PMABETPET8-2025-6-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Master of Arts in Bioethics

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

6 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

a Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours or Category II in the following areas: Theology, Health Care, Social Work, Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Philosophy, Science, or in any other area which the Board deems suitable or
a Bachelor degree with Third Class Honours or Category III in the following areas: Theology, Health Care, Social Work, Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Philosophy, Science, or in any other area which the Board deems suitable, if they are also in possession of other qualifications, including relevant experience, obtained following the first cycle degree.

In exceptional cases the Admissions Board, on the recommendation of the Board, may admit into the Course applicants not in possession of a Bachelor degree, provided that it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession of other academic or professional qualifications in the following areas: Theology, Health Care, Social Work, Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Philosophy, Science, or any other area which the Board deems suitable and a minimum of two years' professional experience, obtained after the award of the academic or professional qualification, that together are deemed to be comparable to the level of a first degree.

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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.

This programme of studies will make a significant contribution to the formation of professionals enabling you to face the contemporary bioethical challenges.

The programme will focus on:

Anthropological and Methodological Issues
Bioethics, Law and Policy
Public Policy and Ethics at the Edges of Human Life
Priority Setting, Justice and Resource Allocation
Suffering, Spirituality and Palliative Care
Research Ethics
Emerging European Values and Policies in Bioethics
The Best Interests of the Child: Ethical and Legal Aspects
Neuro-ethics, Mental Health and Psychiatric Ethics
Ethical issues in Genetics.

This programme of study aims to:

foster the development of a culture respectful of bioethics amongst healthcare professionals, healthcare administrators, philosophers, clergy, lawyers, educators, psychologists and social workers
enable a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the theoretical foundations of bioethics and its methodology
develop capacities for ethical decision-making relevant to professional biomedical and healthcare practice and policy-making
encourage research in the area of bioethics


Semester 1

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

MRT5700	Bioethics: Anthropological and Methodological Issues	10 ECTS
MRT5710	Suffering, Spirituality and Palliative Care	5 ECTS


Semester 2

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

MRT5120	Public Policy and Ethics at the Edges of Human Life	5 ECTS
MRT5721	Bioethics, Law and Policy	10 ECTS


Semester 1

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

MRT5150	Emerging European Values and Policies in Bioethics	5 ECTS
MRT5220	Priority Setting, Justice and Resource Allocation	5 ECTS
MRT5240	The Best Interests of the Child - Ethical and Legal Aspects	5 ECTS


Semester 2

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

MRT5210	Research Ethics	5 ECTS
MRT5270	Neuroethics, Mental Health and Psychiatric Ethics	5 ECTS
MRT5280	Ethical Issues in Genetics	5 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

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

MRT5800	Dissertation	30 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Master of Arts in Bioethics under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Understand and describe the Christian vision of the human person.
Discuss the application of fundamental principles in various areas, such as the beginning and end-of-life issues, terminal and palliative care, mental health, and genetics.
Develop critical thinking skills through a consideration of the theoretical, legal and practical aspects of bioethical decision-making.
Criticise and analyse a variety of clinical settings.
Understand philosophical ethics as it is applied in biomedical, healthcare and wider-related social contexts.
Reflect on the moral virtues required by healthcare professionals in their clinical relationships.

Knowledge Understanding:

understand and describe the Christian vision of the human person
be conversant in the method of bioethical reasoning
understand and describe the content and dynamics of fundamental and emerging issues in the area of bioethics
understand and explain the relationship between everyday healthcare issues, research, ethics and the law

Application Understanding:

discuss the application of fundamental principles in various areas, such as the beginning and end-oflife issues, terminal and palliative care, mental health, and genetics.
discuss the emerging bioethical values and policies on a European level
make valid moral judgments and decisions when confronted with bioethical dilemmas
master ethical reflection and decision-making with respect to the rapid developments in health care

Communication Skills:

speak the language of bioethics
develop critical thinking skills through a consideration of the theoretical, legal and practical aspects of bioethical decision-making

Judgmental Skills:

criticize and analyse a variety of clinical settings
discuss the different models of moral reasoning leading to different clinical judgments
critically assess the moral arguments used to justify biomedical and biotechnological developments
apply moral theory to real-world bioethical problems

Learning Skills:

understand philosophical ethics as it is applied in biomedical, healthcare and wider health-related social contexts
enhance their individual intellectual development through research and writing a dissertation
provide the ethical tools needed to address pressing contemporary issues of life and health.

Autonomy and Responsibility:

reflect on the moral virtues required by healthcare professionals in their clinical relationships
analyse bioethical issues from the perspective of faith and reason understand other influential contemporary outlooks on these issues, and to develop effective strategies for engaging the bioethical issues of our day
identify contemporary bioethical issues and the relevance of faith and reason to these issues
make responsible clinical decisions

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 10,800
Yr 1: Eur 5,400 - Yr 2: Eur 5,400 - Yr 3: NIL

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.

As a holder of this degree, you are eligible to register for the third-cycle programme leading to a Ph.D. provided by the Faculty of Theology.

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