PMSCNPCPDT2-2024-5-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Master of Science in Nursing (Palliative Care)

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

6 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Day

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

a Bachelor's degree obtained with at least Second Class Honours in an area of study deemed suitable by the Board or
a degree from this or another university which the Board considers as comparable to the degree indicated in paragraph (a).

Applicants may be required to provide evidence of being in possession of the licence to practice in the register of the profession concerned, as kept by the relevant regulatory council.

Applicants may be required to provide evidence of work experience following registration with the relevant regulatory council in the proposed area of study or area of specialisation, if applicable. The minimum number of years of experience required shall be indicated at the time of the call for applications.

During the first year of the Course, accepted students may be required to undergo an occupational health assessment so as to ascertain that they are fit for the duties related to their proposed studies. Students who do not fulfil this requirement may be barred from progressing with their studies. Failure to disclose information about a physical or mental health problem that could affect patient safety is considered to be a serious breach of the University Suitability to Practise Regulations.

The notice regarding submission of documentation is available here.

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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.

If you are a qualified nurse who holds a Level 6 qualification (or an equivalent qualification based on an RPL exercise) seeking to specialise in a specific area of practice, then the Master of Science in Nursing (Area of Specialisation) is intended for you. These areas of practice are (but not limited to) the following:

Emergency Care
Critical and Intensive Care
Cancer Care
Palliative Care
Infection Prevention and Control
Skin and Wound Care

Other specialised areas of practice may be added depending on the market demand for such training.

Demand for such programmes is already being observed, in view of the fact that a number of qualified nurses are following similar programmes abroad to specialise in a particular field of studies. This programme would allow a minimum of 12 students across all areas of their specialisation.

The Master in Nursing (Area of Specialisation) is targeted to qualified nurses who hold a Level 6 qualification (or an equivalent qualification based on a RPL exercise), who want to specialise in a specific area of practice. These areas of practice are (but are not limited to) the following:

Emergency care
Critical and intensive care
Cancer care
Palliative care
Infection prevention and control
Skin and wound care

Other specialised areas of practice may be added depending on the market demand for such training.

Demand for such programmes is already being observed, in view of fact that a number of qualified nurses are following similar programmes abroad to specialise in a particular field of studies. The Specialist Accreditation Committee is expected to publish the registration criteria shortly and therefore, interest in this programme of studies is expected to increase. The department of nursing already offers stand alone and/or elective study units in most of the above-mentioned specialised areas of practice. This proposed programme involves the expansion and extension of the initiative which is already set forth through such existent units.


Semester 1

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

NUR5136	Palliative Care Nursing: Philosophy and Practice	10 ECTS
NUR5138	Death and Dying: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives	5 ECTS


Semester 2

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

NUR5137	Palliative Care: Ethics and Law	10 ECTS
NUR5139	Advanced Communication Skills	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)

HSC5111	Research Methods for Health Care Professionals	10 ECTS
HSC5130	Evidence Appraisal and Synthesis in the Health Sciences	5 ECTS


Semester 1

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

HSC5131	Writing a Research Proposal and Protocol in the Health Sciences	5 ECTS


Semester 2

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

NUR5147	Developing, Expanding and Advancing Nursing Practice	5 ECTS
NUR5148	Nursing Leadership	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)

NUR5020	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 Science - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

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

Develop a strong knowledge base of the specialisation through a comprehensive overview of the physiology, pathophysiology, medical and nursing care of the chosen speciality.
Contribute to meaningful advances and professionalism of the chosen specialist area of practice.
Monitor and evaluate specialist area of practice.
Design and carry out a research study in the specialist area of practice.
Develop further one own leadership/management skills.
Develop core and specific competencies related to the chosen specialist area of practice.

Subject knowledge and understanding

develop a strong knowledge base of the specialisation through a comprehensive overview of the physiology, pathophysiology, medical and nursing care of the chosen speciality.

Intellectual development

contribute to meaningful advances and professionalism of the chosen specialist area of practice.
monitor and evaluate standards of practice and develop quality assurance strategies in the chosen specialist area of practice.
design and carry out a research study in the specialist area of practice.

Key/transferable skills

develop further your own leadership/management skills.
develop further your own advisory/educational skills.
develop core and specific competencies related to the chosen specialist area of practice.
develop psychomotor and psychosocial skills related to their chosen specialist area of practice.
provide person
centred quality care that is based on safe, evidence
based interventions in the specialist area of practice.

Other skills relevant to personal development

engage effectively in professional self
evaluation and personal/professional development.
contribute to advancing nursing practice and the role of the specialist nurse in clinical practice.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 13,400
Yr 1: Eur 6,700 - Yr 2: Eur 6,700 - 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 postgraduate certificate, you will be able to enter a career in the public and private health sectors as a refined nurse with an area of your own specialisation. You may be able to choose a career both locally and internationally, provided the right requirements and guidelines are met.