This information applies to courses shown on the Prospectus for Courses offered in 2016/17.

MCAST courses are offered at different levels. Certificate and foundation courses are at Levels 1 and 2 and the highest courses are at Level 6. The progression routes as shown on the diagrams in the Prospectus are those applicable to September 2016. The College reserves the right to change this information and these routes at any point it deems appropriate.

New Applicants - Method of Application

1. A new Applicant is:
Either: An Applicant who in June 2016 was not attending a course at MCAST. Or: A student who failed the first year of a course and wishes to reapply to start the same course.
Or: A student who up to June 2016 attended a course at MCAST and wishes to start another course, not through progression, or to start another course in a different area of study.

2. All Applicants must fill in the official Application Form.

3. Applications without all the necessary entry requirements are not processed.

4. Grades 5/C or better are considered as ‘O’ level passes. In the case of ‘O’ level passes in Maltese, Italian and Religion only the SEC results are accepted.

5. Applicants who sat for examinations of Overseas Examination Boards and at the time of receipt of applications are still waiting for results, may submit a provisional application (subjects marked with a P), as long as the results are presented by the end of the last week in August.

6. No provisional entry of subjects will be accepted after the closing date for the receipt of applications.

7. After the closing date for the receipt of applications no changes in application forms are accepted except for results for Provisional exams of Overseas Boards.

8. When filling in the Application form the Title of a Course applied for and the Course Code number must agree. In case they do not agree it is the Code number that is considered as the choice of course.

9. MCAST strives to be an equal opportunity College and therefore welcomes students with learning difficulties and disabilities. Special needs students are required to:
• Have the necessary entry qualifications
• Discuss their needs with a member of the MCAST Inclusive Education Unit (IEU) before submitting the
application form
• Produce recent professional evidence in writing concerning their special requirements to follow the course
• Produce recent professional documents on their special requirements to follow the course.

For an appointment to discuss your special needs please phone the Inclusive Education Unit on 23987127 or the Information Centre on 23987000. 

Selection of Applicants and Further Information

1. Students who in July 2016 successfully completed a course at MCAST and apply to progress to a higher course in the same area of study will be given priority over those Applicants who apply for the same course from outside MCAST.

2. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

4. All grades of SEC, ‘O’ level, Advanced and Intermediate level examination results are allocated a number of points as shown in the table below:

Full Certificates and Diplomas up to level 3 receive the following number of points:

No subject/Certificate/Diploma and its equivalent may be counted twice but the higher grade or level is considered.

5. All Applicants must produce the original and photocopies of the following when requested:
• Valid ID Card
• School Leaving Certificate
• Examination Certificates Results of qualifications claimed on application.

6. After an Applicant is considered eligible for a course the number of points is worked according to the course requirements: 
a) The total points for Compulsory subjects is multiplied by 5.
b) The total points for Preferred subjects is multiplied by 3.
c) When there is a choice within the list of Compulsory Subjects the ones with the highest grades are multiplied by 5. Any additional passes in compulsory subjects are considered as Preferred subjects. All other passes are given their relative number of points.
d) The total of all the points obtained by an Applicant indicates the place in the order of merit for admission into a course.

7. Until a universal framework for an APL policy is in place only the stated prior learning qualifications as shown on the Prospectus for the specific courses are accepted.

8. All Applicants that are offered a place to start a course are informed to complete a Registration Form and produce any documents as necessary. This official Registration Form must be completed and handed at the Office of the Registrar within the stipulated time together with original documents and their photocopies. Failing this the place offered on the course may be assigned to another Applicant on the waiting list.

9. An Applicant may delegate another person to present their Application or Registration Form as long as the delegated person presents his/her original Identity Card together with the original Identity Card of the Applicant.

10. If after the first call for applications there are courses where places are still available there will be other calls for applications. Any places remaining after the second call will be offered on a first come first served basis.

11. Any application to join a course or any request to change a course must go through the Office of the Registrar and will not be accepted beyond a date agreed upon by the Council of Institutes.

12. All information submitted on the Application Form may be shared with different departments within MCAST and other government departments for statistical and guidance purposes.

13. When the number of applicants for a course is not viable, the College reserves the right not to offer the course and applicants will be given the opportunity to change their option.

14. The term ‘part-time on an apprenticeship’ as used in the Prospectus means that a student attends a number of days or weeks at an Institute and the rest of the week or year is sponsored at a place of work with the help of ETC.

15. Students who satisfy the following conditions may apply for consideration to join MCAST programmes as mature students:
- Be in possession of the School Leaving Certificate
- Have on the date of application:
a) attained the age of 23 years for entry to programmes at MQC Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework;
b) attained the age of 21 years for entry to programmes at Levels 3 and 4 on the National Qualifications Framework.
- Demonstrate that they stand to benefit and show that they are able to follow the programme through an interview held for the purpose.

Shortlisted persons will be called for an interview to assess their suitability for the chosen programme. The Selection Board may require candidates to undertake additional studies as part of their acceptance. The Board may recommend an alternative programme where it considers it appropriate.

Students are advised to approach the respective Institute / Career Guidance Services well in advance to the qualifying age above.

16. Applicants for Level 1 and Level 2 programmes will be required to sit for the Initial Assessment Test in Maltese, English and Mathematics. Students found to require significant support will be guided to join the Level 1 Introductory Certificate course.