The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is Malta’s leading vocational education and training institution. It offers 185 full-time and over 300 part-time vocational courses ranging from certificates to degrees (MQF/EQF Level 1 to Level... <show more>

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is Malta’s leading vocational education and training institution. It offers 185 full-time and over 300 part-time vocational courses ranging from certificates to degrees (MQF/EQF Level 1 to Level 7). MCAST collaborates closely with local industries to ensure that the knowledge, skills and competences within its curricula are appropriate and relevant to a dynamic and forward-looking economy and hence equips students with the necessary competences required by the local industry sectors. In 2015, new developments were introduced at MCAST, which have enabled the College to grow and strengthen all its different areas of its wide-ranging remit for the benefit of its students. MCAST has introduced the concept of three colleges under the MCAST umbrella. These are namely the Foundation College, the Technical College and the University College.

Foundation College: The Foundation College provides MQF/EQF levels 1, 2 and 3 programmes for students who have left compulsory education without any formal qualifications or without the necessary entry qualifications for Level 4 training programmes. The Foundation College equips the students with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve a vocational qualification and an opportunity to further their studies. The College focuses on providing the best curricula and learning pedagogies by addressing the specific needs of these students, and thus preparing them for further education at the Technical College.

Technical College: The Technical College provides further programmes of study at MQF/EQF Level 4 in closer collaboration with industry. The Advanced Diplomas on offer prepare students with the right mix of knowledge, skills and competences needed to take up technical positions within industry or progress to the University College. The modular based learning vocational courses incorporate a wide range of apprenticeships in various fields of studies, enabling students to gain practical work experience while studying.

University College: MCAST University College caters for higher education programmes and vocational degrees (MQF/EQF Levels 5 to 7) and ensures that its higher education programmes are more relevant to industry and there is a good match between the graduates and the knowledge and skills the economy needs. The University College works in close collaboration with industry in order to provide professionals that are both academically prepared and trained to satisfy the needs of the labour market. Its vocational graduate programmes, offer internship and entrepreneurship opportunities, while offering Degrees through international partnerships.

There are six thematic Institutes within MCAST which include Applied Science, Community Services, Engineering and Transport, Business, Management and Commerce, Information and Communication Technology and Creative Arts. They provide all the technical and professional expertise towards the delivery of all programmes, thus ensuring the possibility of one continuous pathway between the different levels. This corporate structure enables each College to create focused strategies addressing the specific needs of students at each level while maintaining a healthy dialogue with all interested stakeholders in order to ensure that the qualifications offered mirror industry demands.

Equip learners with the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies through vocational education and training programmes

Meet the demands of the labour market in providing a skilled workforce, through work-based learning initiatives, up-skilling and... <show more>

Equip learners with the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies through vocational education and training programmes

Meet the demands of the labour market in providing a skilled workforce, through work-based learning initiatives, up-skilling and re-skilling programmes

Actively participate in European projects to sustain vocational and educational programmes, build internal capacity and provide opportunities for mobility for learners and staff

New MCAST structure

MCAST has a wide ranging and unique remit in the post-secondary sector offering courses ranging from Level 1 to Level 6. Within the Malta Qualifications Framework, MCAST provides Level 1 and 2 Foundation programmes for students who may have left formal schooling without any formal qualifications with the aim of helping them to at least achieve a Level 3 Vocational qualification and possibly even more. MCAST also provides Level 4 courses to students who may wish to enter employment at the technician level or who may aspire to continue their studies at a higher degree level. Finally, MCAST offers courses at Level 5 and 6 in which students aim to achieve a first degree.

All of these different levels are an important and vital part of MCAST’s mission. In order to strengthen each one of these different levels, it has been felt that MCAST’s structure needs to develop further in order to cater in a better manner for the needs of our students at different levels.

MCAST will remain as one organisation incorporating all these levels and emphasising the possibility of one continuous and strong pathway between the different levels. In order to strengthen its focus on the different needs of students at these different levels, MCAST will be introducing three colleges under the MCAST umbrella namely the Foundation College, the Technical College and the University College.

Foundation College

The Foundation College focuses on providing the best curricula and learning pedagogies for candidates following courses at MQF/EQF Levels 1, 2 and 3 by addressing their specific needs and preparing them for further education at the Technical College.

Technical College

The Technical College provides further programmes of study at MQF/EQF Level 4 in closer collaboration with industry. The Advanced Diplomas on offer prepares our students with the right knowledge, skills and competences in order to take up technical positions within industry or progress to the University College should they prefer to do so. Our Level 4 programmes incorporate a wide range of apprenticeships in various fields of studies thus enabling our students to also gain practical work experience while studying.

University College

The University College caters for higher education programmes and vocational degrees while also working in close collaboration with industry in order to provide professionals that are both academically prepared and practically trained to satisfy the needs of the local industry.

The Institutes and Centres provide all the technical and professional expertise towards the delivery of all programmes at MCAST while having the main aim of driving forward all the areas of study under their respective responsibility with an outlook towards the future. This corporate structure enables each College to create focused strategies that address the specific needs of students at each level while maintaining a healthy dialogue with all interested stakeholders in order to provide the best programmes for the needs of the local economy and society.

- Vocational education and training provision

- Development of curricula and accreditation

- Internal Quality assurance processes

- Services for student support

- Work-based learning and apprenticeships

- Close collaboration with industry

- Support... <show more>

- Vocational education and training provision

- Development of curricula and accreditation

- Internal Quality assurance processes

- Services for student support

- Work-based learning and apprenticeships

- Close collaboration with industry

- Support in VET policy development