Program Overview

Certificate in Foundation Studies in Health Sciences (Podiatry)

The Certificate in Foundation Studies in Health Sciences (Podiatry) is designed to provide students with the knowledge, personal and inter-personal skills, and organisational framework necessary for future undergraduate allied health studies. The primary aim of the course is to equip students with the knowledge base, transferable skills, linguistic skills, and general competence required to progress successfully onto the University of Malta's undergraduate Health Science Podiatry course.

Course Overview

The course offers specific training and support in core health science and English areas where students may require further assistance. Teaching is provided in the subject areas of human biology, biological chemistry, human anatomy, psychology, and physics, as well as Medical English and Maltese. Regular tutorial sessions are also expected for each subject, where students will receive training in applying their knowledge base and practicing language and communication skills.

Course Structure

The course is full-time, lasting one year, and consists of 62 ECTS credits. It includes continuous assessments to build a realistic profile of students' abilities, with tutors assessing students periodically. As the course progresses, students are expected to demonstrate higher analytical and evaluation skills.

Skills and Outcomes

The course aims to provide students with:

• A sound scientific knowledge of human biology, biological chemistry, anatomy, psychology, and physics
• The reading, writing, listening, and critical thinking skills necessary to function effectively as a Podiatry student at the University of Malta
• Training to apply scientific reasoning and analytic skills
• Grounding in the use of grammar and logic to precisely understand questions in English and differentiate between similar statements and ideas
• An understanding of how to apply formal logic to scientific problems
• Opportunities to think and reason more effectively in the abstract

Admission Criteria

The course is open to all applicants who:

1. Present a secondary and/or high school certificate issued abroad and studied within an educational system not comparable to the Maltese educational system
2. Satisfy the University's English language requirement
3. Are in possession of qualifications allowing access to an undergraduate course in the selected discipline in the country where such qualifications originate but are deemed to require further study to be admitted to undergraduate degree courses at the University of Malta

Applicants may be required to pass an interview and/or a written test at the discretion of the Board.

Tuition Fees

For non-EU applicants, the total tuition fees are Eur 6,600.

Eligibility and Progression

Successful completion of this course may not guarantee a place on the Podiatry course as seats are limited. However, as a certificate holder, students will be eligible to apply for the B.Sc. (Hons) Podiatry at the University of Malta, a four-year degree.

Program Details

The program includes compulsory units such as Physics for Allied Health Sciences, Research and Reasoning, Medical and Academic English Reading, Listening, and Writing, Grammar and Medical Terminology, and Medical Maltese. These units are spread across two semesters and are designed to provide a comprehensive foundation for future studies in Podiatry.

Academic Entities and Services

The University of Malta offers various academic entities, including faculties, centres, institutes, and schools, as well as services such as administrative directorates, student services, health and wellness centres, and resource centres. These entities and services support the academic and personal development of students throughout their studies.