The University has launched a Programme in the Liberal Arts and Sciences (Plas), which offers participants the opportunity to study a broad range of ‘stand alone’ units.

The range of topics is diverse and includes archaeology, economics, wine-making, history, literature, culture, conservation, philosophy, public policy, migration, music, biology, medicine, earth systems, marketing, art, astronomy, sociology, politics, chemistry, architecture, law and photography. It is mainly targeted at adult and returning learners.

Participants are free to choose any topic that interests them and to study at their own pace. They will be assessed mainly through assignments, which may include seminars, presentations, field work and visits.

On successfully completing a unit, they will be awarded credits under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Each Plas unit has a value of four or eight ECTS credits.

An accumulation of 30 credits leads to the award of a certificate, 60 to a diploma, 120 to a higher diploma and 180 leads to a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. The fee for a unit of four ECTS credits is €180 while that for an eight ECTS credit units is €360.

Lectures will normally be held between 6 and 8pm at the University’s Msida or Valletta campuses.

For certain units, applicants may be required to attend a short interview, and certain qualifications and/or experience may be specified.

Applications for units being offered as from October may be submitted online between now and mid-September.

For further information visit www.um.edu.mt/clas or call Dr Jean-Paul De Lucca, director of the Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences on 2340 3772 or e-mail clas@um.edu.mt.