Master of Arts in Health, Medicine and Society

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

5 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening - Taught and Research (Mainly Taught)

This distinctive postgraduate programme looks at illness and medicine from a social perspective. It is a taught programme rooted in medical sociology, offering a multi-faceted exploration of health and illness. The key focus is the intersection between the medical world (health, illness, professions) with the social context and social relations.

The taught study units place the practice of medicine and the experience of health and illness within a broad socio-cultural and geographical framework. They offer the opportunity to critically engage with sociological areas of interest such as inequalities in health, the lives experience of illness, the social construction of medical knowledge, global health, health and social policy, and the social implications of genomic research, to mention a few. Research methods are also a key focus in the programme. These are then put into practice in the empirical research-based dissertation, on a topic of your choice.

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Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

a first cycle degree obtained with at least Second Class Honours or Category II in any subject or
a first cycle degree obtained with at least Third Class Honours or Category III in any subject, provided that they satisfy the Board that they are in possession of other qualifications, including relevant experience, obtained following their first cycle degree.

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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 .

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.


Semester 1

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

SOC5005	Health Medicine and Society: An Introduction to Medical Sociology	5 ECTS
SOC5011	Exploring the Lived Experience of Illness	5 ECTS
SOC5017	Digital Health Technologies	5 ECTS


Semester 2

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

GEO5013	Place, Health and Disability	5 ECTS
SOC5013	Sociology of Mental Health and Illness	5 ECTS
SOC5016	Health, Knowledge and Practice	5 ECTS


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)

SOC5020	Reflective Analysis for Professional Development	5 ECTS


Semester 1

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

SOC5010	Social Policy and Health	5 ECTS
SOC5012	Principles of Research Design	5 ECTS
SOC5014	Inequalities in Health	5 ECTS


Semester 2

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

SOC5015	Introduction to Global Health	5 ECTS
SOC5018	Research Analysis in Practice	5 ECTS


Summer Semester

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

SOC5022	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 the Degree of Master of Arts in Health, Medicine and Society - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts.

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

Locate the practice of medicine and the experience of health and illness within a cultural, social and geographical context.
Apply sociological theory and empirical research publications to the discussion of various topics related to health, illness and medicine.
Apply scientific and ethical methods in the design of your own empirical research programme.
Collect empirical data and analyse them using sociological concepts and theory.
Disseminate and publicly communicate your results.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 10,800
Yr 1: Eur 5,400 - Yr 2: Eur 5,400

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.

This MA has been formally recognised by the Nursing Services Directorate as part of the professional advancement of the nursing profession. It will also appeal if you are interested in working in health or medical care settings in the public, private or voluntary sectors. As a graduate, you will have a richer and more professional CV profile by acquiring essential transferable skills related to critical analysis and critical writing, together with those related to conducting research within the social and health contexts.

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