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

Course Title

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and International Relations

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Communication Studies

An Intermediate Level pass in English.

International Relations

An Advanced Level pass at Grade C or better, in either Arabic, or Economics, or French, or German, or History, or Russian, or Spanish, or a pass in Chinese obtained in the Chinese University/College Entrance Examination (Gaokao).

Communication Studies

Applicants in terms of the 'maturity (adult learners) clause' are required to sit for an interview, held on a date which will be announced in due course. Once announced, this date cannot be changed. The closing date for receipt of applications from applicants in terms of the 'maturity (adult learners) clause' is 31 August 2024 at 2pm.

Applicants may also be required to submit a Learning Portfolio. Further information about the Portfolio will be forwarded to applicants.

Applicants wishing to join the part-time mode must submit their application as full-time, and then include a note in the comments box of the application form, denoting their preference to be considered for the part-time option. Such requests will be considered by the Board of the Faculty.

International Relations

Applicants may also be required to submit a Learning Portfolio. Further information about the Portfolio will be forwarded to applicants.

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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.

Communication Studies

The programme of study in Communication Studies will provide you with an introduction to a selection of compulsory and elective units that are offered in communication studies as a main area. Throughout the 3-year programme, you will gain knowledge and skills in a variety of topics that will accompany your main area of studies, while also providing transferable skills for your daily personal and professional practice. Some of the topics range from Reflective Writing, Journalism, English Rhetoric, and Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication, to Philosophical Approaches to Communication and Culture, Media Aesthetics, Audio Production and Website Creation, to name a few. During the final semester of the joint area, the topics studied will culminate into a synoptic exam that will assess your acquired skill and intellect.

International Relations

The undergraduate programme in International Relations offers you an academic perspective on the liaison between countries, and how bureaucratic decisions by hegemonic countries and the intervening action of administrative boards, state officials and elected representatives create a complex web of intercountry relations. During the course we will provide you with a coherent and clear image of how Western, European and Non-European countries coalesce, ranging from topics such as understanding foreign policy of USA and international economics, to international relations since 1919 and conflict resolution, to name a few. We also encourage you to participate in our Erasmus+ mobility programme, as we believe a multicultural perspective will provide a holistic academic journey.

Communication and Academic Skills Programme

The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.

Communication Studies

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to register for 4 ECTS credits from the Support elective study-units and 8 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year.


Semester 1

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

ELP1164	Reflective Writing: An Introduction	2 ECTS
MCS1000	Aspects of Communications	4 ECTS
MCS1021	Human Communication	4 ECTS

Support Elective Units

SOC1040	Sociology and Communications	4 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

MCS1010	Introduction to Film Studies	4 ECTS
MCS1030	Journalism 1	4 ECTS
MCS1040	Visual Communications and Graphic Design	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

MCS1311	Methods of Inquiry	4 ECTS

Support Elective Units

ELP1206	English Rhetoric and Writing Skills for Media and Communications Students	4 ECTS
MAL1211	II-Malti għall-Komunikazzjoni	4 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

CRC1010	Introduction to Marketing Communications	4 ECTS
MCS1050	Internet Communications	4 ECTS
MCS1070	Personal Communications	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 ECTS credits in Communication Studies
26 ECTS credits in the other area
8 ECTS credits in optional study-units

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

Students are required to register for 4 ECTS credits from the Support elective study-units and 22 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year.


Semester 1

Support Elective Units

CGS2100	Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication	4 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

DGA2005	Editorial Design	4 ECTS
IPG2001	Principles of Information Law	4 ECTS
MCS2020	Video Production 1	4 ECTS
MCS2040	Basic Photography	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Support Elective Units

PHI2038	Philosophical Approaches to Communication and Culture	4 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

CST2061	Media Aesthetics	4 ECTS
IDG2000	Introduction to Digital Game Studies	4 ECTS
MCS2030	Journalism 2	4 ECTS
MCS2050	Cultural Theory and Semiotics	4 ECTS
MCS2060	Ethics in the Media	6 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
26 ECTS credits in Communication Studies
26 ECTS credits in the other area
8 ECTS credits in optional study-units

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 4 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)

MCS3940	Mentored Practice	4 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 1

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

CST3192	Media in Maltese Society	4 ECTS
MCS3953	Social Media and 21st Century Communications	4 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

CST2121	Intercultural Communication	4 ECTS
CST4311	Advanced Research Methods	4 ECTS
GDS3001	Gender in Communications	4 ECTS
MCS3010	Practical Graphic Design	4 ECTS
MCS3050	Audio Production	4 ECTS
MCS3060	Reporting	4 ECTS
MCS3070	Video Production 2	4 ECTS
MCS3090	Video Manipulation and Animation	4 ECTS
MCS3100	Website Creation	4 ECTS
MCS3110	Radio Production	4 ECTS
MCS3200	Scripting Video	4 ECTS
MCS3201	Film Theory	4 ECTS
MCS3700	Economics in Media Studies	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

MCS3850	Synoptic - Theory 1	6 ECTS	(NC)
MCS3851	Synoptic - Theory 2	6 ECTS	(NC)

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

CST3111	Film Appreciation	4 ECTS
CST3281	Meet the Press	4 ECTS
CST3651	Using Communication for Social Change	4 ECTS
CST3811	Public Relations	4 ECTS
CST3951	Cyberculture	4 ECTS
IDG3000	Game Design and Conceptualisation	4 ECTS
IPG3001	Practical Issues in Information Law	4 ECTS
MCS3012	Analogue, Monochrome Photography and Darkroom	4 ECTS
MCS3040	Photography	4 ECTS
MCS3080	Online Journalism	4 ECTS
MCS3120	In-Depth Reporting	4 ECTS
MCS3130	Integrated Marketing Communications	4 ECTS
MCS3161	Copyright, Business and Entertainment Law	4 ECTS
MCS3300	Producing Film	4 ECTS
MCS3400	Adaptation for Film and Television	4 ECTS
MCS3500	Consumer and Organizational Buying Behaviour	4 ECTS
MCS3600	Documentary Film Production	4 ECTS

Requirement for successful completion of Year 3: 60 ECTS credits, of which:
28 ECTS credits in Communication Studies
28 ECTS credits in the other area
4 ECTS credits optional study-units

Requirement for award of B.A.Communications Studies and in another area of study: 180 ECTS credits, of which:
80 ECTS credits in Communication Studies
80 ECTS credits in the other area
20 ECTS credits optional study-units

International Relations

Should there be the need, in addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of either 4 ECTS or 8 ECTS as applicable from the elective study-units on offer during the year.


Semester 1

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

IRL1025*	Introduction to Economics	4 ECTS
IRL1082	Introduction to Political Studies	6 ECTS	(NC)
IRL1193**	Introduction to Modern Europe	4 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

HST1126***	The Mediterranean in Modern Times	2 ECTS
IRL1091	Soft Power in International Relations: An Introduction to the Role of Media and Culture	4 ECTS
LIN1063	Academic Reading and Writing in English	2 ECTS
PHI1014	Political Philosophy	4 ECTS
* Study-unit IRL1025 is to be taken only by students who do not have an Advanced Level in Economics. It is compulsory for students who do not have an Advanced Level in Economics. Students with an Advanced Level in Economics must take 4 ECTS from the Elective Units. IRL1193 is to be taken only by students who do not have an Advanced Level in History. It is compulsory for students who do not have an Advanced Level in History. Students with an Advanced Level in History must take 4 ECTS from the Elective Units. * HST1126 cannot be taken by students following either Bachelor of Arts in History or Bachelor of Arts in European and Global History.

Semester 2

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

IRL1081	The Global Politics of Inequality: Realities and Perspectives	4 ECTS	(NC)
IRL1088	Introduction to Foreign Policy	4 ECTS	(NC)
IRL1089	Theories of International Relations	4 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 ECTS credits in International Relations
26 ECTS credits in the other area
8 ECTS credits in optional study-units

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 14 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)

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

IRL2090*	International Relations since 1919	6 ECTS


Semester 1

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

IRL2002	Security Studies	4 ECTS	(NC)
IRL2093	Comparative Politics	4 ECTS	(NC)
IRL3189	International Political Economy 1	4 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

BKF3341	Prevention of Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing	4 ECTS
HST3109	International Relations Between the World Wars	2 ECTS
INL2004	International and Public Law for International Relations	6 ECTS
INL3011	European Court of Human Rights	4 ECTS
IRL2060	Contemporary China	4 ECTS
IRL2075	Environmental Issues in International Relations	4 ECTS
IRL2098	Malta in International Relations	4 ECTS
IRL3095	Diplomacy and Diplomatic Practice	4 ECTS
IRL3146	Foreign Policies of European States	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

IRL2010	International Economics	4 ECTS
IRL2020	Nationalism in International Politics	4 ECTS
IRL2036	Intercultural Politics in the Mediterranean	4 ECTS
IRL2063	Introduction to Humanitarian Action	4 ECTS
IRL2290	International Relations since 1945	4 ECTS
IRL3007	War and Peace in the Middle East	4 ECTS
IRL3041	Contemporary Warfare	4 ECTS
IRL3098	International Financial Institutions	4 ECTS
MDT3001	Israeli-Palestinian Relations: Pasts, Urgencies, Prospects	4 ECTS
* Students who register for study-unit IRL2090 cannot regsiter for study-units HST3109 and IRL2290.

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
26 ECTS credits in International Relations
26 ECTS credits in the other area
8 ECTS credits optional study-units

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 12 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)

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

IRL3096*	Contemporary European Studies	8 ECTS


Semester 1

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

IRL2099	Conflict Resolution and International Relations	4 ECTS	(NC)

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

BKF3341	Prevention of Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing	4 ECTS
INL3011	European Court of Human Rights	4 ECTS
IRL2012	Foreign Policy of Russia	4 ECTS
IRL2014	An Introduction to Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa	4 ECTS
IRL2064	Asia-Pacific in the World	6 ECTS
IRL2074	The Muslim-Arab World in Contemporary Times	4 ECTS
IRL2089	Further Studies in Diplomacy	4 ECTS
IRL3196	The Politics and the Government of the European Union	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

IRL3057	Synoptic Study-Unit 1: International Relations	6 ECTS	(NC)
IRL3058	Synoptic Study-Unit 2: International Relations	6 ECTS	(NC)

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

HST2005	Contemporary Mediterranean History	6 ECTS
IRL2011	Foreign Policy of USA	4 ECTS
IRL2013	Political Economy of War	4 ECTS
IRL2058	Terror: Ideas and Realities	4 ECTS
IRL2084	The International Relations of Small States and Territories	4 ECTS
IRL2092	Political Movements and Parties	4 ECTS
IRL3006	Politics and Government in the Persian Gulf	4 ECTS
IRL3010	Norms, Rights and Climate Justice	4 ECTS
IRL3050	International Institutions	4 ECTS
IRL3065	The Media and International Relations	4 ECTS
IRL3296	External Relations of the European Union	4 ECTS
MDT3001	Israeli-Palestinian Relations: Pasts, Urgencies, Prospects	4 ECTS
* Students who register for study-unit IRL3096 cannot register for study-units IRL3196 and IRL3296.

Requirement for successful completion of Year 3: 60 ECTS credits, of which:
28 ECTS credits in International Relations
28 ECTS credits in the other area
4 ECTS credits optional study-units

Requirement for award of B.A. International Relations and in another area of study: 180 ECTS credits, of which:
80 ECTS credits in International Relations
80 ECTS credits in the other area
20 ECTS credits optional study-units

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts.

Communication Studies

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

Identify some of the main models in relation to reflective writing.
Create structures for organisational communication practice.
Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative means of research.
Describe different types of psychological, attitudinal, and behavioural effects produced by exposure to mass communication.
Work collaboratively with a mentor to bring secondary research and/or practical project to fruition.
Formulate a critical opinion that is based on current literature on issues in media and communications.

International Relations

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

Carry out and conduct critical academic research in a professional manner as expected at an undergraduate level.
Have a familiarised knowledge about theories and concepts of international relations and apply them to contemporary world affairs.
Develop a keen sense of awareness through your refined interpretation of reading news and international events.
Contribute your invaluable knowledge on the subject matter to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary discursive atmospheres.
Understand the interweaving relationship and personal ethics present between the contingent relationship of individual decisions and national results.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 8,500

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.

Communication Studies

Communication studies as a joint area will provide you with a plethora of transferable skills to choose from in order to integrate into the career that you would like to pursue. Provided the necessary requirements, alumni have found satisfying careers in journalism, media production, writing and publishing, public relations and social media marketing, just to name a few. You may also choose to enrol in a master's programme of your choosing if you would like to further your studies, either locally or abroad.

International Relations

As a graduate of this programme of study you will be employable, both locally and internationally, as an intelligence analyst, policy office political risk analyst, international aid worker, public affairs consultant, diplomatic service officer and as a civil service fast streamer. If you would like to further your studies, or are considering an academic profession, then we encourage you to enrol in one of our local post-graduate courses.

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