The Doctor of Medicine and Surgery is a five-year degree course. The content is delivered as modules which are largely based on systems. The course is divided into preclinical and clinical phases which are spread out over several semesters. The teaching and learning methodology is a mix of traditional didactic teaching, such as lectures, tutorials and small group teaching) as well as problem-based learning where appropriate. In the preclinical years it also includes practicals (e.g. anatomy dissection) and in the clinical years bedside teaching, shadowing, observation, skills training, theatre and ward attendance.

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.

Applicants must satisfy the General Entry Requirements for admission, namely, the Matriculation Certificate and Secondary Education Certificate passes at Grade 5 or better in Maltese, English Language and Mathematics.

Applicants must also satisfy the following Special Course Requirements:

(a) be in possession of passes in the Matriculation Examination at Advanced Level at Grade B or better in Biology and Chemistry and

(b) be in possession of a pass in any subject taken in the Matriculation Examination at Intermediate Level and obtained at Grade B or better except for Environmental Science and Systems of Knowledge,

provided that all passes in these Special Course Requirements are obtained together in one session of examinations (i.e. one sitting) and are from recognised examining boards from the same country, and

(c) (i) Maltese applicants who, in terms of paragraph (5) of regulation 12 of the Admissions Regulations, 2016 are exempted from possessing a pass in Secondary Education Certificate examination in Maltese are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta prior to the commencement of the Course, and

(ii) non-Maltese applicants are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta, or a pass in the study-unit in Medical Maltese as part of the Certificate in Foundation Studies (Medical, Dental and Health Sciences) course, prior to the commencement of the Course,
provided that applicants presenting overseas qualifications and a pass in the Secondary Education Certificate examination in Maltese shall be exempted from presenting the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate and

(iii) the Secondary Education Certificate pass in Maltese, or the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate (if applicants are eligible for exemption from the SEC in Maltese), is required for admission to both Year 1 and Year 3 of the Course.

For the purpose of the above paragraphs, a pass obtained in a session of examinations which is held after the results of a previous session were published shall be deemed to be a pass obtained in a session that is distinct from the previous one. This regulation shall also apply to the second session of the Matriculation Examination offered by the MATSEC Board of the University of Malta according to the provisions of the Matriculation Examination Regulations, 2013 and this notwithstanding any other regulation governing the award of the Matriculation Certificate.

(i) Applicants in possession of one of the following degrees obtained from the University of Malta and a pass in the Secondary Education Certificate in Maltese, may also apply:

(a) a Bachelor of Science with a classification of Category II or better or a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better, in both cases with Biology and Chemistry as principal areas, or a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better in either Biology or in Chemistry or in Chemistry with Materials or

(b) a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better in one of the following: Applied Biomedical Science (or Medical Laboratory Science), Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences, Community Nursing, Community Midwifery, Communication Therapy, Health Science, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and Radiography or

(c) a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better or

(d) a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Science with a classification of Second Class Honours or better or

(e) a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with a classification of Second Class Honours or better if awarded from July 2009 onwards or

(f) the degree of Master of Dental Surgery awarded from July 2018 onwards or

(g) a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Biochemistry with a classification of Second Class Honours or better awarded from July 2020 onwards and

(ii) Maltese applicants who, in terms of paragraph (5) of regulation 12 of the Admissions Regulations, 2016 are exempted from possessing a pass in Secondary Education Certificate in Maltese are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta prior to the commencement of the Course and

(iii) non-Maltese applicants are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta, or a pass in the study-unit in Medical Maltese as part of the Certificate in Foundation Studies (Medical, Dental and Health Sciences) course, prior to the commencement of the Course,
provided that applicants presenting overseas qualifications and a pass in the Secondary Education Certificate examination in Maltese shall be exempted from presenting the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate and

(iv) the SEC pass in Maltese, or the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate (if applicants are eligible for exemption from the SEC in Maltese), is required for admission to both Year 1 and Year 3 of the Course.

Applicants in possession of other qualifications obtained after having pursued studies overseas shall be considered by the Admissions Committee of the Faculty and shall be admitted if it is ascertained that their qualifications are comparable to the qualifications indicated in the above paragraphs.

Applicants may be required to attend for an interview and/or examination. The Interviewing Board/s shall be composed of the Dean or his delegate, three other members appointed by the Board, one of whom shall be from outside the Faculty, and another member appointed by Senate. Up to three such Interviewing Boards shall be appointed for each intake of students as determined by the Board.

During the first year of the Course, accepted applicants are also required to undergo an occupational health assessment, as detailed in the Occupational Health Protocol approved by the Board, so as to ascertain that they are fit for the duties related to their proposed studies. Students who do not fulfil this requirement may be barred from progressing with their studies. Failure to disclose information about a physical or mental health problem that could affect patient safety is considered to be a serious breach of the University Suitability to Practise Regulations.

Accepted applicants may defer entry to the following year of study provided that there are no changes in the entry requirements applicable to the following year.

The closing date for receipt of applications from applicants presenting overseas qualifications and degrees awarded by institutions, other than the University of Malta is 15 March 2021 at 2pm. Certificates from UK examining boards are considered as overseas qualifications. Information regarding entry to the medical course commencing in 2020, for applicants presenting overseas qualifications will be made available online in due course.

The closing date for receipt of applications from applicants who are not in possession of a Secondary Education (SEC) pass in Maltese and who are eligible to register for the Medical Maltese course being offered by the University of Malta is 15 March 2021 at 2pm. Information regarding entry to the medical course commencing in 2020 will be made available online in due course.

The closing date for applicants presenting local qualifications is 24 August 2021 at 2pm. No late applications will be accepted.

The Evaluation Criteria for Applicants presenting Qualifications Awarded by Recognised Institutions Other than the University of Malta for the M.D. Course starting in October 2021 can be found here.

The Evaluation Criteria for Applicants presenting the International Baccalaureate Diploma or the European Baccalaureate Diploma for the M.D. Course starting in October 2021 can be found here.

The admission requirements are applicable for courses commencing in October 2021.

For more detailed information pertaining to admission and progression requirements please refer to the bye-laws for the course available here.