PMADCSPDR4-2024-5-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Master of Arts in Dance Studies

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

6 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Day (by Research)

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

a Bachelor's degree obtained with Second Class (Honours) or better in the same area or in a closely related area of study as the area of study applied for or
a Bachelor's degree in the same area or in a closely related area of study as that applied for, with an average mark of not less than 65% in that area of study or
a degree from this or another university, which the Board considers as comparable to any of the degrees indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b) or
a professional qualification/qualifications and/or experience deemed by the Board, to satisfy in part, the admission requirements for a taught postgraduate course, provided that applicants may be required to complete a preparatory programme.

Applicants wishing to apply for the Degree mainly by research, shall indicate the provisional title for the dissertation on their application for admission. The application shall include a research proposal as well as a statement by the head of department concerned that applicants possess the training, knowledge and capabilities required for the proposed line of study and research.

Applicants applying in terms of paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) may be required to follow a preparatory programme.

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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 study is also offered on a full-time basis. Please consult the Registrar's website for more information pertaining to courses offered by the University.

You will be required to indicate your choice of area and mode of study at the time of application. Two options are possible: to study for a traditional M.A., which is mostly based on original research, OR for a Practice as Research M.A. (PaR), where you will be assisted by a dedicated supervisor or two co-supervisors:

Option (a): A dissertation of up to a 50,000 words on the subject of his/her research, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board, or

Option (b): A presentation of artistic practice supported by a dissertation of a maximum of 30,000 words, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

Specialist areas for inclusion include Choreography and Choreographic Processes; Practice as Research in Dance Performance, Dance Pedagogy, Dance and Cultural Studies, Creative Dance Practice, Dance in Education and/or the Community, Dance and Health, Somatic Practices, Anatomy for Dancers, Dance and Wellbeing.

This programme of study will offer you an opportunity to undertake an independent research project. The taught component (10 ECTS) at the beginning of the course will help you acquire the necessary tools to undertake and complete such a project through a discussion of the academic, ethical, political and practical implications of undertaking research in Performing Arts. Much of the research will be considered as independent study, and you will be assigned one or more academics who will tutor the research process, from selecting an area to writing a research proposal, and researching and writing a dissertation. The specific research will depend on your interests as well as staff specialization and strategic research areas earmarked by the department. You will be expected to demonstrate critical skills in the analysis of a broad range of texts; discuss complex critical issues in a coherent and convincing manner; present the research results in appropriate academic written style; and apply his or her refined expressive potential to related fields.

The course is intended to give you an opportunity to develop into mature researchers in a specific area in Dance Studies. You will be assisted in creating research questions, pursuing and documenting them through an extensive piece of academic writing, and in specific cases, illuminated through artistic practice.


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)

DCS5020*	Dissertation	80 ECTS
* Work on the dissertation is expected to start in Semester 1 of academic year 2024-25 and continues up to the end of Semester 2 of academic year 2026-27.

Semester 1

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

PFA5002	Researching Performance	10 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 the degree of Master of Arts - M.A. - under the auspices of the School of Performing Arts.

By the end of the programme of study, you will:

Have the opportunity to undertake an independent research project.
Acquire the necessary tools to undertake and complete a project through a discussion of the academic, ethical, political and practical implications of undertaking research in Performing Arts.
Be expected to demonstrate critical skills in the analysis of a broad range of texts.
Discuss complex critical issues in a coherent and convincing manner.
Present research results in appropriate academic written style.
Apply your refined expressive potential to related fields.
The course is intended to give you an opportunity to develop into a mature researcher in a specific area in Dance Studies. You will be assisted in creating research questions, pursuing and documenting them through an extensive piece of academic writing, and in specific cases, illuminated through artistic practice.

Non EU Applicants:

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

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By completing this programme successfully, you will be able to participate in academic debate, apply design, write and publish your research, take part in and take effective decisions about many aspects of art and culture, as leaders and entrepreneurs.