Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese) and Fine Arts

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese)

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 Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese) will broaden your Chinese cultural, literary and linguistic horizons through a wide historic spectrum, ranging from some of the earliest Chinese dynasties to modern and contemporary times. By instilling a deeper understanding of the history, society and culture of the Chinese world, you will become more knowledgeable and appreciative of their unique traditional literature and language. We also encourage you to participate in our Erasmus+ mobility programme for a more holistic and multicultural academic experience.

Fine Arts

The Fine Arts course takes a hands-on approach tailored for you if you're interested in developing a critical perspective on your creative practice. Over the three years, you will work with a range of media, techniques, and artistic forms—both practically and through focused readings on art practice, theory, and art history. You'll have the opportunity to experiment with traditional forms such as drawing, painting, and printmaking, as well as non-traditional audio-visual methods like photography and multimedia. The course encourages interdisciplinarity and supports your development of a broad understanding of the humanities. If you proceed with your Honours, you will be able to develop a final practice-based project of your choice.

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

Fine Arts

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio which shall be assessed during an interview held by an interviewing board, which shall be composed of at least three members. Applicants who are unsuccessful in the interview shall not be admitted to the Course.

Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese)

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.

Fine Arts

All applicants choosing the Fine Arts area of study are required to sit for an interview which will be 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.

Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese)


Semester 1

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

CHN1014	An Overview of Chinese History	4 ECTS
CHN1024	Chinese Language 1	8 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

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

CHN1021	Twentieth-Century Chinese History	4 ECTS	(NC)
CHN1023	Chinese Language 2	10 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 ECTS credits in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese)
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)

CHN2014	Classical Chinese Literature	6 ECTS
CHN2021	Chinese Language 3	10 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

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

CHN2022	Chinese Language 4	10 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
26 credits in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese)
26 credits in the other area
8 credits optional study-units

Total credits for this year: 60 credits


Semester 1

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

CHN3021	Chinese Language 5	10 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

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

CHN3006	Chinese Language 6	6 ECTS	(NC)
CHN3017	Synoptic Study-Unit: Chinese Language	6 ECTS	(NC)
CHN3018	Synoptic Study-Unit: Chinese Literary History	6 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for successful completion of Year 3: 60 ECTS credits, of which:
28 ECTS credits in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese)
28 ECTS credits in the other area
4 ECTS credits optional study-units

Requirement for award of B.A. Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese) and in another area of study: 180 ECTS credits, of which:
80 ECTS credits in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese)
80 ECTS credits in the other area
20 ECTS credits optional study-units

Fine Arts


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)

ART1003	Artistic Techniques: Painting, Sculpture and Printing	4 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 1

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

AAH1101	Introduction to Fine Art Practice	4 ECTS	(NC)
AAH1200	Studio Research in Fine Arts	2 ECTS	(NC)
ART1208	Introduction to Painting: Practical Sessions	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

AAH1022	Grammar of Photography	4 ECTS	(NC)
AAH1300	Multimedia Approaches to Fine Art Practice	4 ECTS	(NC)
ART1010	Introduction to Drawing Skills: Practical Sessions	4 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 credits in Fine Arts
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 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)

AAH2205	Print Making	8 ECTS


Semester 1

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

AAH2450	Painting and Mark-Making	4 ECTS

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

AAH2035	Twentieth-Century Visual Culture	4 ECTS
AAH3141	Decorative Design Workshops	4 ECTS
ART2000	Art in Malta 1: Late Medieval to Early Renaissance	4 ECTS
ART2018	Caravaggio and Early Baroque Classicism	4 ECTS
ART2038	Gender Issues in Art	2 ECTS
ART2140	Italian Baroque Architecture 1600-1750	4 ECTS
ART2151	The Decorative Arts in the 19th Century	2 ECTS
ART2315	Gallery Placement	2 ECTS


Semester 2

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

AAH2209	Painting from Life: the Human Figure	6 ECTS
AAH2300	Contemporary Perspectives in Landscape Painting	4 ECTS

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

AAH2215*	Print Making	4 ECTS
AAH3037	Milestones in the History of Photography and Cinema	2 ECTS
ART2005	Northern Renaissance Art	4 ECTS
ART2008	High Renaissance and Mannerism in Italy	4 ECTS
ART2010	Roman Baroque Sculpture	4 ECTS
ART2011	Modern and Contemporary Art	4 ECTS
ART2022	Greek and Roman Art and Architecture	4 ECTS
ART2109	The Art and Architecture of the High and Late Middle Ages: Romanesque to Gothic	4 ECTS
ART2114	Study Tour	4 ECTS
ART2314	Conservation Placement	2 ECTS
* Students going on Erasmus in Semester 1 are to instead register for these study-units in Semester 2.

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
26 credits in Fine Arts
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 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)

AAH3129	Mediterranean Identities: Issues of Representation and Multimodal Narrative Constructs	4 ECTS
AAH3401	Bodies In-Formation: Rethinking the Human in the 21st Century	4 ECTS

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

AAH3020	The Art and Ideas of the 20th Century	4 ECTS
AAH3402	Post-Internet Artistic Practices	4 ECTS
ART3001	Late Baroque Painting	4 ECTS
ART3002	Neo-Classicism and Romanticism	4 ECTS
ART3003	Art in Malta 3: The Architecture of the Order of St John in Malta (1530-1798)	4 ECTS
ART3038	Contemporary Art Biennials: Critical and Theoretical Issues	4 ECTS
ART3040	The Art of the Counter Reformation outside Italy	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

AAH3217	Fine Arts Synoptic Study-unit 1	6 ECTS	(NC)
AAH3218	Fine Arts Synoptic Study-Unit 2	6 ECTS	(NC)
AAH3450	Expanded Forms of Painting	4 ECTS

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

AAH2051	Design Currents in the 20th Century	4 ECTS
ART2021	Architectural History 3: Modern and Contemporary Architecture	4 ECTS
ART3004	Art in Malta 4: The Nineteenth Century - Painting, Sculpture and Architecture	4 ECTS
ART3035	Museum Placement 2	2 ECTS
ART3048	Criticism, Appreciation and Method in Art History	2 ECTS
ART3114	Study Tour	4 ECTS

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

Requirement for award of B.A. Fine Arts and in another area of study: 180 credits, of which:
80 credits in Fine Arts
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.

Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese)

Upon successfully completing this programme of study, you will be able to:

Conduct critical academic research based on the subject matter through your acquired and refined faculty for critical thought.
Contribute your invaluable knowledge on your understanding of Chinese literature and culture to discussions of an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary nature.
Proficient to speak and write Chinese in an intermediate or native-like level of fluency.
Recall important historic events and key figures that have contributed to Chinese literature and society.
Understand China's contribution to the modern world and their current stance in contemporary affairs.

Fine Arts

Upon finishing the course, you will be able to:

Conduct research and write critically about a subject matter related to the fine arts.
Effectively express concepts and engage in discussions in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary atmosphere.
Have a deep understanding behind the meaning of a work of art, while also perceiving its role in a social macrocosmic context.
Redefine and analyse contemporary art through your awareness of its multiple unique representations across time and different regions.
Develop an autonomous identity and style through the practice of original art.

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.

Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese)

As a graduate in this course you will be employable, both locally and internationally, as a translator, writer, researcher, human resources officer, editor, journalist, teacher, social developer, economic and trade relations officer, foreign correspondent, foreign affairs analyst, publisher, librarian, social worker, public cultural educator and as a tourism officer. If you are interested in furthering your education, or are considering an academic profession, then we encourage you to enrol in one of our local postgraduate courses for a honed academic background.

Fine Arts

As a fine arts graduate, you will have a number of career opportunities, both locally and abroad, in which you can employ your invaluable artistic skill-set. These include roles such as an art therapist, community arts worker, advertising art director, fine artist, graphic designer, conservator, illustrator, animator and exhibition designer. If you are interested in furthering your studies, or are considering an academic profession, then we encourage you to enrol in one of our local postgraduate courses for a honed and holistic academic experience.