Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies and Gender and Sexualities

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Disability Studies

The introduction of the course stems from the need to offer you the possibility to engage in studies related to disability at undergraduate level. The programme of studies offers a diversity of topics related to disability, from empowerment, to rights, to policies to art and cultural representation. It has been devised with the aim of exposing you as a student and future professional to the challenges that disabled people face in all walks of life. This is done from both a theoretical and experiential perspective through the involvement of disabled people in the delivery of the lectures. The course is targeted to reach all students who have an interest in disability issues and want to engage with and learn more about this field.

Gender and Sexualities

The undergraduate programme in Gender and Sexualities will offer you the opportunity to consider and explore the various theories and perspectives on gender and sexualities, and the way they interact with other disciplines. Throughout the programme, you will learn how to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding about the main concepts and milestones underpinning the areas of gender and sexualities, the impact on different perspectives of everyday life, and the knowledge that has been gained over the last decades internationally, as well as explore how these have developed in the Maltese context.

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.

Need help?

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Disability Studies

Applicants considered as "Adult Learners" (mature applicants) 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 Faculty Admissions Committee that they have reached the academic standard required to follow the Course with profit. Such applicants shall be required to submit with their application a letter written in English giving their motivation for applying for the Course together with a copy of their Curriculum Vitae (C.V.). The eligibility of applicants referred to in this paragraph shall be decided by the Faculty Admissions Committee, following an interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose.

Gender and Sexualities

You are viewing the entry requirements for International applicants. Switch to Local qualifications.

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.

Disability Studies

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

DBS1003	Building a Maltese Disabled People’s History	6 ECTS
DBS1004	Disability Issues in Practice	4 ECTS

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

DBS1009	Disabled Persons and the Justice System	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

DBS1006	Services for an Independent Life	4 ECTS
PHI1018	Ethics for Social Wellbeing	4 ECTS

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

DBS1005	Exploring Disabled People’s Expressions through the Arts	4 ECTS
SOC1058	Health, Illness and Society	4 ECTS
YTH1011	Young People with Minority Experiences	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 ECTS credits in Disability 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 18 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year. Only one 6 ECTS credits study-unit may be chosen from the two offered.


Semester 1

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

DBS2004	Sexuality and Disability	4 ECTS

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

DBS2201	Campaigning for Rights on an Equal Basis with Others	4 ECTS
DBS2202	From Dependence to Autonomy: Empowerment in Everyday Life	4 ECTS
DBS2203	Developing Disability Arts	6 ECTS


Semester 2

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

DBS2216	Disability Policy	4 ECTS

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

DBS2206	Building Inclusive Communities	4 ECTS
DBS2211	Providing Equal Access to Disabled People	6 ECTS
DBS2217	Education, Employment and Health Access to Related Services	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
26 ECTS credits in Disability Studies
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 8 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year.


Semester 1

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

DBS3010	Representation of Disabled People	4 ECTS
DBS3011	Disability Issues and Pastoral Ministry	4 ECTS
DBS3030	Hidden Impairments: Private or Public?	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

DBS3001	Universal Design: Access for All	2 ECTS
DBS3100	Directed Literature Review	10 ECTS
DBS3110	Disability Access Project	8 ECTS

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

DBS3009	Living with the Label ‘Intellectual Disability’	4 ECTS

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

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

Gender and Sexualities


Semester 1

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

GDS1003	Gender, Poverty and Development	4 ECTS
GDS1009	Gender, Sociology and Politics	6 ECTS
GRS1011	Introduction to Gender and Sexualities	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

GDS1005	Gender and Psychology	4 ECTS
GDS1008	Violence Against Women	4 ECTS
GDS1010	Gender and Law	4 ECTS

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

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits


Semester 1

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

GDS2002	The Intersectionality of Inequality	4 ECTS
GRS2002	Workplace Diversity	2 ECTS
GRS2006	Gender, Sexuality and Religion	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

GRS2001	Gender, Culture and the Body	4 ECTS
GRS2003	Gender Issues in Cultural Mediation	4 ECTS
GRS2005	Sexual and Gender Diversity for Social Wellbeing	4 ECTS
GRS2007	Gender, Sexualities and Migration	4 ECTS

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

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits


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)

GRS3000	Long Essay	8 ECTS


Semester 1

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

GDS3004	Mainstreaming for Diversity	4 ECTS
GDS3005	Gender, Sexuality and Society	4 ECTS
GRS3011	Social and Gendered Intersections of Sexual and Reproductive Health	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

GRS3004	Queering Knowledge	4 ECTS
GRS3006	Gendered Decision Making	4 ECTS

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

Requirement for award of B.A. Gender and Sexualities and the other area: 180 ECTS credits, of which:
80 ECTS credits in Gender and Sexualities
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 Degree of Bachelor of Arts - B.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

Disability Studies

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

Communicate clearly and critically your direct or indirect personal experiences of disability.
Identify the main challenges encountered by persons with disability in relation to sexuality and understanding their origin.
Research and read around a chosen topic on an independent basis.

Gender and Sexualities

By the end of the course, you will have achieved a diverse range of learning outcomes. To name a few, you will be able to:

Question sexism, heteronormativity and hegemonic masculinity as social constructions, and explain ways in which your own gender has been shaped by cultural practices.
Demonstrate your own take up of a queer way of thinking, through the development of a critical lens that enables them to shed light on blind spots that characterise thinking and knowledge production.
Articulate your own reflections on specific readings and input, including that given by people working in the sector as well as members of different minority communities.
Describe both national and international policy related to gender and sexualities and delve deeper into the factors that have facilitated or hindered the successful implementation of these policies and services.
Use your knowledge and understanding to critically assess existing policies in the field of gender and sexualities, offering alternative solutions to existing problems.

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.

Disability Studies

Disability intersects in numerous fields of study. As an eventual professional, you will gain knowledge about a topic that you are very likely to experience in your future professional setting. This course will offer opportunities for employment in social and/or community services in governmental settings and non-governmental service providing entities.

The ability to explain disability to others is a useful skill in the job market, especially in the context of increased numbers of disabled people. As a graduate of this course, you will sensitise and help work settings comply with relevant legislation in this field.

As a holder of this degree, you can further your studies by reading a range of Master programmes, such as the Masters in Disability Studies, Masters in Social Work, Masters in Youth and Community Studies, Masters in Community Action and Development, Masters in Youth Justice, Masters in Health, Medicine and Society, Masters in Gender, Society and Culture, Masters in Gender Studies, Masters in Ageing and Dementia Studies and Masters in Gerontology and Geriatrics, among others.

Gender and Sexualities

Gender and sexuality issues are becoming more and more mainstreamed and can be applied across the board in all areas of employment. This can also lead to employment within the equality and diversity sector, within state and non governmental organisations, as well as in human resources.

Every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate. However, as the content is being constantly updated, users are advised to verify the details contained in these web pages with the relevant University office or authority before making decisions based on the published information.