Master Of Arts In Financial Services in University of Malta, Malta

Master Of Arts In Financial Services in University of Malta

This programme of study is also offered on a part-time basis. Please consult the Registrar's website for more information pertaining to courses offered by the University.

This Masters programme, which was first launched in 1995, aims to provide students and practitioners with the opportunity to thoroughly and comprehensively examine the evolving legal framework which greatly influences the way financial services are carried out and how these services are regulated in Malta and overseas. While it is offered by the Faculty of Laws, it benefits from the close collaboration and academic input of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy and is, as a result, better placed to deliver a mixed skill programme not exclusively restricted to law subjects.

The programme includes study-units dedicated to specific areas of financial services; particularly banking, insurance and securities, and investment funds business. These sectors are all undergoing regular developments involving new EU directives and regulations resulting from the various crises and difficulties in which the sector has found itself in, particularly outside Malta. The role, status and objectives of regulatory authorities and the different models of regulation are examined in some detail. Special treatment is given to the role of consumer protection within this sector in Malta and abroad, and the various rules and mechanisms whereby the legitimate interests of consumers are safeguarded, examined and evaluated. These include the role of the Arbiter for Financial Services and the role of the customer protection schemes. The role and procedure of the Financial Services Tribunal is also examined in detail.

While the focus is on the provisions, mechanisms and remedies that arise from Maltese law, a broader global and comparative approach is included wherever possible. Indeed, throughout the course, special focus lies on the impact of European Union law particularly through the various directives and regulations that have been adopted during the past twenty years which affect almost every area of financial services. These include such measures more commonly referred to as the BRRD, CRR, CRD and MIFID.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will be able to:

• appreciate the importance and significance of regulation and how and why sectors of commercial activities are targeted and supervised by public agencies;
• understand how regulation works in practice and what good and bad regulation mean; 
• understand the mechanisms and devices that prevent customer abuse and that promote the interests of consumers of financial services;
• gain a better understanding of complex financial instruments and more sophisticated areas of finance including investment funds, protected cell companies and securitisation vehicles;
• occupy senior management posts in financial services firms, public institutions and regulatory authorities;
• undertake due diligence and compliance work;
• assist operators in their relations with clients and regulators;
• give competent and more advanced advice and assistance on specialised subjects falling within the programme;
• specialise in specific sub-sectors; 
• be able to work in other sectors which are subject to specific statutory regulation and how this benefits the rule of law and the general public;
• learn how regulation is carried out in other countries both in Europe and beyond and appreciate the global implications to the sector;
• grasp the implications from a business ethics perspective and appreciate the consequences of failures by operators and regulators in business.

Course intended for

The course aims to attract students who are in possession of a degree in Notary Public, Doctor of Laws, an Honours Bachelor degree in Accountancy, Banking and Finance, Economics, and Insurance, or professional qualifications in Accountancy or Accountancy and Auditing recognized by the University of Malta for the purpose. More specifically, people who already work with banks, insurance companies or securities firms, or who would wish to work in a financial services company, and wish to improve their knowledge, abilities and chances of improvement. The course also attracts students who, having finished the final year of their undergraduate course, wish to continue furthering their studies by undertaking a postgraduate course having a very useful and practical approach.

Career opportunites and access to further studies

With this knowledge students will be well equipped to occupy a number of senior posts in legal, corporate, advisory and regulatory services both in the private and public sectors including financial institutions, banks, stock-broking firms, regulatory agencies, journalism, international organizations, diplomatic service, and the academic field.

The qualification also gives access to Ph.D. studies in the area.