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Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care logo
University of Malta logo

Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care

University of Malta
Information last verified July 2026
Tuition €10,800 (Non-EU)
Degree Master's
Duration 3 years
Delivery On Campus / Part-time
Location Msida, Malta
Language English

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care (MA ECEC) is a three-year, part-time postgraduate programme designed to deepen your understanding of early years pedagogy, policy, and research. Delivered primarily online and structured for working professionals, you will explore contemporary perspectives on childhood, participatory research, curriculum design, and inclusive practices. In your final year, you will undertake a research-based dissertation with one-to-one supervisory support. The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care (MA ECEC) is a three-year, part-time postgraduate programme designed to deepen your understanding of early years pedagogy, policy, and research. Delivered primarily online and structured for working professionals, you will explore contemporary perspectives on childhood, participatory research, curriculum design, and inclusive practices. In your final year, you will undertake a research-based dissertation with one-to-one supervisory support.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue roles in leadership, educational consultancy, curriculum development, training, or early years policy advocacy. The course also supports progression to doctoral studies.

Program Curriculum

Year 1 Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) EPE5020 The Professional Educator - Reflective Practice 1 5 ECTS Semester 1 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) EPE5015 Participatory Methods with Children: Enabling Children's Voice in Research 5 ECTS EPE5022 Play, Observation and Assessment in the Early Years 5 ECTS Semester 2 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) EPE5021 Children's Rights Policy and Advocacy 5 ECTS EPE5023 Advanced Curricular and Pedagogical Approaches in the Early Years 5 ECTS EPE5024 Contemporary and Critical Issues in Early Childhood Education and Care 5 ECTS Year 2 Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) EPE5026 The Professionalisation of the Early Childhood Education and Care - Reflective Practice 2 5 ECTS Semester 1 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) EPE5027 Research Methods in the Early Years 5 ECTS EPE5028 Ethical Issues in Early Years Research 5 ECTS Semester 2 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) EPE5029 Family and Community Engagement in Early Childhood Education and Care 5 ECTS EPE5030 Adopting Inclusive Practices in the Early Years 5 ECTS EPE5031 Approaches to Leadership and Management in ECEC 5 ECTS Year 3 Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) EPE5032 Dissertation 30 ECTS This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Education.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must be in possession of: Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications A Bachelor’s degree, pegged at Level 6 on the Malta Qualifications Framework and obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) or Category II classification, in an area of study related to Education (with a specialisation in early childhood or primary education), or any other area deemed relevant by the Board. Applicants in possession a degree classified with Third Class (Honours) or Category III may also be admitted provided they satisfy the Board that they are in possession of other qualifications, or relevant work experience, obtained following their first cycle degree. The Faculty Admissions Committee may, after thorough examination of documents submitted in support of the qualifications presented, and following an interview, recommend the admission of applicants applying for admission in terms of the University’s Policy for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning (RPL) who are in possession of other academic or professional qualifications and documented experience if these are deemed to be comparable to the qualifications referred to in the above paragraph. The admission of such applicants may be made subject to those conditions that may be imposed to address any lacunae in the applicants’ academic preparation. Conditions imposed may include the satisfactory completion of a preparatory programme, or the requirement to follow and pass supplementary study-units, up to a maximum of 12 ECTS credits, in addition to the programme of study. The admission of applicants may be made conditional on the result of an interview conducted by an interviewing board composed of at least three members, appointed by the Board for the purpose. You are viewing the entry requirements for International applicants. Switch to Local qualifications. You can submit your application online . The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage

Tuition & Financial Information

Tuition Fee

€10,800 (Non-EU)

About University of Malta

University of Malta logo

University of Malta

Msida, Malta

TheUniversity of Malta(Maltese:L-Università ta' Malta;UM; formerlyUOM) is apublic research universityin the towns ofMsidaandValletta, Malta. It serves as theflagshipandnational universityof...

University Profile
  • Start Date October
  • Language English
  • Duration 3 years
  • Credits 90