive ways
conveys enthusiasm and passion for learning about teaching.
Interpersonal skills:
- is able to learn from self as well as others
- is assertive and can use techniques to improve performance
- is responsible for self, responsive to others and respectful towards others
- works well with others
- builds a reputation for acting in a professional manner.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 6,700

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

Schools are always in need of people who can act as professionals. For instance, schools want to make sure that teachers are implementing the school development plan as effectively as possible. They need professionals working in the classrooms (KGEs, LSEs and teachers) who are reflective, can do research, speak about their own practices with research-based evidence and undertake research-informed decision-making.

In addition, the Education Act is now putting more focus onto the individual in pursuing personal and professional development. The latest Sectoral Agreement between the Government and the Malta Union of Teachers in December 2017 highlights the importance behind learning and that schools and teachers are being encouraged to seek their own learning opportunities, based on their own needs. Moreover, with the PGCDE, educators may benefit from accelerated progression to the next salary scale.