The Institute of Islands and Small States is offering a course leading to the degree of Master’s in Islands and Small Studies.
The course is spread over two years of part-time study. Lecture sessions are normally held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Tal-Qroqq campus. The course is also offered at the University Gozo Campus on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
The course, which has been offered by the institute since 2000, has been considered as a high-quality course by external examiners. The reports of the external examiners praise the high quality of the dissertations and commend the structure of the course, as it contains a good combination of taught and research components.
Admission to the degree is open to candidates in possession of a Bachelor’s degree (second class or higher) or an equivalent qualification. In exceptional cases, the Admissions Board may admit applicants not in possession of a Bachelor degree, provided that these applicants are in possession of other academic or professional qualifications and experience deemed to be comparable to the level of a first degree.
External examiners praise the high quality of the course
Applicants whose first degree or professional qualifications and experience is not the major area of study chosen by them shall be made after an interview, during which their ability to successfully complete the course with profit shall be assessed.
Three areas of study are on offer, namely economics, environmental studies and international affairs, all of which can be taken as a major or minor area of study, provided that there are a sufficient number of applicants who wish to choose these areas.
On completion of this course students should be able to understand the special problems and opportunities faced by small states and small island jurisdictions with regard to environmental, economic, social and international relations concerns, depending on the major and minor areas of study chosen by the students.
Students should also be able to understand the role of small states in the global arena. They will also receive training in order to conduct research and write a dissertation.
Career opportunities include the working in international organisations, working within government departments, teaching at secondary and tertiary levels, working in environmental NGOs or local councils.
The current course fee for Maltese and EU applicants is €960 per semester.
Further information about the Islands and Small States Institute and the Master’s course are available at www.um.edu.mt/islands.