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

Course Title

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care

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

A pass at Advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C or better in any one subject.

Applications shall also be accepted from persons who are not in possession of the general requirements for admission as specified in the Admissions Regulations but have obtained the following:

the Advanced Diploma in Children Care, Learning and Development (MCAST) or any other comparable and equivalent recognised qualification and
a pass at Advanced Matriculation Level at grade C or better in any one of the following subjects:

Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, French, Geography, erman, History, Home Economics and Human Ecology, Information Technology, Italian, Maltese, Mathematics (Applied or Pure), Music, Philosophy, Physics, Religious Knowledge, Sociology and Spanish and

a pass at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in English Language, Maltese and Mathematics.

Applicants considered in terms of paragraph (c) of regulation 6 of the Admissions Regulations must be in possession of those qualifications and/or experience that would satisfy the FacultyAdmissions Committee that they have reached the academic standard required to follow the Course with profit. The eligibility of such applicants shall be decided by the University Admissions Board on the recommendation of the Faculty Admissions Committee, following an interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose.

All applicants shall submit with their application a Police Good Conduct Certificate issued by the Commissioner of Police in terms of the Conduct Certificates Ordinance, and shall not be included in the Register established under the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act.

Students shall be required to:

register for the study-units included in the Communication and Academic Skills Programme (CASP) and
sit for a Maltese Aptitude Test - 'Test ta' Ħiliet fil-Malti'; - at the beginning of the Course,

provided that applicants in possession of a pass in Maltese at Intermediate or Advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C or higher, or qualifications deemed to be equivalent by the Board, shall be exempt from this requirement. Students who fail the Maltese Aptitude Test shall be required to follow and successfully complete a proficiency course in Maltese.

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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.

The BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care will equip you with professional and necessary knowledge, values and skills to work with children between the ages of 0-7. Whether you are a prospective practitioner or a more experienced Early Childhood Educator, we will provide you a high-quality service that will make you professional educators. The course exposes you to various pedagogical models and perspectives in order to allow you the flexibility to make informed choices and have an eclectic repertoire which best addresses the teaching and learning situations you will face in Early Years settings.

The course aims to develop your call to the profession by forming your attitudes and character, have a good understanding of theories of learning, development, and play; develop an ability to understand children's perspectives through their ways of communication; and be able to prepare curricular activities and experiences that enhance inquiry, participation and interaction.

Since its inception, the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education has worked to raise standards of Early Years practitioners and to promote quality education in early childhood settings by contributing to the drafting of policies, conducting research and offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

The BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care equips professionals with the necessary knowledge, values and skills to work with children between the ages of 0-7. It aims to equip prospective practitioners and more experienced Early Childhood Educators with the ability to offer a high-quality service and thus facilitate your recognition as a professional educator.

The course exposes you to various pedagogical models and perspectives in order to allow you the flexibility to make informed choices and have an eclectic repertoire which best addresses the teaching and learning situations you will face in Early Years settings.

In line with the National Curriculum Framework (2012), Early Childhood and Care in Malta (2013), the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) the Key Principles of a Quality Framework for ECEC (EU Council Recommendation, 2019), it aims to develop your call to the profession by forming your attitudes and character, have a good understanding of theories of learning, development, and play; develop an ability to understand children's perspectives through your ways of communication; be able to prepare high-quality pedagogic environments, as well as curricular activities and experiences that enhance inquiry, participation and interaction; by presenting you with the necessary professional knowledge; and provide opportunities to enhance your cultural capital.

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.


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)

EDS1326	Child Development	6 ECTS	(NC)
EPE1007	Emergent Curriculum in Early Years: Planning and Implementation	4 ECTS	(NC)
EPE1008	Becoming an Early Childhood Educator	4 ECTS
EPE1009	Young Children Exploring their Physical and Human Environment	6 ECTS
LLI1001	Introduction to Early Years' Settings: Observation and Experience	6 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 1

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

EDS1106	Children in Society	4 ECTS	(NC)
EPE1010	Pedagogies of Early Childhood Education	4 ECTS
EPE1011	Quality Matters in ECEC	4 ECTS	(NC)
LIN1063	Academic Reading and Writing in English	2 ECTS
PRE1001	Play and its Contribution to Early Years Development	4 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

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

EDS1329	Psychological Perspectives on Children’s Learning in the Early Years	4 ECTS
EPE1005	Music in the Early Years	4 ECTS
HPN1017	Health and Well-being for Children 0-7	4 ECTS
HPP1001	Movement and Physical Activity in Early Years	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2: 60 ECTS credits.


Semester 1

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

EPE2001	Enabling Environments: Using Indoor and Outdoor Spaces, Resources and Materials	4 ECTS	(NC)
EPE2002	Language, Literacy and Communication Development in Young Children	4 ECTS	(NC)
EPE2003	Sharing Responsibilities with Families and Pluralistic Communities in Early Childhood Education	8 ECTS
EPE2007	Enjoying English in the Early Years	4 ECTS
EPE2008	Children's Early Experiences of Mathematics	4 ECTS
EPE2017	The Reflective Professional	4 ECTS	(NC)
EPE2018	Tapping on Funds of Knowledge	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

EPE2005	Observation, Assessment and Children's Participation in Early Years Settings	4 ECTS	(NC)
EPE2006	Nurturing the Spiritual, Moral and Religious Dimensions	4 ECTS
EPE2009	L-Użu tal-Lingwa Maltija fis-Snin Bikrin	4 ECTS
EPE2019	Becoming Symbol Literate	4 ECTS
EPE2020	Creativity and Arts-based Pedagogies in Early Childhood	6 ECTS
LLI2001	Field Placement in ECEC 1	6 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3: 60 ECTS credits.


Semester 1

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

EPE3002	Using Digital Technologies to Promote 21st Century Learning in Early Childhood Education	4 ECTS
EPE3005	Implications of Children's Rights and Legal Issues for Early Years Practitioners	4 ECTS
EPE3006	Social Issues in Early Education	4 ECTS
EPE3007	High Potential, Emerging Abilities and Giftedness in Young Learners	4 ECTS
EPE3009	Leadership in Early Years Setting	4 ECTS
EPE3010	The Emergent Curriculum in Action	4 ECTS	(NC)
IAL3015	Including Learners with Developmental Disabilities in Early Years	4 ECTS
MSE2101	Children’s Understanding of the World through Environmental Education	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

EDS3110	Addressing Diversity in Early Years	4 ECTS	(NC)
EDS3120	Critical debates in Early Childhood Education and Care	4 ECTS	(NC)
EPE3003	The Early Childhood Practitioner	4 ECTS	(NC)
EPE3004	Transitions in the Early Years	4 ECTS
LLI3004	Second Field Placement in ECEC	8 ECTS	(NC)
RSH3003	Promoting Positive Behaviour in the Early Years	4 ECTS

Requirement for successful completion of Year 3: 60 ECTS credits.

Requirement for the award of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care: 180 ECTS credits

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care – B.A. (Hons) ECEC - under the auspices of the Faculty of Education.

The study-units are focused to introduce you to professional, philosophical and pedagogical issues across different disciplines, with the aim to equip you with the knowledge, skills and competences needed, including:

the ability to plan, develop and implement developmentally appropriate activities that are based on their interests through the most effective way; hence applying theory to practice;
an awareness of a range of professional issues which impact directly on the management of and relationships amongst a group of learners
an array of skills, attitudes and dispositions to become competent and committed professionals through the practical aspects of the course
an awareness of the ethical issues implicit in the professional role and a commitment to social justice and democratic participation in an education where childrenҳ rights, voices and an ethics of care are valued
an understanding that teaching and learning are complex processes that involve working with multi-disciplinary professionals, parents and multiple practitioners
an acquisition of specialised knowledge of early childhood education-related aspects of the following areas: Psychology, Pedagogy, Professional Practice, Creative Activity, and Professional Issues.

The B.A. (Hons.) in Early Childhood Education and Care is being offered as a three-year, full-time course, to provide professional training for you to work with young children aged 3 ֠5 years, in the informal settings of the kindergarten. The aim of the course is to provide you with sound pedagogical knowledge which will help you to understand how young children learn and how to individualise learning to meet the individual interests, aptitudes, characteristics and contexts of children. Moreover, throughout the course, you will be exposed to a wide range of skills, including planning, observation, documentation, assessment and reflective practice, which are needed when one is working with young children. The participation of different lecturers who come from different professions and who have particular areas of expertise, enriches the programme. The programme will be taught over a variety of methods, including lectures, workshops, tutorials, observations, fieldwork and practical field placements, where students will have the opportunity to experience first-hand working with young children in school contexts. The study-units are focused to introduce you to professional, philosophical and pedagogical issues across different disciplines, with the aim to equip you with the knowledge, skills and competences needed, including:

understanding the diversity of young children's growth and development
developing an awareness of the impact of the social, cultural and life experiences on childrenҳ learning and development
a broad pedagogical knowledge to understand how young children learn
the ability to plan, develop and implement developmentally appropriate activities that are based on their interests through the most effective way; therefore, applying theory to practice;
an awareness of a range of professional issues which impact directly on the management of and relationships amongst a group of learners
an array of skills, attitudes and dispositions to become competent and committed professionals through the practical aspects of the course
an awareness of the ethical issues implicit in the professional role
a commitment to social justice and democratic participation in an education where childrenҳ rights, voices and an ethics of care are valued
an understanding that teaching and learning are complex processes that involve working with multidisciplinary professionals, parents and multiple practitioners
an acquisition of specialised knowledge of early childhood education-related aspects of the following areas: Psychology, Pedagogy, Professional Practice, Creative Activity, and Professional Issues.

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.

As a graduate of the B.A. (Hons.) ECEC, you will have the necessary skills, competences and qualifications to work with children aged 3-5 years old, in kindergarten settings within schools. You will also have the option of pursuing the Master in Teaching and Learning (MTL) Primary with the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, to become Primary School Teachers.

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