The University of Malta (Maltese L-Università ta' Malta) is the highest educational institution in Malta. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates (PhD).
[edit] History
The University was first known as the Collegium Melitense and was founded by Bishop Garagallo in 1592. It was originally run by the Jesuits. After the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Maltese islands in 1768, the assets of the Collegium Melitense were seized and the University itself was founded by Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta, Manuel Pinto da Fonseca, in 1769. Napoleon conquered Malta in 1798 and the University was briefly abolished and transformed into a French educational institution. The French were expelled from Malta in 1800 and the islands became a British protectorate. The University was reestablished under Sir Alexander Ball, Governor of Malta. In 1938, King George VI created the title of The Royal University of Malta. The word "Royal" was subsequently removed from the name of the University when Malta became a republic in 1974.
Admission to the university is based on Matriculation examination results (A levels). However, entry on basis of maturity and experience is granted for certain courses in the arts and sciences. The University is known to have the strictest grade requirements in the European continent[citation needed], and entry into some courses is limited.
In the 1970s, under Dom Mintoff's government, the university became more accessible to students with a working-class or middle-class background since financial help started being given. In fact, the university's population increased by around 200% in this period. Up to the 1960s, the total university population was that of 300 students; in the 1970s it approached the 1,000 mark.
[edit] Faculties and institutions
Thee University of Malta comprises the following eleven faculties:
Undergraduate courses are free-of-charge to citizens of Malta and the European Union. Maltese students enrolled in higher education in Malta are entitled to a stipend. Fees are charged in the case of higher courses and to nationals from non-EU states. Despite this, the university has a healthy percentage of non-EU students[citation needed].
[edit] Notable graduates
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 35°54′7″N 14°28′57″E / 35.90194°N 14.4825°E / 35.90194; 14.4825
