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.
The degree is made up of 90 ECTS credits, of which 10 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-units and 80 ECTS credits to the dissertation. If you have direct experience of working in EU affairs or are a motivated graduate, the programme will prepare you to undertake research in EU-related areas which, through applied research, will lead to substantive work that contributes to our knowledge of EU affairs and to the good of society. The MA by Research breaks from the Institute's traditional approach of seeking to create informed generalists. Instead, you will be part of a cohort of students with a substantial background in EU affairs in the process of becoming a highly specialised graduate with applied knowledge in your chosen area of research. During the course, you will follow two courses, one on political science and economics and one on research methodology.
Joining the European Union in 2004 was one of the most significant moments in modern Maltese history, allowing Malta to assume its place in the most successful, regional integration process ever undertaken. Reflecting the monumental steps taken in establishing a union amongst former enemies, European Studies has become a staple of university programmes around the world. Reflecting this trend, the Institute for European Studies has been providing degree programmes in European politics, economics and law since 1992 with a special focus on Malta, the Mediterranean and European integration. The need to inform and educate a new generation of students about the complexities of membership meant that the Institute, through its bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees, has contributed to a stream of highly informed graduates who have become the backbone of Malta's EU membership, working in core government structures, in the EU institutions and with NGOs involved in EU affairs.
The MA in European Integration is a key development in the range of degree programmes offered by the Institute. After more than a decade of membership, the need was felt to offer a degree programme which would allow individuals with direct experience of working in EU affairs or highly specialised, motivated graduates to undertake targeted research in areas relating to the EU and integration and which, through applied research, would lead to substantive work which contributes to our knowledge of EU affairs as well as contributing to the good of society. It need not be added that the range of research topics will also depend on the availability of Institute staff in providing the necessary supervision. In this way, the MA by Research breaks from the Institute's traditional approach of seeking to create informed generalists and aims to take candidates with a substantial background in EU affairs and produce highly specialised graduates with applied knowledge in their chosen area of research.
The degree programme combines both a taught element and research. During the course, students will follow two courses, one on political science and one on research methodology. This will amount to 10 ECTS and the student must pass these compulsory credits. At the same time, you will be working on his/her dissertation (80ECTS) which will be submitted at the end of the third semester.
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EST5598* | Dissertation | 80 ECTS   |   | ||
* Work on the dissertation is expected to start in Semester 1 of academic year 2024-25 (October 2024) and continue up to the end of Semester 2 of academic year 2026-27 (May 2027).   | |||||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EST5597 | Research Methodology | 5 ECTS   |   | ||
EST5603 | Political and Economic Approaches to European Union Integration | 5 ECTS   |   | ||
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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 in European Integration Studies - M.A. - under the auspices of the Institute for European Studies.