Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Public Sector Accounting

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

5 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening

The course covers a wide spectrum of the accounting functionality and provides a systematic process of ensuring that adequately trained public sector accounting staff are available to the Ministries and their respective Departments. The qualification is designed if you do not hold a University qualification.

The courseware is customised to fit with the Maltese public sector environment, and covers Maltese financial regulations and applicable legislation. The educational component is designed on a blended learning basis, offering a combination of learning materials to be used by the student alongside a course of classroom-based tuition. In the final year of the course, the students are required to prepare a dissertation, relating the knowledge and skills gained throughout the course to a work-related situation. Besides carrying out active research, students are encouraged to maintain continuous appreciation of current issues, including good and effective governance, service of excellence, evidence-based public management and ethical leadership.

The BA (Hons) Public Sector Accounting covers a wide spectrum of the accounting functionality required within Government and provides a systematic process of ensuring that adequately trained public sector accounting staff is available to the Ministries and their respective Departments. The qualification is designed to meet your needs with appropriate experience if you do not hold a University qualification in the accountancy field.

The courseware is customised to fit with the Maltese public sector environment, and covers Maltese financial regulations and applicable legislation to meet the particular requirements of the public sector. The educational component is designed on a blended learning basis, offering a combination of learning materials to be used alongside a course of classroom-based tuition. In the final year of the course, you are required to prepare a dissertation, relating the knowledge and skills gained throughout the course to a work-related situation. Besides carrying out active research, you are encouraged to maintain continuous appreciation of current issues, including good and effective governance, service of excellence, evidence-based public management and ethical leadership. The overall aim is to provide personnel assigned to Corporate Services with a holistic and professional approach in the exercise of their functions, making you an asset for the institutions in which you operate.

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

Applicants admitted under 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.

Admission to the Course may, with the approval of Senate, be restricted to applicants who are nominated by the Public Service provided they are eligible for admission in terms of the above paragraphs.

The number of students shall be limited to 40 students.

If there are more eligible applicants than the number of places available, the selected applicants shall be nominated by the Public Service.

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.


Semester 2

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

ACC1101	Accounting Principles and the Public Sector	6 ECTS
ACC1812	Costing Principles and the Public Sector	4 ECTS
ACC2294	Auditing and the Public Sector	4 ECTS
PAM2100	Public Sector Regulations and Legislation	4 ECTS


Semester 1

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

ACC2015	Budgetary Planning and Control and the Public Sector	4 ECTS
ACC2231	Financial Reporting and the Public Sector (1)	4 ECTS
ACC2291	Information Technology and the Public Sector	4 ECTS
ACC2301	Procurement and the Public Sector	4 ECTS
EMA2001	Introduction to Research	2 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year II: 36 ECTS credits


Semester 2

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

ACC2271	Risk Management and the Public Sector	4 ECTS
ACC2292	Financial Reporting and the Public Sector (2)	6 ECTS
ACC2361	Introduction to Tax Administration and the Public Sector	4 ECTS
PPL1941	Corporate, Financial and Public Governance	4 ECTS


Semester 1

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

ACC2295	Performance Measurement and the Public Sector	4 ECTS
ECN1005	Principles of Economics	4 ECTS
IOT3110	Creative and Critical Thinking for Public Officers	4 ECTS
PPL1083	Theoretical Aspects of Public Management	6 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year III: 36 ECTS credits


Semester 2

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

ACC2293	Financial Reporting and the Public Sector (3)	4 ECTS
ACC2296*	Audit and Assurance and the Public Sector	8 ECTS
ACC2297*	Financial Management and the Public Sector	8 ECTS
PPL1082*	Research Methods for Evidence-Based Policy	8 ECTS	(NC)
PPL2044	Interpreting Data for Policy Analysis	4 ECTS


Semester 1

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

EMA2000	Standards of Conduct in Business and Government	4 ECTS

* ACC2296, ACC2297 and PPL1082 start in Semester 1 (February 2027) and continue up to the end of Semester 1 of the next academic year (January 2028).

Requirement for regular progression to Year IV: 36 ECTS credits


Semester 2

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

ACC3821	Company Law for Accountants	4 ECTS
ECN2998	Economics for the National Public Administration	6 ECTS
PPL1505	History of Maltese Public Service	2 ECTS
PPL3601	Political and Financial Supranational Governance	4 ECTS


Semester 1

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

ACC3132	Financial Reporting and the Public Sector 4	6 ECTS
ACC3133	Management Accounting and the Public Sector	6 ECTS
ACC3134	Taxation and the Public Sector	4 ECTS
PPL3223	Local Government Financial Regulations and Procedures	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year V: 36 ECTS credits


Semester 2

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

ACC3136	Financial Reporting and the Public Sector 5	6 ECTS
ACC3138	Managerial Finance and the Public Sector	6 ECTS
ACC3140**	Dissertation	10 ECTS	(NC)
PPL3016	European Funding Framework	6 ECTS
** Work on the dissertation is expected to start in Semester 2 (February 2029) and continue up to the end of Semester 1 of the next academic year (January 2030).

Semester 1

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

ACC3137	Fiscal Responsibility Legislation and Institutional Structures	4 ECTS
PPL3108	Regulatory Policy and Institutions	4 ECTS

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 Public Sector Accounting - B.A. (Hons) - under the auspices of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy.

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

Explain and apply accounting principles and concepts with particular reference to the external financial reporting framework of the public services, and provide advice on interpretation and implementation of financial reporting standards adopted by the Maltese Government.
Describe and apply the rules and legislation applicable to public procurement.
Explain and demonstrate the stages in managing and performing an audit, and prepare reports on the findings.
Apply economic rationale for the state, taking into consideration issues of equity and efficiency.
Assess the applicability of tax legislation (including double taxation treaties) to practical situations.
Identify the different structural and investment funding opportunities made available by the EU.

explain and apply accounting principles and concepts with particular reference to the external financial reporting framework of the public services, and provide advice on interpretation and implementation of financial reporting standards adopted by the Maltese Government.
Describe and apply the rules and legislation applicable to public procurement.
Explain and demonstrate the stages in managing and performing an audit, and prepare reports on the findings.
Apply economic rationale for the state, taking into consideration issues of equity and efficiency.
Assess the applicability of tax legislation (including double taxation treaties) to practical situations.
Identify the different structural and investment funding opportunities made available by the EU.
Implement the principles of good governance and ethical behaviour at the local and regional levels.
Incorporate the requirements of the Fiscal Responsibility Act in the job description of Public Sector Accounting Managers.
Apply and interpret advanced forms of financial analysis tools, including EU statistical reporting as prepared by the National Statistics Office.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 4,250

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 holder of this degree, you will become a public sector official able to fulfil your role within Corporate Services and Finance-related functions. It will also help you in your career progression by facilitating furtherance of studies at Masters level.