Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Psychology

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

International Relations

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 undergraduate programme in International Relations offers you an academic perspective on the liaison between countries, and how bureaucratic decisions by hegemonic countries and the intervening action of administrative boards, state officials and elected representatives create a complex web of intercountry relations. During the course we will provide you with a coherent and clear image of how Western, European and Non-European countries coalesce, ranging from topics such as understanding foreign policy of USA and international economics, to international relations since 1919 and conflict resolution, to name a few. We also encourage you to participate in our Erasmus+ mobility programme, as we believe a multicultural perspective will provide a holistic academic journey.

Psychology

The programme of study offers a range of study-units central to the study of Psychology. The overall objective is to provide you with a high-calibre, relevant and culturally sensitive education in the major areas of Psychology to become well-versed in the scientific understanding of human behaviour, emotions, relationships and mental health.

Psychology

You will need to complete 80 ECTS assigned to various study-units in the following core areas: Major Paradigms in Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Research Methods, Biological Psychology, Social Psychology, Psychopathology and Cognitive Psychology.

In your final year of studies, you will have the opportunity to consolidate and synthesise these core areas by means of synoptic study-units. They would be able to choose elective study-units from various applied areas such as Organisational Psychology, Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology and Neuropsychology, amongst others.

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

International Relations

An Advanced Level pass at Grade C or better, in either Arabic, or Economics, or French, or German, or History, or Russian, or Spanish, or a pass in Chinese obtained in the Chinese University/College Entrance Examination (Gaokao).

International Relations

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.

Psychology

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.

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.

International Relations

Should there be the need, in addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of either 4 ECTS or 8 ECTS as applicable from the elective study-units on offer during the year.


Semester 1

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

IRL1025*	Introduction to Economics	4 ECTS
IRL1082	Introduction to Political Studies	6 ECTS	(NC)
IRL1193**	Introduction to Modern Europe	4 ECTS

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

HST1126***	The Mediterranean in Modern Times	2 ECTS
IRL1091	Soft Power in International Relations: An Introduction to the Role of Media and Culture	4 ECTS
LIN1063	Academic Reading and Writing in English	2 ECTS
PHI1014	Political Philosophy	4 ECTS
* Study-unit IRL1025 is to be taken only by students who do not have an Advanced Level in Economics. It is compulsory for students who do not have an Advanced Level in Economics. Students with an Advanced Level in Economics must take 4 ECTS from the Elective Units. IRL1193 is to be taken only by students who do not have an Advanced Level in History. It is compulsory for students who do not have an Advanced Level in History. Students with an Advanced Level in History must take 4 ECTS from the Elective Units. * HST1126 cannot be taken by students following either Bachelor of Arts in History or Bachelor of Arts in European and Global History.

Semester 2

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

IRL1081	The Global Politics of Inequality: Realities and Perspectives	4 ECTS	(NC)
IRL1088	Introduction to Foreign Policy	4 ECTS	(NC)
IRL1089	Theories of International Relations	4 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 ECTS credits in International Relations
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.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

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

IRL3096*	Contemporary European Studies	8 ECTS


Semester 1

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

IRL2002	Security Studies	4 ECTS	(NC)
IRL2093	Comparative Politics	4 ECTS	(NC)

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

BKF3341	Prevention of Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing	4 ECTS
INL2004	International and Public Law for International Relations	6 ECTS
IRL2012	Foreign Policy of Russia	4 ECTS
IRL2014	An Introduction to Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa	4 ECTS
IRL2064	Asia-Pacific in the World	6 ECTS
IRL2074	The Muslim-Arab World in Contemporary Times	4 ECTS
IRL2089	Further Studies in Diplomacy	4 ECTS
IRL3196	The Politics and the Government of the European Union	4 ECTS
PBL2025	Basic Principles of the European Convention on Human Rights	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

HST2005	Contemporary Mediterranean History	6 ECTS
IRL2010	International Economics	4 ECTS
IRL2011	Foreign Policy of USA	4 ECTS
IRL2013	Political Economy of War	4 ECTS
IRL2058	Terror: Ideas and Realities	4 ECTS
IRL2084	The International Relations of Small States and Territories	4 ECTS
IRL2092	Political Movements and Parties	4 ECTS
IRL3006	Politics and Government in the Persian Gulf	4 ECTS
IRL3010	Norms, Rights and Climate Justice	4 ECTS
IRL3065	The Media and International Relations	4 ECTS
IRL3296	External Relations of the European Union	4 ECTS
* Students who register for study-unit IRL3096 cannot regsiter for study-units IRL3196 and IRL3296.

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
26 ECTS credits in International Relations
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.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

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

IRL2090*	International Relations since 1919	6 ECTS


Semester 1

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

IRL2099	Conflict Resolution and International Relations	4 ECTS	(NC)
IRL3189	International Political Economy 1	4 ECTS

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

BKF3341	Prevention of Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing	4 ECTS
HST3109	International Relations Between the World Wars	2 ECTS
IRL2060	Contemporary China	4 ECTS
IRL2098	Malta in International Relations	4 ECTS
IRL3013	Nuclear Politics	4 ECTS
IRL3095	Diplomacy and Diplomatic Practice	4 ECTS
PBL2025	Basic Principles of the European Convention on Human Rights	4 ECTS
PPG2003	Global Environmental Governance	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

IRL3057	Synoptic Study-Unit 1: International Relations	6 ECTS	(NC)
IRL3058	Synoptic Study-Unit 2: International Relations	6 ECTS	(NC)

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

IRL2020	Nationalism in International Politics	4 ECTS
IRL2036	Intercultural Politics in the Mediterranean	4 ECTS
IRL2290	International Relations since 1945	4 ECTS
IRL3007	War and Peace in the Middle East	4 ECTS
IRL3012	Democracy, Autocracy, and World Order	4 ECTS
IRL3041	Contemporary Warfare	4 ECTS
IRL3050	International Institutions	4 ECTS
* Students who register for study-unit IRL2090 cannot register for study-units HST3109 and IRL2290.

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

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

Psychology

Kindly note that students may not register for optional study-units in Psychology.


Semester 1

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

PSY1315	Understanding Research in Psychology	4 ECTS	(NC)
PSY1610	Major Paradigms in Psychology: The Psychoanalytic and Humanistic Paradigms, and Behaviourism	6 ECTS	(NC)
PSY1622	Developmental Psychology 1	6 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

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

PSY1623	Developmental Psychology 2	6 ECTS	(NC)
PSY1630	Foundations in Human Biology for Psychology	4 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 credits in Psychology
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 16 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)

PSY1606	Social Psychology	6 ECTS	(NC)

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

PSY1620	Philosophical Psychology	6 ECTS


Semester 1

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

PSY1617*	Biological Psychology 1	4 ECTS
PSY1628	Introduction to the Psychology Profession	4 ECTS
PSY2606**	Psychology of Learning and Applied Behaviour Analysis	4 ECTS
PSY2628***	Quantitative Research Methods and Data Analysis	4 ECTS
PSY2629***	Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis	4 ECTS
PSY3130	Psychology of Adjustment	2 ECTS
PSY3655	Neurodiverse Profiles	4 ECTS
* Study-unit PSY1617 is compulsory for students who plan on following the Higher Diploma in Psychology. PSY2606 is highly recommended. * PSY2628 and PSY2629 are strongly recommended for those students who plan on following the Higher Diploma in Psychology. Students may take PSY2628 or PSY2629 as Optional study-units instead of elective study-units (in the B.A. Psychology course) provided that this is allowed by their programme of studies during their second year and may not take any other Optional Psychology study-units.

Semester 2

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

PSY2610	Psychopathology	4 ECTS	(NC)

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

PSY1618	Biological Psychology 2	4 ECTS
PSY1635*	Major Paradigms: Cognitive Psychology	4 ECTS
PSY2623	Work Psychology	6 ECTS
PSY2626	Psychology of Sexuality	2 ECTS
PSY2633	Health Psychology	6 ECTS
PSY2634	Psychology of the Family	4 ECTS
PSY3611	Media Psychology	4 ECTS
PSY3648	Sports Psychology	4 ECTS
* Study-unit PSY1617 is a pre-requisite for study-unit PSY1635. Study-unit PSY1635 is compulsory for those students who plan on following the Higher Diploma in Psychology.

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
26 credits in Psychology
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 16 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)

PSY3352	Psychology Synoptic Study-Unit 1	6 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 1

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

COU3301	Career Education and Guidance	4 ECTS
PSY2641	Psychology of Helping	4 ECTS
PSY3130	Psychology of Adjustment	2 ECTS
PSY3647	Selected Topics in Organisational Psychology	4 ECTS
PSY3651	Introduction to Critical Psychology	4 ECTS
PSY3655	Neurodiverse Profiles	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

PSY3353	Psychology Synoptic Study-Unit 2	6 ECTS	(NC)

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

PSY2626	Psychology of Sexuality	2 ECTS
PSY2634	Psychology of the Family	4 ECTS
PSY3611	Media Psychology	4 ECTS
PSY3648	Sports Psychology	4 ECTS

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

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

International Relations

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

Carry out and conduct critical academic research in a professional manner as expected at an undergraduate level.
Have a familiarised knowledge about theories and concepts of international relations and apply them to contemporary world affairs.
Develop a keen sense of awareness through your refined interpretation of reading news and international events.
Contribute your invaluable knowledge on the subject matter to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary discursive atmospheres.
Understand the interweaving relationship and personal ethics present between the contingent relationship of individual decisions and national results.

Psychology

Upon successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

Compare and contrast major theoretical and therapeutic paradigms in the field;
Appraise current topics in psychology from different perspectives, including diverse disciplines within the field itself;
Engage with current theoretical issues and research findings in psychology within a bio-psycho-social perspective, attending to evidence-based practice.

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.

International Relations

As a graduate of this programme of study you will be employable, both locally and internationally, as an intelligence analyst, policy office political risk analyst, international aid worker, public affairs consultant, diplomatic service officer and as a civil service fast streamer. If you would like to further your studies, or are considering an academic profession, then we encourage you to enrol in one of our local post-graduate courses.

Psychology

As a holder of this degree, despite the programme not having offered the professional training in psychology, will offer your opportunities for employment in areas that involve human interaction or community services. Some areas include human service agencies and personnel management. Your background in psychology will be the foundation for transferrable skills in a variety of work settings, while also providing a platform for further training and study at postgraduate level. Transferring to the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology can serve as a stepping stone for further studies that paves the way for Masters programmes offered by the University of Malta, such as Master of Arts in Social Work, Master in Youth and Community Service, Master of Psychology in Clinical/Counselling/Educational, and many more.

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