Regulating Master's degrees

The Malta Qualification Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) at the Education Division is the legal entity empowered at law in Malta to evaluate the level of a qualification.

Until December 2004 (Fifth Edition of the Public Service Management Code) the main role to evaluate qualifications was the Malta Equivalency Information Centre at the University of Malta (Fourth Edition of the Public Service Management Code).

According to the MQRIC, if a Master's degree is granted by a recognised academic body, including the University of Malta, it would not be accepted at Master's level (by MQRIC) if undertaken without a previous first degree. Even foreign universities including that in the UK, have awarded Master's degrees without a first degree.

This shows clearly that while the University of Malta as other universities are offering opportunities to enhance one's educational standard to a Master's degree after being in possession of a University diploma, the Master's degree would not be accepted (by MQRIC if undertaken without a previous first degree).

In Malta one cannot proceed in his studies leading to a Master's degree before obtaining a first degree because according to the Maltese legal entity, the Master's degree will be invalid or not acceptable if needed in Malta.

All those concerned should note.