PMAIHAFET7-2024-5-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Master of Arts in International Humanitarian Action

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

4 Semesters

120 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time Evening

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

A first cycle degree from this or another university recognised by Senate, with at least Second Class (Honours) or Category II or an equivalent classification, in a discipline of relevance to Humanitarian Action, the duration of which should be of a minimum of three years and which should comprise not less than 180 ECTS credits.

Applicants are required to demonstrate that their standard of language of instruction of the universities they plan to attend are satisfactory. The offer of a place on the Course may be made subject to the applicants obtaining such proficiency qualifications prior to the commencement of their studies.

Applicants may further be requested to sit for an interview. The interviewing board may make use of electronic means of communication in order to carry out interviews with applicants.

Further programme and application details

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The M.A. in International Humanitarian Action is a postgraduate programme established in conjunction with the European Commission. The programme combines theoretical and analytical knowledge with a hands-on approach. The taught programme will train you to develop an understanding of conflict and disaster across borders and to come up with responses to such events and their effects. The Network of Humanitarian Action will provide the teaching and the training and you will have the opportunity to study at different universities and benefit from rich cultural interactions and exchanges of ideas and languages. If you're especially interested in human responses in foreign affairs and political decisions, this course will help you integrate your knowledge to handle complexities in responding to new humanitarian challenges.

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 15 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during semester 2.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

IRL5036	NOHA Intensive Programme	5 ECTS
IRL5051	Legal Dimensions of Humanitarian Action	5 ECTS
IRL5053	Management in Humanitarian Action	5 ECTS
IRL5065	Anthropology and Intercultural Aspects of Humanitarian Action	5 ECTS
IRL5066	World Politics in Humanitarian Action	5 ECTS
IRL5068	Public Health in the Humanitarian Action Context	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

IRL5054	Advanced Management in Humanitarian Action	5 ECTS
IRL5055	Applied Ethics in Humanitarian Action	5 ECTS
IRL5061	Methodology and Research Methods in Humanitarian Studies	5 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

ANT5072	Forced Migration and Humanitarian Borders: Anthropological Perspectives	5 ECTS
INL5027	International Law and Forced Migration	5 ECTS
IRL5070	Migration and Migration Control	5 ECTS
IRL5075	Migration in Sub-Saharan Africa and Conflict	5 ECTS

During the second year of studies, students are required to undertake a Dissertation together with either a Training Programme or a Work Placement as indicated in the programme of study below.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) Either Regional Training

IRL5037	Regional Training Programme	20 ECTS
IRL5038	Internship	10 ECTS

Or Work Placement

IRL5039	Career Development Training	10 ECTS
IRL5041	Work Placement	20 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

IRL5062	Dissertation	30 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the Master of Arts in International Humanitarian Action - M.A. - Degree Course Regulations, 2017 under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts.

By the end of the course, you will:

Develop global and comprehensive visions of conflict, disaster and related vulnerable situations, in terms of theoretical approaches, as well as the responses and their effects.
Conceptualise, analyse, assess and judge complex humanitarian situations.
Apply knowledge and understanding to manage humanitarian operations in complex and uncertain environments, including risk assessment.
Develop a sensitivity to culture, gender and diversity in humanitarian action.
Master the ability to deal with ethical and moral dilemmas and to take responsibility for decisions on them.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fee: Eur 12,000

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

Over a decade's worth of experience has shown that the Network has a commitment and capacity to educate you and provide you with highly committed and interdisciplinary skills that will enable you to act at all levels of humanitarian relief operations and to function in a variety of ways to enhance the delivery of humanitarian assistance and sustainable actions. Upon successfully completing this postgraduate programme of study, you will be amongst over 3,000 graduates of NOHA's Joint Masters in International Humanitarian Action who currently work in humanitarian relief and international cooperation for (inter)national organisations and institutions, both in the field and at Head Quarters around the world.