University of Malta (UM) invests in a process of design and approval of programmes which is robust in its aims and successfully followed in practice. UM is cognisant that its self-accrediting status, stipulated by Subsidiary Legislation 607.03, brings with it the responsibility to ensure that the quality and standards of all its programmes is at par with that of our European and International partners and consistently meets the IQA Standard 3 as established by MFHEA and in line with the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) as exhibited in the latest edition of the Referencing Report (NCFHE, 2016). The University has a comprehensive approach to the design and approval of programmes as detailed in the following sections and which reveal the high-quality standards through a formal institutional rigorous approval process complemented by internal and external stakeholder feedback and the availability of ‘checks and balances’ at various stages of programme design and approval. The regular annual and periodic programme reviews guarantee that the University’s programmes are quality assured and meet national, European and International standards.
With the regular self-evaluation of its policies and practices and the resulting improvement plans, UM will continue to enhance its best practices and consistently seek further improvement.
The validation of new and revised programmes falls under the responsibility of the Programme Validation Committee (PVC), which was set up as a sub-committee of the Senate in 2007. The Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs normally chairs the fortnightly meetings which include the participation of six senior academics hailing from different FICS, the University Registrar, the Director of Finance, and a student representative. It is given technical and administrative assistance by the Academic Programmes Quality and Resources Unit (APQRU). The PVC is responsible for evaluating the documentation submitted at both stages of approval and for recommending decisions for Senate approval or otherwise.
The University is committed to ensure that its programme design and approval process adheres to the characteristics as outlined in IQA Standard 3 established by the MFHEA, so that each programme:
All programmes* are in line with the requirements established in the latest edition of the Referencing Report (NCFHE, 2016 p.56).
| MQF Level | Number of ECTS | Duration of programme in full-time study** |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 30-32 (Certificate) | 1 semester of full-time study or the equvalent in part-time |
| 5 | 60 (Diploma) | 2 semester of full-time study or the equvalent in part-time |
| 5 | 90/120 (Higher Diploma) | 3/4 semesters of full-time study |
| 6 | 180/240 | 6/8 semesters of full-time study |
| 7 | 90/120 | 3/4 semesters with some Master programmes having exit points at Postgraduate Certificate (30 ECTS) or Postgraduate Diploma (60 ECTS) |
| 8 | N/A (Ph.D.) | 3 years |
| 8 | 180 (Professional Doctorate) | 3 years |
The student workload in terms of ECTS for each programme is accessible to the public through the UM Course Finder. Furthermore, the prospectus which is also available in print includes the number of ECTS and duration of each programme. Each programme’s information includes a detailed breakdown of the full programme of study and is available online.
The information available on the UM Course Finder includes the target audience, specific entry requirements as well as career opportunities and access to further studies. This information is also available in the undergraduate and postgraduate prospectus which are both published online and in print.
All programmes at UM are designed through a learning outcomes approach that distinguishes between knowledge, skills and competences. Learning outcomes are at the heart of the design and approval process and are pitched to the appropriate level of study as well as how these will be assessed.
UM regards itself as the premier learning hub for the Maltese society where students are empowered to further develop their knowledge, skills and competences reflecting the UM Strategic Plan . Therefore, an integral aspect of the design and approval process is providing details about the pedagogy and learning dynamics that will be used for each study-unit making up the programme. In this regard, UM follows the Referencing Report (2016, pp.54-64) in terms of measure of tutor-learner interaction, self-study and other forms of independent learning, and assessment hours as appropriate for the programme level and content.
UM’s programme design and approval process takes into consideration information regarding appropriate resources for the programme, financial viability and also forms of assessment. UM considers learning and teaching as fundamentally associated with continuous, formative and summative assessments. The emphasis on formal examinations is gradually shifting to other forms of assessment that are more specific, and which determine more accurate levels of knowledge and competences. UM is committed to and actively encourages different modes of assessment that address learners’ diversity.
As part of the due diligence in the approval process, the Programme Validation Committee (PVC) is guided by the MFHEA communication pertaining to the Qualification Level for Tutors.
Each programme has a programme co-ordinator who ensures that all study-units within a programme contain all the necessary information with regard to learning outcomes, methods of learning, teaching and assessments and readings. The names of the programme coordinators are included in the information available on the UM Course Finder .
All programmes at UM follow the requirements as per latest edition of the Referencing Report (MFHEA, 2016) and are compliant with the Malta Qualification Framework. All programmes are evaluated by the Programme Validation Committee (PVC) and approved by the Senate to ensure that programmes are pegged at the correct level by verifying the learning outcomes. The level descriptors in the Referencing Report (2016) are used as a reference point.
UM’s General Regulations provide for the involvement of stakeholders in Boards of Studies, where this is deemed salutary to the process by the respective FICS Boards (Reg. 30(3) of the University General Regulations for Undergraduate Awards). In addition, programme proposals need to indicate whether the programme is responsive to market needs.
The Periodic Programme Review process involves stakeholders from the world of work through the Stakeholders’ Committee and Stakeholders’ Meeting.
Students are the primary internal stakeholders at UM and therefore the students’ voice is captured at different stages and levels of the design and approval process. New programme proposals need to go through the FICS Board, the Programme Validation Committee and the Senate where student representatives are present.
Furthermore, student representatives are also elected on the FICS’ Board of Studies where programme reviews are discussed and analysed. Student representatives are also integral members of the Quality Assurance Committee and have a critical role in the Periodic Programme Review process as part of the Internal Quality Review panel, as members of the Periodic Programme Review Committee and the Stakeholders’ Committee. Consequently, students have the opportunity to voice their concerns and discuss any issues pertaining to their peers at different stages of the design, approval and review of programmes.
When reviewing programmes of study, the PVC adheres to the principles as stipulated in Reg. 5(2) of the University General Regulations for Undergraduate Awards, to ensure that the students’ workload is distributed evenly over the academic year and that the size of the individual study-units allows students to take re-assessments or to proceed conditionally to the next year of the programme, in line with the provisions of Regs. 57-60 of the same Regulations. Furthermore, programmes of study need to be compliant with the maximum number of credits of full-time study per academic year as established in the Referencing Report (2016), which principles are also reflected in the General Regulations of the University.
All new and revised programmes are subject to a formal institutional approval process.
The design, development and approval process of new programmes include a two-stage validation process established by the Senate. This aims to ensure that approved programmes are in line with the University’s vision, strategy and resource possibilities.
The University of Malta ensures consistent implementation and design through a transparent process which is available online and the use of standard forms/templates such as the Stage 1 Proposal Form , Stage 2 Proposal Form and the Study- Unit Approval Form .
Existing programmes which undergo substantial revision are also subject to review and validation. Whilst there is no need for revised programmes to go through the formal two-stage approval process, Boards of Studies are required to provide a clear rationale for the restructuring of the programme together with revised learning outcomes and evidence of stakeholder involvement in the formulation of the revised programme, where such involvement is salutary to the process. As from December 2023, these requests will need to be accompanied by the Annual Programme Review form. This is being done so that programme enhancement is strongly linked to evaluation and internal and external stakeholder feedback.
All programmes are subject to annual and periodic programme review as per MFHEA IQA Standard 10.
