Master of Arts in Financial Services

Master of Arts in Financial Services

Course Title

Master of Arts in Financial Services

MQF Level

7

Duration and Credits

3 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time Evening

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

  1. the degrees of Doctor of Laws, Bachelor of Laws with at least Category II, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) with at least Second Class Honours or the Diploma of Notary Public or
  2. a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Second Class Honours or Category II in one of the following areas of study: Accountancy, Banking and Finance, Economics, or Insurance, or
  3. professional qualifications in Accountancy or Accountancy and Auditing recognised by the University of Malta for the purpose or
  4. a degree from the University of Malta or a professional qualification from a recognised institution in an area of study which the Board deems to be relevant, and comparable to the qualifications indicated in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).

The admission of applicants under paragraph (d) may be made conditional on the result of an interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose of assessing applicantsҠcommitment, motivation, academic preparedness and general ability to follow the Course with profit.

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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.

This programme of study is also offered on a part-time basis. Please consult the Registrar's website for more information pertaining to courses offered by the University.

This Masters programme aims to provide you with the opportunity to thoroughly and comprehensively examine the evolving legal framework which greatly influences the way financial services are carried out and how these services are regulated in Malta and overseas. While it is offered by the Faculty of Laws, it benefits from the close collaboration and academic input of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy and is, as a result, better placed to deliver a mixed skill programme not exclusively restricted to law subjects. While the focus is on the provisions, mechanisms and remedies that arise from Maltese law, a broader and comparative approach is included wherever possible. Special focus lies on the impact of European Union law particularly through the various directives and regulations that have been adopted during the past twenty years which affect almost every area of financial services, such as the BRRD, CRR, CRD and MIFID.

This Masters programme, which was first launched in 1995, aims to provide, whether you are a student or practitioner, with the opportunity to thoroughly and comprehensively examine the evolving legal framework which greatly influences the way financial services are carried out and how these services are regulated in Malta and overseas. While it is offered by the Faculty of Laws, it benefits from the close collaboration and academic input of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy and is, as a result, better placed to deliver a mixed skill programme not exclusively restricted to law subjects.

The programme includes study-units dedicated to specific areas of financial services; particularly banking, insurance and securities, and investment funds business. These sectors are all undergoing regular developments involving new EU directives and regulations resulting from the various crises and difficulties in which the sector has found itself in, particularly outside Malta. The role, status and objectives of regulatory authorities and the different models of regulation are examined in some detail. Special treatment is given to the role of consumer protection within this sector in Malta and abroad, and the various rules and mechanisms whereby the legitimate interests of consumers are safeguarded, examined and evaluated. These include the role of the Arbiter for Financial Services and the role of the customer protection schemes. The role and procedure of the Financial Services Tribunal is also examined in detail.

While the focus is on the provisions, mechanisms and remedies that arise from Maltese law, a broader global and comparative approach is included wherever possible. Indeed, throughout the course, special focus lies on the impact of European Union law particularly through the various directives and regulations that have been adopted during the past twenty years which affect almost every area of financial services. These include such measures more commonly referred to as the BRRD, CRR, CRD and MIFID.

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose a total of three (3) study-units to a total value of 15 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year.
 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
CML5029 International Fiscal Principles 8 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
BKF5041 Principles and Issues in Investment Management 5 ECTS    
CML5030 The Legal Framework of Financial Services and Investor Protection 5 ECTS    
CML5044 Core Issues and Developments in Company Law 6 ECTS    
ECL5078 EU Financial Services Regulations 6 ECTS    
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
ACC5276* Strategic Issues in Financial Control 5 ECTS    
CML5031 Trusts and Trustees: Legal and Practical Issues 5 ECTS    

* This study-unit cannot be chosen by students who are qualified in Accountancy.
 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
BKF5123 Banking and the Financing of Transactions 5 ECTS    
CML5032 The Legal Framework for Insurance Business 5 ECTS    
CML5033 Securities Regulation 5 ECTS    
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
BKF5061** Financial Derivative Investments 5 ECTS    
BKF5132 Securities Markets: Financial and Organisational Aspects 5 ECTS    
CML5034 Legal Aspects of Winding Up and Corporate Recovery 5 ECTS    

** This study-unit cannot be chosen by students who are qualified in Banking and Finance.
 

RESEARCH COMPONENT
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
CML5035 Dissertation 30 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 the Master of Arts in Financial Services - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Laws.

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

  • appreciate the importance and significance of regulation and how and why sectors of commercial activities are targeted and supervised by public agencies;
  • understand how regulation works in practice and what good and bad regulation mean;
  • understand the mechanisms and devices that prevent customer abuse and that promote the interests of consumers of financial services;
  • gain a better understanding of complex financial instruments and more sophisticated areas of finance including investment funds, protected cell companies and securitisation vehicles;
  • occupy senior management posts in financial services firms, public institutions and regulatory authorities;
  • undertake due diligence and compliance work.

  • assist operators in their relations with clients and regulators;
  • give competent and more advanced advice and assistance on specialised subjects falling within the programme;
  • specialise in specific sub-sectors;
  • be able to work in other sectors which are subject to specific statutory regulation and how this benefits the rule of law and the general public;
  • learn how regulation is carried out in other countries both in Europe and beyond and appreciate the global implications to the sector;
  • grasp the implications from a business ethics perspective and appreciate the consequences of failures by operators and regulators in business.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 10,800
Yr 1: Eur 10,800 - Yr 2: NIL

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.

With this knowledge, you will be well equipped to occupy a number of senior posts in legal, corporate, advisory and regulatory services both in the private and public sectors including financial institutions, banks, stock-broking firms, regulatory agencies, journalism, international organisations, diplomatic service, and the academic field.

The qualification also gives access to Ph.D. studies in the area.

Business Stream

 

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