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3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of MaltaThe Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology and Psychology at the University of Malta is a 3-year full-time program that equips you with a deep understanding of ageing's medical, psychological, and social dimensions, alongside core psychology principles, perfect for those passionate about supporting older adults and addressing ageism in society. It suits students interested in meaningful careers in healthcare, social services, or advocacy, blending theory with practical insights into successful ageing, dementia care, and human rights for older persons—all while building strong communication and academic skills for real-world impact.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1 lays a solid foundation by introducing the biological and cognitive basics of human behavior and ageing. You'll dive into Foundations in Human Biology for Psychology (PSY1630) to explore how biology underpins mental processes, alongside Major Paradigms: Cognitive Psychology (PSY1635), which covers key theories shaping how we think and learn, and Biological Psychology 2 (PSY1618) to understand neural mechanisms—setting you up to grasp ageing from a scientific angle right from the start.
Year 2 builds on this with a focus on applied psychology and the realities of ageing, helping you connect personal well-being to broader societal needs. Courses like Work Psychology (PSY2623) examine how environments affect motivation and performance in later life, Psychology of Sexuality (PSY2626) addresses intimacy and identity changes with age, and gerontology units such as GER2009 critically analyze how ageing impacts psychological processes in normal development—making you more empathetic and skilled in real-life scenarios.
Year 3 lets you specialize and synthesize everything through synoptic units, choosing electives that match your interests for a personalized edge. Standouts include Selected Topics in Organisational Psychology (PSY3647) for workplace strategies with older employees, Introduction to Critical Psychology (PSY3651) to challenge societal biases like ageism, and Neurodiverse Profiles (PSY3655) or psychology of ageing units like PSY3616 and GER5102, which delve into dementia and age-related concerns—preparing you to lead in advocacy or care with confidence.
Focus areas: Medical, psychological, and social aspects of ageing; active and successful ageing; community/long-term care history; ageism mitigation; dementia studies; biological/cognitive psychology foundations; applied electives like organisational, health, and forensic psychology.
Learning outcomes: Demonstrate knowledge of ageing perspectives and anti-ageism milestones in Malta and internationally; analyze psychological processes in normal/pathological ageing and dementia; synthesize core psychology areas via synoptic units; develop academic communication skills for careers; apply theory to practical healthcare, social services, and advocacy.
Professional alignment (accreditation): Complements studies with a dedicated Communication and Academic Skills Programme for career-ready competences; aligns with gerontology/geriatrics and psychology standards at University of Malta, emphasizing bio-psycho-social-spiritual dimensions for holistic care.
Reputation (employability rankings): University of Malta's social wellbeing programs, including this joint degree, are renowned for hands-on preparation in high-demand fields like elder care and psychology, with strong graduate outcomes in healthcare and advocacy—backed by official stats on transformative fieldwork and real-world impact.
At the University of Malta, our Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology and Psychology dives deep into practical, hands-on learning that builds real-world skills for working with ageing populations and understanding human behaviour. You'll gain expertise through the Department of Gerontology & Dementia Studies, a leading international centre focused on interdisciplinary team practice in geriatric and dementia care, blending theory with fieldwork opportunities and dynamic discussions to prepare you for careers in healthcare, social services, and advocacy. Housed within the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, the program emphasizes training in ageing welfare policy, dementia studies, social and biological theories of ageing, and quality of life in old age, all supported by cutting-edge research and European collaborations.
This sets the stage for targeted experiential elements like these:
- Fieldwork and hands-on experiences: Engage in practical applications through the program's structure, including units like Interprofessional and Integrated Care in Old Age (GDM1010) and Assistive Devices for the Older Person (GDM2028), which simulate real geriatric and dementia care settings with interdisciplinary team approaches.
- Research and scholarly activity: Access the Department of Gerontology & Dementia Studies (located in Room 117, Ground Floor, Humanities B Building), a hub for high-quality research on ageing, later life, and dementia, contributing to international publications and policy insights.
- Psychology practicals: Build skills via units like Foundations in Human Biology for Psychology (PSY1630) and Psychology of Communication (PSY1625), with prerequisites fostering lab-like progression in cognitive paradigms and helping professions.
- Dedicated facilities: Study in the Faculty for Social Wellbeing building (marked 15 on campus map), alongside nearby Psychology (18) and Gerontology (14) spaces in the Old Humanities Building (OH) and Mediterranean Institute (MDT), with lecture halls like Arts Lecture Theatre and Dun Mikiel Xerri Lecture Centre for group discussions.
- Support for projects and electives: Tackle group-oriented electives like Psychology of Helping (PSY2641) or Career Education and Guidance (COU3301), subject to availability, ideal for collaborative projects on diversity, legal issues, and neurodiverse profiles in later life.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology and Psychology at the University of Malta develop a strong understanding of human behaviour alongside the medical, psychological, and social aspects of ageing. This combination prepares students for meaningful, people-focused careers where they can contribute to improving wellbeing across different stages of later life. Typical roles include work in healthcare support services, social services, research assistant positions, policy-related work, and community or elderly care services.
With this interdisciplinary background:
Students are supported through the University’s Communication and Academic Skills Programme, which helps strengthen academic writing, presentation, and professional communication skills needed for both employment and further study.
The programme encourages participation in Erasmus+ mobility opportunities, giving students the chance to gain international exposure and broaden their academic and cultural experience.
Graduates develop transferable skills in research, critical thinking, and understanding human behaviour and ageing, which are valuable across healthcare, social services, research, and public policy settings.
The degree provides a recognised MQF Level 6 qualification worth 180 ECTS credits, supporting progression to postgraduate study in psychology, gerontology, social work, and related fields.
The programme builds a strong foundation for careers supporting older adults, including roles in care services, community support, policy development, and advocacy work.
The University does not publish specific employment rates, salary figures, or named industry partnership employers for this programme.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology and Psychology, students can continue their studies through master’s degrees in psychology, gerontology, social work, health-related disciplines, or other related fields, depending on entry requirements. This can lead to advanced specialist training, doctoral research opportunities, and long-term careers in academia, healthcare services, policy development, and social care leadership.
Applicants classified as Adult Learners (mature applicants) must have qualifications and/or relevant experience that demonstrate they meet the academic standard required to successfully follow the course.They are required to submit a motivation letter in English explaining their interest in the programme, along with a Curriculum Vitae (CV) as part of their application.Final eligibility is determined by the Faculty Admissions Committee, and applicants may also be asked to attend an interview conducted by an appointed board to assess their suitability for admission.Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency with either TOEFL iBT (minimum 80 overall, 20 in Writing for pre-2026; 4 overall, 4.5 Writing from January 2026) or Academic IELTS (overall 6.0, Writing 6.0, Reading/Listening/Speaking 5.5), valid within 2 yearsChina: Applicants must present the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) with a minimum overall score of 65%, including passes in a non-English language, one humanities subject, and one science subject (preferably Mathematics); if these subjects are not included in the Gaokao, they may be considered from the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate.India: Applicants with Indian Class XII qualifications (ISC, HSC, or CBSE) may be required to complete a pathway programme to develop the necessary skills for entry into undergraduate studies at the University of Malta.United Kingdom: Applicants must present 3 GCE A-Level passes at grade B or better, including a language, a science, and a humanities subject, along with 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or higher in English, a non-English language, and Mathematics (if not offered at A-Level).United States: Applicants must present an American High School Diploma with a cumulative GPA between 2 and 4, including good Grade 12 passes in English, a non-English language (for non-Maltese applicants), Mathematics, and a humanities subject; if not taken in the final year, the language and Mathematics may be considered from the previous year.United States: Applicants must also have a minimum of three College Board Advanced Placement (AP) passes with a score of 3 or higher; SAT scores cannot replace AP passes.healthcaresocial servicesresearchpolicy developmentadvocacygeriatric care managerpolicy workresearcheracademichuman service agenciespersonnel management
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