Higher fees for evening courses

Evening courses offered by the University of Malta will become more expensive over the next seven years as fees will be revised gradually so as to have as little impact as possible.

Students who have already started an evening course will not be affected by the increases. But otherwise, part-time students can expect to pay between €34 and €256 more in the first year of the revision and from €50 to €100 more each year after that, depending on their course.

The University said that, despite the price hikes, it would still be heavily subsidising the courses and the prices would remain highly competitive compared to other foreign universities offering the same courses. It said this was being done to reflect the real cost of the services offered, adding that, for the most part, those who attended such evening courses did so because they were employed.

During the new academic year, the University will be offering 16 new courses, raising the total number of new courses on offer over the past five years to 111. In total, the University offers 928 courses, 631 of which are free.

This year, the University will attract 10,000 students, 7,300 of whom will be full timers and, therefore, receive a stipend, and 2,163 who attend part-time courses.

The University was given €41 million to cover current expenditure and €1.6 million for capital expenses in order to improve resources and facilities. Besides, it also received €42 million in EU funds for various projects and research.

For the first time, the University will be offering two Masters courses, one in sustainable environmental resource management and the other in integrated marketing communication, both of which will be offered in conjunction with two American universities: James Madison University and San Diego University.

The new courses are: Doctor of Philosophy in tourism studies; Master of Science in sustainable environmental resource management; Master of Arts in integrated marketing communication; Master of Science in strategic innovation and future creation; Master of Science in biomedical sciences (neuroscience); Master of Science in biomedical sciences (microbiology); Master of Arts in youth ministry; Master of Arts in matrimonial Canon law and jurisprudence; Master of Arts in hospitaller studies; Master of Arts in family ministry; Master of Arts in social work; Master of Arts in social policy;

Postgraduate diploma in pastoral psychology; Bachelor of Science (Hons) health science; Bachelor of Education (Hons) (early childhood education & care); Diploma in logistics and transportation management