Higher Diploma in Health Science

Course Description

The Higher Diploma in Health Sciences aims to prepare individuals for more advanced health-related careers and higher qualification which allows them to progress to bachelors and later masters level.

Students of this programme are going to focus on advancing their knowledge, skills and competences that will help them to deal with people with health issues as well as with challenges presented in working with multidisciplinary teams in healthcare settings. The content covers developmental, physical, psychological, spiritual and mental aspects of human health as well as tools to deal with illness and challenging behaviour.

This programme focuses on the Maltese legislations related to the sector and promotes the ‘Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives, Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta, January 2020’.

Entry Requirements

Candidates who apply for this course must:

• be a second level nurses in possession of a minimum Level 4 Certificate in Nursing (or comparable as per MQRIC).

OR

• Possess a qualification at MQF Level 4 (one ‘A’ Level or equivalent preferably in science) or if ‘A’ level is not in science subject then a a pass in Biology, Chemistry or Physics at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent) is required.

Preference will be given to prospective applicants who have a minimum of 1-year work experience in healthcare sector.

*Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language capability at IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent.

Target Audience

The target group covers but is not limited to:

• 2nd level nurses who hold an MQF Level 4 certificate in Nursing.
• Candidates seeking a career in the Health Care sector.
• Candidates who are employed within the healthcare sector and possess an MQF Level 4 Diploma qualification (or equivalent) in healthcare/health science or other relevant and related sectors, examples include but are not limited to: Carers, Medical Assistants, Home Health Aides, Orderlies, Administrators, etc.

Career Paths

This Level 5 Higher Diploma provides an opportunity to candidates to progress in their studies and create a study route for further studies in Higher and Further Education while broadening the spectrum of advancement in own career path. 

Modules

You are required to complete all 19 compulsory modules (120 ECTS) to fulfil the requirements of the Higher Diploma in Health Sciences

How you’ll be assessed

This is a part-time programme and will typically take 15 months to complete. The programme comprises a total of 10 modules. The method of assessment is assignment-based.

The course comprises:

• 6 lectures per module;
• 3-hour lectures;
• 12 hours of guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos;
•  Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work;
• 480-hour work placement pegged with the 5 modules indicated by an asterisk (*)

Assessment

The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.