Malta has one of the highest rates of students who attend university for a first graduate degree. The number of students who are reading for a post-graduate degree is also on the increase.
More and more students are applying for postgraduate degrees in foreign universities, but a substantial number of students apply for long-distance learning.
One of the advantages of long-distance learning is that it is convenient. People who have a full time job, or cannot afford to live in another country for a year, or do not wish to leave the island because they are in a relationship, can still benefit from the prestige given by foreign universities from the comfort of their own country.
Brian Decelis, marketing manager of St Martins Institute of Information Technology, explained that people from all walks of life apply for long distance learning.
St Martin’s Institute of IT accepted its first students to read for University of London degrees in 2000. The first five years saw the school maintain its educational standards, with all students who sat for their annual examinations passing their exams. This year, out of 11 graduate students, five students achieved a first class honours whilst another five a second upper classification, an achievement which resulted in a mention of the Institute by the Chancellor of the University during the graduation ceremony.
The opportunity to study without physically attending the University of London still appeals to many students. Any Maltese students, aged 17 and over is able to read for a University of London degree of their choice, by following lectures in Malta, presenting assignments and sitting for exams, without having to travel and live in London. In 1858 the University established its external programme specifically for students who wanted to study for a University of London degree but could not study in London. The university makes no distinction in the quality of the award gained by external students and those who attend its colleges in London.
“What this means is that any student reading one of the University of London degrees in Malta, can transfer and continue reading for such a degree at the Lead College of the programme in the UK, without having to repeat any of the units already studied and passed, and/or having to sit for any additional units because of the transfer,” said Mr Decelis. This is possible, since the University of London offers the very same degree programmes to its own students in London.
These programmes are open to Maltese citizens, citizens from the 24 European Union States, as well as non-EU nations. Since the programme started in 2000, 13 have graduated, five with first class honours and another six second upper with honours. The average age of students is 23 years, although Mr Decelis pointed out that last year the youngest was 23 and the oldest 47.
The Institute provides a personalised education system for each student. So far it has had an annual intake of 24 students maximum for each of the faculties – 24 students in the Computer Science Faculty, and 24 students in the Commerce Faculty. This policy ensures that the lecturer to student ratio remains at 1:15, giving each student the full attention needed.