About

Advanced Studies on Insurance Regulation – INS5033

6–10 July 2026

University of Malta – Valletta Campus (Old University Building)

Organised by the University of Malta – Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy (FEMA), Department of Insurance and Risk Management

6 ECTS | EQF Level 7

Participants will receive a Certificate in Advanced Studies on Insurance Regulation (Level 7, European Qualifications Framework).

 

Understanding the Future of Insurance Regulation

Insurance markets are undergoing one of the most significant regulatory transformations in their history. The reform of Solvency II, the adoption of the Insurance Recovery and Resolution Directive (IRRD), the integration of sustainability and ESG requirements, and the rise of artificial intelligence in financial services are reshaping how insurance markets operate and how policyholders are protected.

At the same time, policymakers and supervisory authorities increasingly focus on issues such as value for money, insurance protection gaps, cross-border supervision, and digital distribution models.

The Advanced Studies on Insurance Regulation programme offers a unique opportunity to explore these developments through an intensive, interdisciplinary course bringing together leading scholars, regulators and industry experts.

Hosted at the historic Valletta Campus of the University of Malta, the programme provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving architecture of EU insurance law and regulation, combining academic analysis, regulatory insights and market perspectives.

 

Why Attend

Participants will gain:

  • a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in EU insurance regulation
  • insights into current policy debates shaping insurance markets
  • direct interaction with leading international academics, regulators and practitioners
  • the opportunity to discuss emerging issues such as AI in insurance, digital distribution, ESG regulation and insurance protection gaps
  • participation in a highly interactive academic environment with a limited number of participants.

Malta represents an ideal location for this programme. The country has developed into a major European insurance hub, hosting more than seventy insurance undertakings that operate largely on a cross-border basis within the EU internal market.

Programme Topics

The course explores the most significant regulatory developments affecting insurance markets at EU and international level.

EU Insurance Regulation and Supervisory Architecture

  • the reform of Solvency II
  • the Insurance Recovery and Resolution Directive (IRRD)
  • supervisory convergence within the EU financial system
  • the evolving role of EIOPA.

Insurance Resilience and Risk Transfer

  • recovery and resolution planning
  • reinsurance structures and risk transfer mechanisms
  • regulatory approaches to financial and operational resilience.

Insurance Contracts under Regulatory Pressure

  • product oversight and governance (POG)
  • value-for-money requirements
  • disclosure duties and misrepresentation
  • the interaction between regulation and private law doctrines.

Digital Insurance and InsurTech

  • AI-driven underwriting
  • algorithmic pricing models
  • digital distribution and platform-based insurance
  • regulatory responses to technological innovation.

Private International Law and Cross-Border Insurance

  • Rome I and Brussels I bis in insurance contracts
  • multinational insurance programmes
  • regulatory constraints affecting cross-border insurance markets.

Customer Protection and Insurance Gaps

  • conduct-of-business regulation
  • claims handling and complaint mechanisms
  • insurance protection gaps and affordability challenges.

Sustainable Insurance and ESG

  • the EU sustainable finance framework
  • SFDR, CSRD and the EU Taxonomy
  • sustainability and the future of insurance markets.

Artificial Intelligence and Insurance Regulation

  • implications of the EU AI Act
  • governance of algorithmic underwriting
  • supervisory expectations and compliance challenges.

Academic Research Forum

The programme includes a PhD Research Forum, where selected doctoral candidates present their research and receive feedback from leading scholars in insurance law and regulation.

This session aims to foster academic dialogue and support early-stage research in the field.

Round Tables with Regulators and Market Experts

Several round tables involving academics, regulators and industry representatives address key policy debates affecting the insurance sector, including:

  • the future of EU insurance regulation
  • digital and climate-related systemic risks
  • customer protection and insurance protection gaps
  • regulatory challenges in digital insurance markets.

These sessions aim to bridge academic analysis and real-world regulatory practice.

Registration

Kindly access the registration link

Registration fees will cover tuition; course material; coffee breaks and packed lunches and social activities.

Minimum number applies:  The course will only commence if there is a sufficient number of eligible applicants. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

  • understand the structure and objectives of EU insurance regulation
  • analyse the interaction between prudential supervision and insurance contract law
  • assess regulatory responses to technological innovation in insurance
  • evaluate mechanisms designed to protect policyholders
  • understand the legal framework governing cross-border insurance markets.

Teaching and Assessment

Lectures: 25 hours
Fieldwork / Practical engagement: 6 hours

Teaching methods include lectures, policy discussions and round tables with market experts.

Assessment is based on a Reflective Diary (minimum 2,500 words).

Academic Leadership and Faculty

Course Leader

Prof. Pierpaolo Marano
University of Malta

Academic Staff include:

Franziska Arnold-Dwyer
Robin Bowely
Diana Cerini
Helmut Heiss
Peter Kochenburger
Can Luo
Joasia Luzak
María Luisa Muñoz Paredes
Margarida Lima Rego
Karel Van Hulle
Caroline Van Schoubroeck

Representatives from EU institutions, supervisory authorities and the insurance industry will also contribute to selected sessions.

Target Participants

The programme is designed for:

  • PhD and master’s students in law, insurance, finance, risk management, economics or business
  • young academics
  • compliance officers and legal counsel
  • professionals working in the insurance sector
  • staff of supervisory authorities.

Participation is limited to 40 participants to ensure a highly interactive learning environment.

Scholarships

BIPAR – European Federation of Insurance Intermediaries offers 11 scholarships for master’s and PhD students under the age of 30.

The scholarships cover the registration fee (travel and accommodation not included).

Application deadline: 15 June 2026 (noon CET)

PhD Presentation Opportunity

Two PhD candidates will be selected to present their research during the programme.

The selection committee is chaired by Prof. Pierpaolo Marano, together with:

  • Prof. Caroline Van Schoubroeck
  • Prof. Margarida Lima Rego

Submission deadline: 15 April 2026 (noon CET)

 


https://www.um.edu.mt/events/insuranceregulationcourse2026/about/