Post-Graduate Courses
Introduction
Over the last decade, Malta has witnessed significant
overall expansion in the higher education sector.
In a knowledge-based economy, it is imperative to
have a strong base of Master’s and Doctorate
programmes researching innovative and creative hypothesis
that ultimately bring intellectual and economic growth
to society.
High quality postgraduate education is of central
importance to a number of objectives among others:
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The increase of research and development
activity in Malta; |
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The development of new academics and fields
of study and research; |
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An ever more highly skilled workforce; |
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The precious impact and social benefit of groundbreaking
discoveries. |
Postgraduate education forms an increasingly important
part of any country’s economic and social agenda
because it supplies a key part of many people's continuing
professional development. For this purpose, the Malta
Government Scholarships Post-Graduate Scheme for
2008 aims at providing more opportunities to promote
further specialisation at higher levels of education
particularly at a Masters and Doctoral level.
1. Aims and Objectives
The key objectives of this Scholarship Scheme are
to:
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assist exceptional students to
pursue further levels of academic research; |
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encourage and promote more student participation
at a postgraduate level of academic research,
both locally and internationally; |
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contribute towards research in identified areas
of national priority; |
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increase research activity at the University
of Malta; |
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increase the capacity and level of research,
innovation and development activity in Malta. |
2. Eligibility
In order to apply for the Malta Government Scholarships
Post-Graduate Scheme, candidates must:
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be a Maltese citizen, or is otherwise
permitted to work in Malta; |
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| b) |
be applying for either a Masters
degree studies equivalent to NQF Level 7 or Doctoral
degree studies equivalent to NQF Level 8. |
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| c) |
not already be in a course of post-graduate
studies of the same level as that applied for; |
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| d) |
hold by application deadline the
following qualifications from a recognised higher
education
institution: |
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Applicants for
Masters degree scholarships |
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an Honours degree of at least an upper second
class standard, or |
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a post graduate qualification (excluding Masters)
with a first general degree of at least an upper
second class standard, |
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Applicants for
Doctorate degree scholarships: |
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an Honours degree of at least an upper second
class standard, or |
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post graduate qualification (excluding Masters)
with a first general degree of at least an upper
second class standard, or |
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a Masters degree. |
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Provisional applications shall
also be accepted from students in their final
year of studies who will receive their qualifications’ results
after the closing date but prior to their interview
date. |
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It is the responsibility of applicants,
in possession of qualifications awarded by foreign
Universities/higher education institutions, to
produce an evaluation report on comparability
of qualifications issued by the Malta Qualifications
Recognition Information Centre (MaltaQRIC) within
the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and
Sport. A copy of the said report issued by the
MaltaQRIC, or the designated authority in case
of warrants, should be attached to the application,
with the original presented at the interview.
Candidates not in possession of this report may
still apply, provided that they submit a copy
of the report to the receiving department as
soon as it becomes available and in any case
by not later than one month from the closing
date of the call for applications. |
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Applicants who are in possession
of a degree at the same level of that they are
applying for shall not be eligible. |
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Applications submitted by employees
of the Public Service/Public Sector require the
endorsement of the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry concerned through the Head of the relative
Department on pain of ineligibility to prove
that paid or unpaid leave of absence for the
duration of the course has already been conceded
under those terms and conditions as established
by the Ministry concerned. |
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be available, by 1st October of
the same year of deadline, to commence their
academic studies. |
3. Types of Scholarships
The Malta Government Scholarships Post-Graduate
Scheme shall support 12 - 36 months full-time Masters
or Doctoral postgraduate courses. Joint degrees or
split-site programmes may be considered as long as
documentation is provided indicating the lead degree
awarding institution. Distance learning programmes
shall not be considered.
4. Priority Areas of Study
All applicants are expected to present their research
proposals and all applications shall be duly evaluated.
The Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board will,
as may be necessary, receive recommendations from
the Office of the Prime Minister and the National
Commission for Higher Education with regard to the
priority areas of study according to national needs
and criteria. These recommendations shall be incorporated
in the selection criteria to be used by the Malta
Government Scholarships Scheme Board.
5. Tenure and Placement
Awards are tenable at any local or international
university or higher education institution for a
specific programme of study or research. Only those
institutions recognised by the Maltese authorities
shall be taken into consideration by the Malta Government
Scholarships Scheme Board.
It shall be the responsibility of applicants, applying
for qualifications awarded by foreign Universities/tertiary
education institutions, to produce an evaluation
report on comparability of qualifications issued
by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information
Centre (MaltaQRIC) within the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Youth and Sport. A copy of the said report
issued by the MaltaQRIC is to be attached to the
application, with the original presented at the interview.
Candidates not in possession of this report may still
apply, provided that they submit a copy of the report
to the receiving department as soon as it becomes
available and in any case by not later than one month
from the closing date of the call for applications.
6. Choice of Institution
The final decision with regard to the choice of
the institution of study shall be made by the Malta
Government Scholarships Scheme Board, which reserves
the right to overrule any preferences expressed by
the candidate at the application stage.
Applicants are, however, expected to identify up
to three institutions and courses (or supervisors
for research degree applicants) that they consider
most appropriate on the application form, explaining
the reasons for their selection. Applicants should
attempt to have at least one conditional acceptance
in writing from an institution listed in their preferences.
This is important since the Malta Government Scholarships
Scheme Board will not change the institution or course
for which the candidate has been provisionally selected
after the Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board
has met, unless exceptional information becomes available
that could not have been foreseen at the time of
application.
Many courses have strict admission deadlines and
applicants must take the necessary steps to secure
admission to their preferred institutions in advance
of any scholarship application to the Malta Government
Scholarships Scheme Board. Applicants should note
that a number of university departments will require
an applicant to demonstrate a valid GMAT or GRE score
before an offer of admission can be made. Applicants
should check admission requirements carefully at
the time of application.
7. Administration of the Malta Government
Scholarships Post-Graduate Scheme
The Malta Government Scholarships Post-Graduate
Scheme shall be administered by the Malta Government
Scholarships Scheme Administrative Office within
the Ministry of Education, Culture Youth and Sport.
The Malta Government Scholarships Board, set up
by the Minister responsible for Education, shall
operate the process of selection. This Board shall
be responsible for all matters concerning the selection
and determination of appropriate awards according
to the regulations.
8. Application Forms
Interested candidates are invited to apply using
the appropriate application forms which are available
either from the Customer Care Office, Human Resources
Development Department, Directorate for Educational
Services, Great Siege Road, Floriana, FRN 1810, or
on-line from the following link: www.education.gov.mt/mgss.htm
The
applicant shall complete and sign one application
form and submit it to the Malta Government Scholarships
Scheme Board together with the following:
| i) |
6 certified copies of the applicant’s
University/College transcripts (detailed); |
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6 certified copies of the letter of acceptance
from the University applied for; |
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6 certified copies of your birth certificate. |
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6 certified copies of MaltaQRIC evaluation
report (where applicable). |
Reference letter forms for academic referees are
to be sent by the applicants to their respective
referees of their choice, who in turn shall send
the completed form (and any other reference letter
they may wish to submit), in a sealed envelope to:
The Secretary
Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board
Directorate for Educational Services
Great Siege Road
Floriana. FRN 1810.
Tel: + 356 2598 2230; + 356 2598 2250
Fax: +
356 2598 2120
Templates and envelopes may be collected from the
Customer Care Office, Human Resources Development
Department, Directorate for Educational Services,
Great Siege Road, Floriana, FRN 1810
Applications for scholarships by students are required
to arrive at the:
Customer Care Office
Human Resources Development Department
Directorate for Educational Services
Great Siege Road
Floriana. FRN 1810
Tel: +356 2598 2563; +356 2598 2461; + 356 2598
2460
Fax: + 356 21 225630
The application deadline is Tuesday 17th June 2008
at noon.
9. Selection Process
The role of the Malta Government Scholarships Scheme
Board is to evaluate and select candidates according
to pre-established criteria. It is the role of the
Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board to nominate
selected candidates for endorsement by the National
Commission for Higher Education. Awards made by the
Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board are subject
to the final approval of the Minister responsible
for education.
Each application shall be considered as follows:
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the Malta Government Scholarships
Scheme Board shall, where and as necessary, appoint
an expert with expertise in the subject area
concerned to evaluate the application; |
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the Malta Government Scholarships Scheme
Board itself shall consider the application and
any advice submitted by appointed experts. |
10. Selection Criteria
Applications shall be considered on the basis of
the following selection criteria:
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Academic merit of the candidate. |
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The quality of the proposal. |
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Local availability of courses. |
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The likely impact of the work on the development
of Malta. |
11. Value of Awards
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Courses in Malta: |
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Masters Programme: |
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Full-time (free of tuition
fees) Masters: for Masters courses provided by the
University of Malta, with no tuition fees, the
scholarship shall cover education and maintenance
costs up to a maximum of €2,330 per annum,
for the duration of the course. Students shall
be generally expected to follow one year courses,
however, in exceptional circumstances, a maximum
period of two years may be considered; |
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Fee based full-time Masters: for any full-time
Masters courses provided for a tuition fee by
the University of Malta or any licensed school,
tuition centre or higher education institution
in Malta providing internationally accredited
Masters level degrees, the scholarship shall
cover the tuition fees (which could vary by course
or institution), and maintenance costs up to
a maximum of €2,330 per annum, for the duration
of the course. Students shall be generally expected
to follow one year courses, however, in exceptional
circumstances, a maximum period of two years
may be considered. |
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Doctoral Programme: |
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Full-time Doctoral Programmes (free of
tuition fees): For Doctoral courses provided by the University
of Malta, with no tuition fees to Maltese students,
the scholarship shall cover education and maintenance
costs up to a maximum of €6,990 per annum,
i.e. €20,970 for the three year duration
of the course. |
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Courses outside Malta: |
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Masters Degree: |
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Full-time Masters: for full-time Masters
courses provided by an internationally accredited
and recognised University, the Scholarship shall
cover only tuition fees for the duration of one
year, up to a maximum of €6,990 per annum.
Students shall be generally expected to follow
one year courses, however, in exceptional circumstances,
a maximum period of two years may be considered. |
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Doctoral Programme: |
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Full-time Doctoral: For full-time Doctoral
programme, provided by an internationally accredited
and recognised University, the Scholarship
shall cover only tuition fees up to a maximum
of €6,990 per annum, i.e. €20,970
for the three year duration of the course.
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Additional benefits for all programmes
(both in Malta and abroad): |
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Dependants: For scholars selected
by the Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board
an allowance shall be payable as prescribed below.
It shall not be paid when a husband or wife of
the scholar is also in receipt of an award.
In the case of scholars with children (including
a scholar who is widowed, separated or a single
parent), a child allowance shall be payable
at the rate of €1,165 per year for the
first child, and €699 for any additional
child under the age of 15, provided they are
residing with their parents.
In the case of married scholars awarded Doctorate
programmes abroad exceeding one academic year,
a marriage allowance of €2,330 per year
shall be payable provided that the husband
and wife are residing together at the same
address in Malta and the scholar is accompanied
by the spouse.
The allowances are meant to make a contribution
towards the costs of family maintenance and
scholars should expect and be able to supplement
these allowances to support family members
and not rely on such grants exclusively.
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Tax: The income from this scholarship
scheme shall not be subject to income tax. |
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Students from Gozo, following
a Masters or a Doctoral course in Malta, and
awarded a scholarship, shall be entitled to additional
maintenance supplement of €1,049 per annum
for the duration of the course. Such students
would need to give evidence that they have attended
school in Gozo for at least three scholastic
years. |
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The National Commission for Higher
Education shall reserve the right to award the
faculty at the University of Malta up to a maximum
of €3,495 per annum i.e. €10,485 for
the three year duration of the course, towards
expenses incurred by faculty at the University
of Malta where a doctorate programme is being
followed for education materials and supervisory
costs. |
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The Malta Government Scholarships
Scheme Board, in consultation with the Minister
responsible for education, may adopt different
grants on a case by case basis, where extraordinary
circumstances warrant such consideration. |
12. General Conditions of Award
Applicants should be aware of the following general
conditions:
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Candidates shall be notified of
their provisional selection for award by the
Malta Government Scholarship Scheme Board, subject
to the Board agreeing the terms of admission
to
the
university/institution
and final approval by the Minister responsible
for education; |
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Candidates shall be given a formal Notification
of Award, the offer of a scholarship, as soon
as terms of admission to the university/institution
have been agreed; |
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Formal confirmation of an award will be issued
when all conditions of the Notification of Award
have been met; |
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Scholars will be expected to take up the award
from the date stated by the Malta Government
Scholarship Scheme Board in its formal offer
of a scholarship; |
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Maltese scholars will be expected to seek prior
visa approval for any proposed studies abroad; |
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If the Malta Government Scholarship Scheme
Board Post-Graduate Scheme is opened to countries
who normally require a visa to enter Malta, then
Scholars
will be required to obtain prior visa approval
for any proposed studies in Malta; |
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Scholars must inform in writing the Malta
Government Scholarships Scheme Board beforehand
of any commitment of employment during the duration
of their award. |
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Scholars retaining full-time or more than
19 hours of employment contemporarily to their
studies/research shall be deemed to be in breach
of their obligation towards full-time studies
resulting in a cancellation of award and refund
of any awards granted by then, unless they have
approved unpaid or paid leave. Applicants/scholars
shall be responsible for informing the Malta
Government Scholarships Scheme Board of any such
situations in advance |
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In the case of selected Scholars who are public
service/sector employees on full-time employment
contracts, only tuition fees will be covered
by awards for those receiving paid leave of absence. |
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Similar awards or grants to the Malta Government
Scholarships Post-Graduate Scheme for the same
course/ programme of studies must be declared
at the point of interview or before formally
accepting the award. |
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The Malta Government Scholarships Scheme
Board reserves the right to publish the names
of applicants provisionally selected for awards
on the Malta Government Scholarships Scheme website.
In applying for an award, the candidate is considered
to have given consent for such publication in
the event that her or his application is successful. |
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The Malta Government Scholarships Scheme
Board reserves the right to allocate additional
funds to a research proposal that is considered
to be of such importance and excellence in nature
that it will be of relevant social or economic
benefit. |
13. Additional Requirements
Acceptance of awards/ abandoned awards: whoever
is awarded a scholarship shall enter into an agreement
by a prescribed date failing which the scholarship
could be awarded to others according to their respective
ranking. Scholars who abandon their studies without
valid justification to the Malta Government Scholarships
Scheme Board shall be required to refund the scholarship
grants forwarded to both the scholar and the institution
in the form of fees.
Scholars receiving awards for courses with duration
of more than one year shall ask their faculty supervisor
to submit a short statement confirming progress and
attendance of the scholar. Failure to receive this
by the Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Board
could lead to a halt in further tranches of the award.
Awards shall be to obtain one degree and funding
shall not be extended to enable candidates to complete
an additional or higher qualification than that for
which the selection was made.
It is important that candidates make clear at the
point of application the qualification for which
they are applying, especially if they wish to be
considered for a scholarship intended to lead to
a doctoral degree. This shall enable the Malta Government
Scholarships Scheme Board to consider the application
in the correct category.
14. Queries
For further queries, please contact:
Ms Pauline Catania
Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Administrative
Office
Directorate for Educational Services
Great Siege Road
Floriana, FRN 1810
Telephone: +356 2598 2230, +
356 2598 2250
Fax: +356 2598 2120
Email: pgscholarships.medc@gov.mt
Website: www.education.gov.mt/mgss.htm
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