Admission
into the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST)
programmes varies depending on the level of the programmes and courses
applied for. As a general rule admission is based on the qualifications
obtained through the SEC and the MATSEC. The entry requirements are
established by the Institutes and published in the annual prospectus.
For a good number of courses progression may be from lower level
programmes where students may be accorded preferential routes to
progression. This is in line with MCAST’s policy and willingness to
take on people without any formal academic qualifications and develop
them to their full potential.
The general entry requirements
into higher level programmes is usually two subjects ad Advanced Level
and a number of subjects at Ordinary level, or equivalent. This may
included the MCAST-BTEC National Diploma in the main subject applied
for. This permits for progression into higher level studies.
There
is no numerus clausus applicable on any of the programmes, however,
because of logistic restrictions students are admitted onto the
programmes on the basis of their qualifications. A system of points for
all certificates and subjects claimed by the applicant is converted on
a scale point system which determines his or her placing
Applicants
from other EU member states as well as applicants from outside of the
EU may apply to join programmes run by MCAST. It is the responsibility
of such applicants to provide an equivalence certificate from the
national authority.
University Tertiary Education
The general entry requirements for the University are the following:
The
Matriculation Certificate
that includes six subjects - two subjects taken at Advanced Level and
four subjects taken at Intermediate Level, including Systems of
Knowledge;
Passes in the
Secondary Education Certificate examination at Grade 5 or better in Maltese, English Language and Mathematics.
In
the case of foreign students, qualifications that give them access to
tertiary education in their country of origin are favourably considered
as long as these qualifications are of comparable breadth and standard
to the General Entry Requirements of the University of Malta. Where
appropriate, applicants may be advised to follow a one-year Foundation
Studies Course so that they will be better prepared to follow the first
cycle course of their choice. Maltese language is not a requisite for
overseas students. The following sentence can be omitted from here as
it is repeated later and actually applies to all courses not just to
the Foundation Studies course: Lecturing is generally in English except
for foreign language degrees. In such cases lecturing is carried out in
the languages being studied.
Some undergraduate courses also
specify Special Course Requirements. These requirements would indicate
the subjects needed that are critical to the undergraduate course being
chosen. These requirements would also specify the level and minimum
grades that must be obtained. The University publishes the Special
Course Requirements two years in advance.
A few courses require
students to be in possession of qualifications in Information
Technology and of additional proficiency qualifications in English and
Maltese. Applicants are generally required to be in possession of such
qualifications or passes in proficiency tests before the beginning of
these courses.
Applicants having completed in full or in part a
course at a recognised overseas University, and which is of comparable
standard, may be admitted to a degree or diploma course at the
University of Malta.
The University may also consider admission
by candidates registered at Institutions of Further Education and whose
qualifications are considered comparable, in part or in whole, to the
General Entry Requirements, whilst at the same time satisfying the
Special Course Requirements as appropriate.
In addition, the
University considers applications from mature applicants provided they
are at least 23 years of age by 1st October of the year, or by the
beginning of the course for which they apply. Such applicants need not
necessarily have all the formal qualifications listed above but they
would be required to demonstrate formal and informal learning achieved
since they left secondary education. The faculties and the University
Admissions Board assess such applicants to determine whether they have
the necessary academic background to successfully complete the course
of their choice.
No numerus clausus restricts admission of
students into courses, except in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery course,
the Diploma in Health Science (Dental Technology), the Bachelor of
Science (Honours) in Physiotherapy and in a few postgraduate courses.
Informative
leaflets outlining the special course requirements and other relevant
information are available from the University's Students' Advisory
Service.