PMAMLJPET9-2024-5-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Master of Arts in Matrimonial Canon Law and Jurisprudence

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

6 Semesters

90 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 Course shall be open to applicants in possession of:

a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Second Class Honours or Category II in a discipline related to Theology, Laws, Social Work, or Psychology, and any other area as deemed relevant by the Board or
a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, to be equivalent to the qualifications listed in paragraph (a).

Applicants in possession of a degree classified with Third Class Honours or Category III in a discipline related to Theology, Laws, Social Work or Psychology and any other area as deemed relevant by the Board may also be admitted, provided that they have obtained other qualifications, including relevant experience, following their first cycle degree.

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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 provides a specialised interdisciplinary course – theological, canonical, psychological, social – for the formation of professional personnel working in Church Tribunals and Civil Courts as well as in marriage-related services and in family ministry. It presents an in-depth study of Matrimonial Canon Law and Jurisprudence as well as canonical judicial processes, thereby better enabling you in your respective pastoral ministries and forensic professions.


Semester 1

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

PLC5540	Law and Justice in the Church	5 ECTS
PLC5550	Matrimonial Law: Canonical, Maltese, European	5 ECTS
PLC5630	Theology of Marriage	5 ECTS


Semester 2

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

FSD5401	Contemporary Family Issues for Pastoral Work	5 ECTS
PLC5560	Matrimonial Consent: Juridical and Psychological Aspects	10 ECTS


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)

PLC5640	Practicum in Procedural Law	5 ECTS


Semester 1

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

PLC5570	Matrimonial Jurisprudence	10 ECTS
PLC5580	Judicial Procedures	5 ECTS


Semester 2

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

PLC5590	Special Processes	5 ECTS
PLC5600	Selected Issues: Procedural	5 ECTS


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)

PLC5620	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 Master of Arts in Matrimonial Canon Law and Jurisprudence under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology.

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

Understand and accept the Christian vision of the human person.
Examine the true nature of law and order in society.
Provide professional advice and legal assistance.
Interpret and apply the law to concrete situations.
Identify and describe the Christian perspectives of the human person.
Dialogue between the legal profession and human sciences.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Knowledge Understanding

understand and accept the Christian vision of the human person
understand and define the Church’s legislation on marriage
understand and identify the various grounds of nullity and possibilities of dissolution of marriage
understand and explain the nature and mission of Church Tribunals as well as its judicial and procedural praxis

Application Understanding

examine the true nature of law and order in society
define the interdisciplinary and holistic view of marriage, with particular reference to Christian marriage
examine the nature and role of trials in society and in the Church
explore into the nature and importance of jurisprudence in the forensic praxis

Communication Skills

provide professional advice and legal assistance;
gather evidence during the instruction of a case;
argue a case from a legal and factual point of view.

Judgmental Skills

interpret and apply the law to concrete situations
critically evaluate marital situations assailed by psychological problems
individuate the possible sources of nullity of marriage
interpret and implement the dynamics of the contentious and penal (criminal) process

Learning Skills

identify and describe the Christian perspectives of the human person
explain the doctrinal, legal and procedural contents of canonical norms
explain the civil law framework as applied to marriage with special emphasis on the position in Malta and in the EU with reference to impact and effect of marriage law on the spouses as well as individual members of the family
identify the issues involved in the administrative, contentious and penal administration of justice

Autonomy and Responsibility

Dialogue between the legal profession and human sciences

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 10,800
Yr 1: Eur 5,400 - Yr 2: Eur 5,400 - Yr 3: 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.

By successfully following this course, you will be able to serve as an Auditor in in Church Tribunals. If you also possess the required qualifications, you may assist clients in Church Tribunals as an Advocate or carry out the functions of Defenders of the Bond. Today, there is also the possibility of lay Judges in Church Tribunals.

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