PMAHMAFET12-2024-5-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Master of Arts in Humanitarian Action

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Semesters

90 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

the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with Second Class or better in the same or in a closely related area of study as the area of study applied for,provided that the Board may consider applicants in possession of the Degree with Third Class Honours only if it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession of other qualifications, including relevant experience, obtained following the first cycle degree or
the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the same or in a closely related area of study as that applied for, with an average mark of not less than 55% in that area or
a degree from this or from another university which the Board considers as comparable to any of the degrees indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. This comparability may, in exceptional cases, extend to applicants proposing a research topic which in itself bridges the area of study of the first degree and the one being applied for. In such cases, applicants would be required to attend an interview to assess their suitability, in accordance with procedures established by the Board.

The Board may allow applicants possessing a degree other than those specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) to join the Course subject to an interview to establish whether they have sufficient proficiency and background to be able to profit from the Course.

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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 Humanitarian Action is a taught postgraduate programme that challenges you to critically analyse political situations that require a humanitarian response. Combining theory and practice, the MA looks at situations like increased refugee flows, heightened insecurity, trans-border problems, foreign interventions, global warming, and a growing human population. Humanitarian assistance is an ever in-demand response to an increasingly precarious global climate. If you're interested in the sources of crises and their solutions, this MA provides you with the opportunity to gain a hands-on experience of what working in the humanitarian and development field entails.

The M.A. in Humanitarian Action is also attainable by way of a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme, enabling students to study at their own pace and complete the full programme of study in three (minimum) to seven (maximum) years.

For further details about this course, kindly contact the Course Coordinator by clicking here.

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)

IRL5051	Legal Dimensions of Humanitarian Action	5 ECTS
IRL5052	Governance and Policy Making: The International Context	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


Semester 1

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

IRL5062	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 the degree of Master of Arts under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts.

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

Understand the variety of humanitarian and long-term responses to crises across the globe.
Understand how such responses are shaped and what consequences they have.
Develop a proficiency in the institutional and legal framework for humanitarian action.
Learn the key medical and public health aspects of humanitarian action.
Navigate amongst the numerous key players in the field.
Write cogently and at length about a chosen topic in the field of humanitarian action.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 10,800
Yr 1: Eur 10,800 - Yr 2: 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 the MA in Humanitarian Action certificate, you will be able to work in humanitarian programmes. Careers may include positions with UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, and entities of the International Red Cross.

If you would like to further your studies, then you may do so by enrolling in a doctorate programme offered at the University of Malta, or at a foreign University abroad.