The Bachelor of Arts in Italian and Psychology at the University of Malta offers a dynamic blend of Italian language, literature, and culture with foundational and applied psychology, perfect for students passionate about human behavior, communication, and Mediterranean heritage. It's ideal if you're curious about how language shapes the mind or want versatile skills for careers in counseling, education, or cultural roles—apply now to immerse yourself in this unique combo that sets you up for real-world impact.
### Curriculum structure
Year 1
You'll kick off with core psychology foundations like PSY1315: Understanding Research in Psychology and PSY1610: Major Paradigms in Psychology: The Psychoanalytic and Humanistic Paradigms, and Behaviourism, building a strong base in how we think and behave, while diving into Italian essentials such as ITL1009: Introduzione al cinema and ITL1020: Introduzione alla filologia e alla linguistica storica to explore Italy's cinematic and linguistic roots. This year sets the stage for blending cultural insights with psychological theories, making complex ideas feel approachable and exciting right from the start.
Year 2
Building momentum, you'll tackle PSY1625: Psychology of Communication and PSY1635: Major Paradigms: Cognitive Psychology (prerequisite PSY1617), sharpening your grasp of how we interact and process information, paired with deeper Italian studies that enhance your analytical edge. Expect hands-on exploration of communication dynamics and cognitive processes, giving you tools to understand real-life scenarios like influence and decision-making.
Year 3
Cap it off with advanced electives like PSY2623: Work Psychology, PSY2606: Psychology of Learning and Applied Behaviour Analysis, and intriguing options such as PSY3647: Selected Topics in Organisational Psychology or PSY3655: Neurodiverse Profiles, applying psych principles to workplaces, learning, and diverse minds while refining your Italian expertise. This year empowers you with practical, career-ready knowledge that employers love.
Focus areas: Italian language and culture (literature, philology, cinema) alongside psychology paradigms (psychoanalytic, cognitive, behavioral), communication, research methods, and applied topics like work, learning, and neurodiversity.
Learning outcomes: Gain academic proficiency in Italian while mastering psychological research, paradigms, and applications; develop critical thinking, communication skills, and cultural awareness for professional versatility.
Professional alignment (accreditation): Aligns with pathways to further psychology qualifications like the Higher Diploma in Psychology (noting compulsory units like PSY1635); Italian components provide recognized language/cultural expertise, no specific external accreditation listed but university-standard ECTS credits.
Reputation (employability rankings): University of Malta boasts strong graduate outcomes, with psychology grads entering counseling, HR, and education; Italian enhances global employability in EU/Mediterranean roles—check official stats for UM's rising QS presence in humanities and social sciences.
At the University of Malta, our Bachelor of Arts in Italian and Psychology stands out for its strong focus on experiential learning, where you'll build real-world skills through hands-on opportunities tied directly to these fields. You'll dive into practical language immersion and psychological research using dedicated departmental resources, like those at the Institute of Anglo-Italian Studies for Italian and the Department of Psychology for psych experiments and analysis. This setup lets you apply classroom knowledge right away, from group discussions in Italian to psych labs and even international exchanges.
Here are some key ways you'll gain practical experience in the program:
- Access the Institute of Anglo-Italian Studies library and resources next to the Campus Hub, perfect for immersive Italian projects and cultural analysis.
- Use Department of Psychology facilities for hands-on research, including potential lab work in areas like experimental psych, with support from the broader Malta Neuroscience Network Platform.
- Participate in Erasmus+ mobilities (with 65% average eligibility for Psychology-related study), attending lectures abroad while earning credits toward your degree—great for Italian cultural immersion or psych fieldwork.
- Engage in group projects and collaborative learning through departmental activities, building teamwork skills in bilingual settings or psych studies.
- Explore DegreePlus extracurriculars to boost your CV with practical workshops, like language tech tools or psych-related professional development units.
This hands-on approach will set you up for success—imagine blending Italian fluency with psych insights in careers like counseling or cultural consulting.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Italian and Psychology at the University of Malta gain a strong understanding of human behaviour and communication, combined with advanced language and cultural knowledge. This unique mix prepares students for careers where working with people, interpreting behaviour, and communicating effectively are essential. Typical roles include human resources officer, research assistant, community support worker, and positions in education, communication, or cultural organisations.
With this interdisciplinary background:
Students are supported through the University’s Communication and Academic Skills Programme, which helps strengthen academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication for both employment and further study.
The programme encourages participation in Erasmus+ mobility opportunities, giving students the chance to study abroad and broaden their international academic and cultural experience.
Graduates develop strong transferable skills in research, critical thinking, language proficiency, and understanding human behaviour, which are valued across many sectors.
The degree provides a recognised MQF Level 6 qualification (180 ECTS), supporting progression to postgraduate study in psychology, languages, education, or related fields.
The combination of psychology and Italian creates a versatile profile suited to multicultural, international, and people-focused working environments.
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 Italian and Psychology, students can continue their studies through master’s degrees in psychology, languages, education, communication, or other related disciplines, depending on entry requirements. This can lead to more specialised academic training, doctoral research, and advanced careers in psychology, academia, cultural work, and international organisations.



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