Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Psychology

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Psychology

Course Title

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Psychology

MQF Level

6

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Communication Studies

An Intermediate Level pass in English.


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.


Psychology

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.


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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

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.

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.


Psychology

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.

The programme of study offers a range of study-units central to the study of Psychology. The overall objective is to provide you with a high-calibre, relevant and culturally sensitive education in the major areas of Psychology to become well-versed in the scientific understanding of human behaviour, emotions, relationships and mental health.


Psychology

You will need to complete 80 ECTS assigned to various study-units in the following core areas: Major Paradigms in Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Research Methods, Biological Psychology, Social Psychology, Psychopathology and Cognitive Psychology.

In your final year of studies, you will have the opportunity to consolidate and synthesise these core areas by means of synoptic study-units. They would be able to choose elective study-units from various applied areas such as Organisational Psychology, Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology and Neuropsychology, amongst others.


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


Psychology

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.
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PSY1315 Understanding Research in Psychology 4 ECTS   (NC)  
PSY1610 Major Paradigms in Psychology: The Psychoanalytic and Humanistic Paradigms, and Behaviourism 6 ECTS   (NC)  
PSY1622 Developmental Psychology 1 6 ECTS   (NC)  
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
PSY1617* Biological Psychology 1 4 ECTS    
PSY1630* Foundations in Human Biology for Psychology 4 ECTS    

* Study-unit PSY1617 is compulsory for those students who plan on following the Higher Diploma in Psychology. Students intending to do the Higher Diploma in Psychology may take PSY1617 as an Optional study-unit instead of an elective study-unit (in the B.A. Psychology course) if they have an Intermediate Biology at grade C or better provided that this is allowed by their programme of studies. If not, students are required to register for study-unit PSY1630 and then register for study-unit PSY1617 as an Elective during their second year.

* PSY1617 is a pre-requisite for study-unit PSY1635.

Although students may register for study-units PSY1617 or PSY1630 as Optional study-units, other Optional Psychology units may not be taken concurrently.
 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PSY1623 Developmental Psychology 2 6 ECTS   (NC)  
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
PSY1625 Psychology of Communication 4 ECTS    
PSY1635* Major Paradigms: Cognitive Psychology 4 ECTS    

* Study-unit PSY1617 is a pre-requisite for study-unit PSY1635. Study-unit PSY1635 is also available during the second year of study and is compulsory for those students who plan on following the Higher Diploma in Psychology.
 
Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 credits in Psychology
26 credits in the other area
8 credits in optional study-units

Total credits for this year: 60 credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 16 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)
 
PSY1606 Social Psychology 6 ECTS   (NC)  
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
PSY1620 Philosophical Psychology 6 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
PSY1617* Biological Psychology 1 4 ECTS    
PSY1628 Introduction to the Psychology Profession 4 ECTS    
PSY2606** Psychology of Learning and Applied Behaviour Analysis 4 ECTS    
PSY2628*** Quantitative Research Methods and Data Analysis 4 ECTS    
PSY2629*** Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis 4 ECTS    
PSY3130 Psychology of Adjustment 2 ECTS    
PSY3655 Neurodiverse Profiles 4 ECTS    

* Students who are interested to register for the elective study-unit PSY1617 should have study-unit PSY1630 as a prerequisite or have Biology at an intermediate level. Study-unit PSY1617 is compulsory for students who plan on following the Higher Diploma in Psychology.

** PSY2606 is highly recommended.

*** PSY2628 and PSY2629 are strongly recommended for those students who plan on following the Higher Diploma in Psychology. Students may take PSY2628 or PSY2629 as Optional study-units instead of elective study-units (in the B.A. Psychology course) provided that this is allowed by their programme of studies during their second year and may not take any other Optional Psychology study-units.
 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PSY2610 Psychopathology 4 ECTS   (NC)  
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
PSY1618 Biological Psychology 2 4 ECTS    
PSY1635* Major Paradigms: Cognitive Psychology 4 ECTS    
PSY2623 Work Psychology 6 ECTS    
PSY2626 Psychology of Sexuality 2 ECTS    
PSY2633 Health Psychology 6 ECTS    
PSY2634 Psychology of the Family 4 ECTS    
PSY3611 Media Psychology 4 ECTS    
PSY3648 Sports Psychology 4 ECTS    

* Study-unit PSY1617 is a pre-requisite for study-unit PSY1635. Study-unit PSY1635 is compulsory for those students who plan on following the Higher Diploma in Psychology.

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

Total credits for this year: 60 credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 16 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)
 
PSY3352 Psychology Synoptic Study-Unit 1 6 ECTS   (NC)  

 
 
Semester 1
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
COU3301 Career Education and Guidance 4 ECTS    
PSY2641 Psychology of Helping 4 ECTS    
PSY3130 Psychology of Adjustment 2 ECTS    
PSY3647 Selected Topics in Organisational Psychology 4 ECTS    
PSY3651 Introduction to Critical Psychology 4 ECTS    
PSY3655 Neurodiverse Profiles 4 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PSY3353 Psychology Synoptic Study-Unit 2 6 ECTS   (NC)  
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
PSY2626 Psychology of Sexuality 2 ECTS    
PSY2634 Psychology of the Family 4 ECTS    
PSY3611 Media Psychology 4 ECTS    
PSY3648 Sports Psychology 4 ECTS    

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

Requirement for award of B.A. Psychology and in another area of study: 180 credits, of which:
80 credits in Psychology
80 credits in the other area
20 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.

Psychology

Upon successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast major theoretical and therapeutic paradigms in the field;
  • Appraise current topics in psychology from different perspectives, including diverse disciplines within the field itself;
  • Engage with current theoretical issues and research findings in psychology within a bio-psycho-social perspective, attending to evidence-based practice.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 8,500

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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.


Psychology

As a holder of this degree, despite the programme not having offered the professional training in psychology, will offer your opportunities for employment in areas that involve human interaction or community services. Some areas include human service agencies and personnel management. Your background in psychology will be the foundation for transferrable skills in a variety of work settings, while also providing a platform for further training and study at postgraduate level. Transferring to the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology can serve as a stepping stone for further studies that paves the way for Masters programmes offered by the University of Malta, such as Master of Arts in Social Work, Master in Youth and Community Service, Master of Psychology in Clinical/Counselling/Educational, and many more.


Humanities Stream

 

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