UM Launches New MSc in Neurodiverse Literacy and Numeracy, Advancing Inclusive Practice for Educators, Leaders, and Policy-Makers

The University of Malta continues to take meaningful steps toward strengthening inclusion across education and society. As part of this commitment, UM is now introducing a ground-breaking Master of Science in Literacy and Numeracy in Neurodiverse Profiles, an innovative programme designed to equip educators, school leaders, and policy-makers with deeper, research-informed knowledge and practical strategies to better support learners with diverse cognitive profiles. 

This 3-year part-time programme will be delivered by the Department of Human Communication Sciences & Disorders, within the Faculty of Health Sciences, and it will be held in the evenings. 

This Master’s in Literacy and Numeracy in Neurodiverse Profiles is being offered for the first time at the University of Malta and provides an important new pathway for professionals working with neurodivergent learners. The first year focuses on theoretical foundations, including spoken and written language development, neurodiversity and wellbeing, sensory processing, and bilingualism in the Maltese context. The second year centres on assessment and intervention practices in literacy and numeracy, with a practical component during which students rotate across different clinical and educational sites to gain hands-on experience. The third year is dedicated to the dissertation. Teaching is delivered by a diverse team of lecturers, some of whom are also active practitioners, including local and international experts in psychology, linguistics, education, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, audiology, orthoptics, bilingualism, neurodiversity, dyslexia and dyscalculia. This multidisciplinary expertise ensures that students benefit from both strong academic grounding and rich practice-based perspectives.

“By expanding expertise in literacy and numeracy within neurodiverse contexts, we want to empower professionals to lead with confidence, champion inclusive practices, and contribute to more equitable learning environments”, said Dr Rachael Agius, the course coordinator.

Course info may be accessed online.