UHDGEGFT-2024-5-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Applicants considered as “Adult Learners” (mature applicants) in terms of paragraph (c) of regulation 6 of the Admissions Regulations must be in possession of those qualifications and/or experience that would satisfy the Faculty Admissions Committee that they have reached the academic standard required to follow the Course with profit. Such applicants shall be required to submit with their application a letter written in English giving their motivation for applying for the Course together with a copy of their Curriculum Vitae (C.V.). The eligibility of such applicants shall be decided by the University Admissions Board, on the recommendation of the Faculty Admissions Committee, following an interview which will be held on a date which will be announced in due course

The University Admissions Board, on the advice of the Board, may allow applicants in possession of additional qualifications and relevant experience evaluated according to the University Policy for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning (RPL) to be admitted for the Course under those conditions as the Board may impose.

The number of students shall be limited to 14 students.

When the number of places is limited and the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be selected, using the following criteria, the weighting of which shall be published at the time of the call for applications:

academic and other qualifications
experience in the area of the proposed study and
performance during the interview.

For the purpose of selection, applicants who fully satisfy the entry requirements by 31st August preceding the commencement of the Course shall be considered first.

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Applications for our February and October intakes have been officially open since the third week in November. You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics is intended if you wish to expand your knowledge in the social, psychological, economic, and biological processes of ageing and later life. The Higher Diploma promises to act as a catalyst for candidates' intellectual development with regards the meeting of needs by both present and incoming cohorts of older persons. The latter stages of the life course are characterized by various transitions, as people exit from the labour market, go through various psychological and social developments in their personal and public lives, and experience multifaceted health issues and concerns. The Higher Diploma will provide you with transferable skills which will either aid them in entering ageing-related occupations, as well as advance their career progression in the field of ageing.

The Higher Diploma provides a broadly based, multi-disciplinary perspective on ageing, later life, and older persons, whilst also disseminating knowledge and skills related to clinical and practical interventions with older persons. It will also sensitise you to the application of gerontological and geriatric research findings to practice.

The Higher Diploma programme in Gerontology and Geriatrics is especially meant if you:

Are already working with older persons and in the field of ageing.
Wish to work with older persons.
Wish to commence your studies in the field of gerontology and geriatrics.

In many ways, the Diploma is a logical, perhaps essential response to the demographic trends currently being faced all over the five continents, including Malta: both the ageing of the population and the growth in life expectancy.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

GDM1009	Ethical Issues in the Care of Older Persons	4 ECTS
GER1001	Principles of Social Gerontology	4 ECTS
GER1002	Physiological and Medical Issues in Later Life	4 ECTS
GER1003	Community and Residential Services for Older Persons	4 ECTS
GER1005	Research Methods	4 ECTS
GER1007	Health Care Professionals in Old Age	4 ECTS
GER1008	Theoretical Issues in Ageing Policy	4 ECTS
GER2024*	Field Placement in Gerontological and Geriatric Settings	12 ECTS
* Work on the dissertation is expected to start in semester 1 of academic year 2024-25 (October 2024) and continues up to the end of the course.

Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

GDM2026	Key Principles of Dementia Care	4 ECTS
GER2009	Mental Health Issues in Later Life	4 ECTS
GER2010	Researching Ageing and Later Life	4 ECTS
GER2011	Food and Nutrition in Later Life	4 ECTS
GER2014	Social Rehabilitation in Later Life	4 ECTS
GER2015	Introduction to Abuse and Neglect	4 ECTS
GER2025**	Implementing Active Ageing Policies in Later Life	8 ECTS
** Study-unit GER2025 starts in semester 2 of academic year 2024-25 (February 2025) and continues up to the end of the course.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

GER2017	Diversity and Discrimination in Later Life	4 ECTS
GER2018	Long-term Care Services for Ageing Populations	4 ECTS
GER2019	Educational Gerontology	4 ECTS
GER2021	Legal Issues in Later Life	2 ECTS
GER2023	National Studies in Ageing Policy	4 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics - H.Dip. - under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Demonstrate how social gerontology is dominated by sociological theories of ageing that call for greater diversity in theorizing the links between class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality.
Compare the difference between the third and fourth ages, especially in terms of biomedical and demographic traditions which refer to them in terms of age groups and associated changes of surviving into old age.
List the arguments as to why chronological age is a non-useful and obsolete strategy to differentiate between older and younger adults as this approach includes cultural and historical biases.
List and explain diverse biological theories of ageing that provide discourses as to why the body tends to deteriorate with increasing chronological age.
Assist geriatricians in war rounds by providing information on the social and physical capital of patients in acute and rehabilitation hospitals.
Design and implement activity programmes for frail older persons in residential/nursing homes.

Among the many competences that you will possess as a successful graduate from the programme, you will be able to:

Subject knowledge and understanding:
- List and explain the social, psychological, and biological theories that are applied within the field of gerontology and geriatrics, examining both normal and abnormal age-related changes that occur throughout the lifespan and their impact on practice. More specifically,
- explain and describe demographic trends of population ageing
- demonstrate how social gerontology is dominated by sociological theories of ageing that call for greater diversity in theorizing the links between class, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality.
- compare the difference between the third and fourth ages, especially in terms of biomedical and demographic traditions which refer to them in terms of age groups and associated changes of surviving into old age.
- analyse the help and support provided to individuals over a continuous and generally long period of time because they are too frail to carry out basic activities of daily living.
- list the various strands of elder abuse, and how this refers to actions perpetrated by trusted persons that risk harm to a vulnerable older adult.
- explain research findings within the field and determine their implications for the practice of gerontology, and to examine the future trends in gerontology research and education
- list and explain diverse biological theories of ageing that provide discourses as to why the body tends to deteriorate with increasing chronological age

Intellectual development:
The Higher Diploma also provides you with opportunities to develop your thinking ability, approach texts critically, and use the library resources to learn new material. More specifically, you will be able to:
- list the arguments as to why chronological age is a non-useful and obsolete strategy to differentiate between older and younger adults as this approach includes cultural and historical biases
- describe good practice in citing relevant material in assignments and thesis, with respect to internet materials, journal articles, and books
- explain key changes in social roles, social support, and policies that occur with aging within the areas of work and retirement, social-familial relationships, housing design, transportation and health-care, and the law
- describe the diversity in aging as it relates to ethnicity, culture, gender, and sexuality and its impact on the Maltese ageing society
- analyse the current spectrum of cognitive variations associated with aging within the areas of intelligence, problem solving, learning and memory, personality, and mental health.
- differentiate between positive ageing, active ageing, successful ageing, and productive ageing, and compare and contrast these policy orientations to population ageing.

Key/transferable skills: The Higher Diploma should enable you to:
- identify and define both the quantitative and qualitative research methods, subject sampling techniques, approaches
- assess the validity and reliability of measurement instruments, and the significance of research ethics applied within the field of gerontology and geriatrics
- take part in and contribute to a multi-disciplinary team in a health-care setting
- contribute actively to, as well as evaluate, policy strategies on positive ageing, successful ageing, active ageing, and productive ageing
- draw up a case study report that assess the independence/dependence levels of an older person, and the extent that s/he can live in the community.
- assist geriatricians in ward rounds by providing information on the social and physical capital of patients in acute and rehabilitation hospitals
- assist in the drawing up and planning of better community, respite, and long-term services for older persons living in the community or nursing home residents

Other skills relevant to employability and personal development: The Higher Diploma will also provide you with the following employment-related skills:
- to take charge of activity day centres for older persons
- design and implement an activity programme for older persons living in the community
- design and implement activity programmes for frail older persons in residential/nursing homes
- assist in the care of frail older persons or persons who experience cognitive difficulties such as dementia
- assist in the running of residential/nursing homes
- assist in the provision of community care services for older persons
- assist in the rehabilitation of older persons in rehabilitation hospitals
- take a role as learning assistants in programmes in older adult learning
- assist in health promotion drives for older persons

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 12,750
Yr 1 - Eur 8,500 - Yr 2: Eur 4,250

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

As a graduate, you will be able to enter a career as a social and health care worker in residential and nursing homes, community services and non-governmental organisations, or even as an informal carer.

Every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate. However, as the content is being constantly updated, users are advised to verify the details contained in these web pages with the relevant University office or authority before making decisions based on the published information.