Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Music Studies

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

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.

Music Studies

The programme of studies in Music Studies will provide you with the possibility to study music together with another secondary area as subsidiary. As a B.A. student, you will follow two areas of study during the first year, but if you qualify and wish to proceed to the honours track, then you may continue with one area of study (in this case, music), in addition to a limited number of credits in the subsidiary area to be taken during the second year. During the course you will follow a range of theoretical, historical and practical study-units in music. You are also encouraged to participate in an Erasmus+ mobility programme, as we believe a multicultural and international learning experience 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.

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Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Communication Studies

An Intermediate Level pass in English.

Music Studies

Applicants shall undertake an interview and an audition. Applicants with at least an Intermediate level pass at Grade C or better in Music shall be exempted from both the interview and audition.

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.

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

Music Studies

Auditions and interviews will be held either in July or in September. Applicants whose main training is in musical composition must send their composition sample by email (music.spa@um.edu.mt) on dates, which will be communicated in due course.

Information about the interview and audition.

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.

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

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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

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to register for 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)

MCS1010	Introduction to Film Studies	4 ECTS
MCS1030	Introduction to Journalism	4 ECTS
MCS1050	New Media and the Social World	4 ECTS
MCS1080	Writing for Media and Communications	2 ECTS

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

MCS1021	Human Communication	4 ECTS
MCS1040	Visual Communications and Graphic Design	4 ECTS
MCS1110	Introduction to Video Production	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

MCS1070	Personal Communications	4 ECTS
MCS1100	Media, Society and Culture	4 ECTS

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

CGS1000	Cognitive Psychology of Communications	4 ECTS
CRC1010	Introduction to Marketing Communications	4 ECTS
MCS1130	Cultural Theory and Semiotics	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

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

CRC2000	Consumer Behaviour in the Digital Era	4 ECTS
MCS2210	Ethics in the Media	4 ECTS
MCS3201	Film Theory	4 ECTS

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

CRC2040	Advertising	4 ECTS
DGA2005	Editorial Design	4 ECTS
MCS2220	Critical Issues for Journalism	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

CRC2060	Digital Storytelling in Marketing Communication	4 ECTS
MCS3060	Reporting	4 ECTS

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

IPG2001	Principles of Information Law	4 ECTS
MCS2300	Satirical Cartoons and Visual Narrative	4 ECTS
MCS3050	Audio Production	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
28 ECTS credits in Communication Studies
26 ECTS credits in the other area
6 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 12 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)

CST3192	Media in Maltese Society	4 ECTS

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

CRC3010	Digital Marketing and Analytics	4 ECTS
MCS3140	Digital Content Creation	4 ECTS
MCS3150	Data Journalism	4 ECTS
MCS3250	Scriptwriting	4 ECTS
MCS3600	Documentary Film Production	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)

CRC3030	Ethics, Sustainability and Law	4 ECTS
CST3281	Media Conference Basics	4 ECTS
CST3651	Using Communication for Social Change	4 ECTS
CST3811	Public Relations	4 ECTS
MCS3160	Journalism: Historical Contexts	4 ECTS
MCS3400	Adaptation for the Screen	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

Music Studies


Semester 1

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

MSP1153	Vocal Ensemble 1	2 ECTS
MSP1263	World Music	6 ECTS
MSP1269	History of Music: Classical Antiquity to Baroque	6 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

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

MSP1253	Vocal Ensemble 2	2 ECTS
MSP1262	History of Music: Classical Period to Twenty-first Century	6 ECTS	(NC)
MSP1264	Music and Creativity in Cyberspace	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 ECTS credits in Music Studies
26 ECTS credits in the other area
8 ECTS credits in optional study-units (students may wish to choose from the elective study-units listed in the Bachelor of Music (Honours) programme of study)

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 13 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)

MSP2153	Vocal Ensemble 3	2 ECTS
PFA2004	Interdisciplinary Theories of Performance	5 ECTS

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

MSP2111	Jazz Improvisation 1	4 ECTS
MSP2260	Introduction to Composition	4 ECTS
MSP2301	Basic Conducting	2 ECTS
MSP2340	Orchestration Techniques 1	5 ECTS
PFA2005	Performance and Philosophy	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

MSP2155	Areas of Research in Music Studies	4 ECTS
MSP2253	Vocal Ensemble 4	2 ECTS

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

MSP2064	Ethnomusicology	4 ECTS
MSP2072	Ensemble Techniques 1	4 ECTS
MSP2132	Oral Music Traditions of the Mediterranean	4 ECTS
MSP2133	Music and Spirituality in Contemporary Music	2 ECTS
MSP2288	Jazz Technique and Composition 2	4 ECTS
MSP2313	Introduction to Editorial Techniques	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
26 ECTS credits in Music Studies
26 ECTS credits in the subsidiary 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.


Semester 1

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

MSP3153	Vocal Ensemble 5	2 ECTS

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

MSP3111	Jazz Improvisation 2	4 ECTS
MSP3115	Music for the Media	4 ECTS
MSP3121	Maltese Popular Music	4 ECTS
MSP3220	Avant-Garde Music	6 ECTS


Semester 2

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

MSP3043	Synoptic Study-Unit 1: Music Studies Ordinary	6 ECTS	(NC)
MSP3044	Synoptic Study-Unit 2: Music Studies Ordinary	6 ECTS	(NC)
MSP3253	Vocal Ensemble 6	2 ECTS

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

MSP3002	Nineteenth-Century Maltese Music	6 ECTS
MSP3113	Music in Community	4 ECTS
MSP3116	Music and Meaning	6 ECTS
MSP3118	Opera in the Classical and Romantic Eras	6 ECTS

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

Requirement for award of B.A. Music Studies and in another area of study: 180 ECTS credits, of which:
80 ECTS credits in Music Studies
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.

Music Studies

As a B.A. in Music Studies graduate, you will:

Have a broad knowledge in the various areas of music studied, including a detailed grasp of appropriate repertoires, resources and texts, and familiarity with associated concepts and issues.
Understand how music relates to cognate disciplines in the arts, humanities, social and physical sciences, as appropriate.
Understand the position, function and value of music in contemporary society with special attention to its relation to educational, professional, institutional or community perspectives.
Demonstrate the acquisition and application of appropriate research skills,
Recognise and analyse musical organisation, style, genre or tradition, whether aurally, or by studying a written score,
Develop a range of musical skills, but also intellectual and practical skills of reasoning and independent thought, of reflection and self-criticism.

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.

Music Studies

As a graduate in this programme of study you will have several career opportunities, both locally and internationally. Teaching is a popular option if you want to make direct use of the subject knowledge. Other career opportunities include jobs in the recording industry, work in cultural management and administration, in the media and entertainment, or in libraries and archives, to mention a few. In addition, a degree in music is sometimes considered as an asset by employers seeking formal certification of professional training in creativity from prospective employees. A B.A. in music studies may also lead to postgraduate studies in music, both in Malta and abroad, if you wish to further your studies for a more holistic academic background.