A 5 ECTS micro-credential course consisting of 1 study-unit "DLT5000 - Introduction to Blockchain, DLTs and Cryptocurrencies"

To apply, select the "DLT5000 Introduction to Blockchain, DLTs and Cryptocurrencies" study-unit. Get started by accessing this link.

Discover the Foundations of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies

This introductory unit offers a comprehensive and accessible exploration of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), designed for anyone eager to understand how these innovations are transforming our world—no prior technical knowledge required.

You’ll learn how blockchain systems securely store and process information, how smart contracts automate trust and enforce agreements, and how these technologies underpin cryptocurrencies and a wide range of applications. Beyond the tech, we’ll examine the challenges and evolving landscape of policy, regulation, and legislation shaping the future of blockchain.

What You’ll Explore:

• Core concepts of blockchain and DLTs

• How smart contracts function and their practical uses

• The role of cryptocurrencies within blockchain ecosystems

• Diverse real-world applications of blockchain technology

• Regulatory and policy considerations impacting adoption

This unit equips you with the essential knowledge to evaluate blockchain’s impact on industries, finance, governance, and daily life.

Recommended Reading:

• The End of Money by New Scientist

• The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous

• Blockchain Revolution by Don Tapscott (Supplementary)

Join us to build a strong foundation in one of today’s most transformative technologies and understand how it could change your life.

Key Quick facts

Application link (select the "DLT5000 - Introduction to Blockchain, DLTs and Cryptocurrencies" study-unit)

Study-Unit details can be found online.

ECTS Credits: 5

Duration: 10 sessions (Monday to Friday, between 17:00 and 19:30)

Dates: September 15 - 26, 2025, weekdays only. Includes a two-day conference on September 18 - 19 (full timetable will be available in July 2025)

Deadline to Apply: 15 August, 2025; applications will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis

Requirements to Apply: a first degree in relevant disciplines

Fees: 500 Euros (eligible for the “Get Qualified” scheme by the Government of Malta)

Location: Online (links will be circulated via email)

Certification: Subject to a successful submission of a final assignment, participants will be awarded a course certificate worth 5 ECTS credits.

Intended Outcomes

• Study-unit Aims

  The aim of this study-unit is that of introducing the students to (i) Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technologies and Cryptocurrencies; (ii) their uses and applications; (iii) the general concepts of decentralisation, trust, immutability and consensus; and (iv) challenges and solutions in providing a decentralised ledger and applications that operate on top of it.

  
  

  Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

  By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

  • Differentiate the way blockchain applications work as opposed from the approach used by centralized systems;
  • Explain fundamentals of blockchain technologies and how it goes beyond cryptocurrency;
  • Compare and evaluate blockchain applications and their implications on standard work processes;
  • Follow ongoing developments and applications in blockchain.
  
  

  Learning Outcomes: Skills

  By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

  • Use blockchain applications, including but not limited to basic cryptocurrencies;
  • Research and assess how novel blockchain applications work;
  • Assess use of blockchain applications to evaluate potential risks and non-risks when adopted in e.g. eGovernment;
  • Discuss the appropriateness of blockchain systems for concrete applications;
  • Evaluate proposed blockchain solutions in e.g. health, education, etc., by being able to identify the advantages and disadvantages they offer.