UCSCUPTE-2023-4-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Certificate in Safeguarding of Children and Young People

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

1 Year

30 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Applicants admitted as "Adult Learners" under paragraph (c) of regulation 6 of the Admissions Regulations must be in possession of those qualifications and/or experience that would satisfy the interviewing board, through an interview, 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 joining the Course, together with a copy of their Curriculum Vitae .

Applicants in terms of the 'maturity (adult learners) clause' are required to sit for an English Proficiency Test to be held in September. Successful applicants will then be required to sit for an interview during the same month. Such applicants shall be exempted from sitting the proficiency test if they are in possession of a pass at SEC level English at Grade 3 or better or equivalent.

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UM currently hosts over 1,000 full-time international students and over 450 visiting students. The ever-increasing international students coming from various countries, in recent years, have transformed this 400-year old institution into an international campus.

Our international students generally describe Malta as a safe place, enjoying excellent weather and an all-year varied cultural programme. Malta is considered as the ideal place for students to study.

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.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

This programme is offered as an interfaculty programme of the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

The Certificate in Safeguarding of Children and Young People was created in view of the reality of the abuse of minors. This problem is to be investigated and tackled on different levels of society.

The aim of this one-year course is to introduce participants to the standards and main areas of concern regarding safeguarding of children and young people. It will equip you with the basic knowledge and skills to promote the welfare of children and young people, recognise and respond effectively the signs and indicators of abuse, and understand the depth of traumas caused by abuse. The course will also present you with the key principles of self-care and the fundamental ethical and legal obligations for when working with children and young people.

The Certificate in Safeguarding of Children and Young People was created in view of the reality of the abuse of minors. This problem is to be investigated and tackled on different levels of society.

The aim of this one-year course is to introduce you to the standards and main areas of concern regarding safeguarding of children and young people. It will equip you with the basic knowledge and skills to promote the welfare of children and young people, recognise and respond effectively the signs and indicators of abuse, and understand the depth of traumas caused by abuse. The course will also present you with the key principles of self-care and the fundamental ethical and legal obligations for when working with children and young people.

The Certificate in Safeguarding of Children and Young People consists of six compulsory study-units and a practicum that will follow a combination of learning experiences through observation, fact finding and reflection.

Course Objectives
The programme fits within the scope of the cooperating Departments and Faculties in:

Reading and responding to the signs of the times;
Reaching out to the needs of the community through a multi-disciplinary approach in line with the vision of the University of Malta;
Promoting best practices at work; and
Equipping persons engaged with children and young people with those abilities and skills needed to uphold safeguarding.


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)

THL1006	Practicum in Safeguarding	6 ECTS


Semester 1

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

COU1001	Potential Victims of Sexual Abuse	4 ECTS
PLC1003	Theoretical Perspectives on Child Abuse	4 ECTS
SWP1002	Historical and Contemporary Approaches to Addressing the Abuse of Children and Young People	4 ECTS


Semester 2

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

CVL1033	Safeguarding Children’s Rights and Legal Aspects	4 ECTS
PLC1002	Safeguarding in Institutions	4 ECTS
SWP1003	Safeguarding and Self-Care	4 ECTS

Requirement for award of Certificate in Safeguarding of Children and Young People: 30 ECTS credits

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 Certificate in Safeguarding of Children and Young People under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

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

Conceptualise and grasp key features and dynamics related to sexual abuse;
Recall key elements of legislation and norms related to safeguarding;
Assess the possible risk factors for sexual abuse;
Inspect and implement protective factors in their own environment; and,
Apply the general principles of self-care by way of prevention.

Conceptualise and grasp key features and dynamics related to sexual abuse;
Recall key elements of legislation and norms related to safeguarding;
Assess the possible risk factors for sexual abuse;
Inspect and implement protective factors in their own environment;
Apply the general principles of self-care by way of prevention;
Operate in a timely manner when confronted with a case of sexual abuse;
Recognise the signs and symptoms that suggest the possibility of abuse; and
Detect the red flags that could be indicative of a potential offender.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 4,250

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Since safeguarding is becoming an increasingly important issue in our society, the Certificate in Safeguarding of Children and Young People will provide you with better knowledge and apt skills that will increase your opportunities for employment in sectors such as in the social, pastoral, welfare and/or community fields within the public and private sectors as well as in voluntary settings.