The University of Malta on Tuesday issued a statement clarifying concerns over the classification of the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), following reports that hundreds of graduates between 2010 and 2013 were mistakenly given transcripts suggesting their qualification was at postgraduate level.
The university explained that for decades the PGCE has been a one-year course offered to graduates holding a first degree, designed to provide pedagogical skills to teach a specific subject. Those who successfully completed the course were eligible for a or a teacher's warrant, which remains valid to this day. While the qualification carried the title of Postgraduate Certificate in Education, this was only to reflect that it was offered to students already in possession of a first degree. In practice, students were registered for study-units at first-degree level, meaning the qualification cannot be classified as a level 7 award under the Malta Qualifications Framework.
The statement acknowledged that between 2010 and 2013, the term 'second cycle' was erroneously included in the Diploma Supplement issued to graduates. Although the supplement also clearly indicated that the units were delivered at first-cycle level, this discrepancy created confusion. The Commissioner for Education within the Ombudsman's office, who reviewed the latter after a complaint was filed, confirmed that the course was not a postgraduate qualification.
The issue came to light after a teacher asked the university to confirm whether her PGCE was classified as MQF level 7, as her certificate indicated. The university refused, stating it was an MQF level 6 award, prompting the teacher to submit a complaint. The Commissioner concluded that although the university had corrected the error in 2014, it had made no effort to notify the affected graduates, estimating the number to be around 400.
In this statement, the University of Malta said it regretted the documentation error and has now commissioned its Audit and Risk Committee to investigate how the mistake occurred and to recommend improvements to its quality assurance processes. It stressed that any doubts cast on the relevance of the PGCE or the competence of its graduates were unjustified, pointing out that those who completed the course received rigorous training and were fully qualified to teach in their subject areas.
To address the matter and support PGCE graduates who wish to continue their studies, the university announced it will introduce a top-up programme, allowing them to upgrade their qualification to level 7. The initiative, which still requires approval by the University Senate, will provide an opportunity for graduates to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma or, if they complete a dissertation, a Master's degree. This programme is expected to be offered on a flexible basis through micro-credentials, enabling graduates to progress at their own pace.
The university insisted that the PGCE retains its professional value and validity, particularly as it grants access to a permanent teacher's warrant, and rejected suggestions that the misclassification undermined the professional standing of graduates. "Any suggestion that sows doubt on the integrity of the university's awards or diminishes the relevance of the PGCE is deplorable," it said, noting that the course was later replaced by the Master's in Teaching and Learning in 2016.